• Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Is the KJV inspired?

J

John Rivera

New Member
I have always held to the belief that the KJV is inspired but mostly because that’s all I’ve heard all my life as a Christian. I’m not sure now a days where I stand on that. I’ve heard some arguments from others as to why they believe it’s not inspired, and it has made me wonder a bit. Feel free to post your position on this and try to quote some scriptures in order to back up your reasoning. Thank you and God bless.
 
Salty

Salty

20,000 Posts Club
Administrator
Here is how I look at it. The KJV was originally translated in 1611
It was revised in 1769. If the 1611 was God-inspired - then there
would have been no need for a revision. Now, many will say that
it was just some grammar and spelling errors. Well, if they had to
make changes - then it was not inspired.

Interesting Link here

Now, I think the KJV is a good one - but after 400 years there are a lot
of changes in language, including archaic words. The KJV was written on
(in today's thinking) College Freshman level. However since many do not have
much more than a 8-10 grade level - the KJ will be hard to understand. The critics will
say their 8 year olds can read and understand the KJV. I would like the opportunity
to talk to a couple of those 8 year olds and allow me to ask some "simple" questions
(too late at night to think - will try to get reference later.)
 
Last edited:
Deacon

Deacon

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
All Scripture is inspired by God (theópneustos, "God-breathed") and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16,17 NASB95 (note and underlining added)​

Only the original writings were inspired; the writing that came directly from the ‘inspired’ author.
Copies and translations of the writing are considered ‘true’ to the extent that they faithfully reproduce the original.

The KJV has proven to be a true and faithful translation.
It has both strengths and weaknesses.
It may be considered “inspired” in one sense by its extraordinary quality,
however the Scriptures take the word inspired to another level—“God-breathed”.
Translations do not meet that criteria.

Rob
 
robycop3

robycop3

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
I believe God inspired & caused certain people to translate His word into other languages besides Hebrew, Aramaic, & Koine Greek, bit I don't believe He directly inspired any translator(s) to the point where they made an error-free translation. The KJV has plenty of goofs & booboos, such as "Easter" in Acts 12:4.

And God's influence has continued with new generations of translators making versions of His word in MODERN languages. Let's not forget that God created all languages by various means, & He's still in control of them, causing/allowing changes in them as He chooses. We see that in English.It has different dialects between nations, and in parts of nations. While an American, Aussie,& a Brit can understand each other, each has a different accent & a few different words. Same in the USA with Southerners, Northerners, & Californians all speaking different dialects while being able to understand each other.

The KJV was made for the British of the 17th century. There was little deviation from the English they used. But the language has changed greatly since then, and new Bible versions were needed to reflect those changes, & God saw to it that they were made.

But the KJV was no-more-inspired by God than any other valid translation in any language was.
 
Reynolds

Reynolds

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
John Rivera said:
I have always held to the belief that the KJV is inspired but mostly because that’s all I’ve heard all my life as a Christian. I’m not sure now a days where I stand on that. I’ve heard some arguments from others as to why they believe it’s not inspired, and it has made me wonder a bit. Feel free to post your position on this and try to quote some scriptures in order to back up your reasoning. Thank you and God bless.
Click to expand...
I don't believe that any translation is inspired; only the orig manuscripts.
 
A

AustinC

Well-Known Member
Reynolds said:
I don't believe that any translation is inspired; only the orig manuscripts.
Click to expand...
Yep.
The KJV was one of a handful in England at the time. Being it was commissioned by the King, it became the official English translation.
God has certainly used the KJV over the years, but it is no more inspired than the Wycliffe Bible that came before it or the NASB that came later.
I praise God for any translation that God uses to redeem sinners.
 
37818

37818

Well-Known Member
John Rivera said:
I have always held to the belief that the KJV is inspired but mostly because that’s all I’ve heard all my life as a Christian. I’m not sure now a days where I stand on that. I’ve heard some arguments from others as to why they believe it’s not inspired, and it has made me wonder a bit. Feel free to post your position on this and try to quote some scriptures in order to back up your reasoning. Thank you and God bless.
Click to expand...
It has always been my Biblical (JKV) understanding the original autographs were the inerrant word of God.

According to Psalms 119:89 God's word is immutable.
Not any human interpreteters of it.
Not any translations of it.
Not the manuscript copies of it.
Of course God's immutable word is what is inerrant.
I hold that the JKV for the most part is currently the best reprentation of God's immutable word compared with most of the popular modern translations.
 
M

Marooncat79

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Read the preface of a 1611 and you will find out

Hint- the 1611 committee encouraged other future translations

Language changes over time

Also new knowledge
 
Y

Yeshua1

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Salty said:
Here is how I look at it. The KJV was originally translated in 1611
It was revised in 1769. If the 1611 was God-inspired - then there
would have been no need for a revision. Now, many will say that
it was just some grammar and spelling errors. Well, if they had to
make changes - then it was not inspired.

Interesting Link here

Now, I think the KJV is a good one - but after 400 years there are a lot
of changes in language, including archaic words. The KJV was written on
(in today's thinking) College Freshman level. However since many do not have
much more than a 8-10 grade level - the KJ will be hard to understand. The critics will
say their 8 year olds can read and understand the KJV. I would like the opportunity
to talk to a couple of those 8 year olds and allow me to ask some "simple" questions
(too late at night to think - will try to get reference later.)
Click to expand...
The scriptures should be translated into the language of the people receiving it, and should be accurate and understandable , as should be formal translation....
 
Y

Yeshua1

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Deacon said:
All Scripture is inspired by God (theópneustos, "God-breathed") and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16,17 NASB95 (note and underlining added)​

Only the original writings were inspired; the writing that came directly from the ‘inspired’ author.
Copies and translations of the writing are considered ‘true’ to the extent that they faithfully reproduce the original.

The KJV has proven to be a true and faithful translation.
It has both strengths and weaknesses.
It may be considered “inspired” in one sense by its extraordinary quality,
however the Scriptures take the word inspired to another level—“God-breathed”.
Translations do not meet that criteria.

Rob
Click to expand...
KJVO hold to inspiration passing from originals to their translation though!
 
Y

Yeshua1

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
robycop3 said:
I believe God inspired & caused certain people to translate His word into other languages besides Hebrew, Aramaic, & Koine Greek, bit I don't believe He directly inspired any translator(s) to the point where they made an error-free translation. The KJV has plenty of goofs & booboos, such as "Easter" in Acts 12:4.

And God's influence has continued with new generations of translators making versions of His word in MODERN languages. Let's not forget that God created all languages by various means, & He's still in control of them, causing/allowing changes in them as He chooses. We see that in English.It has different dialects between nations, and in parts of nations. While an American, Aussie,& a Brit can understand each other, each has a different accent & a few different words. Same in the USA with Southerners, Northerners, & Californians all speaking different dialects while being able to understand each other.

The KJV was made for the British of the 17th century. There was little deviation from the English they used. But the language has changed greatly since then, and new Bible versions were needed to reflect those changes, & God saw to it that they were made.

But the KJV was no-more-inspired by God than any other valid translation in any language was.
Click to expand...
We have to remember that in its day, the Kjv was that new version, that I am sure had those holding to Geneva and Bishop saying "why do we need another translation now?"
 
Y

Yeshua1

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
AustinC said:
Yep.
The KJV was one of a handful in England at the time. Being it was commissioned by the King, it became the official English translation.
God has certainly used the KJV over the years, but it is no more inspired than the Wycliffe Bible that came before it or the NASB that came later.
I praise God for any translation that God uses to redeem sinners.
Click to expand...
The Kjv was good, but so was the Geneva!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top