Many Christians think it really doesn't matter which version you use. They have been told that the thousands of differences between Bible versions are not significant and do not effect important doctrines.
The following list is provided to show a few of the many changes in the modern versions which effect fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith. We are using the NIV for this comparison because it has become very popular among Evangelicals. Most of the same changes can be found in the NASB and other versions. The Living Bible, as you may know, is a paraphrase (akin to The Message). Please read and decide if you think these changes are significant.
1. "Hell" was removed from: Deut. 32:22, 2 Sam. 22:6, Job 11:8, Job 26:6, Psalm 9:17, Psalm 16:10, Psalm 18:5, Psalm 55:15, Psalm 86:13, Psalm 116:3, Psalm 139:8, Prov. 5:5, Prov. 7:27, Prov. 9:18, Prov. 15:11, Prov. 15:24, Prov. 23:14, Prov. 27:20, Isa. 5:14, Isa. 14:9, Isa. 14:15, Isa. 28:15 Isa. 28:18, Isa. 57:9, Eze. 31:16, Eze. 32:21, Eze. 32:27 Amos 9:2, Jonah 2:2, Hab. 2:5, Matt. 16:18, Luke 10:15, Acts 2:27, Acts 2:31, Rev. 1:18, Rev. 6:8, Rev. 20:13, Rev. 20:14.
In these cases "Hell" has been replaced by, "the grave, the depths, death, Sheol, Hades," etc.
2. In the KJV, Jesus is the Morning Star.
Rev. 22:16 [KJV] "I Jesus... I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star." [see also: 2 Peter 1:19]
Satan has fallen from heaven.
Luke 10:18 [KJV] "...I beheld Satan as lightning, fall from heaven."
Isaiah 14:12 [KJV] "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!..."
In the NIV, Satan takes on Jesus' name. He is the Morning Star.
Isaiah 14:12 [NIV] "How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn!..."
["Morning Star" is not found in any Hebrew, Greek, or Latin manuscript of Isaiah 14:12. The change from Lucifer to Morning Star is based solely on the identification of Lucifer with Venus in pagan mythology.]
3. In the KJV, Jesus is eternal.
Micah 5:2 [KJV] "...whose goings forth have been from of old from everlasting."
In the NIV, Jesus had a beginning.
Micah 5:2 [NIV] "...whose origins are from old, from ancient times."
4. In the KJV, Jesus was Mary's firstborn Son.
Matt. 1:25 [KJV] "And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son:"
In the NIV, Jesus was "a son."
Matt. 1:25 [NIV] "But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son."
5. In the KJV, Jesus tells us how to cast out demons.
Matt. 17:21 [KJV] "Howbeit, this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."
In the NIV, He does not. The entire verse was omitted. Who do you suppose benefits from this omission? [Fasting is also removed in Mark 9:29 & Acts 10:30.]
6. In the KJV, Joseph was not Jesus' father.
Luke 2:33 [KJV] "And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things which were spoken of him."
In the NIV, Joseph was Jesus' father.
Luke 2:33 [NIV] "The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him."
[It is sometimes argued that the KJV also calls Joseph Jesus' father in Luke 2:48. It is true that Mary referred to Joseph as Jesus' father. However, if you read the next verse you will see that Jesus corrected His mother, claiming that God was His Father. In the case of Luke 2:33, it is Luke, narrating the story, who calls Joseph Jesus' father in the modern versions.]
7. In the KJV, Jesus is God's Son. In the NIV, Jesus is God's servant.
Acts 3:13 [KJV] "...the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus;..."
Acts 3:13 [NIV] "...the God of our fathers has glorified his servant Jesus:..." Acts 3:26 [KJV] "...God, having raised up his Son Jesus,..."
Acts 3:26 [NIV] "...God raised up his servant,..."
Acts 4:27 [KJV] "...thy holy child Jesus..."
Acts 4:27 [NIV] "...your holy servant Jesus..."
8. In the KJV, the Ethiopian Eunuch made a profession of faith prior to baptism. Acts 8:37 [KJV] "And Philip said, If thou believeth with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."
In the NIV he did not. The entire verse was omitted.
[This verse is extremely important in demonstrating that a person must believe the gospel before he can be saved and baptized.]
9. In the KJV, believers are indwelled by the Spirit.
Eph. 5:9 [KJV] "For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness...."
In the NIV they are indwelled by the "light."
Eph. 5:9 [NIV] "for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness.."
10. In the KJV, we are saved through Christ's blood alone.
Col. 1:14 [KJV] "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins."
In the NIV, Jesus' blood isn't mentioned.
Col. 1:14 [NIV] "in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
11. In the KJV, Jesus is God in the flesh.
1 Timothy 3:16 [KJV] "...God was manifest in the flesh,..."
In the NIV, He is not.
1 Timothy 3:16 [NIV] "...He appeared in a body,..."[Who is "he?"]
12. The Trinity is clearly taught in the KJV.
1 John 5:7 [KJV] "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one."
This verse is completely omitted from the NIV.
13. 1 John 1:6 (KJV) "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:"
(NIV) "If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth."
14. Isaiah 49:7 (KJV) "Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee. "
(NRSV) "Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nations, the slave of rulers, Kings shall see and stand up, princes, and they shall prostrate themselves, because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you."
The King James Version has endured for almost 400 years and is still going strong, even though it is attacked relentlessly by modern scholars. Have you noticed that each modern versions has a life span of 20 to 50 years before it goes out of print and is replaced with a new and improved version? Sure, there is justification for making a revision of the KJV, since the English language has changed considerably over the past 400 years. The NKJV has filled this need.
Therefore, why do we need the New Revised Standard Version? Was the Revised Standard Version defective? The English language has not changed much since 1901 and hardly at all since the 50's. Why do we need the New American Standard Version? Was something wrong with the American Standard Version? Why has the NASB been updated for 1997? Why do we need the New Jerusalem Bible. What was wrong with the Jerusalem Bible? Why is the NIV being continuously updated with each new printing? Since all modern versions are replaced, and go out of print in a few short years, what makes you think the one you're reading is reliable? Don't get too used to it or memorize too much of it. It won't survive as long as you do.
Certainly there is the need from time to time for revision, due to the evolution in language. The English language of the KJV is very old and awkward for those not used to it. There is nothing wrong with a revision that simply brings the Bible in conformity to modern language. The problem is the plethora of modern versions flooding the bookstores are not being made simply to update the language to conform to modern use. There haven't been large strides made in our understanding of the original languages that would justify so many new versions.
The real reason for the flood of new versions is money. Modern versions have simply not had the phenomenal staying power that the KJV has enjoyed. In order to keep sales up, the publishers must constantly come out with "new" and "improved" versions in order to get people to trade in the old for the new.
However, due to copyright laws, the "new" versions must be significantly different from previous versions in order to qualify for copyright protection. Therefore, modern translators, who work for the publishers, give their new versions a good shakedown in order to make enough changes to get their copyright. Then the publisher packages it attractively, with a new slick advertizing campaign. Unfortunately, some Christians just have to get the latest and best "new" and "improved" Bible version. So much for an unchanging final authority.
Prov 30:5-6 5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. (KJV)
Rev 22:18-19 18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (KJV)
Perhaps some of the publishers and translators of modern versions have no fear of God. One day, they are going to find out that He meant what He said in the above verses.
Note: God's Word is inerrant in it's original form. This means that the copies of manuscripts and the English translations cannot be as accurate or perfect as the original texts. Even before the King James Version or any other English version, it would be wise to examine the oldest, original manuscripts available (even if they are written in another language).
