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Understanding False Friends in the KJV

Jan 12, 2025

Lecture Notes: 50 False Friends in the King James Bible Series

Introduction

  • Series Completion: The YouTube series on "50 False Friends in the King James Bible" is complete.
  • Announcements: Two major announcements are made; one at the beginning and one at the end of the video.
  • Objective: Addressing common objections received regarding the series.

Key Points Discussed

Announcement 1

  • False Friend Count: The series identified 50 false friends appearing 1,362 times in the KJV.
  • Challenge to KJV-only Advocates: Encourages them to recognize the tension with 1 Corinthians 14, emphasizing the need for edification through intelligibility.

Understanding "False Friends"

  • Example: The word "meat" in KJV often means "food," not just animal flesh.
  • Research Method: Analyzed each instance in the KJV to determine the intended meaning.
  • Public Release: A list of instances will be made public.
  • Reason for Stopping at 50: Language complexity, personal life responsibilities, and making the point clear with 50 examples.

Core Argument

  • Objection to Exclusivity: Advocates against the exclusive use of the KJV because language changes can lead to misunderstandings.
  • Edification Requires Intelligibility: Emphasizes the biblical principle from 1 Corinthians 14.
  • Personal Experience: Engaged with KJV-only viewers, none admitted to misunderstanding until watching the videos.

Specific Objections Addressed

Objection 1: Impossibility to Read

  • Clarification: The KJV is not impossible to read, but many words are outdated or misleading.
  • Dead Words: Around 700 obsolete words in the KJV need updating.

Objection 2: 1 Corinthians 14 Context

  • Bible Translation: Applies the principle that edification requires intelligibility to Bible translations.
  • Historical Context: Used by reformers to argue against Latin-only services.
  • Examples from History: Reformers like Wolfgang Musculus and others used 1 Corinthians 14 in translation arguments.

Objection 3: Readability vs. Accuracy

  • False Dichotomy: Both readability and accuracy are important, not mutually exclusive.

Objection 4: Updated KJV

  • Current Solutions: No translation simply updates KJV English.

Objection 5: KJV Perfection

  • Counterargument: The KJV translators themselves acknowledged imperfections.

Objection 6: Use of Marginal Glosses

  • Practicality: Glosses help but aren't a complete solution for laypeople.

Objection 7: Difficult Words in Modern Versions

  • Comparison: Modern versions have difficult words but not false friends.

Objection 8: Technical Terms

  • Specialization: Technical terms are necessary, but not random historical terminology.

Objection 9: Personal Attacks

  • Ad Hominem: Dismisses personal attacks and stresses importance of civil discourse.

Objection 10: Impact on Believers

  • Unity & Understanding: Aims to clear KJV-onlyism misconceptions and foster understanding through multiple translations.

Future Directions

  • Expansion of the Series: Plans to publish the series in book form.
  • Focus on Understanding: Encourages the use of multiple Bible translations for a deeper understanding.
  • Prayer for Unity: Hopes for reconciliation and increased understanding among Christians divided by translation issues.

Conclusion

  • Invitation for Dialogue: Encourages critics to acknowledge learning points from the series.
  • Final Announcement: Upcoming book titled "King James Words You Don't Know You Don't Know" aiming to educate on language changes affecting translations.

Full transcript