Chapter 5
III. Examples Of Changes In The New King James Version (continued).
#8 — 2 Timothy 2:15
KJV (King James Version) - “__________ to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
NKJV (New King James Version) - “BE DILIGENT to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Note: Is the word study out-of-date? Who does not understand that word? The problem is not a lack of understanding, but a lack of ambition.
1. Ecclesiastes 12:12 says, “And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much __________ is a ____________________ of the flesh.”
Note: The word study means, “application of the mental faculties to the acquisition of knowledge” (Merriam-Webster’s 11th Collegiate Dictionary). Another dictionary defines it as, “a setting of the mind or thoughts upon a subject; to fix the mind closely upon a subject; to muse; to dwell upon in thought” (Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary).
Illustration: What would happen if your son had a lot of homework to do, and, just before you had to leave for a while you told him, “NOW BE DILIGENT while I am gone!” What would that mean? In your absence, he might be diligent in playing video games. He might be diligent in eating snacks. He might be diligent in talking on the telephone. You can be diligent in many different activities, but there is NO QUESTION about the word STUDY. There is no need to change the word study in that verse. The word has not changed, but people have gotten lazy. If Christians had truly studied their Bibles, they would have never switched from the KJV to the NKJV.
2. Acts 17:11 says, “These were more __________ than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and ________________ the scriptures daily, whether those things were ____.”
#9 — Proverbs 29:7
KJV (King James Version) - “The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked __________________ ______ TO KNOW IT.”
NKJV (New King James Version) - “The righteous considers the cause of the poor, But the wicked DOES NOT UNDERSTAND SUCH KNOWLEDGE.”
Note: The word regard means, “attention, consideration” (Merriam-Webster’s 11th Collegiate Dictionary). The NKJV gives a very foolish translation of this verse. It is not that the wicked does not understand that the poor needs help. How much intelligence do you need to look at a poor man and know that he is poor? Not much. The problem is that the wicked person does not care — he does not regard or pay any attention or give any consideration to what he might do to help the poor man.
#10 — Rom. 1:18-21
KJV (King James Version) - “18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who ________ the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”
NKJV (New King James Version) - “18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who SUPPRESS the truth in unrighteousness.”
NWT (New World Translation — Jehovah’s Witnesses) - “18 For God’s wrath is being revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who are SUPPRESSING the truth in an unrighteous way.”
Note: Once again, it is strange that the translators of the NKJV chose the same exact word as the Jehovah’s Witnesses. It makes one wonder if they thought that the Jehovah’s Witnesses produced a better translation than the KJV, seeming they followed them exactly in so many instances. We know why the Jehovah’s Witnesses wanted their own translation, because their doctrine is corrupt, and it was hard to keep going against the clear teachings of the KJV. Seeming the NKJV exactly follows the changes of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, what does that show us about them?
Note: They changed the word hold to suppress. The word hold is defined as “to have possession or ownership of” (Merriam-Webster’s 11th Collegiate Dictionary). The word suppress means, “to stop or prohibit the publication or revelation of; to exclude from consciousness” (Merriam-Webster’s 11th Collegiate Dictionary).
1. The SAME GREEK WORD is used in 1 Thessalonians 5:21, which says, “Prove all things; ________ fast that which is good.”
Note: What if that word was translated suppress there? Would that have changed the meaning of the verse? It would have given the verse the exact opposite meaning than what was intended. God does NOT want us to suppress the truth (to stop or prohibit the publication, to exclude from consciousness), but to hold it fast.
Note: Once again, the context proves their translation to be faulty. The focus is not upon people trying to actively suppress the Word of God by burning Bibles, or trying to get Creation banned from being taught in the schools, or trying to get the Ten Commandments removed, etc. The focus is about those who are holding the truth that God has shown to them, and then not practicing what they know to be true. “19 Because that which may be known of God IS MANIFEST IN THEM; for God hath showed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world ARE CLEARLY SEEN, BEING UNDERSTOOD by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, WHEN THEY KNEW GOD, THEY GLORIFIED HIM NOT AS GOD, NEITHER WERE THANKFUL; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”
#11 — 1 Corinthians 1:18
KJV (King James Version) - “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are __________ it is the power of God.”
NKJV (New King James Version) - “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are BEING SAVED it is the power of God.”
NWT (New World Translation — Jehovah’s Witnesses) - “For the speech about the torture stake is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are BEING SAVED it is God’s power.”
Is salvation a process? When you repent of your sin and ask
the Lord Jesus Christ to save you, does that only begin a process that leads up to salvation? No.
Note: We can understand why the Jehovah’s Witnesses changed the verse, because that is what they believe, that they are being saved by doing things for God — like going out witnessing. But that is a false works salvation.
1. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace are ye saved through __________; and that not of yourselves: it is the ________ of God: ______ of __________, lest any man should boast."
2. Titus 3:5 says, “______ by __________ of righteousness which ____ have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”
Note: What do the translators of the NKJV believe, to have made the same change as the Jehovah’s Witnesses? Is asking Jesus for salvation like applying for a credit card? Is it something that you have to wait and see if He accepts you? No.
3. Revelation 22:17 says, “And the Spirit and the bride say, ________. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And __________________ will, let him take the water of life ____________.”
4. Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever __________ ________ upon the name of the Lord __________ ____ __________.”
Note: If anyone “shall call” upon the name of the Lord (in true repentance and faith), then that person “shall be saved.” It does NOT say, “If anyone starts calling upon the Lord to save him, then he will start being saved.” It is a request, and then an immediate deliverance. The Greek word used for “shall be saved” is sozo (pronounced “sode’-zo"). Notice its usage in the following verses.
5. Matthew 8:24-26 says, “And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, ________ ____: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great ________.”
Note: The word save is the same Greek word. They were afraid of being drowned (which is not a long process!). When they cried out to the Lord, they needed immediate and full deliverance, and that is exactly what the Lord gave them. There was an immediate and great calm. Even so it is in the life of a repentant person when that cry for salvation is made to the Lord. God immediately saves that person, and gives great peace in the soul.
6. A blind man greatly desired to be healed in Luke 18:40-43: “And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy __________ hath __________ thee. And ______________________ he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.”
Note: The word save is the same Greek word. It was not a process (being saved), but an immediate and finished deliverance. Multitudes of people in this world have stumbled over works, thinking that they can begin a process of good works that will one day culminate in their salvation. Sadly, they will one day find themselves cast into hell, unless they repent and get saved.
7. Romans 9:31-10:1 says, “But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it ______ by faith, but as it were by the __________ of the law. For they ________________ at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be __________.”
This change in the NKJV will serve to spread the false doctrine that salvation starts by accepting Jesus as Savior,
but then is completed by a person’s own good works. How can you show the cults that they are wrong in their
doctrine, when many of the passages in the NKJV have been changed to match the readings of the cultists?
#12 — 2 Corinthians 2:15
KJV (King James Version) - “For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are __________, and in them that perish.”
NKJV (New King James Version) - “For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are BEING SAVED and among those who are perishing.”
NWT (New World Translation — Jehovah’s Witnesses) - “For to God we are a sweet odor of Christ among those who are BEING SAVED and among those who are perishing.”
Note: Once again, the NKJV version follows the same exact change as the Jehovah’s Witnesses. This change serves the cults well. The Catholic church teaches that salvation is a process: getting baptized starts it; asking Jesus to save you continues it; as does confirmation; mass, and the other seven sacraments. Those seven things are not really sacraments (means of grace), but are shackles (binding people to false doctrine) that send those that trust in them to an eternal fire in hell.
#13 — Matthew 21:32
KJV (King James Version) - “For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, ________________ not afterward, that ye might believe him.”
NKJV (New King James Version) - “For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward RELENT and believe him.”
Note: The word relent means, “to become less severe, harsh, or strict; to cease resistance; give in; let up, slacken, mollify” (Merriam-Webster’s 11th Collegiate Dictionary).
You can relent and give in to someone who has you out-numbered or out-powered, but that
does not mean that you would continue following that one if there seemed to arise another choice.
Notice some examples where people relented (gave in to someone), until the situation was changed.
1. 1 Kings 1:5, 7 says, “Then Adonijah the son of Haggith ______________ himself, saying, I will be ________: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. ...And he conferred with _______ the son of Zeruiah, and with ________________ the priest: and they following Adonijah ____________ him.”
2. But when the power situation changed (Solomon was quickly anointed to be the next king), then notice what happened to those helping Adonijah. 1 Kings 1:43, 49 says, “And Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, Verily our lord king David hath made ______________ king. ...And all the guests that were with Adonijah were ____________, and rose up, and went __________ man his way.”
Note: There is a big difference between relenting and repenting. The word repent means, “to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life; to feel regret or contrition; to change one's mind; to cause to feel regret or contrition; to feel sorrow, regret, or contrition for” (Merriam-Webster’s 11th Collegiate Dictionary). True repentance in your life will bring about a change from which you will never repent. Notice carefully the following verses.
3. 2 Corinthians 7:9-11 says, “Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to ____________________: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh ____________________ to salvation ______ to be ________________ of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.”
Note: There is a big difference between relenting and repenting. If you just relent under someone’s power, then you will probably change some day. But true repentance leading to salvation is something from which a person will never turn. In other words, no one who truly gets born again will ever wish that he was lost again. No one who gets saved will ever come to the place where he wishes that he was under Satan’s control again. No one who truly repents and gets saved will ever repent of that decision. A Christian may sometimes yield to the flesh and sin, but a true, born again, blood-washed Christian will never come to the place where he wishes that he had never gotten saved. There is a tremendous difference between relenting and truly repenting.
The Millennium is a good example of a large number of people that relent, but do not truly repent.
4. Revelation 19:15-16 says, “And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall ________ them with a ______ of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, ________ OF KINGS, AND ________ OF LORDS.”
5. Revelation 20:2 says, “And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the __________, and __________, and bound him a ________________ years.”
6. Revelation 20:7-8 says, “And when the thousand years are expired, __________ shall be loosed out of his ____________, And shall go out to ______________ the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the ____________ of whom is as the ________ of the sea.”
Note: We find here that the Lord Jesus Christ is going to rule upon earth, after the Tribulation Period, for a thousand years. During that time, Satan is going to be bound in prison. At the end of those thousand years, Satan is going to be loosed for a short time. He is going to go out and deceive people (the number of whom is as the sand of the sea) to FOLLOW HIM in rebellion against the Lord. That is a good example of people who relented under the power of the Lord (ruling with a rod of iron) for a thousand years, but never truly repented. Because when they get the chance, they are going to follow someone else (Satan) in rebellion against God.
7. Isaiah 26:9-10 describes those people during the Millennium who only relent, but do not repent. “With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. Let ____________ be shewed to the ____________, yet will he ______ learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal ________________, and will not behold the _____________ of the LORD.”
Note: The translators of the NKJV have made a grave error here that leads people astray. No one will ever get to heaven that has just relented of their sin — only those who have truly repented.
8. Jesus said in Luke 13:3, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye ____________, ye shall all likewise ____________.”
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Final Test Liberty Bible Course Directory
