KJV ONLY (KJVO)? Really?

 

There are some strong willed Christians that preach and teach that the only bible a Christian should be reading from, studying from and using is the KJV.  The KJV is treated as the only bible that has not been in error in translation, and is the only version of Word of God.  Some extremist take it to the level to say that if you’re reading anything other than KJV, you’re not a Christian.  I will not even take it there, because I truly love reading the KJV, and use it quiet frequently on my blog here.  But KJVO is not the standard, it is not the best translation out here, it is not the only correct one either.  There are many good translations like the NASB or the ESV, which do good in translating from the original text the bible was written in.  I’ll state plainly, there is no KJVO!  Why?  Simple and this defeats the argument of the KJV extremist: The bible was originally written in HEBREW, ARAMAIC, and GREEK, not KJV English. But it was translated first in KJV English….STOP!!!!!  Back to the context, the bible was originally written in the HEBREW LANGUAGE, ARAMAIC LANGUAGE, and the GREEK LANGUAGE, not ENGLISH.  So the King James Version is an English version of the bible, not the original language or the orignal bible.  So the bible was written in 3 languages originally, and English is not the one of those original languages. Being that any English language version of the bible is not the original bible, it is just a translated VERSION of the bible.  So you’re not reading the real thing!  Wait, is that blasphemous what I said?  No!  Why, because Jesus Christ does not have a problem with us reading His Word in another language translation.

 

And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave [it] again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. (Luke 4:14-20 KJV)

 

Here we see Jesus Christ reading from the book of Isaiah.  First notice the text doesn’t list what chapter Jesus Christ read from, He just read the book.  But we know that He read from this text in the OT:

 

The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, (Isaiah 61:1-2a KJV)

 

Jesus read from Isaiah 61:1-2a.  He didn’t even read the whole verse, but I’ll give you KJVO lovers that one.  Anyway, what was Jesus Christ reading because KJV uses different words (and I underlined them) from the same Isaiah of the OT, and Jesus Christ is reading from Isaiah right?  So either Jesus Christ is wrong or the KJV translator considered what was translated to be sufficient, not taking away or adding to God’s meaning.  We know Jesus Christ is the truth (John 14:6).  We know His word is truth (John 17:17).  So why is Jesus not saying Isaiah exactly how it was written in the OT?  Why didn’t He just read it exactly like how it was written in OT.  Could this be a translation issue?  Yes it is because as I said before that the original text was written in 3 different languages. Now, the OT was written mostly in Hebrew and some Aramaic.  Chapter 4 in Luke was written in Greek. The Greek was translated to English in the KJV and look, the words are different.  If KJV is the only bible, why isn’t it translated the same.  Why can the words be different? 

(Why are you asking these questions?)  I want the KJV extremist to see that there argument is invalid first because the KJV is not the original bible, and second CHRIST has approved that HIS WORD can be translated from the original language to whatever word is placed there, as long as it does add or take away from the meaning of what our Lord is saying.  So why are those that read another version put under a yoke that their bibles take away from the meaning when looking at the transliterations of the original texts, the words used in those English versions don’t take away.  It is sin (yeah I said it) to hold someone under a yoke of your view that your version of the bible is the write one (Romans 14:23).  Show me where in scripture in the KJV the Word says that KJV is the only way and we are to hold people under this version only!  You will not find that verse.  Why? Because the KJV extremist cannot let go of the version and they desire others to be under their yoke.  Look, I am not talking about those who read, understand and enjoy the KJV.  I am one of those people, and I don’t see myself getting into another version.  I like the literary style of KJV, but I do use other translations from time to time.  I also will not hold another brother/sister under what I can understand from KJV, when the other versions grew him/her the same in Christ, as God’s Word does.

 

“But we have scriptures that say something again these other versions”.  Cool shoot!

 

What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. (Deuteronomy 12:32)

 

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and [from] the things which are written in this book.  (Revelation 22:18-19)

See, you shouldn’t add to what God is saying by these other filthy translations from hell!  Really? Let’s got the context here 1^st my friend by looking at other verses before these.

 

Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.  Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.  (Deuteronomy 12:30-31)

 

Blessed [are] they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without [are] dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, [and] the bright and morning star. (Revelation 22:14-16)

 

Wait is God talking about obeying His Word, don’t add to that or diminish from that or the whole writ of scripture?  Looking at the context, it is for us to obey Him for He said it was right to.  In other words, don’t take away from the meaning.  He’s not saying “don’t translate into your language for understanding of the meaning”.  Translation is for edification in understanding the meaning of what Christ is saying, not to deter people from Christ, or add to what Christ said.  It is to understand what Jesus Christ said.  Now, does not the bible support understanding?

 

Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. (Psalms 119:104)

 

Wisdom [is] the principal thing; [therefore] get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. (Proverbs 4:7)

 

How much better [is it] to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! (Proverbs 16:16)

 

I understand when it is translated to me in a language I can understand.  Literally, if I don’t understand then there is confusion.  Today’s English is for the people learning today’s English.  People normally don’t understand KJV English.  For instance, you’re not going to ask the newsstand guy to give you a paper in KJV English?  He’s going to look at you like you have lost your mind.  So, why you trying to get all American Christians to understand KJV, when they can fully understand God’s meaning from NASB?  Don’t get me wrong, there are some bad translations out there. Come on though, people understand through language, and God desires His Word to be understand.  If a translation holds well to the original text, then what’s the fuss really about? Who are you really trying to control?  Think about it!!!!  Do you really want your Christian brother to be edified by your KJV, or is there some religious man made law you’re trying to make them believe in? STOP IT! Let that brother grow in Christ, because He believes in Jesus Christ by Christ alone, not by the version he read! 

 

This is a warning to you NASB only people on the rise as well.  You can become like this when you are attempting to make men believe what you believe.  The truth is God’s Word, not translation, because those that have a bible in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek, have the original text, not us with our English versions.

 

Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed [it], and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.  And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? (Luke 24:25-32)

 

Notice he did not say “Hebrew version of the scriptures!”, even though the OT was the only scriptures they had at that time, one of which the Septuagint was written in Greek! HMMMMMMM!!!!!