p. 230 | THE OLD IS BETTER by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 14, 1887

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 15.

"THE OLD IS BETTER."

By Editor

1. "PLEASE explain how you harmonize the 14th verse of Rev. 22, and the comments upon it, found in SIGNS, March 24, p. 186, with the same verse as given in the New Version, which reads, 'Blessed are they that wash their robes,' etc."

There are some things that we don't try to harmonize; we try to follow the simple truth, and if anything differs from it, that is not a matter that troubles us. In this case we accept the reading of the Authorized Version as preferable to that of the New, and let the matter rest there.

It may seem strange, however, that the two versions, each the work of men skilled in the languages, should have such widely different renderings of the same text. A little explanation will make the matter clear. The Greek of the text as rendered in the Authorized Version is, poiountes tas entolas autou. As given in the Revised Version it is, plunontes tas stolas auton. It will be seen that the difference in the words is very slight, so that a copyist might easily make the substitution of one for the other. If the reader has ever seen fac similes of some of the ancient manuscripts, he will the more readily understand how such a change might have taken place. As the result, some of the ancient manuscripts have it one way, and some another. The similar expression in Rev. 7:14 may have been in the mind of the ancient copyist, thus causing him unconsciously and mechanically to make the substitution. Griesbach regards the reading followed by the New Version as "not to be despised," but worthy of further examination, "though inferior to the received text."

But while following the Authorized Version, we do not find, in this instance, the slightest lack of harmony between the two renderings. It is a fact that only those who keep the commandments of God, will be permitted to partake of the tree of life. Matt. 7:21; 19:17, and many other texts, settle this matter positively. It is also true that none will be saved, except those who wash their robes of character in the blood of the Lamb; for "the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:7); and Christ "was manifested to take away our sin." Now (1) no one can keep the commandments without the help of Christ, whose blood cleanses from sin; and (2) no one can stand, having his robes white, without being a doer of the commandments; for it is sin that defiles, and if one should break the commandments his robes would not be white. Thus they who have kept the commandments of God, and they whose robes are made white, are the same. A blessing pronounced upon those who have kept the commandments of God, is at the same time a blessing pronounced upon those who have washed their robes white. So there is harmony in the two renderings, after all.

2. "Also please state whether the New Version is correct in giving the word 'probation' where the Old Version has 'experience,' in Rom. 5:4."

We think it is not, for the following reasons: The Greek word signifies both a test, a trial, and also that which results from such a test. Therefore "experience" is an allowable rendering. Now to render it "experience," as in the Authorized Version, makes good sense, for it comports with the facts in the case:

patient endurance of tribulation does work out rich experience. But "patience" indicates that the individual is undergoing a testing, a probation; and therefore it does not seem consistent to say that this tribulation and patience work probation, when they are themselves a probation. Therefore we decidedly prefer the old rendering, "tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts."

The revisers have given us a good commentary, but they seem often to have been more intent on getting something new than on retaining the simplicity and directness of the sacred text. w.