KJV Only

what basis do people use to justify that you should only read the King James Version. I see no reason for people to think that.

Oh my goodness, what a topic!!!

First off, I grew up with the KJV and I still read it but I also read the ESV and NASB. About why some are dogmatic about the KJV? I don't know. I know that they think they are right and everyone else is wrong, so that could be at the root a pride problem. I know that they are very hard to talk to about it.

Here are some good KJV arguments from the past...

The Biblical position on the King James Version controversy
https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?mode=viewtopic&topic_id=31574&forum=34&start=0&viewmode=flat&order=0

For some Christians, King James is the only Bible (52pgs)
https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=38086&forum=48

God bless,
Lisa

They truly, genuinely believe that God has a single, authoritative translation for each language, equal in its inerrancy to the autographs, and that for English speaking peoples, the KJV is it. They are as certain of it as they are of God Himself. Many also believe that the 1829 Webster's Dictionary is His authoritative dictionary for English speakers even over a Strong's Concordance.

As to how they get there....cannot say.

But they are serious about it.

Brother Keith Daniels has a great sermon about this, tho I can't remember the title of it right now. Perhaps Greg or another saint might?
The main points are that the manuscripts that are used to actually translate from are totally different. The KJV does have 64,000 or so more words than the others that aren't from the Textus Receptus. Also the omissions do seem to chip away at the diety of Christ and the conditions of obedience.
A textual comparison of vital scriptures will reveal this. Also the Zondervan publishing house has copyrighted the versions they produce which are translated from the Majority Text Manuscripts, meaning if they're reproduced or reprinted in bulk then permission/licenses is required and therefore the word of God is being bound by man.
While I do read other versions and am not a "KJV only" when I'm doing a serious study or textual or syntactic analysis the KJV is the only resource I really trust.
A Google search of this topic will provide sufficient info to make your own decision regarding this issue.

I love the KJV. I prefer the ESV and NASB. I also believe the Johannine comma in the KJV is not original to the autograph. Yet, the absence of it in no way lessens the strength of any doctrine, although some would say it does.

My mind remembers KJV. I have not read it devotionally or for serious study in a few years. It is unique and beautiful.

I see the ESV and NASB being mentioned alot. I use the NKJV. What is it about the ESV and the NASB that is liked?

For me, they are dependable. They are both keyed to Strong's as well, a bonus. They are imminently readable.

I am King James preferred but not King James only. Here is some of my reasoning for that preference.

Ideally, we memorize our Bibles.

Ideally, we study our Bibles and might prefer a Bible translation that is keyed to more study helps than an other.

Ideally, we prefer a Bible translation that we find most often aligns with the underlying Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic if we use an Reverse Interlinear Bible, Strong's Concordance or other original language helps.

Ideally, we use a Bible that Almighty God Himself has endorsed in the past by bring out about conversions, deep sanctification and for the revival and advancement of the Kingdom of God and the Church.

Ideally, we use a Bible that has been used by God with us to reveal His Truth and His Presence and providing insight and revelation concerning Himself.

Perhaps, you might pick particular verses of the Bible that have been important in understanding who God is in his fullness and who you are and how best we can serve God, Then, compare those verses in various Bible translations.

Perhaps you read a significant amount of Christian literature from the 16th through earlier 20th Centuries and want a Bible is compatible with the Bibles used then.

Perhaps you were once a younger Christian and were mentored by someone who had been a Christian longer who was KJV-preferred.

Perhaps, you were influenced by a discipleship program that caused you to recognize, remember and memorize significant portions of Scripture. Then, perhaps you will want to stick with that Bible translation when newer translations come along.

I was in one of the stores of one of the Christian bookstore chains yesterday. Except for the KJV, all of other translations with significant shelf space were developed during the lifetimes of people alive today.

I first read the KJV as a USA high school senior in class where were using the Bible as literature. I found the older language including grammar and vocabulary to be difficult but not impossible. Through use, comparison, mentoring, study of alternatives, I have learned to appreciate the solemnity, dignity, accuracy, and enduring value of the classic KJV. I don't want to abandon the Scripture text that I have already known or even memorized when a new Bible translation comes along. The KJV is an enduring classic.

If you find me in my local church or Bible study class, I may be the only one in the room with a KJV. If I know that I am going to be asked to read a text to a group, I may even bring another translation so that I don't need to offend the group or paraphrase the KJV on the fly but I respect how God has continued to use the KJV for centuries.

The KJV is compatible with Christians who lived closer to the time of the Sixteenth Century Reformation and to saints who suffered for the faith even to the point of death in some cases. The KJV is descended from the first English-language Bibles from people life Wycliffe and Tyndale and Coverdale and contains many common phrases. In my experience, no one knew their Bibles like 17th century Puritans such as John Bunyan, Thomas Brooks, Thomas Watson, Richard Baxter, Joseph Alleine and others. They use the KJV or something close to it. I can't read everything but it has been my pleasure to read some of these. The KJV is compatible with Scripture quotes from these.

I had been a mild follower of Jesus as a young child but I came to a saving faith at around age 22 and preaching from the NASB was a mean of grace for me. I read from multiple translations for 2-3 years before I began to stabilize on use of the KJV.

Use the Bible translation that meets your needs and that God will bless. Seek also to know and to hear what "the Spirit says to the churches" (Revelation 2:7).

The Bible contains "hidden treasures". Use the Bible translation that will help you to dig them out and uncover them.

My son, if thou wilt receive my words,
And hide my commandments with thee;
So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom,
And apply thine heart to understanding;
Yea, if thou criest after knowledge,
And liftest up thy voice for understanding;
If thou seekest her as silver,
And searchest for her as for hid treasures;
Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD,
And find the knowledge of God.
For the LORD giveth wisdom:
Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
(Proverbs 2:1-6)

Oh, if your primary "heart" language is something other than English, then I recommend that you use a Bible translation from that other language.

I only post this as tongue-in-cheek, my friends; b/c this gave me my morning chuckle!!!

From the religion dept of Missouri State University...

Best Choice for Serious Bible Study:

The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). The NRSV is an extremely accurate translation, faithful to the earliest and best manuscripts of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament (HB/OT) and the Greek New Testament (NT).

Unacceptable for Serious Bible Study:

1) The King James Version (KJV) or The New King James Version (NKJV). The KJV was a great literal translation in its day, but that day was the 17th century! Many earlier and more accurate biblical manuscripts were discovered afterwards and most modern translations””including those produced by very conservative Christians””are based on them. The NKJV updates some of the 17th century language, and I like its literalness, but most of the time it relies on the same late and less accurate manuscripts that were available to the KJV translators in the 17th century.

http://courses.missouristate.edu/markgiven/rel102/bt.htm

I don't use the KJV for regular Bible reading or as the main text for teaching. However, when I'm studying, I always make sure I have one at hand. It's an excellent comparison resource that usually shows me what I need to concentrate on in the Greek. Also the personal pronouns - thee, thy, ye, etc. - follow the underlying Greek - thee, thine, and thou are singular and you, ye are plural - which isn't readily apparent in modern English translations.

~Blessings

Reading these posts causes me to wonder something. What bible version do you read and study and why?

I use the NKJV because it puts the KJV into more modern language. Sadly that is all I can tell you. I have done some reading on these other version but it isn't clear to me why they may be better. Thought for thought vs. literal translation is what I see and I really don't know what is supposed to be better. I confess that in this area I am very ignorant.

If I were given another bible version I would probably find myself comparing it to the NKJV and if I saw something weird then I would want to know why. Is the NKJV the weird one or is the other version the weird one especially when it comes to the Gospel as well as dealing with those who believe false doctrine.

John

KJv, ESV and NASB are literal translations. Don't know about NKJV. NIV is functional (thought for thought). I do not read functional.

The Bible has many difficult passages. Some sayings of Jesus are "hard sayings" in any language and most translations.

In Ephesians 3:19, the Apostle Paul is praying for the Ephesians church that they might be "filled with all the fullness of God". Use Bible translations that are best able to show you all the fullness of God (including messages in the difficult and hard sections) and not leave anything out that God intended to be there.

In the local news paper,in 2001, they printed this article,...it stated this,

Until the 1950's the King James Bible was the only Bible in wide use
among Prodestants,who tend to dominate the Bible buying market.
Since then the new versions have been produced to meet the demand
for modernized scriptures.
In the Gallup Poll- 54% owned KJV,followed by 15% New International etc.

This is my concerns here,....Do we really believe men fear God today,..as much as the rewriters in earlier times.,...?.
This one and that one is coming up rewriting the Bible,,in their name.this is a fearful thing.

How do we know that there is not some subliminaliity,...or deception,.maybe ever so subtle,..would Satan ever give up,to decieve ?

I believe the men of old feared God,so I really stick with the KJV.
I have really no problem with the ' thee's,..and ' thou's,...

Another thought is,I do not believe we have to memorize The Word,... The Holy Spirit who is Word / Spirit,brings His Words up onto our tongue,...as we draw close to Him,( He,who is Spirit / Word ) He will draw close to us,
Sending The Words we need for such a time as of our particular need.

That is not to say,that we do not read and fill ourselve with His Word,..
It is such a blessing for Him to give us a great hungry for His Word.
We put it in,...He brings it up.

elizabeth

Gutenberg's printing press came into existence in 1450, so we've only had the printed Word for 565 years. Compare that to the 7,450 years we were led by prophets and the Spirit of God.

I am thankful for the written word of God but I know, that I know, that I know if one has an 'ear to hear what the Spirit has to say,' they will hear what the Spirit says... with or without the KJV, NIV, NASB, etc!

God bless,
Lisa

Markuskiwi,

I most def believe in the importance of the word and how lucky we are to not just have one translation but many! I only started this thread because I have a couple of friends who will discredit a pastor with sound biblical doctrine just because he reads a translation other than KJV. I am all for preachers using the KJV if that's their preference. My pastor mainly preaches from KJV. But I do not understand the thinking of some people that hold the KJV in such high regard that it might even be consider sinful to read another translation. I have been told about a comical yet sad story about one of our local pastors trying to raise funds to send bibles to China. One gentleman said he would only donate if the bibles were KJV. The pastor had to lovingly explain to him that these would be Chinese translations.

I like KJV, mainly because that's what I read growing up. I also like ESV because my little man understands its easy readability. I also like the Amplified version for its many nuances.
However, I think the KJV-only debate is a smoke-screen for other issues...mainly, its Jesus, the Son of God, who gives eternal life, not the Scriptures. John 5:39

To argue about 'the best' version of the Scriptures is not profitable. What is profitable is that we come to Him whom the Scriptures point to: JESUS.

When they start printing bibles with the words of Jesus Himself deleted, then I might become concerned. Until then, I'll read whatever version I can find.

There are bible translators laboring even now, to give the Scriptures to people who do not have it....whilst believers in the West, with their abundance of Scripture versions devote time and energy to quibble about said versions. Not profitable, I say.

Whatever version you have, have you read through the whole thing?

For public reading, unless you are a fluid and conversational oral reader, the KJV is a tough read with people anymore. The style of the newer formal translations (ESV, NASB) is so readable visually and to the ear that, unless there is a real conviction about the KJV, I do not know why any preacher would read it when preaching.

One pastor I know of an above-average sized local church is not a KJV only guy, but he won't read anything else when preaching. And, he REALLY struggles reading anything aloud. Reading KJV, you pray for him to reach the mark of the prize of finishing that passage, I'm telling you. And, he's surely not alone in that. I always felt like he was torturing himself when, privately, he reads the NLT.

Again -- KJV is a work of art and has been a tool that God uses. I have zero complaints about it. I love it. I just don't read it much anymore.

And, to answer another poster's question -- I read the ESV primarily and I've read it through twice in the past 2 years and working on three in a row. :)