Or just updated translations?
January 7, 2011 (Friday)
I was watching a really old film on T.V. and the word, “Hydrophobia,” appeared on the screen. I can’t remember when I last heard that word. I used to hear it a lot when I was a kid. I had not noticed that the word is no longer used. I believe these days we say, “Rabies,” instead.
That set me to thinking about other words we no longer use. Do you say, “fie,” when expressing disgust or disapproval? There was a time when most people did say that. How long has it been since you called out, “hark,” (except when singing Christmas carols) when you wanted someone to listen and pay close attention? When you want to express a wish or request, do you use the word, “prithee?” Not likely. The language we use is constantly changing.
Many people today refuse to use any version of the Bible except the King James Version. Did you know the “King James Version” you use today does not use many of the words that were in the original 1611 publication? It has been carefully and systematically updated with English words that have replaced outdated ones. It’s still the same translation, but archaic expressions have been quietly revised so that we can understand it. Here is an example of the original 1611 edition (1 Corinthians 13:1-3): “Though I speake with the tongues of men & of Angels, and haue not charity, I am become as sounding brasse or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I haue the gift of prophesie, and vnderstand all mysteries and all knowledge: and though I haue all faith, so that I could remooue mountaines, and haue no charitie, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestowe all my goods to feede the poore, and though I giue my body to bee burned, and haue not charitie, it profiteth me nothing.” As I said, it is the same translation in use today, but the language has been revised.
There are many translations available to us today. I have found all of them to be helpful. Like many people, I studied Greek and Hebrew in the seminary, and can read the Bible in those original languages, if I have to (with considerable effort, and with the help of lexicons, etc.). These studies have given me an appreciation for the work of so many scholars through the years whose labors have produced new translations, because spelling, grammar and thought processes are always changing.
Some folks don’t like new translations, but at least they are not persecuting the translators, like they did before King James put his authority behind the translation that bears his name. That’s why the title page in your King James Bible says, “Authorized Version.” (Read more about it if you like).