I’ve noticed other than KJV lately – will you continue to do so. Blessings, aL
Personally, I’m a King James preferred reader and I’ve used the KJV as the scripture for Worthy Devotions for years, however, we’ve recently changed to accommodate the 10,000 or so daily Worthy Brief readers whose native language is not English.
I’m always amazed how the enemy will use this as an issue to divide the body. The reality is that the only PERFECT Bible is in the orginal Hebrew and Greek.
Most people, don’t realize that when the United States was founded — it was founded by Pilgrims and Puritans many of which refused to use the King James Version. The Bible they used was the Geneva Bible, because they had serious problems with the Church of England from which the King James Bible is derived. Why? Because they were fleeing persecution from the Church of England!
So logically you’re next question would be — well if George isn’t using the King James version, which version is he using? Well, honestly it depends on the verse! In many of the newer translations, I have some serious concerns with portions of scripture that have been omitted that clearly should be in the translation. So I’ve done my best to choose which version that accurately portrays the Scripture as it was intended.
For example, the other day I had a dilemma and so I checked the Greek and made an alteration to the NKJV to better bring the concept of what Paul intended.
KJV version of 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 says this,
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
Now the New King James Version of the same passage says this,
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
Now the New King James Version was easier to read, however there’s a word that I disliked and so I altered it when I sent out the devotional. The word was — arguments. Not truly the best word here. The Greek word here is log-is-mos from which we get the word — logic! I actually couldn’t find in either the THAYER’s GREEK, or the STRONG’s concordance whereby this word was ever defined as “arguments.” The best rendering for this word, would be thoughts or imaginations. So what to do? So I did my best to accurately convey the heart of the message when I sent out the devotional in a fashion that was a little easier to read.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
So I tried to remain faithful to the original meaning while at the same time making it just a little easier to read for our readers across the globe.
I hope this answer the question adequately, however I realize this is a highly controversial subject and the decision to accommodate readers across the globe wasn’t taken lightly and prayerfully considered.
Until next time…