Doctrines affected by differing texts – The case for the KJV1611
The following is an outline of some key doctrines that are affected by the changes and omissions in modern versions. Some will argue that a doctrine is clear when all the verses relating to it are read and not just one or two. That is to say that if there are 8 verses on a topic and only 2 have been changed then the reader can find out the truth by reading the other 6. However, this would be an erosion of God’s word and may lead to confusion, misunderstanding and even false teaching.
We will not go through all the changes and omissions but will discuss some key verses that could and often do affect doctrinal teaching and therefore beliefs.
Matthew 1:25 'her firstborn' is omitted. This omission of this verse clearly supports the catholic church view that Mary continued to remain a virgin after the birth of Christ. However, the word 'firstborn' indicates that Mary went on to have other children and this doctrine is supported by other scripture that shows Jesus had siblings. (Matthew 12:46 Matthew 13:55-56)
Matthew 9:13 'to repentance' is left out. The Bible doctrine of repentance is a key element of our ability to come before God through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. We can not be restored to God without the act of repentance. Many today would like to do away with this part of scripture and rely on works for their salvation but God's word clearly states that without repentance, and therefore cleansing of sin, we can not enter the Kingdom of God.
Matthew 18:11 This verse is left out of many modern manuscripts yet its again a key doctrine. It tells us that man is lost, requires salvation, and can only have that gift through Jesus Christ.
Matthew 25:13 'wherein the Son of man comet' is omitted. The omission here does away with the second coming of the Lord and the requirement to watch for such a time.
Mark 11:26 The whole verse is removed. It is a Bible doctrine that if we lack forgiveness in our heart the Lord will not hear us. When I confess my sins and ask God for favour he requires that my confession of sin include forgiveness of those who have sinned against me. If I refuse to forgive others it becomes sin to me.
Luke 4:8 'Get thee behind me, Satan' is omitted. The devil had tempted Jesus to bypass the cross and receive the kingdom over the world. Jesus, refused to worship him.
John 6:47 'on me' is left out. Christ, the object of faith has been removed here. Everlasting life does not come to those who believe, but to those who believe on Christ. This omission could lead to serious doctrinal error and false teaching.
John 9:4 'I must work the works of him that sent me' is changed to 'We must work the works of him that sent us.' The changing of the wording in this takes away from the fact that Jesus is the Sent One. Jesus was sent by the Father and the disciples were sent by Jesus, 'as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.'
Acts 2:30 'according to the flesh he would raise up Christ' is omitted. It was not just that one of David's descendants would sit upon the throne, but that his greater Son would be raised from the dead in a body of flesh.
Romans 13:9 'thou shalt not bear false witness' is dropped. Perhaps the conscious of those writing these manuscripts was pricked as they chose to omit this section of God's word, bearing false witness about God's Word.
Timothy 3:16 'God was manifest' is changed to 'He was manifest.' The reference is to Christ manifest in the flesh, that is that Christ is God. The doctrine of the Deity of Christ is greatly harmed here by the corrupt text.
1 Peter 1:22 'through the Spirit' is removed. The Bible teaches that it is through the agency of the Holy Spirit that men are brought to believe in Christ. In John 16:8,9 he convicts the world (all men) and draws them to faith in Christ.
Rev 20:9 'from God' is dropped. At the end of the Kingdom Age the enemies of God are destroyed by fire 'from God out of heaven.' God is the one who will destroy all enemies and create a new heaven and a new earth.
What we can conclude from these few passages is that even subtle changes to the text can greatly affect doctrinal teaching and therefore belief. Those who say that modern translations are simply written for easier understanding are contradicting the very facts that are before them.
It’s often argued that there have been changes to the KJV1611 and the the text therin should be cast with doubt. So, what kind of spelling variations can you expect to find between present editions and the 1611 printing? Although every spelling difference cannot be categorized, several characteristics are quite common.
Additional “e”‘s were often found at the end of the words such as feare, darke, and beare. Also, double vowels were much more common than they are today. You would find mee, bee, and mooued instead of me, be, and moved.
Double consonants were also much more common. Ranne, euill, and ftarres would be recognised today as ran, evil and stars. These typographical and spelling changes account for almost all the so-called thousands of changes in the King James Bible. None of them alter the text in any way.
They cannot honestly be compared with the thousands of true textual changes which are clearly made in the modern versions.