Is the King James Version of the Bible God’s Word?
Chris asked:
Out of so many translations there can only be one true Word of God
Out of so many translations there can only be one true Word of God
And God is not the autho of confusion.
I did a bit of study and apparently the KJV 1611 is the only one that is not missing scripture and some bibles even have their text taken from westcott and hort, which is from alexandria. So i think it does matter which bible you use.
I read this book about translations and have come to the conclusion that the KJV is the only Bible that doesn’t contradict itself or attack the deity of Christ or the method of salvation. And thank you all for the answers.
DividingWord Fan.com
February 07 2010 12:13 pm | Religion & Spirituality
Robert Abuse on 09 Feb 2010 at 11:31 am #
DividingWord.com
No and there is no God.
Edit `…..according to many modern day Bible scholars who still wright in Aramaic text.` (sic)
The Bible was translated, predominately from Koine Greek, it has but a few phrases of Aramaic.
Techno Destructo on 10 Feb 2010 at 5:01 pm #
DividingWord.com
The bible is stupid and you should feel stupid.
Spyro, Destroyer of Sheep on 12 Feb 2010 at 8:19 am #
King James Bible
No, it was written by a bunch of different people.
Michael Jackson on 13 Feb 2010 at 9:24 am #
DividingWord.com
Yes. It’s been translated and maintained quite well according to many modern day Bible scholars who still wright in Aramaic text.
Researcher on 14 Feb 2010 at 8:37 pm #
DividingWord.com
well I guess the Aramaic/Hebrew? version would be the True one though, as long as its a direct translation (or as close as possible) then it is still ok
David on 17 Feb 2010 at 9:50 am #
DividingWord.com
The KJV is 100% accurate, yes.
There are other versions that are good too
Brotherbro10 on 19 Feb 2010 at 8:23 pm #
DividingWord.com
I have heard the same as you.
According to people, the KJV Bible has been proven to be the most accurate version, if I am correct.
Mr. Taco on 22 Feb 2010 at 5:33 pm #
King James Bible
“Out of so many translations there can only be one true Word of God.”
That statement, my friend, is a fallacy. The King James Version is one interpretation of God’s Word. Whether it is “the” translation is open for debate. But there is no rule etched in stone anywhere that says that there can only be one true translation. That is a ridiculous assumption.
p.s. To correct some other bad assumptions here, which version of the KJV you are talking about makes a huge difference. Language and theology experts from all denominations generally have proven that the original KJV is amongst the LEAST accurate Bibles, because it was translated with a specific theological and political bias. The newer translations of the KJV, however, are amongst the best… though not only… accurate translations.
And the claim that the Quran only has one translation is also a myth. It has been translated into over 102 languages, and the “original” version has been passed on for generations, ensuring alternate versions and interpretations. Nothing against the Quran, which surely best represents the religious beliefs of millions of people, but pretending like it is more academically “pure” is merely a subjective attempt to give it more legitimacy than the Bible. Ultimately all these ancient writings are contextual, however, which lends them to equal legitimacy under different circumstances.
“I did a bit of study and apparently the KJV 1611 is the only one that is not missing scripture”
LOL! Did you get that from the Old KJV Society or something? There are denominations out there that swear up and down on the KJV, but you will not find a single objective scholar of the Bible that will confirm your above statement. Nice try. But the authors of the original KJV Bible simply did not have access to all the original texts they claim to have used. What is more, James specifically gave the translators instructions intended to guarantee that the new version would conform to the ecclesiology and reflect the episcopal structure of the Church of England and its beliefs about an ordained clergy. That is a proven fact. Again, I am not saying that the KJV does not serve its purpose, but to claim it is the only “accurate” Bible based on the original texts is simply not true. That is all I am saying.
Onward Christian Soldiers! on 24 Feb 2010 at 10:47 pm #
DividingWord Fan.com
2Tim 3:16 says that ALL scripture is God breathed.
I wouldn’t get too hung up on which is “right”. Some translations in my opinion are just easier to understand. There is no problem with simpler translations, as long as they maintain the principals, connotations, and denotations of the original
St. Alan servant of Jesus on 26 Feb 2010 at 2:24 pm #
Dividing Word….
There is only one true Word of God translated into many different languages with many different translations.
bumpin 420 on 27 Feb 2010 at 9:40 pm #
DividingWord Fan.com
no…he changed it around so he could get a divorce
edit: changed it from the original catholic one (catholic means universal…)
yeah lots of thumbs down…keep hatin on the TRUTH lol
God's servant on 01 Mar 2010 at 3:10 am #
DividingWord.com
yes it is as is other bibles that had their words translated from the original hebrew and greek words.
translate means to use the words of a language to say what the text you are using says.
just because the bible was translated from greek and hebrew into english or any other language does not make it evil.
the true word of God is the one that says in meaning what was said in the greek and hebrew of the original text.
No God is not the author of confusion.
Lover of Jehovah on 04 Mar 2010 at 1:12 pm #
http://www.DividingWord.com
It is Gods word, just in a language that we don’t use any longer. That is why it is a little hard to understand. The same message is in all Holy Bibles, some are just easier to understand.
Eilyas on 07 Mar 2010 at 6:33 pm #
DividingWord Fan.com
How can you say that God is the author of the Bible that is ridiculous. If God was the author of the Bible we have today not the Original but the one today why is there so many versions. and King James is not God how can he make changes . thee are 1000s of version of the Bible which one is right
the Quran has One Version the Original . it has lasted over 1400years that is a miracle from God. Try going to and read the English translation of the Quran
Jimmy C on 08 Mar 2010 at 6:30 pm #
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Many scriptures have been written. Each religion thinks it has the only answer. For a person to base his or her total belief on one version of one book that was written by many authors and translated many times, is not entirely logical.
Messenger of God on 09 Mar 2010 at 6:26 am #
DividingWord.com
First of all you have to understand the origins of the Bible. That would also mean that you would have to agree with the Catholic Church was the organization that compiled the Bible in the first place. The King James Version Bible was based off the Roman Catholic Latin Vulgate. And the King James Version Bible was originally translated for the Church of England. Now if you know anything about the Church of England they consider themselves to be both Catholic and Protestant.
Jim on 12 Mar 2010 at 7:12 am #
King James Bible
God’s “words” were recorded by Hebrews in Hebrew over 2000 years ago. From Hebrew to Aramaic and Greek. Many years later from Germanic to English. There are other books included in a bible, that were recorded by other authors in other languages. You would have to be a fool to believe the exact words in original text exist today.
Besides that the original “book” was a collection of various stories by various authors. It is really reaching to claim any of that was the word of God.
http://www.bible-reviews.com on 13 Mar 2010 at 6:16 pm #
http://www.DividingWord.com
Well, all I can say is that you need to do more research on this matter before coming to a decision.
For example: in the foreword of the 1611 edition of the King James Version, titled “The Translators to the Reader”, the translators tell the reader things such as
* the King James Version is not 100% accurate
* reading any bible is beneficial
At the time that was written there were already a half dozen earlier English bible versions. The translators themselves did not expect (or demand) that their bible be considered the only true word of God.
1611 King James Version: this site will explain the differences. My guess is that you do NOT have an edition of the 1611 King James Version, but probably a heavily-abridged edition of the Standard Text of 1769 instead. If you really want to rely on the 1611 edition, you need to read this
Missing scriptures: please research this *carefully*. Generally, new bible translations do NOT omit actual Scriptures but, instead, they omit verses that bible scholars have discovered were NOT WRITTEN by the original authors, and were added *much later* to the bible. So – although it can *appear* that Scriptures are being omitted, in fact what is happening is that *fraudulent Scriptures* are being removed!
As far as I know, only the New World Translation (of all translations done in the last 60 years) is taken from Westcott and Hort New Testament. All modern bibles use either the Nestle-Aland or the United Bible Societies Text (now the same thing) excepting the New World Translation (already mentioned), the New King James Version and the Orthodox Study Bible. In other words, nearly all bible scholars of the last 60 years prefer to use the NA and/or UBS as a source text for the New Testament.
Again: please research this matter carefully. Don’t just believe the things that you are told about what bible is “best” – even from respected religious leaders! Find out the truth for yourself!
Jim,
Johnny Mac on 16 Mar 2010 at 2:10 pm #
DividingWord.com
It sounds like you’ve been listening to some rhetoric.
The KJV is unsurpassed in its elegance and eloquence. The majority of the KJV comes from the work of William Tyndale nearly a century earlier (he was executed for his translations). It is an extraordinary work, and is a formal equivalence (word-for-word) translation.
There are a few things to consider. For example, our understanding of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek languages has improved since the days of the KJV translators. Yes, more sources and manuscripts have been discovered since when the KJV. The manuscripts that the KJV translators used have not been disregarded.
Another thing to consider is what you need. Different Bible’s have different objectives and intended readers. That’s really important. In your search for a Bible, think about your needs (e.g., your reading level, use of the Bible such as study, devotion, and so on). Opinions about the “right” Bible vary, and can be emotionally charged. What’s important is to find the Bible that’s right for YOU and your needs. For that, you will need to do some objective research on your own.
A book that I often recommend for people who are looking for the Bible that fits their needs is:
The Complete Guide to Bible Translations
by Ron Rhodes
You may be able to find this book at your public library. It’s a great starting for your personal research.
Also, here’s a site that you might find interesting:
and
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From the FAQ link above:
Although we agree that the NIV Bible is not the most accurate, to say it is perverse and wrong is an overreaction. (Referring to God’s Word, the Bible, as “perverse and wrong” may even be a sin in itself if you think about it.)
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You may also find this interesting as a starting point (this does not give you detailed information such as history, objectives, and so on):
I do recommend a KJV in conjunction with other translations. If you feel at home with God’s word through the KJV, then it sounds like you’ve already found the Bible for you
God bless.
voyc4rmwldrns on 19 Mar 2010 at 8:39 pm #
DividingWord.com
1rst, many well-meaning ppl suggest u use the King James (KJV) b/c its the only authorized version (drawback – its written in older English not spoken 4 over 130 yrs – good in its day but its a huge speed bump 2day). Other ppl suggest the NIV but its writers made it 2 appeal 2 humanist ideas (a novel/bedtime stories, not what the Bible is 4). Actually, God’s eternal truth is present in most standard translations but theres roadblocks/speed bumps b/c of various objectives/agendas (i.e. so-called missing bks dont belong in the Bible (see below)). I use the English Standard Version (ESV) b/c its easier 2 read while adhering 2 the word 4 word 4mat.
BIBLES
Many r not trusting God, r stuck in old traditions & miss the right criteria 4 finding the real truth (buying a Bible b/c u like it isnt a good criteria). 4 40 yrs Iv studied the whole Bible, some parts many times. U want a version that gives u the quickest path 2 the truth (least amnt of speed bumps) 4 the best chance not 2 b confused, which u’ll hv along the way – especially 4 young ppl – what u feed children spiritually will affect the outcome – input = output – Ur approach, methodology, purpose & attitude (in)directly affect what u learn. I hv access 2 30+ translations. Iv found the best 2 versions (1 or 2 others r almost as good but not needed). Why I use these 2:
The wise know there cant b many versions that can b the best/close 2 the old texts. Theres 3 main types of translations with overlaps/mixtures within each category (dependent on agendas/philosophical approach – some may classify some in 1 category when they belong in another – especially within B&C below – 2 a degree more than 1 method may b used 4 readability or depending on agendas/theology concepts – some overuse):
A. Word 4 word with right amount of literal translation method
B. Dynamic equivalence/thought 4 thought – overused Literal
C. Concept 4 Concept/paraphrased – overused Literal
1a. Word 4 Word
I use Bibles based in “word 4 word” with right usage of “literal” (4 readability) translation methods. The reason is they adhere best 2 original text. The translations, best 1rst, r King James III (KJ III) (newest update) by J. P. Green – also published a Literal Translation & an Interlinear Version (IV) – includes Hebrew&Greek, **English Standard Version (ESV) – the “easiest good version” 2 read (a related update of Revised Standard Version (RSV – best older 20th Cnt translation).
1b. Older English Versions
Regrettably all other English translations hv inherent problems/errors. Old English versions like the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV, AmV), Revised English Version (REV), Darby & similar versions r written in older English thats not been used 4 over 130 yrs. While it may b poetically nice the Bible isnt about poetry. The Bible’s hard enough 2 understand without trying 2 decipher a long outdated language – even word 4 word trans. wont help.
The truth’s hidden in the Bible. It takes lots of time & energy 2 mine it as is. Again, many ppl claim the KJV is the only “authorized” version (KJV is authorized by a “human” king not God & has errors). Many older English words rnt even rightly definable any more. Use of OLD so-called “modern” English only helps promote Biblical ignorance, which overrides its value 4 knowing God.
2. Dynamic Equivalence/Thought 4 Thought
B wise stay away from all other (un)popular versions b/c they, 2 1 degree or another hv rewritten passages/verses. While many were well-meaning they watered down/caused significant changes 2 the meaning of God’s actual message/block the true power of God’s word from being rightly understood.
Many well-meaning ppl tried 2 make versions so-called easier/more pleasurable 2 read – the Bible isnt a storybook or novel. They were trying 2 please humans instead of God. They used dynamic equivalence, thought 4 thought & used some literal/word 4 word methods of interpretation 4 where the original was obviously better. Where these methods went wrong is b/c they tried 2 1 degree or another 2 rewrite verses in their own words (calling them so-called modern English, etc.) or styles (sentence structure/other issues/errors). The more liberally applied the worse the version (especially 4 hidden agendas).
These versions include: The [NASB], RE, NAV, JB, NEB, KJV, NKJV, NRSV, HCSV, CEV, GNB, NCV, NJB & others with similarly applied methods & sad 2 say all Catholic versions [especially with inclusion of so-called "lost" or Apocrypha books, which dont adhere 2 the same foundation/structure, message or contradict God's 66 true books].
3. Paraphrased/Free Translation
This set includes but isnt limited 2 the LT, NIV, NIRV, NLV, NLT, TNIV, NLV, The Way – Paraphrased + the Message Bible (worst offenders but all versions listed here r almost as bad as these 2 – they make the Bible more like bedtime stories than the word of God). The more liberally applied the worse the version (especially 4 hidden agendas) – perversion 2 1 degree or another.
These translation methods bend/rewrite &/or water down what was originally intended ([un]intentionally 4 various preferences/agendas). If u want 2 know God’s actual message dont use these versions – they will give u a distorted picture/message & u could wind up remembering them that way – especially our impressionable children. Use the 2 versions I list under set 1 2 get 2 know what God actually intended.
Then theres other so-called Bibles that cant lead u 2 God – the New World Translation (JWs), BOM (Mormon), the Qu’ran (Islam/muslims) & others claiming 2 b from God, another testament, update or restoration. The true Comforter is God’s Holy Spirit not a human.
——
In reading the Bible 1 must know this – theres many ways that seem right 2 men but its end = death & verses must b judged with right judgment. The Bible isnt 2 b read as a novel or a bedtime story. Many think they can just read it & understand it or its rubbish or pick parts of the Bible not easily understood even by seasoned actual Christians.
No matter how much well-meaning ppl (religious or not) read the Bible they cant find Jesus without going directly 2 Him thru His Biblical instructions (Jn 5:39; 10:1,7; 3:3,5). God outsmarted man – the Bible’s the only 1 that cant b properly understood without Jesus (Jn 14:6; II Cor 3:14; Is 29:11-12 – If Jewish ppl cant pierce the veil over the OT without Jesus then 4 sure all gentiles cant) – why theres many interpretations & many thinking its just fairy tales (Jesus came with the sword of division).
The Bible severely warns us not 2 trust humans, not even ourselves, clergy/churches/scholars/scientists (Jer 10:2-5,23; Is 2:22; Job 12:11; Prov 14:12; Acts 17:11). So carefully think over what I say. Dont just believe or dismiss what I write so u wont make the mistake many have, getting caught up in religious beliefs that wont lead u 2 God (things written about the Bible r by man not Jesus – like books/commentaries).
Note: Neither a label, title, name, its history, # of members, amount of time it existed or whats stated about them means anything – its whats practiced that makes it valid or a lie or not useful (even with respect 2 Bibles). Most Bibles contain the truth but many hv bad errors.
Many miss this – Jesus is the only 1 in history who said He’s “the” way, “the” truth & “the” life & NO 1 can know God except thru Jesus (Jn 14:6 – ref Acts 4:12; Jn 5:39; 10:1,7). So “the” whole truth was complete & there4 finished thru what Jesus taught/did or God doesn’t know what He’s doing & cant b God. The truth is either fully true or its a lie. The full truth cant contain a lie – the absence of any lie. So any so-called new teaching, other religious beliefs or from self-proclaimed prophets & teachers r null & void & cant lead u 2 God. But God always knew what He’s doing & all Jesus would do.
Jesus couldnt have done nor said what He did unless He fully knew the entire OT (the NT didnt exist @ the time of Jesus) – only possible if God sent Him & the Apostles couldnt write the NT unless Jesus allowed them 2 remember & know His purpose (Lk 24:25-27,45). Only God could cause it.
Religions made many fatal errors. They built religions on what man would like God 2 b like. They cant all b right (i.e. Theres 1 Bible, why so many interpretations? – II Pet 1:**19-21). Religion wont teach u much about God (they cant teach what they don’t know).
I know many Biblical things but most important is do u know about being Born Anew (Jn 3:3,5)? Whats Biblical is built on it (NT – John is the place 2 start, Chap.3 1rst – the whole Bible is connected 2 John). Im not religious under “church” type labels b/c the Bible is about eternal life not how many rituals u can do (wrong use of the Bible – part of why theres many interpretations). By loving the truth 1rst u’ll learn the true love of Jesus Christ.
2 begin 2 find our real Jesus, start with Jn 3:1-14 – note: Nicodemus was very religious but Jesus flatout told him he had missed the 1rst most important step – being Born Anew. 2 be Born Anew u must 1rst understand that no1 can live without breaking God’s Law = sin that separates us from God (Rom 3:23; Acts 3:19). There4, u must pray 2 Jesus asking Him 2 forgive ur past sins, accept Jesus Christ as ur 1 & only Savior, ask Him 2 give u God’s Holy Spirit (Lk 11:11-13; Jn 15:26; 14:26), seek 2 know & follow Him – u always need a Bible (Jn 7:17; Jn 1:12,13; 3:16,17;21; 36; 5:24: 6:37; 8:12; 10:9; 11:25; 14:6; 20:31; Is 34:16; 46:10 – memorize this set of verses – later they helped me).
voyc4rmwldrns