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EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).

Understanding the King James Version

Have you ever wondered about the King James Version of the Bible? Despite its widespread use, there are some things about this translation that many people may not know. Did you know that the King James Version has undergone thousands of changes throughout its history? And while some may object to changing this revered translation, it’s essential to explore its origins and purpose.

When a young churchgoer claimed that the Authorized Version was good enough for St. Paul, it highlighted a common misunderstanding. The English language did not exist during the time of the apostle Paul. Nevertheless, it raises important questions about the enduring popularity of the King James Version among English-speaking communities. Many consider it to be the true Bible, even venerate it above all others.

But do the countless users of the King James Version understand why modern translations continue to emerge despite objections? Do they know the historical opposition the King James Version faced? And are they aware of the missing document that could enhance their understanding? In essence, do they truly know the King James Version?

To understand any Bible translation, including the King James Version, we must grasp the purpose of the Bible itself. It was written by Jehovah God to reveal His character, express His purpose, and provide guidance for mankind. The translation of the Bible aims to make God’s thoughts accessible by rendering them in the languages people use today. It brings God’s living Word to life for us.

As true Christians, we approach the Bible not for mere entertainment or linguistic beauty, but to understand God’s will. This was the purpose behind the creation of the King James Version in 1611. It sought to bring the thoughts of God, originally penned in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, into the common language of its time.

The Reading Culture of Early Christianity

However, the journey of Bible translation is an ongoing process. As language evolves and our understanding deepens, modern translations continue to be developed, helping us grasp God’s timeless message with greater clarity. While we appreciate the rich history and impact of the King James Version, let us also recognize the value of other translations in illuminating the Word of God.

In the following articles, we will delve deeper into the history of the King James Version, explore its strengths and limitations, and gain a broader understanding of the diverse translations that contribute to our knowledge of God’s Word.

The Birth of the Authorized Version

The birth of the King James Version in 1611 marked a significant milestone in the history of English Bible translations. To fully appreciate the impact of this version, it is crucial to explore the rich history of English Bible translations leading up to its creation. Prior to the King James Version, several notable translators and translations paved the way for the development of an authorized English Bible.

One of the earliest and most influential figures in English Bible translation was John Wycliffe. In the 14th century, he translated the Bible from Latin into Middle English, aiming to make the scriptures more accessible to the common people. Wycliffe’s translation, known as Wycliffe’s Bible, played a vital role in spreading the knowledge of the Bible beyond the clergy and scholars of the time.

Another significant contributor to English Bible translation was William Tyndale. In the early 16th century, Tyndale translated the Bible from its original languages, Hebrew and Greek, into English. His translation, often referred to as Tyndale’s Bible, was the first English New Testament to be printed. Tyndale’s work profoundly impacted subsequent translations, and his commitment to producing an accurate and readable English Bible set the stage for future endeavors.

Miles Coverdale, a contemporary of Tyndale, also made significant contributions to English Bible translation. He produced the first complete printed translation of the Bible into English, known as Coverdale’s Bible, in 1535. King Henry VIII commissioned Coverdale’s translation and became the authorized version for use in the Church of England.

During the reign of Queen Mary I, the English Reformation faced a period of persecution, and many English Protestants sought refuge on the European continent. During this time, the Geneva Bible emerged as a popular choice among the exiled English community. The Geneva Bible, first published in 1560, was translated by a group of English scholars in Geneva, Switzerland. This translation gained favor among the people due to its simplicity and directness of language. It included detailed study notes and cross-references, making it a valuable resource for individual study and devotion.

Despite the popularity of the Geneva Bible, the Great Bible and the Bishops’ Bible were the authorized versions in England. The Great Bible, published in 1539, was the first authorized English Bible and was widely used in churches. It was commissioned by King Henry VIII and was essentially an updated version of Coverdale’s Bible. The Bishops’ Bible, published in 1568, was a revision of the Great Bible, sponsored by the Archbishop of Canterbury and other bishops. Although these versions were authorized, they did not enjoy the same popularity as the Geneva Bible among the general population.

Against this historical backdrop, the King James Version of the Bible came into existence. In 1604, King James I of England convened the Hampton Court Conference, where a resolution was passed to create a new translation of the Bible to address the perceived shortcomings of previous versions. The translation process involved a committee of scholars and theologians who were divided into six groups, each responsible for a different section of the Bible.

The King James Version, also known as the Authorized Version, was completed and published in 1611. It incorporated elements from previous English translations, including the linguistic beauty of Tyndale’s work and the scholarly annotations of the Geneva Bible. The King James Version aimed to strike a balance between accuracy and literary excellence, using formal and poetic language that has resonated with readers for centuries.

The impact of the King James Version cannot be overstated. It became the standard English Bible for nearly 300 years and played a pivotal role in shaping the English language itself. Its influence extended beyond religious circles, permeating literature, poetry, and even legal language. Many phrases and idioms from the King James Version have become ingrained in the English-speaking world’s collective consciousness.

During the reign of King James I, thirty-five years after the appearance of the second authorized Bible, the idea for a new translation began to take shape. In 1604, during the Hampton Court Conference, the Puritan president of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, proposed the need for a new translation of the Bible. Recognizing the shortcomings of the previous translations, he emphasized the importance of an accurate rendition of the original text.

Although King James did not immediately act upon the proposal, he found the idea appealing and eventually gave his approval for the translation to commence. A team of approximately fifty scholars, carefully selected and approved by the king, was tasked with the responsibility of translating the Bible. The intention was not to start from scratch but to revise and improve the existing versions. This is evident from the instructions given by King James, specifying that the Bishops’ Bible should be followed and altered as little as possible, with reference to other translations like Tyndale’s, Matthew’s, Coverdale’s, Whitchurch’s, and the Geneva Bible when they aligned better with the original text.

Years of diligent work ensued, and in 1611, the first edition of the Authorized Version, later known as the King James Bible, was published in London. The translators had painstakingly built upon the foundation of the inherited Tyndale-Coverdale text, making necessary refinements and improvements. They focused on the selection of words and the enhancement of the text’s rhythmic quality. The result was a translation that surpassed its predecessors in accuracy and literary elegance.

One would expect that the people rejoiced at the prospect of having a more faithful representation of God’s thoughts. The Authorized Version, with its refined style and enhanced accuracy, aimed to bring the Word of God closer to the hearts and minds of the English-speaking community. However, the journey of Bible translation continues as language evolves and our understanding deepens. In subsequent articles, we will explore the impact and ongoing significance of the King James Bible, as well as the diverse translations that continue to shed light on God’s eternal message.

KING JAMES VERSION: Read the Bible to Understand It

Understanding Opposition to the Authorized Version

Prior to the publication of the new Authorized Version, opposition began to arise. People had grown accustomed to their familiar versions and preferred to retain what they were already accustomed to. Unfortunately, many had lost sight of the true purpose of reading the Scriptures. True Christians read the Bible not merely for its literary effect but to be taught, reproved, corrected, and trained in righteousness, equipping them for every good work. The people, attached to the Geneva Bible and unaware of the purpose of the Scriptures, were skeptical of the new King James Version, paying little attention to the improvements it offered over previous translations.—2 Tim. 3:16, 17.

Criticism and opposition to the King James Bible were widespread from various quarters. Broughton, a renowned Hebrew scholar of the time, wrote to King James expressing that he would rather be torn apart by wild horses than allow such a version to be imposed on the church.

Recognizing the opposition and the people’s preference for the familiar, the translators attempted to address the concerns. They wrote a preface known as the “Preface of the Translators” to explain the purpose behind the King James Version. Sadly, this illuminating preface, which clarifies the aims of the translators, is often omitted from modern printings of the Bible, despite being a valuable resource. Its inclusion would dispel many misunderstandings regarding the revision’s purpose. In the preface, the translators acknowledge the long-awaited translation and address the question of why it was necessary:

“Many men’s mouths have been open a good while (and yet are not stopped) with speeches about the Translation so long in hand . . . and ask what may be the reason, what the necessity of the employment.”

The preface also reveals that the intention behind the King James Version was to improve upon existing translations rather than create an entirely new one. The translators sought to consolidate the best elements from various reliable translations to produce a superior version that would withstand scrutiny. Their aim was never to replace or discredit earlier translations but to refine and enhance them, offering a principal version that would meet high standards and address legitimate concerns.

Over time, the opposition subsided, and the King James Version gained acceptance, surpassing the popularity of the Geneva Bible. For more than two and a half centuries, no other authorized translation of the Bible into English emerged. Consequently, many people came to regard the King James Bible as the only true Bible. Similarly, just as individuals once objected to any alterations in the Geneva Bible, some today vehemently oppose any changes to the King James Bible. They express their desire to preserve the beauty of the King James Bible. However, it is essential to examine whether this perspective rests on a solid foundation.

Recognizing Changes in the King James Bible

Contrary to popular belief, the King James Bible has undergone numerous alterations throughout its history, making it nearly impossible to read the original 1611 version today. The book The Bible in Its Ancient and English Versions explains that from the very beginning, editions of the King James Version introduced corrections, unauthorized changes, and additions, often resulting in new errors. The 1613 edition, for example, shows over three hundred differences from the 1611 edition. However, the most significant changes occurred in the eighteenth century. The marginal references were checked and verified, over 30,000 new references were added, chapter summaries and running headnotes were thoroughly revised, punctuation was adjusted to align with modern practice, textual errors were corrected, capitalization was modified, and certain words underwent comprehensive revision.

These substantial modifications have resulted in numerous variations among different editions of the King James Version. The Committee on Versions (1851-56) of the American Bible Society discovered approximately 24,000 variations across six different editions of the King James Version.

Considering these facts, objections against changing the King James Bible rest on a crumbling foundation. Those who express their opposition but use modern editions of the King James Bible instead of the 1611 edition unwittingly appreciate the improvements made in later versions. They prefer the readability and convenience of contemporary editions over the archaic spelling and punctuation of the original 1611 edition. It is evident that even those who claim to object to changes in the King James translation value improvement when necessary.

These improvements align with the purpose of modern translations, which strive to keep pace with evolving language to make God’s Word clear, understandable, and relevant. The goal is to ensure that the Scriptures remain alive and accessible to people of all generations.

The Authority of Kings and the Translation of God’s Word

The wide acceptance of the Authorized Version, also known as the King James Bible, is often attributed to its kingly authority. However, it is important to question whether this authority grants any special benefits or is even necessary for a translation of God’s Word.

In reality, it is God Himself who authorizes His dedicated servants to translate His Word into understandable language. The authorization by a king does not make a translation exclusive or the only version approved by the original Author in any particular language. In fact, kingly authorization has brought about serious disadvantages.

King James imposed certain rules of procedure that the translators had to follow. One of these rules stipulated the preservation of “old Ecclesiastical words.” Consequently, the translators were obligated to incorporate certain ecclesiastical terms from the Bishop’s Bible, regardless of whether they accurately represented the original meaning of the Scriptures. For example, the term “bishop” appears in the King James Version, even though the original word simply means “overseer” and could have been translated more accurately.

Moreover, the beliefs and ideas of King James influenced the translation named after him in various ways. The translators, feeling bound to favor the king, were compelled to incorporate the king’s notions of predestination and kingly rights, among other ideas, into the translation.

It is evident that the King James Version was not a true reflection of the translators’ own judgment, as they were constrained by “reasons of state.” As a result, this version falls short of faithfully reflecting the mind of Jehovah God as found in the original Bible.

Ultimately, the crucial aspect is to grasp the thoughts of God. Any other perspective is a dangerous deception. Jesus himself stated, “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3).