Jeremy & Sandy Hudson

I’m writing, just because it’s come up in my little circle of the world…

The King James Version of the Bible is an English TRANSLATION. The KJV was created for the newly formed Church of England. The first version of the KJV was completed in 1611. The KJV eventually replaced the Latin Vulgate as the chief translation used in the English speaking world.

The Latin Vulgate was mostly the work of Jerome and was created in the fifth century after Jerome was commissioned by the Pope to update the Latin texts that they had been using into a more modern Latin.

The old Latin version used was translated from Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic sources. Parts of the Greek version used to create the Latin translation were previously translated from Hebrew sources.

The point is, none of the original work even exists any more. All of the original works have been lost to time. The very oldest copies we have available today are housed at the Shrine of the Book in Jerusalem.  The scrolls are almost 1000 years older than any other known Scriptural texts and were discovered in the ’40s in the caves around Qumran They are commonly known as the Dead Sea Scrolls. Before the caves at Qumran were discovered, every translation used MUCH later (newer) copies. We don’t have any modern English Bibles translated from the Dead Sea copies of Scripture… including the venerated KJV.

All we have to work from are copies of copies of copies of copies… All of these translations were done so that men might better understand the Words of God.

Why would you think the KJV is superior to other newer translations from OLDER source materials?

I’ve been taught the KJV only ideas since I was a child, but when I decided to find out the FACTS for myself, I realized that there is value in most modern translations, including the KJV.

If God can speak through an ASS, surely He can use the NIV too. (Numbers 22:28 KJV) BTW… the NIV is not my personal favorite translation, I just used it as an example.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that, as I have studied the Bible as well as the words that it contains, I have discovered that the more different translations I read a particular passage in, the better I understand the spirit of the passage. I may not know the exact words that Paul wrote, but I do know that there are copies of Paul’s First Letter to the Church at Corinth and that those copies are VERY likely to have the exact words that Paul wrote. I also know that there are many tools that can help me better understand some of the nuances of meaning contained in the specific words that Paul used. Do you know what I discovered when I did a word study of First Corinthians? I discovered that the Amplified Bible and the New American Standard Version both had a really good take on the meanings of the original words.

We can get all hung up on which translation is the best translation, or which translation is the most accurate translation. I personally don’t think it really matters which translation you use. Find one you like to read, and read it! Ask God to illuminate the scriptures for you, and HE WILL. After all, GOD is the one we should look to for true understanding, not other men…

We don’t have to rely on the world’s guesses and opinions. We didn’t learn this by reading books or going to school; we learned it from God, who taught us person-to-person through Jesus, and we’re passing it on to you in the same firsthand, personal way. (I Cor. 2:12 MSG)

But as for you, the anointing (the sacred appointment, the unction) which you received from Him abides [permanently] in you; [so] then you have no need that anyone should instruct you. But just as His anointing teaches you concerning everything and is true and is no falsehood, so you must abide in (live in, never depart from) Him [being rooted in Him, knit to Him], just as [His anointing] has taught you [to do]. (I John 2:27 AMP)

For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. (I Cor 2:10-11 NASB)

Oh, and just to throw a bone to you guys who are embracing the KJV, I still read it. I still love it. It is the translation of my childhood. It is the translation I memorized from in Sunday School. It is a part of me and always will be.

For those of you who may be wondering which is my personal favorite… I really don’t have one. I love God’s Word. I read from many translations and I love them all.