AboutRev C.Brian Ross Expertise I am happy to offer answers to anyone with a question that refers to the Christian Faith in its widest possible sense. I believe that the Bible is the living Word of God, and seek to base all of my life on its teaching. I also have some knowledge of some of the cults, and of Islam and Judaism. Of course, my answers are just one man's thoughts, and I would always advise a questioner to check with others, and with the Word of God.
Experience Served as a full-time parish minister in Scotland for about six years, and then spent the last thirty as a teacher (now 'retired') of Religious Education in Secondary Comprehensive schools (ages 11-17) while continuing my own preaching and teaching ministry. I also believe that learning is a life-time process, and have recently completed a Master's degree in Divinity.
Organizations Former Presenter on Revival FM - a local Christian, community radio station, broadcasting in west central Scotland, and online at revival.fm Involved with a number of organisations that support Christians who are currently suffering persecution in some 70 countries around the world.
Publications Various articles in Christian magazines. I also have two blogsites - www.crazyrev.blogspot.com and (with audio messages) www.revcbross.blogspot.com
Education/Credentials Diploma of The Bible Training Institute, Glasgow;
Licentiate in Theology of the University of Glasgow;
Associateship of The Philosophical Society of England;
Bachelor of Arts Degree (Hons) in History from The Open University;
Post-grad Certificate of Education - Religious Education and History;
Post-grad Cetificate in Learning and Teaching;
Post-grad Diploma in Management and Learning in Education;
Master of Science Degree from the University of Strathclyde;
Master of Divinity Degree (Hons) from Trinity College and Seminary (accredited by the University of Liverpool)
Question WHY DOES THE NIV VERSION DOES NOT HAVE THESE VERSES... AM I READING THE WRONG BIBLE?
I ONLY FOUND KJV WITH THESE VERSES...
MATTHEW 18:11: KJV. "For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.".
ACTS 8:37: "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."
Matthew 17:21, 18:11, 23:14, Mark 7:16, 9:44, 9:46, 11:26, 15:28, Luke 17:36, 23:17, John 5:4, Acts 8:37, 15:34, 24:7, 28:28, Romans 16:24 and 1 John 5:7!
Answer Dear Miguel,
Thank you for your interesting question. You have mentioned a lot of individual verses and, basically, the reason is the same for each and all of them. It is, first of all, that the translators of the KJV did not have access to the material that is available today and that sheds much more light on the understanding of the original languages. Secondly, even from the time of the earliest English-language translations, there have been some “problem” texts.
What I would now like to do is to explain just a few of the verses you have mentioned, in some detail.
(1) Matt 17:21
This whole verse is missing from the famous Vatican manuscript, one of the most ancient, and probably most authentic, in the world; and in another one, written in the 11th or 12th century. It is also missing in at least five other MSS. But all of the MSS acknowledge it in the parallel place – Mark 9:29 - although the Vatican manuscript, leaves out “fasting”. It may well be a later addition but, if it is, it is still a very ancient one as many of the early church fathers, accepted it.
(2) Matt 18:11
This verse is omitted by five of the major manuscripts (MSS). However, there can be no doubt about its authenticity, as it is found in the parallel place, Luke 19:10, on which verse there is not a single various reading found in any of the MSS. that have ever been discovered, nor in any of the ancient versions.
(3) Acts 8:37
This whole verse is another that is omitted by many of the early MSS: almost all scholars claim that it is a later addition. Professor White in his Kriseos says, "Hic versus certissime delendus," (“This verse, should certainly be deleted”). It is found in several MSS of minor importance, and in the Vulgate and Arabic. In these MSS. it exists in a variety of forms, although the sense of the words is the same.
(4) Rom 16:24
There is a great deal of disagreement among the MSS and versions about this verse; some rejecting it entirely, and some placing the verses either at the end of Rom 14, or at the end of Rom 16.
(5) I John 5:7
It is likely that this verse is not genuine. It is missing from every manuscript of I John written before the invention of printing, with only one exception – the Codex Montfortii (in Trinity College, Dublin) Those that omit this verse amount to about 112!!
Going further back in English-language translations than even the KJV, we discover that in Coverdale's Bible, printed about 1535, this verse is put in brackets.
Tyndale was as critical as he was conscientious; and although he had this verse in the text of the first edition of his New Testament printed in 1526, he also put it in brackets, as Cloverdale (quite separately) did.
I believe fully in the doctrine of the Trinity, and have often taught, preached, and broadcast on the subject. However, this is not a verse that I would use in any “argument”.
Now, please don’t lose faith in the accuracy of the Bible. In none of these cases does the apparent discrepancy in the MSS make any real difference to the message of the text. The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is greater than even minor “typos” made by scribes, or by an earlier generation’s limited material and understanding.
I trust that I have provided a satisfactory answer but, if you wish, please feel free to submit a supplementary question.
Blessings,
C.Brian Ross (Rev)
