Bible Version Discrepancies #4 - A HEAVENLY INHERTANCE (1 Peter 1:3-12)
For most of my life I have been afraid of the "King James Version" of the Bible. I always thought that it would be like reading Shakespeare - well, it's not. Most of the time on my Sunday blog posts I referenced the N.I.V. (New International Version) but recently, when I need clarification, I refer to the K.J.V. (King James Version) and the N.K.J.V. (New King James Version). In making this small switch I discovered that there are many serious discrepancies between NIV & The King James versions. I also found out that the Bible "scholars" who compiled NIV were members of secret societies. Whether or not there was anything nefarious behind the NIV translation does not affect the goal that I have for this series. We are going to use our God-given common sense to compare these versions and come to our own conclusions.
It is important to note that the King James Version was first published in 1611 and it wasn't until 1978 that the New International Version was first published.
Even if we find serious discrepancies by comparing these two versions, I want you to know that I believe God has still been able to get His message across to us - He is not fazed by "misinterpretation". His Truth fills our heart and that is why we are able to objectively study and compare these versions without losing God's meaning.
In this series we are going to really dive deep into God's Word.
We continue our comparison study with "1 Peter 1:3-12".
Again, unlike the first two posts in this series, there were very few "capitalization" discrepancy. In the first two posts, one of the most shocking differences I noticed was the grammar in N.I.V. - it is very disrespectful. Many words describing or referring to God or Jesus are NOT capitalized in the N.I.V.. Modern grammar rules have become relaxed in everyday life but that does not mean that this should apply to the Holy Bible!!
We begin with the differences in the chapter subtitles. In the N.I.V. the subtitle for 1 Peter 1:3-12 is:
"Praise to God for a Living Hope"
Whereas, in N.K.J.V. the subtitle for 1 Peter 1:3-12 is:
"A Heavenly Inheritance"
(these can be seen in the first picture seen below).
Both are wonderful titles but the second one (N.K.J.V.) is much more accurate in describing the most important point of this passage.
Color code meaning in the pictures below:
Highlighted in yellow means that those words/sentences do not appear in one of the versions (including when references to God or Jesus appear in lower case rather than upper case)
Highlighted in orange means that the meaning of the word comparison was very different
Highlighted in green means that the meaning of the word comparison was similar or the same.
We are going to define the following words that differed in both versions:
great vs abundant
perish vs incorruptible
spoil vs undefiled
kept vs reserved
Great - large in number or measure
vs
Abundant - existing or occurring in large amounts
Even though "great" & "abundant" have very similar meanings, I feel like the word "abundant" gives visions of overflowing with blessings.
Notice that "perish" & "spoil" are prefaced with "that can never" - why not just use the words "imperishable" and "unspoiled"?
Perish - to become destroyed or ruined
vs
Incorruptible - incapable of corruption incapable of being bribed or morally corrupted
Spoil - to damage seriously
vs
Undefiled - not made impure, or unclean
Since we are talking about our "Inheritance" (the gift of forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus Christ), then incorruptible and undefiled make so much more sense.
Kept - to retain in one's possession
vs
Reserved - kept or set apart or aside for future or special use
Look at how much more precious and personal the word "reserved" is, as opposed to "kept". (see above definitions).
In the above Scripture passage - you will notice that the sentence structure is very different in each version. Most of the time, word order doesn't change the meaning like "Jesus Christ is revealed" vs "revelation of Jesus Christ".
This word choice difference is very slight but to me very important:
"for a little while you may have had to suffer grief...."
as opposed to:
"for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved....."
In the second example "if need be" implies that there is always a reason for our trials and suffering - our Heavenly Father has a purpose that we might not know until we reach heaven. Whereas, "you may have had to" is so watered down - it's like saying "yep - you're going to have to suffer." The second version gives meaning to the suffering.
Refined - free from impurities
Tested - subjected to or qualified through testing
In this case I actually believe that the N.I.V. choice of words makes more sense - "free from impurities" makes me think of my sins being washed away because of Jesus Christ's sacrifice.
I highlighted the sentences in yellow above because the word order seemed so awkward in the N.I.V. "Who spoke of the grace that was to come to you" - what?? That is so horribly cumbersome that I found myself concentrating on the word structure instead of the meaning.
The final verse is so fantastic!! I don't ever remember reading this verse (I have read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation many times but I just don't remember this verse). Not to add another version but I especially like "New Living Translation" version of this verse:
"It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen."
1 Peter 1:12 N.L.T.
Instead of me doing all the work - I'll give you some homework for this last passage.
Compare these definitions and then come to your own conclusions:
predicted vs testified
spoke vs ministering
told vs reported
I pray that you will continue to reflect on these differences this week and never stop digging deep into God's Word.
Other Version Discrepancy posts:
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