GRACE FOR TODAY Radio Message #512
WHY DO YOU USE THE
KING JAMES VERSION?
Pastor
Don Fortner
Grace Baptist Church of Danville
2734 Old Stanford Road
Danville,
Kentucky 40422-9438
This is a question that I am
frequently asked by friends as I travel from place to place. I realize there
are many who use other, more modern translations of Scripture. If the people I
preach to used another translation, I would probably use the translation they
used, if it were acceptable. (The only modern translation acceptable to me is
the New King James Version.) However, I do prefer the King James, or Authorized
Version for the following reasons:
1. All other translations
are developed by comparing ancient manuscripts. If a passage is found in the
oldest, best manuscripts, and in the majority of them, it is received. If not,
it is deleted. THE KING JAMES VERSION IS
A TRANSLATION BASED UPON THE RECEIVED TEXT. It is a translation, but not a
comparative translation.
2. THE KING JAMES IS, IN MY OPINION, THE BEST, MOST ACCURATE ENGLISH
TRANSLATION OF THE SCRIPTURES. Certainly, there are some passages that are
translated more accurately in other versions. But on the whole, I think the
Authorized Version is best.
3. THE KING JAMES IS THE MOST READABLE TRANSLATION. Granted, we no
longer use, "thee",
"thou", and "ye".
But that does not mean that we are unable to read and understand such simple
words. Though we do not use the "eth"
ending on our verbs, it is important to note that ending as it is used in the
Scriptures. Whenever it is employed, it means that the verb is a verb of
continuous action. For example, "He
that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mk. 16:16).
4. EVERY ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF THE SCRIPTURES THAT I HAVE READ EITHER
OMITS 1 John 5:7 OR SAYS THAT IT SHOULD BE OMITTED. Though it is taught
throughout the Scriptures, the doctrine of the Trinity is plainly stated in
only one verse in the Bible - I John 5:7. "This text", wrote John
Gill, "is so glaring a proof of the doctrine of the Trinity, that the
enemies of it have done all they can to weaken its authority, and have pushed
hard to extirpate it from a place in the sacred writings."
For me, these are sufficient
reasons for staying with the King James. God has always preserved his Word in
the language of the people, and in the King James it is preserved in our
language for us. If you must have a modern English translation, I suggest The
New King James Version.