Use More Than One Translation
Back to The Bible's Difficult Scriptures Explained!
There are advantages to using two or more Bible translations. Although the King James Version is a reliable translation, a few things are difficult to understand, because the translation is almost 400 years old. These can be clarified by using a more modern translation, such as the New King James Version. The original KJV does offer a particular advantage—words supplied by the translators are italicized. This helps the reader to discern between translated words and implied words. Because some italicized words can be in error, caution is needed.
The Moffatt is a good study translation, because it is directly translated from the original Hebrew and Greek manuscripts—not Latin transcriptions. Some modern translations are so watered down by liberal interpretations that it is best to avoid them except for a rare comparison. The New International Version is one of the most notorious liberal versions, which are designed to accommodate liberal modern theology.
One particular verse found only in the KJV is I John 5:7. It is not found in any older Greek manuscripts. It was most likely added by a monk scribe who injected the theology of the counterfeit church during the middle Ages.
It states, “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” This heretical verse was injected to promote the false doctrine of the trinity—in spite of the fact that Revelation 22:18-19 gives a dire warning to any who would add to or take away from that book or Scripture in general.
Anytime you come to a questionable or vague scripture, cross-referencing other translations usually clears up questions.
Deletions of scriptures by scribes and monks also occurred during the Middle Ages. Those individuals are subject to the punishment recorded in Revelation 22:18-19.
An example of this would be Matthew 27:49. Part of the verse was deleted in order to promote the false idea that Christ “died of a broken heart.” In the KJV, Matthew 27:49 states, “The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elijah will come to save Him.” Yet, in the Moffatt, this same verse states, “But the others said, ‘Stop, let us see if Elijah does come to save Him!’ (Seizing a lance, another pricked His side, and out came water and blood.)”
The parenthetical expression in Mt 27:49 was left out of the KJV, but appears in the Moffatt and all other translations that reference the older Greek manuscripts. This shows exactly how Christ died. Again, consulting two or more translations usually solves such problems. Referencing multiple translations is an effective way to get to the truth of the matter. Remaining questions can usually be answered by referencing Bible helps.
Bible dictionaries and Strong’s Concordance are among the best tools available to find the original meaning of words.
One must carefully distinguish words whose meanings have changed over the years. One example would be the word translated as “conversation.” It means “conduct” in modern usage. Bible dictionaries help with these kinds of issues.
(Section IV will take a much more in-depth look at the subject of existing Bible translations, and which ones should or should not be used.)