KJV Only Claim

Picture posting

The following picture was posted intending to demonstrate how English translations other than the King James Version (KJV) are not accurate and actually attack or diminish the deity of Jesus.

Response

If true, who uses this to diminish Jesus?

Name one cult that rose from any of the Bibles KJV Onlyist denounce. Show a cult that does not believe in the deity of Jesus because of the NKJV, NIV, ASV, ESV, etc.

Only the Jehovah Witness come to mind, and they choose to create their own version The New World Translation, which is based on a very poor Greek that they purchased the rights of ownership to.

A second major cult, Church of the Later Day Saints (Mormon), base their theology on the KJV along with their extra books.

Mary Baker Eddy based her false Christian Science teachings on the KJV.

Charles and Myrtle Fillmore created their Unity School of Christianity based on the KJV.

Victory Paul Wierwille used the KJV in founding the Way International.

This is not even close to an exhaustive list. To date, I have never once done spiritual battle with a cultist who did not quote from the KJV. I have never had one, except in the case of Jehovah Witness, quote from a translation other than the KJV. Most of the Jehovah Witness’ will only accept one of two Bibles: their own NWT, or the KJV. All others make them very uncomfortable.

Why? If the NKJV truly attacks the Sonship of Jesus why do we not see the cults embracing such translations? Is it because those Bibles actually support the classic (Orthodox) Christian beliefs better than the KJV? I submit that this is the truth.

Analysis of the Scripture

The picture posted selects a handful of scriptures that have been incorrectly translated in the KJV. Looking at the Textus Receptus which the KJV Onlyist say is the correct Greek, the word used in Acts 3:13 for example is παῖς. This means “a boy (as often beaten with impunity), or (by analogy) a girl, and (generally) a child; specifically a slave or servant (especially a minister to a king; and by eminence to God)”. Thayer agrees with this definition. It does not contain the meaning that Sonship contains.

This conforms to Jesus’ own teachings:

I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

John 5:30 KJV1

Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

John 5:19 KJV2

Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

John 8:42 KJV3

Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

John 14:10 KJV4

For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

John 17:8 KJV5

Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

John 4:34 KJV6

Old Testament Declares Jesus as a Servant7

Isaiah spoke about the coming messiah. His prophecy includes a number of descriptions of the coming messiah. The coming messiah is described as a child, and given a number of titles.

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6 NKJV

Where is the fulfilled prophesy of Jesus Christ as “Servant” in these verses?

“Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.

Isaiah 42:1 NKJV8

“And now the LORD says, Who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, To bring Jacob back to Him, So that Israel is gathered to Him (For I shall be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, And My God shall be My strength), Indeed He says, ‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob, And to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ” Thus says the LORD, The Redeemer of Israel, their Holy One, To Him whom man despises, To Him whom the nation abhors, To the Servant of rulers: “Kings shall see and arise, Princes also shall worship, Because of the LORD who is faithful, The Holy One of Israel; And He has chosen You.”

Isaiah 49:5-7 NKJV9

Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently; He shall be exalted and extolled and be very high.

Isaiah 52:13 NKJV10

He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities.

Isaiah 53:11 NKJV11

‘Hear, O Joshua, the high priest, You and your companions who sit before you, For they are a wondrous sign; For behold, I am bringing forth My Servant the BRANCH.

Zechariah 3:8 NKJV12

KJV differences

The KJV mistranslates in Acts 3:13 & 26 and 4:27 & 30. The NIV, the NASB, and the NewKJV rightly translates παῖς as “Servant”. The KJV is wrong and diminishes the unity of God’s word.

The Truth

The truth is that the NKJV correctly translates the Greek. The truth is that the NKJV translation is in harmony with the whole of the Scriptures whereas the KJV is not.