Many tell us that we should use only one Bible. That to use any other Bible is introducing error into Scripture.

The Apostle Paul tells us that “All scripture is”

2 Timothy 3:16 given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (KJV)

This is God’s intent for His word. “That the man of God may be perfect, and …furnished unto all good works.”

This verse as written tells us that the man of God because of the use of “all scripture” may be “perfect” and because of the scripture he may be furnished by the scripture itself for all good works.

So the implication is that even a saved man is not perfect without the work that is performed within him by the Scriptures themselves, these the Holy Spirit will use to reprove and correct him where he is wrong, and this in order that he understands doctrine, which is of course “truth”. So the scripture is very important in the Believers walk and his growth.

But knowing the scripture also allows us to know that the man who does not possess the Holy Spirit, is blind even concerning his understanding of scripture.

So the question today is— is the King James the only inspired Scripture, because given these two verses this is a most important question. Was the King James inspired at the time of its translation in the 1611 version? We would have to say, yes for the people and language of that day.

So what about for us today? First let me say that inspired scripture existed before 1611, and the King James Bible. So translation is not inspiration, we still need to consider the older manuscripts and texts in our study.

Let me describe what I mean.

Here is a King James series of verses on “fear”

Genesis 9:2 And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. (KJV)

First it must be that “fear” in this verse must not mean dread. We may sometimes take “fear” to mean dread, but to use fear and dread in this verse would seem to be redundant. So fear in this verse probably should be translated “respect” instead of fear, this would make more sense to us in our language today.

Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. (KJV)

What does fear mean in this verse? Certainly the word “fear” makes sense to the man who is not saved, for he must come to “fear” God in order to understand that he needs a savior from the wrath of God to come. So “fear” here would seem a proper rendering.

Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (KJV)

So fear is a good rendering here for a non believer, or even a believer who is straying from truth.

Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (KJV)

Fear is the proper use here. In fact “fear” is not for the believer who is walking in the Spirit. We are not to be in bondage to “fear”. In fact to fear would instead be a sin as it would represent doubt.

Acts 10:2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. (KJV)

Cornelius, it could be argued was not yet saved and so possibly feared rather than respected God. But as can be seen from the Greek either fear or respect could be used. I personally believe that because he was a man of giving and prayer that respect or reverence would be the better translation here than what the KJV uses.

1 Peter 2:17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear (G5399) God. Honour the king. (KJV)

So if we have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; then this Greek word (G5399) would be better translated “reverence”.

So by looking at just the translation of just this one word “fear” I think you can understand that this translation may be no better than others. For the Scriptures if inspired do not contradict themselves.

I am not trying to tell you with this post that you should not use the KJV, but to tell you that it too is but a translation from the original Hebrew and Greek, and it is often not the perfect translation.

For one to tell you that you should only use the KJV, is in a sense a form of legalism. And it’s sole use can result in misunderstanding of scriptures message to you the believer.