A most unfortunate textual variant

Strongs:
maqhteuw matheteuo math-ayt-yoo'-o
from 3101; intransitively, to become a pupil; transitively, to disciple, i.e. enrol as scholar:--be disciple, instruct, teach.

Webster's 1828 Dictionary
disciple
DISCIPLE, n. L., to learn.

1. A learner; a scholar; one who receives or professes to receive instruction from another; as the disciples of Plato.

2. A follower; an adherent to the doctrines of another. Hence the constant attendants of Christ were called his disciples; and hence all Christians are called his disciples, as they profess to learn and receive his doctrines and precepts.

DISCIPLE, v.t.

1. To teach; to train, or bring up.

2. To make disciples of; to convert to doctrines or principles.

This authority he employed in sending missionaries to disciple all nations.

3. To punish; to discipline. Not in use.


Footnote in my Cambridge KJV:

"Or make disciples, or Christians of all nations"



So where is the error??

 

That is simply a translation choice. It is not a textual variant.

 

And beside that, 'teach' and 'make disciples' mean the exact same thing.

 

The word translated 'teach' on older versions and 'make disciples' in the newer versions literally means to 'enroll as a student.' We do that, then we begin 'teaching' (v20).

It just makes sense - we see them saved (enroll them as new disciples) then we teach them how to be a disciple.

When someone is saved there is a real change. True believers no longer sit at the feet of the world's system - they sit at the feet of a new schoolmaster, in a new school. Freed from the law of sin and death, they learn how to follow a new Schoolmaster.

Looks like the newer translations make a lot of sense to me.

 

No, that's a translational choice. A textual variant is where you have difference in manuscripts.

It should be. All Christians should be disciples of Christ. A disciple is a follower, and we are to be followers of Christ.

AMEN!!!!!!

It's not false teaching. Your entire post is based off a misunderstanding of the word. It's sad that so many Christians don't see this.

 

I looked it up in my UBS4 then even checked the TR. There is absolutely NO variant here.

Its a translation choice...here's the verse:
Matthew 28:19 πορευθέντες οὖν μαθητεύσατε πάντα τὰ ἔθνη βαπτίζοντες αὐτοὺς εἰς τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ πατρὸς καὶ τοῦ υἱοῦ καὶ τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος (MGNT)

The bolded part is identical, well the whole verse is identical, in the MT and the CT.

Where do you come up with this stuff? If you're going to criticize the CT for being "full of incorrect variants" than at least be consistent and actually look up the Greek.

The choice here concerns the term: μαθητεύσατε

Kittel's Theological Dictionary of the New Testament points out that the rendering reflected as "make disciples" is the best translation of the term. That the KJV doesn't say this reflects a choice by the translators of the KJV to render the exact same verb differently.

It isn't as you've described it.

 

Sill OP. This free grace, easy-believism stuff is the reason why American churches are failing.

 

Bingo! Well said.

 

Grace cost a great deal - it cost Jesus Christ His life. That valuable a gift of grace will always produce a change in the lives of those who accept it.

Yes, all believers are disciples. We may be at different stages of our 'education' but we are all his students if we are truly saved. Therefore the modern translation (there is not 'textual variant') is an excellent choice.

 

This is not a textual variant as others already pointed out.

You are also incorrect in asserting that only in the last hundred years or so that men have decided that this word could be or should be translated "make disciples."

If I recall correctly, Daniel Featley, who is on the British Museum's list of the KJV translators, argued in one of his books printed in the 1600's that Matthew 28:19 should be translated "make disciples."

The 1657 English translation of the Dutch Annotations and 1637 Dutch Bible by Theodore Haak pointed out that this word could be translated "make disciples" at Matthew 28:19.

The 1842 revision of the KJV by Bible-believing Baptists and other believers translated Matthew 28:19 as "Go therefore and disciple all the nations, immersing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

 

Born again believers do not save the lost, God does. We plow the row, plant and water, but only God causes the increase in Christ's flock. So we are saved by grace through faith, but that does not make us disciples, because we have not learned "all that Christ commanded" nor how to "abide" in His teachings.

Further, culture may add some insight into this issue. A disciple follows his teacher, his Rabbi. The idea in the ancient culture was not be get a degree, but to become like the Rabbi. Our job is to become like Christ, and part of that is to teach others about becoming like Christ.

As far as works, pre-salvation our "works" avails us nothing, but post-salvation, our works, if they pass the test, earn rewards such that we enter heaven abundantly. Thus disciplining others and being discipled by others with the mutual goal of becoming more Christ-like seems like a work that God will reward. We are not just to make converts, but also to disciple others so they too will make converts. Both seem to me to earn "eternal rewards."

 

I would think that if someone is going to set themselves up as a pseudo-expert on which Bible translation should be crowned "King", they should at least understand and be able to discuss basic Bible translation terminology. But I have learned to expect no better from some posters.

These kinds of threads disappoint and quite frankly disgust me.

Sigh... carry on...

 

So you don't think Martha was a disciple just because she was trying to serve???