The Language of Scripture

To my children,

Two months ago, I cautioned you about reading corrupt copies of the Scriptures. Then last month, I taught you how to recognize counterfeit bibles. In this final lesson, I will speak about the language (English, of course) of the Scripture and refute two false beliefs regarding the King James Bible.

A few points to remember from the previous lessons:

• Inspiration is the infusion of ideas into the mind. Every word of Scripture is inspired. Inspiration only applies to the original manuscripts. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
• Preservation is the act of preserving or keeping safe. Preservation is important when copying or translating the texts. The Masoretic Hebrew text (Old Testament) and the Textus Receptus (New Testament) have been preserved by God. (Psalms 12:6-7)
• Inspiration brings God’s words into written form while preservation protects His written words during copying and translating.
• Satan is the father of Bible translations. (compare Matthew 4:5-6 with Psalms 91:11-12)
• The copyright status indicates an authorship change, not a translation of God’s words.
• Only one English translation is authentic and authoritative. (parallel Exodus 36:19 in the KJV, NIV, ESV, and NASB)
• Strategic attacks on doctrine reveal Bible counterfeits. (Acts 8:37; 1 John 5:7; Philippians 2:6)

The Accuracy of the King James Bible

1. Translation Methodology: Formal Equivalence

Formal equivalence is a translation process that translates word-for-word. Each word written in one language is translated with its corresponding word in the other language. This is the proper method when preservation is the ultimate goal. Because of mankind’s sinful condition, formal equivalency helps to maintain the integrity of the translators. The King James Bible was translated utilizing formal equivalence.

Modern translations utilize a process known as dynamic equivalence (or thought-for-thought). It’s claimed that the thought (or idea) is kept intact while the words, which convey that thought, are changed. This is the method used when the translators are only explaining what the author meant. Preservation is not all that important. However, it’s imperative to distinguish between what the author actually says and what somebody claims he meant. Dynamic equivalence assumes the latter. But in addition, it destroys the check on integrity.

2. The Use of Italics and the Omission of Quotation Marks

In the King James Bible, italics are words that were added by the translators to produce a proper English sentence that read smoothly but stayed true to the original text. This is a common practice when translating from one language to another because a word in one language may not have a corollary word in another, as well as, idiomatic expressions aren’t easily moved between languages. The King James translators wanted the reader to understand that these words weren’t in the manuscripts, so they set them in italics. Now that’s integrity.

In the King James Bible, you’ll notice that there are no quotation marks when someone is speaking (and for good reason). The most obvious is that the manuscripts didn’t contain quotation marks, so why would the King James translators add them? But let’s also keep in mind that, in the Bible, it’s not always clear if the narrator or the character is speaking. In these instances, quotation marks would only be editorial guesses. Leaving quotation marks out of the translation is another example of translator integrity.

3. The Use of Proper Language for Clarification

Romeo and Juliet was a play written by William Shakespeare and premiered in 1597, merely seven years before the translation of the King James Bible commenced. To this day, people adore the poetic language that was used by Shakespeare, but attack it because its used in the King James. Nevertheless, the Archaic English used in the King James Bible is necessary to understand the Scriptures.

The King James Bible included words that were not used in ordinary everyday language. The translators wanted to be very precise in distinguishing between plural and singular pronouns. Words such as thou, thee, thy, thine, ye, and you have very distinct meanings. Let’s say I’m speaking to a group of people and I use the word “you.” Am I referring to the group or an individual within the group? The King James clears up this confusion.

“Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again.”

John 3:7 KJV

Thee is singular and tells us that Jesus is speaking to the individual, Nicodemus (John 3:1). Ye is plural and refers to everyone who wants to be saved. This distinction is lost if you substitute the words thee and ye with you.

The King James Bible also includes many words that end with -est or -eth. Remember, the translators had a purpose for everything they did. And in this case, these suffixes differentiate between the second and third person singular.

“…Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?…”

John 21:17 KJV

The word love with -est (lovest) is the second person singular present. Jesus is speaking to an individual, Peter, in the present tense.

“…He that cometh after me is preferred before me…”

John 1:15 KJV

The word come with -eth (cometh) is the third person singular present. John the Baptist is speaking to a group of Pharisees about Jesus in the present tense.

Refuting the Attacks on the King James Bible

1. The King James Bible is hard to understand, so new translations simplify the language.

Is the King James really hard to understand, or do English-speaking people have a lower educational level? Let’s say, for instance, that I don’t know how to read. In this particular case, wouldn’t any book be to hard for me? The proper solution, however, is to teach me to read. Picture bibles, as a solution, would do me a great disservice, because I would remain illiterate. We shouldn’t simplify the language, but rather, raise the educational level of the English-speaking people.

In addition, Isaiah 55:11 tells us God’s Word (the King James Bible for the English-speaking people) will not return void. The Holy Spirit convicts unbeliever’s of sin (John 16:7-11), the Holy Spirit guides Believer’s in all truth (John 16:13), and the Holy Spirit is the interpreter of Scripture (2 Peter 1:20). Simplifying the language is nothing more than man’s private interpretation. The Holy Ghost is necessary to understanding the Scriptures. This is because the King James Bible is a spiritual book that must be spiritually discerned.

2. We don’t talk like that anymore. New translations update the language to modern-day.

There are over 50 different English bible translations. Which one has been updated with the modern-day language? The first problem is that the translators are not updating the language to modern-day. Rather, they’re changing the words and its context, which actually changes its authorship. (This is a necessary requirement to obtain a copyright status.)

Second problem is that the publisher’s are copyrighting their bibles so they can make money. In other words, they’re selling religion to people. If you would like to print and distribute bibles that are published by Zondervan, you must pay them for that right. Alternatively, you could just buy the bibles in the retail store to distribute for free, but Zondervan gets paid either way. However, printing Zondervan bibles without their approval is copyright infringement.

The third error is assuming that people in 1611 talked in the same manner as the language of the King James Bible. But reality is, the common man didn’t talk that way. Romeo and Juliet was a play and its language was set apart from everyday usage. The King James, in a similar fashion, used language that didn’t conform to common, everyday usage. Its language was set apart from the normal, everyday talk. Anyone who’s read John Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, first published in 1563, sees that the author’s language is vastly different than that of the King James.

In Romans 12:2, we’re told not to be conformed to this world. What better way for God to set the example, then by showing that His words, in the King James Bible, are not conformed to the language of this world. The language of the King James is truly set apart from everyday usage.

These two attacks on the King James Bible are the most commonly stated from the average layman. Secular scholars and minister’s of the devil are crafty and invent new false arguments to attack the King James. But don’t fall for it. God has many enemies who stand behind the pulpit preaching false doctrine from the Bible. He has enemies who hold a PhD. He even has enemies who know more about the Bible than you and I.

Here are other resources on the King James Bible:

• Crowned with Glory by Dr. Thomas Holland
• What Bible Would Jesus Use? by Jack McElroy
• A More Sure Word by R.B. Ouellette
• Final Authority by William P. Grady
• The Secret of the Lost Scrolls by Caleb and Katie Garraway

As I wrap up this lesson, remember this: the King James Bible is the only Bible for the English-speaking people. It’s not a version, it’s the Bible. All other translations are counterfeits. As you move forward in your Christian walk, keep your King James with you at all times. Read from the King James, study from the King James, and memorize from the King James. But whatever you do, never abandon your King James.

In Christ’s love,
Dad

📚 Lesson 7: The Language of Scripture