As Bible-believing Christians, we believe the KJV (King James Version) is the perfect word of God. If we believe that all Bibles are all the same and that there is no single perfect Bible then we will come across contradictions and problems when determining whether or not we are following the correct doctrine. This encompasses the importance of demanding a perfect Bible. That being said, modern Bibles cannot be the perfect word of God since they have many doctrinal errors which will be covered.
Those who believe in KJV only are criticized for being biased. However, it only takes one look at other verses in these modern Bibles to know that all other versions except KJV have doctrinal issues. Even James White knows that there are doctrinal issues with the modern versions but falsely believes these mistakes do not affect doctrine.
These are some of the modern Bibles that have doctrinal issues, and not necessarily with the verses presented here (some preserve these verses but may alter another one and vice versa).
- NIV
- ESV
- NLT
- NKJV
- NASV
- + Modern Bibles
Doctrinal issues presented by modern Bibles
#1 God is removed
1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Beginning with 1 Timothy 3, we see that verse 16 begins with ‘God’. Modern Bibles cross out “God” and replaced it with ‘He’. By replacing ‘God’ with ‘He’ the divinity of Jesus is taken away. This is seen in Jehovah’s Witnesses’ bibles.
#2 “yet” is removed
John 7:8 Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast: for my time is not yet full come.
Even a single word that is replaced or omitted changes the meaning of a verse. For instance, look at John 7:8. The word ‘yet’ is omitted from the verse, so the meaning changes as well. Originally, Jesus states that he will not go to the feast presently (in the context of the verse) but later in verse 10 it states that he goes to the feast. There is no contradiction here because he mentioned the word ‘yet’ in verse 8 so it makes sense that he was going to the feast at a later time. Modern versions portray Jesus as a liar when they omit yet. Verse 8 states that Jesus will not go to the feast and later in verse 10 it mentions that he went to the feast, which is a contradiction.
#3 “prophets” is removed, which makes the Bible a liar
Mark 1:2-3 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
In this verse, God is made a liar when modern translations replace ‘prophets’ with ‘Isaiah’, This is incorrect because it is not just Isaiah speaking but Malachi as well. Malachi is speaking in verse 2 while Isaiah speaks in verse 3.
#4 Who killed Goliath?
2 Samuel 21:19 And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.
God, again, is made a liar by these modern translations when they fail to recall who killed Goliath (David obviously). It would seem that italicized words are not inspired by God but added by KJV translators so the words “the brother of” were omitted, making Elhanan the one who killed Goliath.
#5 The king of Egypt went to the aid of or against Assyria?
2 Kings 23:29 In his days Pharaohnechoh king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates: and king Josiah went against him; and he slew him at Megiddo, when he had seen him.
2 Chronicles 35:20 After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Charchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him.
Not all Bibles are the same, especially not the KJV and the NKJV as some may claim. To prove this, first, we need to look at 2 Kings 23 where verse 29 states that king Josiah was against Necho king of Egypt, even stating that king Josiah had killed him. The same story is repeated in 2 Chronicles 35 where king Josiah goes against the Egyptian king. The NKJV however, replaces the word ‘against” and states that Josiah went to aid Necho which is not true.
#6 Joshua and Caleb died in the wilderness?
Hebrews 3:16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.”
What this verse is saying is that some (Israelites) that heard, provoked God so not everyone came out of Egypt by Moses. If you recall, Joshua and Caleb were some of the few (not including those 20 and under at the time) that came out of the wilderness with Moses. Hebrews 3:16 is reiterating the fact that not everyone came out of Egypt, meaning that there were some survivors. Contrary to this, modern translations state that everyone died in the wilderness including Joshua and Caleb.
#7 “Jesus’ blood” is removed
Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
As Christians, the blood of Jesus is very important to us since it is what washes away our sin. Modern translations don’t see the importance in Jesus’ blood and they demonstrate that by dropping ‘through his blood’ in this verse.
#8 No difference between hell and grave?
1 Corinthians 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
Luke 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Some people, like Jehovah’s Witnesses, deny the existence of Hell, instead, they call it Hades, which refers to the grave. Looking at the KJV, we notice a difference between Hell and the grave, specifically in 1 Corinthians and the book of Luke. Modern translations, however, do not make a distinction between Hell and the grave and just replace either word with Hades. This is wrong because there is a clear difference between the grave and Hell.
#9 Is the trinity one God, or not?
1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
This verse supports the Holy Trinity or the Godhead. The modern translations get rid of the doctrine of the Trinity being one God.
#10 Did Jesus cast off His deity?
Philippians 2:5-7 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Again, these modern versions fail in that they make Jesus deny his own divinity. This verse clearly states that Jesus is God as he did not think it was “robbery to be equal to God”. Modern versions, however, state that Jesus cast off his deity.
More examples
All modern bibles have these sort of doctrinal errors which is why it is such a big deal that we follow the correct bible, namely the King James Bible.
If that wasn’t enough, modern bibles omit a big part of Mark 16 as well as some verses from John 7 and 8. Acts 8 provides another big doctrinal error when we examine modern translations, namely water baptism for salvation, which we know is not necessary. As Christians, we know that our salvation is tied with our belief in Jesus Christ and once we believe (and are consequently saved), then we can get baptized. Modern bibles completely get rid of the faith in Jesus-based salvation in Acts 8 and simply state water baptism as the means for salvation. Yet another example of how omitting or changing words in Scripture changes right doctrine.
Acts 8:36-37 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.