The NKJV and the KJV follow the Majority Text or Textus Receptus in
translating the Greek New Testament. The other modern versions follow
the Alexandrian text family, which presupposes that the "shorter" and
"rougher" reading is the best one. That may or may not be true.
Sometimes a late manuscript could preserve the reading of an earlier
manscript that is no longer extant.
Although there could be emendations and additions in the KJV and the NKJV, namely the ending to Mark 16 and 1 John 5:7-8, I prefer to accept the canon as it stood at the time of the Reformation and trust God to verify the canon in the future if there are questionable portions of the text.
I do read and use the modern translations but the beauty of the KJV has stuck with me over the years. I've been read the KJV off and on since I was 8. I guess that's another reason I like the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. Some things that can be said in Elizabethan English cannot be properly translated over into modern English. A good example of that is:
Or this.
ALMIGHTY and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee, for that thou dost vouchsafe to feed us, who have duly received these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ; and dost assure us thereby of thy favour and goodness towards us; and that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son, which is the blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs through hope of thy everlasting kingdom, by the merits of the most precious death and passion of thy dear Son. And we most humbly beseech thee , O heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.
That's from the post-communion prayers in the Holy Communion service.
"Vouchsafe" means something like "promise" or "guarantee". But the meaning is that someone greater condescends to grant the promise or guarantee. (Hebrews 6:13).
The word for "promise" in Hebrews 6:13 is defined by Strong's number 1861 in the Greek lexicon. So the Elizabethan English word "vouchsafe" has a richer and deeper meaning than simply a promise or guarantee. It means that God stoops down to our level to grant us the gift or promise.
Also, the word for "mystery" or "sacrament" means "symbol", not something unknown or "mysterious" or "incomprehensible".
As you can see, from the Calvinist perspective, the promises of God and God's sovereignty creates awe in us, but it also gives us great comfort to know that no matter how far short we fall of God's glory, He is Himself the guarantor who will ensure that we make it to the end. Perseverance is a promise that God keeps.
God's peace,
Charlie
Although there could be emendations and additions in the KJV and the NKJV, namely the ending to Mark 16 and 1 John 5:7-8, I prefer to accept the canon as it stood at the time of the Reformation and trust God to verify the canon in the future if there are questionable portions of the text.
I do read and use the modern translations but the beauty of the KJV has stuck with me over the years. I've been read the KJV off and on since I was 8. I guess that's another reason I like the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. Some things that can be said in Elizabethan English cannot be properly translated over into modern English. A good example of that is:
Or this.
ALMIGHTY and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee, for that thou dost vouchsafe to feed us, who have duly received these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ; and dost assure us thereby of thy favour and goodness towards us; and that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son, which is the blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs through hope of thy everlasting kingdom, by the merits of the most precious death and passion of thy dear Son. And we most humbly beseech thee , O heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.
That's from the post-communion prayers in the Holy Communion service.
"Vouchsafe" means something like "promise" or "guarantee". But the meaning is that someone greater condescends to grant the promise or guarantee. (Hebrews 6:13).
The word for "promise" in Hebrews 6:13 is defined by Strong's number 1861 in the Greek lexicon. So the Elizabethan English word "vouchsafe" has a richer and deeper meaning than simply a promise or guarantee. It means that God stoops down to our level to grant us the gift or promise.
Also, the word for "mystery" or "sacrament" means "symbol", not something unknown or "mysterious" or "incomprehensible".
As you can see, from the Calvinist perspective, the promises of God and God's sovereignty creates awe in us, but it also gives us great comfort to know that no matter how far short we fall of God's glory, He is Himself the guarantor who will ensure that we make it to the end. Perseverance is a promise that God keeps.
God's peace,
Charlie
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