Independent Baptist Connection
Not All Bibles Say the Same Thing!
To better appreciate the content of this article, I suggest reading the other articles about the Bible first. In the order written, they are: The B-I-B-L-E, A More Sure Word of Prophecy, and How We Got the Bible. Reading these articles first will ensure that you understand our flow of information.
We accept the Bible as the all sufficient rule of faith a practice for the Christian life. It’s our guidebook that is the verbally inspired word of God. This means the Bible doesn’t contain God’s word, it is His word. That includes everything in the Bible except the footnotes and the “book” of Concordance.
Any disagreements with what I’ve said so far? If we all agree with the above statement (and I think we do), then I have two important questions to ask. Is every Bible God’s Word? Do all bibles say the same thing?
Not all bibles say the same thing. Don’t take my word for it, though. I want to issue you a personal challenge to check this out for yourself. So many new Bible versions are coming out that I can’t keep up with all of them and space doesn’t allow us to examine each one. Before you come to a decision about these matters, will you look at the evidence with an open mind?
My own examination included the following versions, not in any particular order: the Amplified Bible, the Contemporary English Version, Good New for Modern Man, the Living Bible, the New American Bible, the New American Standard Bible, the New Century Version, the New English Bible, the New International Version, the New World Translation, the Revised Standard Version of 1881 and the 1611 King James Version.
What’s the Difference?
A closer look at any Bible reveals there are some words either in italics, brackets, or on the bottom of the page in a footnote. Yet, God gives a stern warning in Revelation 22:18-19 not to add to or take away from the words of God.
In all honesty, anyone who has ever preached or taught the word has done this at one time or another. Every concerned Bible teacher strives for accuracy but sometimes our words get twisted or we leave out a word of a verse or change the word by adding something to it. This is because we’re human and mistakes happen. Did you hear thunder or see a bolt of lightning strike the Pastor or teacher when a mistake was made? Did you stand as far back as possible so you wouldn’t get burned?
Unintentional accidents are one thing but purposely and knowingly distorting the word of God is a serious matter that carries with it no small amount of danger.
Why does each bible contain italics, brackets or footnotes? The King James version does it for only one reason, according to the translators. There is not an English word for every word in Hebrew, Greek or Aramaic. To help bible statements make sense in English, the translators added words that were italicized. It wasn’t a secret. The words in italics are a signal to the reader that those particular words were not in the text the Bible was translated from. However, these italicized words were inserted for the benefit of our clear understanding of God’s word. The reader will also note that these words only appear once in a while and are rarely more than three or four words (if that many).
Not all bible publishers say the same thing about these matters. Their purpose was not to clarify a verse as much as it was to question a verse. The use of either brackets around a portion of a verse or an asterisk to force the reader to look at the bottom of the page usually carries with it the statement that certain portions of Scripture aren’t in the “older and more reliable” manuscripts of the Word. One version simply puts a dash after a verse of Scripture without any explanation. No text appears after the dash.
Brackets, asterisks and footnotes carry with them a problem for any serious student of the Bible. What’s the problem? They tend to cast doubt on the accuracy of God’s Word ! Many people dislike reading a main text printed at the bottom of a page in a footnote. They solve this problem by skipping over the verse and not reading it at all.
Has someone left something out?
Every Christian should make a list of the following Scriptures and then compare them with different versions of the Bible. This is just a brief look at the surface. If every difference was examined here, we would never finish what we want to look at.
Matthew 18:11
Some versions show this verse completely in italics or with parts of it in brackets. The validity of parts of the verse is attacked as not supported by the “originals”. Others say words were added. More than one version turns the verse into a footnote. One version shows a dash with nothing after it. The King James Version shows every word, nothing in italics and no footnote.
Mark 7:16
The entire verse is in italics in some versions, while the verse is a footnote in others. Still other versions put the entire verse in brackets. More than one version removes the verse entirely. Once again, the King James Version shows every word without any italics, brackets or footnotes.
Mark 11:26
This appears as a combination of footnotes and italics in some versions, if it isn’t entirely missing. The New World Translation simply shows a dash, followed by nothing. Nothing seems out of place in the King James Version, where neither italics, brackets, footnotes or dashes appear.
Mark 15:28
The pattern of footnotes, italics, brackets and dashes continues in versions examined except for the King James Version.
John 7:53 thru 8:11
This may be one of the best examples of attack in the Bible. While the brackets, the dashes, the italics and footnotes continue for all of the above verses, the New International Version seems to explain why. It says, “The earliest and most reliable manuscripts do not have John 7:53 through 8:11.”
Other versions say the same thing. However, no one identifies the “earliest and most reliable” manuscripts by name or date. Shall we take their word for it or can we check the validity of that statement for ourselves? It’s no simple task when you don’t know what to look for.
None of the verses are missing in the King James Version. Depending on the publisher, a footnote may appear that says something similar to the NIV. Still, everything appears without any italics, brackets or dashes.
While these issues may not sound like much, they deal with important doctrines of Scripture. Doubts are raised about why Christ came into our world. The importance of hearing God’s word becomes a small matter. Issues of forgiveness are questioned. The fact that Christ fulfilled prophecy during his earthly ministry finds itself barely mentioned, if at all. Perhaps the most dangerous thing is the notion that by raising questions in a footnote, men seem to place themselves in authority over God.
This isn’t as much a translation issue as it is an accuracy issue. Based on what God preserved for us in Revelation 22:18-19, we now find ourselves faced with another important question. Can a purposely distorted bible come from God?
Before answering that, let’s take a look at a few more examples of just a word or two being left out of the Bible. Every word is important. God considers the jots and tittles of equal importance. So, who are we to question a word here and there? Words are important and changing them also changes the meaning of an entire statement. What many say are minor changes may not be minor at all.
Matthew 9:13
Many versions of the Bible contain the invitation from Christ to sinners. But that’s all. While the invitation is there, it doesn’t say what the invitation wants people to do with it. The King James Version explains this by including the word “repentance” as the object of Christ’s call to sinners. Is repentance essential to salvation? Luke felt it vital to the message of Christ.
Mark 1:1
The gospel of the Son of God comes under attack. Even though that phrase appears in the text of many versions, it tends to appear in italics or find itself consigned to a footnote with the explanation, “Some manuscripts do not have ‘the Son of God’.” Christ himself thought it was important his disciples know his true identity as the Son of God. Flesh and blood did not reveal this to Peter. King James translators didn’t question the identity of Christ as the Son of God.
John 9:35
Confusion about Christ’s nature also appear in this verse in many modern versions of the bible. Many of them agree to call Christ nothing more than the Son of Man, at least in this verse. The King James Version again calls Christ the Son of God. While entire theologies aren’t wisely built on just one verse of Scripture (even though one is enough), there seems to be a cause for doubt among the modern versions. Even the demons know who Christ is, so why are the modern versions having so much trouble with it?
Philippians 2:6
We’ll end our comparisons with a verse that clearly tells us Christ was equal with God. Though this is strongly implied, even among most modern versions, the New World Translation claims that Christ, “gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal with God.” Without a doubt, the King James Version renders this verse in the clearest fashion.
Many scholars say this is nothing more than a matter of preference. They claim all bibles together are the Word of God, If that was true, they would all say the same thing all the time. We’ve provided a small sampling to prove that all bibles don’t save the same thing. It’s interesting to note that many modern versions tend to agree to disagree with the King James Version. When did God become the Author of Confusion?
Not all bibles can be the best translation!
Publishers want to make us think their translation is the best. This is because, along with that recognition, comes the real reason such a claim is made: money. We could look much deeper into this issue, but space only allows a brief look.
The publishers of the Amplified Bible claim, “Now possibly for the first time the full meaning of the key words in the original text is available in an English version of the Bible.”
In other words, only the Amplified Bible is an accurate English translation.
The New Century Version claims itself, “a trustworthy translation.” Does that mean no other translation should be trusted?
We accept the Bible as the all sufficient rule of faith a practice for the Christian life. It’s our guidebook that is the verbally inspired word of God. This means the Bible doesn’t contain God’s word, it is His word. That includes everything in the Bible except the footnotes and the “book” of Concordance.
Any disagreements with what I’ve said so far? If we all agree with the above statement (and I think we do), then I have two important questions to ask. Is every Bible God’s Word? Do all bibles say the same thing?
Not all bibles say the same thing. Don’t take my word for it, though. I want to issue you a personal challenge to check this out for yourself. So many new Bible versions are coming out that I can’t keep up with all of them and space doesn’t allow us to examine each one. Before you come to a decision about these matters, will you look at the evidence with an open mind?
My own examination included the following versions, not in any particular order: the Amplified Bible, the Contemporary English Version, Good New for Modern Man, the Living Bible, the New American Bible, the New American Standard Bible, the New Century Version, the New English Bible, the New International Version, the New World Translation, the Revised Standard Version of 1881 and the 1611 King James Version.
What’s the Difference?
A closer look at any Bible reveals there are some words either in italics, brackets, or on the bottom of the page in a footnote. Yet, God gives a stern warning in Revelation 22:18-19 not to add to or take away from the words of God.
In all honesty, anyone who has ever preached or taught the word has done this at one time or another. Every concerned Bible teacher strives for accuracy but sometimes our words get twisted or we leave out a word of a verse or change the word by adding something to it. This is because we’re human and mistakes happen. Did you hear thunder or see a bolt of lightning strike the Pastor or teacher when a mistake was made? Did you stand as far back as possible so you wouldn’t get burned?
Unintentional accidents are one thing but purposely and knowingly distorting the word of God is a serious matter that carries with it no small amount of danger.
Why does each bible contain italics, brackets or footnotes? The King James version does it for only one reason, according to the translators. There is not an English word for every word in Hebrew, Greek or Aramaic. To help bible statements make sense in English, the translators added words that were italicized. It wasn’t a secret. The words in italics are a signal to the reader that those particular words were not in the text the Bible was translated from. However, these italicized words were inserted for the benefit of our clear understanding of God’s word. The reader will also note that these words only appear once in a while and are rarely more than three or four words (if that many).
Not all bible publishers say the same thing about these matters. Their purpose was not to clarify a verse as much as it was to question a verse. The use of either brackets around a portion of a verse or an asterisk to force the reader to look at the bottom of the page usually carries with it the statement that certain portions of Scripture aren’t in the “older and more reliable” manuscripts of the Word. One version simply puts a dash after a verse of Scripture without any explanation. No text appears after the dash.
Brackets, asterisks and footnotes carry with them a problem for any serious student of the Bible. What’s the problem? They tend to cast doubt on the accuracy of God’s Word ! Many people dislike reading a main text printed at the bottom of a page in a footnote. They solve this problem by skipping over the verse and not reading it at all.
Has someone left something out?
Every Christian should make a list of the following Scriptures and then compare them with different versions of the Bible. This is just a brief look at the surface. If every difference was examined here, we would never finish what we want to look at.
Matthew 18:11
Some versions show this verse completely in italics or with parts of it in brackets. The validity of parts of the verse is attacked as not supported by the “originals”. Others say words were added. More than one version turns the verse into a footnote. One version shows a dash with nothing after it. The King James Version shows every word, nothing in italics and no footnote.
Mark 7:16
The entire verse is in italics in some versions, while the verse is a footnote in others. Still other versions put the entire verse in brackets. More than one version removes the verse entirely. Once again, the King James Version shows every word without any italics, brackets or footnotes.
Mark 11:26
This appears as a combination of footnotes and italics in some versions, if it isn’t entirely missing. The New World Translation simply shows a dash, followed by nothing. Nothing seems out of place in the King James Version, where neither italics, brackets, footnotes or dashes appear.
Mark 15:28
The pattern of footnotes, italics, brackets and dashes continues in versions examined except for the King James Version.
John 7:53 thru 8:11
This may be one of the best examples of attack in the Bible. While the brackets, the dashes, the italics and footnotes continue for all of the above verses, the New International Version seems to explain why. It says, “The earliest and most reliable manuscripts do not have John 7:53 through 8:11.”
Other versions say the same thing. However, no one identifies the “earliest and most reliable” manuscripts by name or date. Shall we take their word for it or can we check the validity of that statement for ourselves? It’s no simple task when you don’t know what to look for.
None of the verses are missing in the King James Version. Depending on the publisher, a footnote may appear that says something similar to the NIV. Still, everything appears without any italics, brackets or dashes.
While these issues may not sound like much, they deal with important doctrines of Scripture. Doubts are raised about why Christ came into our world. The importance of hearing God’s word becomes a small matter. Issues of forgiveness are questioned. The fact that Christ fulfilled prophecy during his earthly ministry finds itself barely mentioned, if at all. Perhaps the most dangerous thing is the notion that by raising questions in a footnote, men seem to place themselves in authority over God.
This isn’t as much a translation issue as it is an accuracy issue. Based on what God preserved for us in Revelation 22:18-19, we now find ourselves faced with another important question. Can a purposely distorted bible come from God?
Before answering that, let’s take a look at a few more examples of just a word or two being left out of the Bible. Every word is important. God considers the jots and tittles of equal importance. So, who are we to question a word here and there? Words are important and changing them also changes the meaning of an entire statement. What many say are minor changes may not be minor at all.
Matthew 9:13
Many versions of the Bible contain the invitation from Christ to sinners. But that’s all. While the invitation is there, it doesn’t say what the invitation wants people to do with it. The King James Version explains this by including the word “repentance” as the object of Christ’s call to sinners. Is repentance essential to salvation? Luke felt it vital to the message of Christ.
Mark 1:1
The gospel of the Son of God comes under attack. Even though that phrase appears in the text of many versions, it tends to appear in italics or find itself consigned to a footnote with the explanation, “Some manuscripts do not have ‘the Son of God’.” Christ himself thought it was important his disciples know his true identity as the Son of God. Flesh and blood did not reveal this to Peter. King James translators didn’t question the identity of Christ as the Son of God.
John 9:35
Confusion about Christ’s nature also appear in this verse in many modern versions of the bible. Many of them agree to call Christ nothing more than the Son of Man, at least in this verse. The King James Version again calls Christ the Son of God. While entire theologies aren’t wisely built on just one verse of Scripture (even though one is enough), there seems to be a cause for doubt among the modern versions. Even the demons know who Christ is, so why are the modern versions having so much trouble with it?
Philippians 2:6
We’ll end our comparisons with a verse that clearly tells us Christ was equal with God. Though this is strongly implied, even among most modern versions, the New World Translation claims that Christ, “gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal with God.” Without a doubt, the King James Version renders this verse in the clearest fashion.
Many scholars say this is nothing more than a matter of preference. They claim all bibles together are the Word of God, If that was true, they would all say the same thing all the time. We’ve provided a small sampling to prove that all bibles don’t save the same thing. It’s interesting to note that many modern versions tend to agree to disagree with the King James Version. When did God become the Author of Confusion?
Not all bibles can be the best translation!
Publishers want to make us think their translation is the best. This is because, along with that recognition, comes the real reason such a claim is made: money. We could look much deeper into this issue, but space only allows a brief look.
The publishers of the Amplified Bible claim, “Now possibly for the first time the full meaning of the key words in the original text is available in an English version of the Bible.”
In other words, only the Amplified Bible is an accurate English translation.
The New Century Version claims itself, “a trustworthy translation.” Does that mean no other translation should be trusted?
The New International Version declares it’s, “a completely new translation..” The publishers go on to say, “It may well be that no other translation has been made by a more thorough process of review and revision from committee to committee than this one.”
Doesn’t that make the NIV both accurate and trustworthy?
The New World Translation, a widely used bible with a certain group, makes the bold claim that footnotes were put into the main text.
Those that publish the Revised Standard Version make perhaps the boldest claim of them all. This version is supposedly, “An authorized revision of the American Standard Version, published in 1901, which was a revision of the King James Version…the King James was itself a revision…”
That should eliminate the need for any other translation of the Bible. Can each of the statements made by the RSV publishers be historically proven? According to the information in my own files, none of those statements can be proven completely true.
Of course, each translation makes similar claims. Why? It’s a matter of making money from the sale of their bibles. If they made no money from the sales, would they make the same claims? Let the reader decide.
Billy Graham endorsed the Amplified Bible, John R. Rice endorsed the American Standard Bible and it seems every preacher endorses whatever bible he likes the most.
Either way, we have proven that not every bible says the same thing. How does the Christian know which bible to believe? This is more than just a matter of preference. It’s actually a question of which Bible is the real Word of God!
Our next article will examine information you have probably never read before. If you’re a lover of the truth, prepare yourself to get angry!
Doesn’t that make the NIV both accurate and trustworthy?
The New World Translation, a widely used bible with a certain group, makes the bold claim that footnotes were put into the main text.
Those that publish the Revised Standard Version make perhaps the boldest claim of them all. This version is supposedly, “An authorized revision of the American Standard Version, published in 1901, which was a revision of the King James Version…the King James was itself a revision…”
That should eliminate the need for any other translation of the Bible. Can each of the statements made by the RSV publishers be historically proven? According to the information in my own files, none of those statements can be proven completely true.
Of course, each translation makes similar claims. Why? It’s a matter of making money from the sale of their bibles. If they made no money from the sales, would they make the same claims? Let the reader decide.
Billy Graham endorsed the Amplified Bible, John R. Rice endorsed the American Standard Bible and it seems every preacher endorses whatever bible he likes the most.
Either way, we have proven that not every bible says the same thing. How does the Christian know which bible to believe? This is more than just a matter of preference. It’s actually a question of which Bible is the real Word of God!
Our next article will examine information you have probably never read before. If you’re a lover of the truth, prepare yourself to get angry!
