I was recently introduced to the concept of "King James Version only" christianity. After some research into why such an idea exists, I have learned to love my NIV translation all the more. This page is dedicated to ensuring NIV-trusting bible readers that their trust in the NIV translation is by no means misplaced. In fact, from what I've gathered, I can fairly say that while the KJV is still an excellent bible translation some 400 years after its first publishing, there are several reasons why its relevance as a source of serious bible-study in the english language is somewhat diminished by the availability of the current NIV translation. My motivation is to help others like myself, who trust in the NIV as the living word of God, to embrace it whole-heartedly, without doubt or fear of the KJV only controversy which continues to be kept alive by its proponents. This page is in no way intended as an attempt to discredit the KJV as a trustworthy source of the word of God. I do not wish to engage in a debate against the KJV only believers. I believe we should be unified in our love for Christ, not divided by the attacks of our common enemy. ...avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. - Titus 3:9 NIV |
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Some distinguishing characteristics of the KJV only cult: |
Missing BloodA brief examination of the missing atonement-through-blood argument. |
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Some people will have you believe that modern translations of the Bible are watering down
(or worse, deliberately attacking and distorting) The Word of God.
They will point out various isolated differences between the KJV and a modern translation as evidence of this phenomenon.
One particular verse in the Bible that is often cited as an example of this is Colossians 1:14: |
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In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:14 – KJV in whom we have redemption through His blood, [FN] the forgiveness of sins. [FN] = NU-Text and M-Text omit ‘through His blood’ Colossians 1:14 – NKJV in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:14 – NIV |
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Now we can immediately notice a few things: Now, to say, as some might, that this means the NIV translators have watered down (or worse yet, deceptively removed) the atonement of sin through Christ’s blood-sacrifice is an unfounded and non-factual statement, the truth of which is easily seen if one only takes the time to actually look. The atonement by blood-sacrifice is well represented in many other places of the same translation. Take a look at a few other passages from the NIV translation that attest to the integral role His blood plays in the atonement of our sin: |
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In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace Ephesians 1:7 – NIV but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 1 Peter 1:19 – NIV But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13 - NIV How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! Hebrews 9:14 – NIV and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, Revelation 1:5 – NIV God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— Romans 3:25 - NIV |
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As demonstrated above, the NIV, one example of a contemporary version of the Bible, does not in fact water down the importance of the atonement through the blood of Christ whatsoever. Even after seeing this, some may say that for the translators to have taken away anything at all, even just from one place, makes them untrustworthy. However, if they WOULD say that, then they would also have to be prepared to hold the KJV translators up to the same standard. This is where they often reveal the fact that they have not actually done due diligence in examining these matters for themselves. After all, anybody can clearly see for themselves that in fact, there have been MANY words and phrases that have been removed AS WELL as added through the centuries in the KJV. |
The Differences...between KJV 1611 and KJV 1850 |
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Most readers will be aware that numberless and not inconsiderable departures from the original or standard edition of the
Authorized Translation as published in 1611, are to be found in the modern Bibles which issue from the press by thousands every year. Some of these differences must be imputed to oversight and negligence, from which no work of man can be entirely free; but much the greater part of them are deliberate changes, introduced silently and without authority by men whose names are often unknown. Now, if such alterations had been made invariably for the worse, it would have been easy in future editions to recall the primitive readings, and utterly to reject the later corruptions. This, however, is far from being the case. Not a few of these variations, especially those first met with in Cambridge folio Bibles dated 1629 and 1638, which must have been superintended with much critical care, amend manifest faults of the original Translators or editors, so that it would be most injudicious to remove them from the place they have deservedly held in all our copies for the last 250 years'. - F. H. A. Scrivener |
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The Authorized Edition of the English Bible (1611) Its Subsequent Reprints and Modern Representatives. F.H.A. Scrivener, M.A, D.C.L., L.L.D. Prebendary of Exeter and Vicar of Hexdon Cambridge University Press 1884 |
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Here are just a few examples: The 1611 and 1850 KJV versions are compared and you can click the image clipping to see it for yourself in an ACTUAL 1611 publishing. |
Verse |
KJV 1611 |
KJV Today |
| I John 5:12 | Hee that hath the Sonne, hath life; and hee that hath not the Sonne hath not life. | He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. |
http://sceti.library.upenn.edu/sceti/printedbooksNew/index.cfm?TextID=kjbible&PagePosition=1483 |
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| I Timothy 1:4 | Neither give heed to fables, and endlesse genealogies, which minister questions, rather then edifying which is in faith: so doe. | Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. |
http://sceti.library.upenn.edu/sceti/printedbooksNew/index.cfm?TextID=kjbible&PagePosition=1448 |
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| John 15:20 | Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater then the Lord … | Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord… |
http://sceti.library.upenn.edu/sceti/printedbooksNew/index.cfm?TextID=kjbible&PagePosition=1338 |
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| Matthew 12:23 | And all the people were amazed and said, Is this the sonne of David? | And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? |
http://sceti.library.upenn.edu/sceti/printedbooksNew/index.cfm?TextID=kjbible&PagePosition=1232 |
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| Ezekiel 24:7 | For her blood is in the middest of her : she set it upon the toppe of a rocke, she poured it upon the ground to cover it with dust : | For her blood is in the midst of her; she set it upon the top of a rock; she poured it not upon the ground, to cover it with dust; |
http://sceti.library.upenn.edu/sceti/printedbooksNew/index.cfm?TextID=kjbible&PagePosition=910 |
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| Isaiah 49:13 | Sing, O heaven, and be joyfull, Earth, and breake forth into singing, O Mountains : for God hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted. | Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted. |
http://sceti.library.upenn.edu/sceti/printedbooksNew/index.cfm?TextID=kjbible&PagePosition=802 |
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| Ruth 3:15 | Also he said, Bring the || vaile that thou hast upon thee, and holde it. And when she helde it, he measured five measures of barley, and laide it on her : and he went into the citie. | Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city. |
http://sceti.library.upenn.edu/sceti/printedbooksNew/index.cfm?TextID=kjbible&PagePosition=367 |
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| I Corinthians 12:28 | And God hath set some in the Church, first Apostles, secondarily Prophets, thirdly Teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helpes in governments, || diversities of tongues. (||= Or, Kinds) | And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. |
http://sceti.library.upenn.edu/sceti/printedbooksNew/index.cfm?TextID=kjbible&PagePosition=1409 |
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| Missing Verses | Missing Blood | The Differences |