p. 343 | THE REVISED VERSION by Editor

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 4, 1881

THE REVISED VERSION.

By Editor

It was our intention to pass directly to the relation of the European and American Committees; but in our reading, some changes have specially attracted our attention which we wish to notice. One remark in the "Companion" is so worthy of remembrance that we are pleased to record it:—

"But whether the true readings be deemed improvements or not, they should always be welcomed simply on the ground of their genuineness. To find out what is true is the supreme object of Biblical science; and while, no doubt, there may often seem an artificial attractiveness about what is erroneous, there should always be felt a sovereign majesty in truth."

Matt. 6:34. "Take no thought for the morrow." This, says the "Companion," "has proved very hurtful in modern times. It was a faithful enough representation of the original two and a half centuries ago, for thought was then used in the sense of anxiety. But the word has now no such meaning, . . . it has been used by unbelievers as a charge against Christ's teaching, which, they affirm, encourages improvidence." The Scriptures should not needlessly be subjected to any such misapprehension.

Acts 21:15. "And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem." This conveys no just idea to the general reader. The companion well says: "The Bible is, above all other volumes, the people's book, and if possible, not a single expression should be left of it which is at all likely to stumble or perplex the plainest reader. 'We took up our baggage,' makes the meaning clear." And so in Acts 28:13, "we fetched a compass" is a very awkward way to express the idea, "we made a circuit," as it is in the Revised Version.

Luke 18:12. In this text a very important change is made, to which we call the special attention of our brethren. The reading of the Authorized Version has stumbled many an honest inquirer in the way of duty. "I give tithes of all that I possess." The Revision has it: "I give tithes of all that I get." The Diaglott renders it: "of all that I acquire." This is the true meaning of the word, and this rendering makes it consistent with the word of the Lord in all the Scriptures on this subject.

Rom. 7:6. Of this text the "Companion" says:—

"A reading was introduced by Beza into his third edition, which was a mere conjecture of his own, and is supported by not a single manuscript or version. It stands, however, in the common English Bible, which translates it, 'that being dead wherein we were held,' instead of the true text as rendered in the Revised Version, 'having died to that wherein we were holden.'"

Every scholar living knows that the common rendering is impossible as a translation, and that it has been the means of misleading thousands in regard to a most important truth. The (practically) correct rendering was given in the margin of the Authorized Version; but how should the unlearned know that the marginal reading was the preferable one? And how should the readers of the millions of copies of the Bible which have no marginal readings ever learn what is the truth taught in this text? It was an offense against God, who gave the Scriptures to man, and against man, who needs the revelation of God's will, to have such a blemish as this stand in the Bible. We rejoice that all the world is now likely to see the truth of this text.

1 Cor. 4:4. "For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified; but he that judgeth me is the Lord." No reader of the present day would imagine, on reading this text, that the apostle declared that he knew nothing of or use himself, but that he was not thereby justified, because God, the Judge, is all-knowing. The rendering of the Revised Version, "For I know nothing against myself," is consistent with the declaration of the preceeding sentence; but no one unacquainted with the original, and with the use of English two centuries ago, could perceive any necessity for this rendering. The "Companion" gives an instance of old usage in this respect. "Cranmer says to Henry VIII., 'I am exceedingly sorry that such faults can be proved by the queen,' that is, against her."

2 Thess. 2:1. "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ," etc. The Revised Version has it—"in regard to the coming," thus giving due prominence to "the coming" as the subject of discourse. The Diaglott has it, "Concerning the coming." The common rendering is difficult to understand.

1 Tim. 3:16. On the change in this text we will only quote a few lines from the opening remarks of the "Companion":—

"The English reader will probably be startled to find that the familiar text, 'And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh,' has been exchanged in the Revised Version for the following: 'And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: He who was manifested in the flesh.' A note in the margin states that 'the word God, in place of He who, rests on no sufficient ancient authority.'"

Those who are acquainted with the progress of critical knowledge of the Scriptures will not be startled by the change. They expected it. The reason given for it we have no room to insert.

Heb. 12:1. The sense of this text is obscured by the unfortunate position of "also," in the common Version. "Seeing we also are compassed about," implies that the persons before named were compassed about, as we are, with a cloud of witnesses; whereas they are the witnesses (not viewers, but testifiers) to whom reference is made.

This must close our notice of particular texts. The word "conversation," as in the A. V., always means conduct, except in Phil. 3:20, where the Revised Version has "citizenship." Most people were aware that this change should be made. It is well, therefore, to have it made. Of another word in our common translation the Companion says:—

"There are two words, both translated 'repent' in the Authorized Version, which it is most desirable to distinguish wherever that is possible. The one word means simply to 'rue' or 'regret,' a course which has been followed; the other implies that thorough change of mind which is implied in Christian repentance."

This information will be appreciated by many who have been perplexed over the subject. And now we have given to our readers some of the most important changes made by the revisers; enough to show that, at least in many respects, the Revised Version is an improvement on the "King James' Version." We invite all to read with care, and compare the two. It will be a profitable exercise, giving a better idea of the sacred text than they have ever had. For this purpose a "Comparative Edition" has been published, an advertisement of which will be seen in this paper. In this, wherever you open your New Testament the two Versions are presented together, on opposite pages, for ready comparison and study. And we rejoice that this revision is being the means of directing the minds of many to a closer study of the word of God. And we exhort all to read it, not in mere curiosity, but with a desire to be made "wise unto salvation," which can be accomplished only by the sanctifying truth of God. John 17:17.