I am convinced by many studies into this question that the KJV text is the most authoritative because it derives from the Textus Receptus, a body of original manuscripts that are considered the most reliably verified – since long ago. Many of the supposed “earlier” manuscript texts are suspect for these reasons:1. Very few of them exist and they are mostly incomplete fragments.
2. Rejected by the early church fathers.
3. Flawed, in and of themselves, with many gaps and disagreements.
4. Considered to have been altered to suit the Gnostic Heresies which were thoroughly rejected in the 2nd and 3rd Centuries. Yet they still maintain 98+% of the original info. That’s important to realize that the vast majority of the information in your Bible(s) is consistent and not in question.
The TR texts, which comprise the largest body of New Testament texts (and which KJV is exclusively based on), can largely be verified by early church fathers’ other writings, in their commentaries on those verses. So we know that most of these verses were considered part of the original text. And for the church at the very early centuries this was not in doubt. However, textual scholars/critics do not consider external writings in their evaluations. The KJV translators refused to accept the “earlier” manuscripts precisely BECAUSE the early church fathers’ commentaries and because of the Gnostic Heresies being rejected en masse by the leadership of the early church.
HOWEVER. take a breath.
The KJV also has problems.
1. The language is arcane. More than 100 KJV English words are no longer in use anywhere and so many of the KJV advocates do not have a clue what the KJV translators meant. It can take enormous energy to “translate” the KJV translation for modern readers. So, many people do not read the KJV because it is simply hard to understand at many places.
2. Many words since then have changed meaning. For instance: Prevent no longer means what it once meant. We think it means to stop something. But in KJV English the word Prevent meant to intervene in advance, or literally “vent in advance”. It’s a subtle difference, but when you realize it’s more about altering course than stopping, it can have important difference in understanding. That’s one word. One. There are well over 50 words in KJV English that have changed meaning in our times.
3. The KJV translators did an excellent job with what was available to them. However, they were at the convergence of Medieval and Renaissance times. Much of the long lost culture of Israelite-Hebrews was virtually unknown to them. In fact, it was not even understood by many European Jews at the time. As a result of the rebirth of Israel, the Hebrew language, the dead sea scrolls discovery, the thousands of new archeological discoveries and the advances in science, we now can understand things that were largely mysteries to the KJV translators in 1611. We have also seen fulfillments of prophecy since then that were not clear to the KJV translators, but which are now past tense to us.
These three items mean for me that I can and should study the KJV text, but ALSO look to modern translations to assist understanding it better. It’s an excellent, and very authoritative, version for its’ time. But it’s time is long past. It’s very useful, but requires also using other versions.
What to do? Should we be concerned about this? *I don’t believe so.* We can rely on most modern versions to teach us the vast majority of the truth, and most of these modern versions will have footnotes about the disputed verses. My NIV Study Bible even has long details about each disputed verse that is actually helpful. Sometimes the NIV just conveys the message better, easier to understand. Sometimes not.
The truth is that God created the Bible for us and has overseen it’s preservation for us all along. The way it was created gives us excellent ability to get the truth on every point of teaching, doctrine, truth (what have you) with very little concern despite the controversy over this small set of verses. These verses comprise less than 1% of the total 31,103 verses of the Bible. In most cases you can assess their truth by other verses.
Realize that in many countries, our brothers and sisters MAY have the chance to read one Gospel, one time, in their entire lives. In North Korea, China, Vietnam and many other persecuting countries, they are fortunate to have any copies at all. Yet, the church grows. Some of the most amazing Christians you will ever meet come from countries where they have little to no access to the Bible. That’s because God oversees these things and the Holy Spirit is our teacher – to guide us into truth. The word gives us the ability to verify these things, but is not our only lifeline to God. Prayer is our ultimate lifeline and if we are trusting in Jesus, God will keep us on track.
We should be careful not to come up with private interpretations, to avoid false teachings, and to stay set on the plain and main things of the truth of the Word. If we do that, seeking His face, we will be able to know Him and be known by Him. God will not forsake a true believer-disciple. And scripture gives us it’s own interpretation(s), it’s own commentaries, and so on. For instance, where do we have the chapter on Baptism? There isn’t one – so it can’t be lost. There are dozens of verses teaching on Baptism. If one is lost or mistranslated, the others will keep us clear on what Baptism means, and how to apply it, as part of our faith. The key is not to let people with private agendas and private interpretations mislead us or misfocus us, which is what the Gnostics did long ago.Keep on the center of the truth highway and you won’t be led astray.
Modern Versions I really like to use for study:
NKJV, ESV and NIV. These each use some variation in the science of interpretation that range on a spectrum of Word for Word translation, to dynamic equivalency. NKJV is more of a word for word, NIV is more of a dynamic equivalency, where as the ESV is a little bit in the middle. each of these rely on the TR manuscripts, while still considering the “older” manuscripts.
NASB, although older than these three, has some great value in understanding the NT Greek verb tenses. I like it also, but it was one that removed these verses without footnotes.
One great new version that I’ve been using lately is the Tree of Life Version. It was written in recent decades by a team of Hebrew and Greek scholars who hold to a desire to keep the names, titles and clarity of the ancient Hebrew, yet are entirely faithful to the New Covenant. They come from a Messianic Christian perspective, without being “Judaizers”. It helps to understand the Hebrew mindset and deeper meanings of words that were long lost for centuries. Yet, it does not fail us on New Testament doctrine. If you want to dig deeper – especially to understand the Hebrew insights, i highly recommend it.
Lastly, a version that i find really interesting is the CEV (Contemporary English Version). It was created with a desire to translate into “conversational speech” which is what MOST of the New Testament was originally. We can sometimes forget that most of the New Testament was not written to be scholarly. It was written to convey ideas easily and quickly. The CEV does that very well. I found it exceptionally easy to LISTEN to for regular study.
I hope that helps. God bless you all.