A BRIEF COMMENT ON THE KING JAMES VERSION

In the 2^nd Article of the Statement of Principles we find the follow­ing: “The King James Version is the preferred English Translation.” Just because it is the “preferred” translation doesn't mean it is the only translation. We are not of those who loudly proclaim themselves to be “King James Only,” We certainly are not of those who claim that any English translation of the Bible is inspired.

For many years it has baffled me why Baptists, in particular, want to venerate the Authorized Version of 1611. It was translated by the authority of the King of England, and, if you want to say it was inspired, then you must say the rules given by said king to the translators was inspired as well. Its translators were men who would have imprisoned our forefathers in the faith and sent them to the stake. Yet for some reason those who perverted the ordinances of God are venerated as inspired by the God whose word they contradict.

Remember, our forefathers in the faith who were contemporary with the translation did not use it. Why would any independent (non-Anglican) use a Bible authorized by the Anglican Church? Indeed, Edward Barber in his Small Treatise on Baptism near the end says he hopes to have have enough money to publish a couple of other works including a work on the errors of the new authorized version of the Bible. So we see that far from embracing the King's Bible, the early particular Baptists read it critically and called it for its errors.

However, we also can readily admit, by the predestinating providence of God, that for almost 200 years it was the only English language Bible readily available. Even with all its faults, it held up over time. It was my 1^st Bible and the translation from which the Lord showed me the doctrine which to this day I love. On my desk right now are 3 editions of the King James Version (Nave's Study Bible, a reprint of the Aitkin Bible 1782, a reprint of the 1611 edition with Apocrypha,) an American Standard 1901, a Geneva New Testament of 1557, a Matthew's Bible 1537, a New English Bible (with Apocrypha,) a New King James, a Charles Thomason translation of the Septuagint, and a New Revised Standard (with Apocrypha.) Many times I look at all of them when studying a passage; sometimes I only look at one. I don't believe I am tied to any, though I have my preferences.

I close with this: read your Bible! It matters not the translation; read it. Study it. Meditate on it. There's enough in the poorest translation of the sacred text for the man of God to be instructed in righteousness. Amen.