Is the King James version of the Bible the only legitimate version?

Answer 1

Because they think it's God Sent, it has hundreds of errors, and it was not the first Bible printed in English, it just happen to have King James backing.
.
People in the English-speaking world use and accept the King James or Authorized Version more than any other single Bible translation. In fact, so highly esteemed is this translation that many persons venerate it as the only true Bible. This raises some questions.

Do these countless persons who use the King James Version know why, despite objections from churchmen, modern translations keep rolling off the presses? Do they know why the King James Version itself was once opposed by the people? Do they know why, despite vigorous protest and opposition, the King James Version entered into the very blood and marrow of English thought and speech? Do they know what illuminating document is probably missing from their own copies? In short, do they really know the King James Version?

The purpose of Bible translation, then, is to take these thoughts of God, originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek, and put them into the common languages of today. Bible translation makes God’s Book a living Book. So true Christians read the Bible, not to be entertained by clever turns of expression, unusual words, excellency of style, striking rhetorical devices or felicities of rhythm, but to learn the will of God. It was for this reason that the King James Version came into existence. That was in 1611.
From almost every quarter the King James Bible met opposition. Criticism was often severe. Broughton, a Hebrew scholar of the day, wrote to King James that he “should rather be torn asunder by wild horses than allow such a version to be imposed on the church.”

The translators, not unaware that people preferred to keep what had grown familiar, knew that their work had unleashed a storm. They tried to calm the people down. They wrote a “Preface of the Translators” to explain why the King James Version was made. This preface is called by the Encyclopedia Americana “a most illuminating preface describing the aims of the translators which unhappily is omitted from the usual printings of the Bible.” Thus most Authorized Versions today, though they contain a lengthy dedication to King James, omit the preface. Its presence would clear up many misunderstandings about the purpose of the revision. The reader would learn that strong opposition was expected.

The reader would learn that the King James Version was a revision of earlier works made with a modest hope of improvement and no thought of finality, In time the clamor died down, and the King James Version prevailed over the Geneva Bible. For more than two and a half centuries no other so-called authorized translation of the Bible into English was made. Little wonder that many people began to feel that the King James Bible was the only true Bible. Like many people who once objected to any change in the Geneva Bible, many persons today object to any change in the King James Bible. They oppose modern translations perhaps as vigorously as the King James Version itself was once opposed.

King James Bible has been changed; today no one reads the King James Version in its original form. Explaining why this is so the book The Bible in Its Ancient and English Versions says: “Almost every edition, from the very beginning, introduced corrections and unauthorized changes and additions, often adding new errors in the process. The edition of 1613 shows over three hundred differences from 1611. . . . It was in the eighteenth century, however, that the main changes were made. . . . The marginal references were checked and verified, over 30,000 new marginal references were added, the chapter summaries and running headnotes were thoroughly revised, the punctuation was altered and made uniform in accordance with modern practice, textual errors were removed, the use of capitals was considerably modified and reduced, and a thorough revision made in the form of certain kinds of words.”

So many changes have been made, many of them in the readings of passages, that the Committee on Versions (1851-56) of the American Bible Society found 24,000 variations in six different editions of the King James Version!

What, then, of the objections raised by persons who say they do not want the King James Bible changed? Since the King James Version has already been changed, they lie on a crumbled foundation. If these persons do not want it changed, then why do they use, instead of a copy of an edition of 1611, an edition that has been changed?

They appreciate, perhaps unknowingly, the improvements the later editions have made. They do not like the odd spelling and punctuation of the 1611 edition; they do not want to read “fet” for “fetched,” “sith” for “since” or “moe” for “more,” as the edition of 1611 had it. Thus improvement, when needed, is appreciated, even by those who say they object to any changing of the King James translation.

One of the major reasons the Authorized Version is so widely accepted is its kingly authority. There seems little doubt that, had not a king authorized this version, it would not today be venerated as though it had come direct from God

Answer 2

It's not "the only legitimate version," but it's a fairly accurate translation. Most newer translations (ie, translated within the last 100 years) are 'dynamic equivalents,' meaning that the 'translators' wrote in English what they think the Biblical text SHOULD HAVE said, and not what it said. Most noteworthy of these commentaries masquerading as translations are the New International Perversion and the Revised Standard Version (the Old Testament committee was headed by an atheist - will this lead to an accurate translation?).

I preach from the KJV because the translators believed that this was the Word of God and should be treated with respect, and because it is commonly available. I will occasionally refer to the American Standard Version (NOT the New American Standard or the New American Bible) because it is an accurate translation of the text that was used.

Answer 3

Well it is definitely the most read and the most recognized. Of course the original texts were translated to what is known as the "King James" version of the bible. Through all translations meanings are lost and the more something is translated the more that is lost, much like the game where you tell a secret and pass it on and see how it has changed by the time it comes back around.

Answer 4

There's many different versions used by different sects; it's just different translations of the Bible. It's still the Bible, just a different translation. I don't think there's an "official only translation"; but I believe that the King James version is the most used.

Answer 5

Like every other translated version of the bible it has its good points and bad points.

The only "legitimate version" of the bible is the one written in Hebrew and Greek (the original languages)

Personally I like to use several different versions and if I get really confused I go to the concordance and see the original meaning of a particular word, or phrase.

Answer 6

It is a very accurate version and very detailed . The other versions I believe is good to have so you can better understand what you are reading , but be careful that it doesn't totally change something in the Scriptures . The New King James Version is a good one . Go as you feel led , but be careful . May God help you in deciding what you seek and God bless you .

Answer 7

no, its just a translation. The Bible has been translated into many languages, are all of them not legitimate? Certainly not. The KJV was just the first english translation. Before that it was often in latin. But the original texts were written in Hebrew(old testiment) and Greek(new testimate). There isn't anything special about the KJV.

Answer 8

It is the closest to what was originally written. I use the NIV for easier reading, but hold the KJV as solid Word. Hope this helped:

For more information on the Bible
go to http://www.johnfourteen.com
"Studies in the Bible" - complete Bible Study
"Lessons from the Pulpit" - Sermons on today's topics

Answer 9

Depends on your point of view. There are differences between KJV and newer versions (small differences primarily that make little or not difference).

The newer versions like NIV are based on more recently discovered documents that are older than those used by the KJV

Answer 10

the only really legitimate version is the original Greek.... so in my book any translation that is trying to be as close to the original greek version is ok with me