I enjoy your radio program, “Rightly Dividing the Word” on Sundays at 12:30pm [Pacific time zone] on AM710KFIA. Thank you for your commitment to teach and preach the Word!
I have a question on the King James Bible (KJB) vs. the New King James Version (NKJV). What is the difference between these and are they equivalent translations?
Thanks for writing and for listening. Your question is a great one; one that I get a lot. This is something that I studied out for myself many years ago. It is a matter of faith—a "heart" issue that every believer must come to on their own—between them and God. I have come to my own conviction and therefore I share it with others to help them know that they can have a bible in which they can entrust their eternal souls.
The short answer is, KJB all the way! The NKJV (along with all other versions) are not equivalent and they are very different! Although the NKJV is "close," just like the old saying goes, "close is only good in horseshoes." But, it is not good enough when it comes to God's word!
If we are going to read the bible, and believe it, and believe that the bible is how God communicates his word—especially the word concerning his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ—then, should we not have a bible that fully glorifies him? Look at what the Psalmist says...
Psalm 62:4
They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.
Like every other so-called "new" English version of the bible, the NKJV still does what they all do—that is, it takes away glory from our Lord Jesus Christ!
Here are a few examples of KJB vs. NKJV:
Acts 3:26
Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.
NKJV:
"To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities."
Notice that in this verse, the KJB uses the term "Son" when describing our Lord, but the NKJV uses "Servant." And although our Lord was the "servant" of the Father, he was much more than that! In the bible, a Son is greater than a servant. A son is privy to what his father is doing, and servant is not! The term "Son" also refers to his diety, as God the Son!
John 8:35
And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
Another example of how the NKJV takes away his glory:
Romans 3:22
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
NKJV:
Even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;
Now this one is very subtle (a familiar tactic with the Adversary), but notice that in the KJB the issue is “his” faith—the faith “of” Christ! But, in the NKJV the focus is on “our” faith—that which can fail! In fact, in the NKJV our faith is redundant (‘faith in Jesus to all who believe’) whereas ‘his perfect faith’ is the issue in the KJB (his perfect faith in the Father's will)!
And this is consistent throughout. What you will notice is that with the KJB, the focus is on him, but with the NKJV the focus is on us! Now, I ask you, who do you trust more...him or us?
Galatians 2:16
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
NKJV
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
Galatians 2:20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
NKJV
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Galatians 3:22
But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
NKJV
But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Philippians 3:9
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
NKJV
and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;
So, if you are going to have a bible, you might as well and go 'all the way' and use one that gives our Lord Jesus Christ all the glory due his name: the KJB!
Hopefully this helps...Maranatha!
†††
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
P.S. Here’s a website with much more info on all this... http://www.av1611.org/nkjv.html
No comments:
Post a Comment