THE KING JAMES VERSION IS NOT THE ONLY BIBLE

The King James Version has blessed many lives. Its language is beautiful and its history is important. But the Bible was inspired when prophets and apostles first wrote the message, not when English translators worked in 1611. Jesus and the apostles did not speak King James English. The Word of God existed long before that translation came into the world (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21). Faith does not rest on one English version. It rests on Christ.

Some people speak as if the King James Version fell from heaven perfect and untouched. But even the translators themselves did not believe that. In their own writings they admitted that translations can be improved. Language changes with time. Words that were clear four hundred years ago can confuse readers today. Paul said he would rather speak words people can understand than words that leave them in darkness (1 Corinthians 14:9, 19). A translation that helps modern people understand the gospel is doing good work.

The power is not in old English words. The power is in the gospel itself. Men and women have come to Christ reading the NKJV, ESV, NLT, NIV, and many others. “The Word of God is living and powerful” because God speaks through His truth, not because of one style of English (Hebrews 4:12). We should honor the Scriptures, study carefully, and avoid making a translation into an idol. Jesus is Lord. The translators were not.

BDD