Do Bible Translations Matter?

   There are many things we come into contact with daily that require accuracy. Factors that we should consider important such as prescription of a medication that you take and then there are the things that are not so important such as the doctor’s shoe size who wrote the prescription. There are also things in life that need to be accurately recorded that sometimes we would rather not be such as our weight or cholesterol numbers. Although they may be inconvenient for us to deal with, they are still important and need to be dealt with. Just as we need to accurately manage the numbers and details of our physical health, we need complete accuracy of factors contributing to our spiritual health. The most important of these factors being the Word of God. As the complete inerrant Word, our Holy Bible should be the standard for all mankind. It is not only God’s spiritual instructions for this world, but also instructions on how to live life itself. But what happens when that measure of truth and standard are altered? The answer is that because it is no longer accurate, it loses its authority and validity as the measure of truth. Because it is tainted with small and even sparse lies, it is all to be considered a lie. This may seem preposterous, but it is exactly what some have done with the Word of God itself. So the answer to the title of this post is, yes it does matter. Many of the modern translations of the Bible have claimed to be translated directly from the Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic, but this does not always seem to be the case. What we have found after an extensive investigation into the scripture, is that multiple whole verses of scripture and alterations of others are found throughout some of these newer translations. In many cases, even seeming to be pushing and anti-Trinitarian view onto its readers. I was recently trying to point out some important scriptures to someone in suppport of the Trinity, but was stumped when I could not find it in my pocked sized Bible. I assumed it must have been due to the size of the Bible, but after researching that particular translation and many others it was obvious that it was simply missing from the text. The only conclusion I could draw was that the translations are not worthy of being referenced as scripture. Before pre-judging our stance, let us show you these changes to the scriptures. In this example we will only be looking at the KJV, NKJV, NIV, and ESV.
 
Matthew 17:21 KJV: 21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
Matthew 17:21 ESV: Does Not Exist!
Matthew 17:21 NIV: Only footnotes comparing it to Mark 9:29
 
Matthew 18:11 KJV: 11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
Matthew 18:11 ESV: Does Not Exist
Matthew 18:11 NIV: Does Not Exist
 
John 5:4 KJV: 4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.
NIV and ESV: Once again do not exist.
 
Acts 8:37 KJV: Acts 8:37 (KJV)
37 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.
NIV and ESV: Do Not Exist.
 
My Personal Favorite:
1 John 5:7 KJV: 7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
1 John 5:7-8 ESV: 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree.—Note that in the ending of verse 8, it only says that they agree not that they are one.
1 John 5:7 NIV: 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the[a] Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.—Same as ESV, only the word “agreement”.

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​   These are only a few examples of the many that I have to support the claims that we put forth.  Although the NIV and ESV are well formed and easy to understand, leaving out whole verses of scripture is unacceptable. It is also obvious by looking at the content and subject matter of the scriptures, that the writers/translators possibly had some ulterior motives behind their actions. It is for this reason that this ministry which stands for truth will no longer use these translations as scripture references. Of course, it is your choice what resources and translations that you choose to personally use for study. We would never want to discourage anyone from reading God’s Word no matter what translation you have available, however we do caution anyone to thoroughly investigate their materials and seek God’s direction regarding whether they are acceptable. As a ministry SCM has used these translations to quote and select scriptures to help bring out the proper context of what is being said, but we are currently in the process of changing those scriptures our and replacing them with the KJV/NKJV versions. Eventually we hope to replace all quoted scripture on this site with these two versions. Even though all quoted scripture using the ESV and NIV versions were a correct translation and reference we would not want to mislead believers by using a tainted Gospel. Anytime there is a doubt regarding the accuracy or validity of a resource, you should always seek research on it. This may include pastoral counseling, but be weary of information on the internet. Online, there is a wealth of ignorant opinions just waiting for you to entertain them. I pray that this post has been enlightening and will help you advance your study of the Word in some way. Until Next Time, God Bless!
 
 
 
 
 
Revelation 22:18-19 (KJV)
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.
 
Galatians 1:6-9 (NKJV)
6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
 
Deuteronomy 4:2 (KJV)
2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.