Popularity of the King James Version (KJV) ...

[Conan]

Yes, and people will be unaware of the KJV's tremendous influence on our culture.

Which really goes back to William Tyndale in 1526, 1534. The man who gave us the English Bible, and most of his went straight into the KJV.

 

[RipponRedeaux]

Which really goes back to William Tyndale in 1526, 1534. The man who gave us the English Bible, and most of his went straight into the KJV.

Various authorities differ about how much of the 1534 Tyndale version went into the KJV New Testament. But it was indeed a majority. Tyndale had translated some of the Old Testament. But as I recall, most of it was lost.

By the way, Tyndale relied on Luther's German translation --including the introductions to the New Testament books.

 

[Logos1560]

Tyndale had translated some of the Old Testament. But as I recall, most of it was lost.

Tyndale's translation of the Pentateuch was printed in 1530. Tyndale had also translated the book of Jonah [perhaps in 1531], and a copy of his translation is found in the British Library. Its translation is not followed in the 1537 Matthew's Bible so John Roger evidently did not have a copy of Tyndale's translation of that brief book.

Tyndale is considered the translator of the books of Joshua to 2 Chronicles in the 1537 Matthew's Bible. Tyndale's translation of those books had not been printed and were likely in manuscript form. In the rest of the OT books after 2 Chronicles, the 1537 Matthew's Bible used the translation in the 1535 Coverdale's Bible.

 

[Reynolds]

Popularity of the King James Version (KJV) ...

Will the popularity (and widespread use) of the KJV diminish as older Christians pass away?

Or will it continue to be widely used, even for future generations?

I think it will continue to decline in use, but will never vanish. I grew up using KJV. I am educated in classical English. (Never know it by reading what I write) I still at times find myself struggling with KJV. I have to stop and think hard about what is being said.

 

[Guido]

Pardon my seeming lack of concern for accuracy, but no modern Bible compares to the KJV in terms of beauty. For this cause, as well as for accuracy's sake, we should stick with the KJV.

 

[alexander284]

Pardon my seeming lack of concern for accuracy, but no modern Bible compares to the KJV in terms of beauty. For this cause, as well as for accuracy's sake, we should stick with the KJV.

I really like the "pardon my seeming lack of concern for accuracy" statement, sir.

 

[alexander284]

Sady, I think it will eventually fade into obscurity. Oh, it will still be around for comparison, etc. but not in common use. I know that most of the younger people in my church use something/anything other than the KJV, and most think I'm silly to still use it. The ESV seems to be the "latest, greatest, most popular" Bible in my church, and most have switched to that version. We even changed our children's ministry material from the NKJV to the ESV. I don't really understand why. Personally, I'll stick with my KJV.

Unfortunately, I do believe money has something to do with it.

Once HarperCollins (the publisher of the NIV) purchased Thomas Nelson (publisher of the NKJV) the licensing fees for the NKJV suddenly became exorbitant.

The publisher of the ESV (Crossway) offered churches a much lower rate on licensing fees.

This is why the Gideon Bible no longer publishes their Bibles in the NKJV, and switched to the ESV.

 

[Logos1560]

no modern Bible compares to the KJV in terms of beauty.

That could be considered a very subjective opinion, not an objective, verifiable criterion.

Beauty may sometimes be in the eyes of the beholder instead of in the object being seen.

 

[JamesL]

Pardon my seeming lack of concern for accuracy, but no modern Bible compares to the KJV in terms of beauty. For this cause, as well as for accuracy's sake, we should stick with the KJV.

Can you quote some examples of this perceived beauty? I honestly don't see it.

 

[RipponRedeaux]

I suspect that the KJV wasn't considered beautiful until the mid-18th century.

 

[Guido]

Can you quote some examples of this perceived beauty? I honestly don't see it.

51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

60 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.

2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.

3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

4 Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side.

5 Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.

6 The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the Lord.

7 All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory.

8 Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?

9 Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the Lord thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.

10 And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee.

11 Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought.

12 For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.

13 The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious.

14 The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee; The city of the Lord, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

15 Whereas thou has been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations.

16 Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.

17 For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness.

18 Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.

19 The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.

20 Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.

21 Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.

22 A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the Lord will hasten it in his time.

 

[Conan]

Can you quote some examples of this perceived beauty? I honestly don't see it.

It is usually really William Tyndale's original translations.
From this website
Tyndale Society Home Page

Tyndale's English translation of the New Testament was taken almost word for word into the much praised Authorised Version (King James Bible) of 1611, which also reproduces a great deal of his Old Testament. From there his words passed into our common understanding.

People across the world honour him as a great Englishman. His solitary courage, and his skill with languages - including, supremely, his own - enriched English history and then reached out to affect all English-speaking nations.

His influence has been as wide as Shakespeare's. His phrases are so well-known that they are often thought to be proverbial - 'let there be light', 'we live and move and have our being', 'fight the good fight', 'the signs of the times', 'the powers that be', 'a law unto themselves', and hundreds more. The familiar words telling the great Bible stories are usually Tyndale's.

 

[alexander284]

When one thinks about it, it's surprising the KJV has maintained its popularity as long as it has.

I wish it well, moving forward.

 

[alexander284]

I think it will continue to decline in use, but will never vanish. I grew up using KJV. I am educated in classical English. (Never know it by reading what I write) I still at times find myself struggling with KJV. I have to stop and think hard about what is being said.

I'm pleasantly surprised to see that the KJV is available in so many excellent print editions (especially within the premium Bible market). And I sincerely hope that remains the case for many years (and generations) to come.

 

[RipponRedeaux]

In an ironic twist, the KJV revisers, if they could see all these English translations that we have today, would not recommend the KJV.

 

[Conan]

In an ironic twist, the KJV revisers, if they could see all these English translations that we have today, would not recommend the KJV.

That would be a bad decision on their part if so. What makes the KJV useful even today is it's excellent New Testament Text. Most modern versions use a, usually, less accurate Greek Text. Sometimes their better, but for every 2 readings the New Versions fix, they introduce more than 2 new errors in Text. 2 steps forward, 6 steps backwards.

 

[RipponRedeaux]

It would be a very reasonable thing.

(Check your spelling)

 

[alexander284]

That would be a bad decision on their part if so. What makes the KJV useful even today is it's excellent New Testament Text. Most modern versions use a, usually, less accurate Greek Text. Sometimes their better, but for every 2 readings the New Versions fix, they introduce more than 2 new errors in Text. 2 steps forward, 6 steps backwards.

That's a very good point. And that's often overlooked, I imagine.

 

[alexander284]

It's interesting that the majority of Pentecostal churches seem to still favor the KJV, isn't it?

 

[alexander284]

I suspect that the KJV wasn't considered beautiful until the mid-18th century.

I imagine you're right about this, sir.