PBThe Perfect BibleEvidence for the King James Bible

Start here · a five-minute guide

Why do Bible versions differ?

Start with two questions. What words did the Bible writers first write? How should we put those words into English? You do not need special training to begin checking the evidence.

The basic map

Copies, texts, translations

Handwritten copies

These are called manuscripts. People copied Bible books by hand. Many words agree, but some copies differ. Compare them to study those differences.

Printed texts

Editors use old copies to prepare a Greek or Hebrew text for print. The KJB New Testament used printed Greek texts often called the Textus Receptus, or received text.

Translations

A translation puts words from one language into another. Two translators can choose different English words even when they use the same Greek or Hebrew text.

The investigation

Four questions for every claim

  1. What is the claim?Is it about an event in history, or a belief about God and his Word?
  2. What is the oldest direct evidence?Find the old copy, quote, printed edition or record itself.
  3. What is the strongest challenge?Check the best reasons for disagreeing too.
  4. How sure can we be?We label answers Clear, Likely or Not Settled.

Your first investigation

The Heavenly Witnesses

Did the King James translators invent the longer words in 1 John 5:7? Follow the old records to find out.

Open the study →