The Re-Translation or Revision of the Bible: No. 3

 •  10 min. read  •  grade level: 7
Much has of late years been done to verify, as far as possible, the text of the Greek New Testament. Whether any critical text yet published should be invariably followed as correct is a question open to doubt, or perhaps some would say, one which admits of no doubt. Perhaps the text which, from the abundant materials now gathered together, shall generally command the confidence of scholars and Bible students has yet to appear. Meanwhile, we can in some places clearly see what should be read, and what corrections of the common Greek text (whether the second Elzevir edition, published in 1633, or the third edition of Stephen, published in 1550) should now be made. That neither of these texts can be accepted as an accurate reprint of the originals, or even of what was read as such in the early ages of Christianity, we need not now stop to prove. Nor, since several attempts to revise the authorized version of the New Testament, or to translate afresh from the Greek, have of late years appeared, need we stop to inquire whether that version needs amendment. We shall, therefore, confine our remarks to pointing out some corrections of the authorized version which, in any revision, will most probably be made.
And, first, of corrections arising from changes in the Greek text.
1. Words or clauses which should be omitted.
Matt. 6:13,13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:13) “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever, amen;” 25:13, “wherein the Son of man cometh;” 27:35, “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots;” Acts 10:6,6He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. (Acts 10:6) “he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do” 8:37, the whole verse; 9:5, 6, “it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished, said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” Rom. 1:16,16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16) “of Christ;” 6:11, “our Lord;” 8:1, “who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit;” 15:29, “of the gospel;” 16:18, “Jesus;” 1 Cor. 5:1,1It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. (1 Corinthians 5:1) “so much as is named;” 6:20, “and in your spirit, which are God's;” 7:5, “fasting and;” 10:28, “for the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof;” 11:24, “take eat;” 2 Cor. 4; 10, “the Lord;” Gal. 3:1,1O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? (Galatians 3:1) “that ye should not obey the truth;” Col. 1:2,2To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Colossians 1:2) “and the Lord Jesus Christ;” 14, “through His blood;” 28, “Jesus;” 2:11, “the sins of;” 2 Thess. 2:4,4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. (2 Thessalonians 2:4) “as God;” 1 Tim. 1:17,17Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17) “wise;” Heb. 3:1,1Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; (Hebrews 3:1) “Christ;” 11:13, “and were persuaded of them;” 12:20, “or thrust through with a dart;” 1 John 5:7, 8,7For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. (1 John 5:7‑8) “in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth;” 13, “that believe on the name of the Son of God;” Jude 25,25To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. (Jude 25) “wise;” Rev. 1:8,8I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. (Revelation 1:8) “the beginning and the ending;” 11, “I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and;” 2:20, “a few things;” 24, “and unto;” 5:14, “him that liveth forever and ever;” 11:17, “and art to come;” 14:5, “before the throne of God;” 16:14, “of the earth and;” 20:5, — “again.”
A fertile source of errors in the text has been the tendency to harmonize two independent accounts of the same thing. The Spirit of God surely had a reason for every word He saw fit to use. As the sacred writer wrote it, He intended it should appear. All that one recorded, it was not God's mind that others should record likewise. So, in Mark 2:17,17When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Mark 2:17) “to repentance;” 3:5, “whole as the other;” 11:10, “in the name of the Lord;” 14:22, 2nd, “eat;” should be omitted, whilst in the parallel passages of Matthew or Luke the words will be found in the text unchallenged.
2. Additions which should be made.
Acts 4:27,27For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, (Acts 4:27) “together in this city;” 16:7, “Spirit of Jesus;” 20:23, “witnesseth to me;” 1 Cor. 9:20,20And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; (1 Corinthians 9:20) “as under the law not being really under law;” 1 Peter 2:2,2As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: (1 Peter 2:2) “grow thereby unto salvation;” 2 Peter 3:3,3Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, (2 Peter 3:3) “scoffers in their scoffing;” 1 John 2:23,23Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. (1 John 2:23) “Father but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also;” Jude 25,25To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. (Jude 25) “Savior by Jesus Christ our Lord;” Rev. 8:7,7The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. (Revelation 8:7) “earth and the third part of the earth was burnt up;” 14:1, “having His name and.”
3. Alterations which should be made.
Matt. 9:36,36But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. (Matthew 9:36) “were harassed,” for, “fainted;” 18:28, “pay if thou owest anything,” for, “pay me that thou owest;” Luke 2:22,22And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (Luke 2:22) “their purification,” for, “her purification;” 3:2, “high priest,” for, “high priests;” John 3:25,25Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. (John 3:25) “a Jew,” for, “the Jews;” 17:11, “keep them in thine name, which,” for, “keep through thine own name those whom;” Acts 3:20,20And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: (Acts 3:20) “before was appointed you,” for, “before was preached unto you;” 6:8, “grace,” for, “faith;” 9:6, “but,” for, “and the Lord said unto him;” 14:3, “by granting,” for, “and granted;” 14, “rushed forth,” for, “ran in;” 17, “you,” for, “us;” Rom. 2:17,17Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, (Romans 2:17) “but if,” for, “behold;” 7:6, “having died in that,” for, “that being dead;” 1 Cor. 1:23,23But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; (1 Corinthians 1:23) “heathen,” for, “Greeks;” Gal. 4:26,26But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. (Galatians 4:26) “our mother,” for, “mother of us all;” Eph. 1:18,18The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, (Ephesians 1:18) “heart,” for, “understanding;” 3:9, “dispensation,” for, “fellowship;” 5:9, “light,” for, “Spirit;” 21, “Christ,” for, “God;” 29, “Christ,” for, “Lord;” Colos. 3:22, “the Lord,” for, “God;” 2 Thess. 2:2,2That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. (2 Thessalonians 2:2) “the Lord,” for, “Christ;” 1 Tim. 6:19,19Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. (1 Timothy 6:19) “that which is really,” for, “eternal;” 2 Tim. 2:19,19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (2 Timothy 2:19) “of the Lord,” for, “of Christ;” Heb. 8:11,11And they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. (Hebrews 8:11) “fellow citizen,” for, “neighbor;” James 5:9,9Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. (James 5:9) “judged,” for, “condemned;” 2 Peter 2:18,18For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. (2 Peter 2:18) “in some degree,” for, “clean;” 1 John 5:13,13These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:13) “who,” for, “and that ye may;” 2 John 1, 7,1The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; (2 John 1)
7For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. (2 John 7) “gone out,” for, “entered;” Jude 12,12These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; (Jude 12) “carried away,” for, “carried about;” Rev. 1:5,5And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, (Revelation 1:5) “loveth,” for, “loved;” 2:15, “in like manner,” for, “which thing I hate;” 8:13, “eagle,” for, “angel;” 11:4, “Lord,” for, “God;” 15, “the kingdom is,” for, “the kingdoms are;” 15:3, “nations,” for, “saints;” 17:8, “and shall be present,” for, “and yet is;” 18:20, “saints and apostles,” for, “holy apostles;” 20:12, “the throne,” for, “God;” 21:7, “these things,” for, “all things;” 22:6, “spirits of the,” for, “holy;” 19, “from the tree,” for, “out of the book;” 14, “wash their robes,” for, “do His commandments.”
Attention to these and other alterations which might be noticed will often throw great light on Scripture, and will correct the thoughts of God's children. For example, in the alteration of “Christ” for “the Lord” in Eph. 5:29,29For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: (Ephesians 5:29) we learn that “Lord” is not a correct term to use when speaking of Christ and the Church. The propriety of the changes in Eph. 5:21,21Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. (Ephesians 5:21) Col. 3:22,22Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: (Colossians 3:22) 2 Tim. 2:19,19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (2 Timothy 2:19) will be apparent. Set on high as Lord and Christ all are to own not only God, but Him who is Lord.
Besides these changes in the text, others must be made in the translation.
In some cases the definite article has great force, and should be inserted.
The translation should be amended.
Acts 7:59,59And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. (Acts 7:59) “praying and saying,” for, “calling upon God, and saying,” so Syriac, Vulgate, Martin, Tynedale; Rom. 11:31,31Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. (Romans 11:31) “have not believed in your mercy, that they,” for, “have not believed, that through your mercy they;” 1 Cor. 9:21,21To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. (1 Corinthians 9:21) “in lawful subjection,” for, “under the law;” 1 Cor. 15:2,2By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:2) “hold fast,” for, “keep in memory;” 2 Cor. 3:7,7But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: (2 Corinthians 3:7) “began with glory,” for, “was glorious;” 8, “subsist in glory,” for, “glorious;” 11, “was with glory,” for “was glorious;” “subsists in glory,” for, “is glorious;” 18, “unveiled,” for, “open;” 4:3, “veiled,” “it is veiled,” for, “hid,” “it is hid;” Gal. 5:17,17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (Galatians 5:17) “in order that ye should not,” for “so that ye cannot;” Eph. 3:15,15Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, (Ephesians 3:15) “every family,” for, “the whole family;” 18; “may be thoroughly able,” for, “may be able;” 6:4, “discipline,” for, “nurture;” Philip. 4:5, “gentleness,” for, “moderation;” Col. 3:10,10And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: (Colossians 3:10) “unto full knowledge,” for, “in knowledge;” 2 Thess. 2:2,2That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. (2 Thessalonians 2:2) “is present,” for, “is at hand;” 3:5, “patience of the Christ,” for, “patient waiting for Christ;” Titus 2:13,13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (Titus 2:13) “our great God and Savior,” for, “the great God and our Savior;” Heb. 4:14,14Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. (Hebrews 4:14) “passed through,” for, “passed into;” 10:23, “hope,” for, “faith;” 12:2, “leader and perfecter of the faith,” for, “author and finisher of our faith;” 1 John 2:19,19They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. (1 John 2:19) “all are not of us,” for, “they are not all of us;” 3:4, “practices lawlessness,” “lawlessness,” for, “transgresseth the law;” “transgression of the law;” Rev. 7:15,15Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. (Revelation 7:15) “shall tabernacle over them,” for, “shall dwell among them.” The needless insertion of some words, and the omission of others should be attended to.
More care should be exercised in the translation of words.
The distinction between υἰὸς (wios), a son, manifested as such to others, and τέκνον (tecnon), a child, expressive of relationship, should be carefully preserved. The Lord Jesus is called υἰὸς, never τέκνον, except in Luke 2:4848And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. (Luke 2:48) (when addressed by His mother), and Rev. 12:44And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. (Revelation 12:4). Of believers both terms are used, but only in the writings of Paul, Matt. 5:9, 459Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Matthew 5:9)
45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:45); Luke 6:35; 16:8; 20:3635But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. (Luke 6:35)
8And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. (Luke 16:8)
36Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. (Luke 20:36); John 12:3636While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them. (John 12:36); Rev. 21:7,7He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. (Revelation 21:7) excepted. John generally speaks of relationship to God, a child, so uses τέκνον. Paul speaks of this, and of the position before the world as a son as well, so uses the word υἰὸς likewise. (See Rom. 8:14, 1614For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Romans 8:14)
16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (Romans 8:16).) To the Lord as an infant, παιδίον (paidion), a little child, is applied (Matt. 2; Luke 2:17, 4017And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. (Luke 2:17)
40And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. (Luke 2:40)); and when twelve years of age he is called ποίμνη (pais), a child, the same ward used Him after his resurrection, in Acts 3:13, 26; 4:27, 3013The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. (Acts 3:13)
26Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. (Acts 3:26)
27For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, (Acts 4:27)
30By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. (Acts 4:30). Paul is the first in Acts who proclaims Him as Son (υἰὸς, 9:20) of God. Between the fold ἀνλή (John 10:1, 161Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. (John 10:1)
16And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. (John 10:16)) and ποίμνη (10:16) there is a wide difference, which should be noted. God owns now no fold; the sheep formerly in it have been led out of it; but He has a flock. Hell, ἄδης (hades), the place of departed spirits, and hell, γέεννα (gehenna), the place of torment, which occurs only in Matt. 5:22, 29, 30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15, 3322But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. (Matthew 5:22)
29And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. (Matthew 5:29‑30)
28And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28)
9And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. (Matthew 18:9)
15Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. (Matthew 23:15)
33Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? (Matthew 23:33); Mark 9:43, 45, 4743And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: (Mark 9:43)
45And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: (Mark 9:45)
47And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: (Mark 9:47); Luke 12:55But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. (Luke 12:5); James 3:66And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. (James 3:6); are not the same place; yet the authorized version fails to point this out. Again, should not the reader be informed that comforter (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:716And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (John 14:16)
26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26)
26But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: (John 15:26)
7Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. (John 16:7)) is the same word in the Greek as advocate (1 John 2:11My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: (1 John 2:1)), παράκλητος (paracletos), showing that whilst the advocacy of the Lord is carried on high, there is another advocate, the Holy Ghost, on earth! Again, why should ἐπίσκοπος (episcopos) be translated bishop in 1 Tim. 3:2,2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; (1 Timothy 3:2) and overseer in Acts 20:2828Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)?
Examples might be multiplied, but our business is not to translate, but to show the need of a careful revision, both of the text and of the authorized version. When undertaken, if faithfully executed, will it not be the most convincing proof that those whose religion is professedly drawn from the Bible, and by which word, and that alone, they profess to be guided, are above all party considerations, desiring for themselves and others God's word in its purity and its simplicity C. E. S.