Return to Previous Editions page

Edition 25

Majority Rules? - Maybe Not!

4/6/23

Introduction

Significant textual variants exist between TR and GNT texts with respect to some passages. A few KJV/TR defenders may find it necessary to defend the TR renderings using these two frequently employed arguments:

1. A majority of extant manuscripts contain the TR reading, and
2. The two major Alexandrian manuscripts (Sinaiticus and Vaticanus) disagree with each other.

There are at least four notable passages in the NT to which neither of the two arguments apply. The four are Luke 17:36, Acts 8:37, Colossians 1:14, and I John 5:7-8.

This edition discusses some of the details of these four passages.

Of course there are many other passages whose manuscript sources contain variant readings. Some examples are Mark 9:44 & 46, Romans 8:1, and the closing verses of Paul's epistles (where the Alexandrian manuscripts exclude the word "Amen"). Alexandrian manuscripts exclude some or all of these and other passages while the great majority contain the longer readings. The TR (and KJV) follow the majority.

KJV - "Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left."

NIV -  <verse not included>

NASB - "[Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other will be left.]"

HCSB - "[Two will be in a field: One will be taken, and the other will be left.]"

With regards to the NASB and HCSB versions, the brackets indicate that the verse is only included in some manuscripts. In some editions, the text does not include the verse at all.  The major Alexandrian manuscripts and, significantly, most other manuscripts do not include the verse. It comes from a small group of sources.

KJV - "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 - <verse not included>

NASB - [And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”]

HCSB - [And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart you may.” And he replied, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”]

The brackets indicate that the verse is not included in manuscripts considered by many to be most important. Byzantine manuscripts (the majority) do not include the verse.  Both main Alexandrian manuscripts agree with the majority and also exclude the verse.  Thus, the vast majority of all manuscripts agree with each other and do not include the verse.

KJV - "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:"

NIV - "in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

NASB - "in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

HCSB - "We have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, in Him."

The rendering of this verse in translations such as the NIV, NASB, etc. comes under severe attack by defenders of the KJV. It appears at first to deny the vitally important doctrine of blood redemption.  Clearly it does affirm that redemption comes through Jesus Christ. As to the detail of His self-sacrifice through crucifixion, it is, in fact, neutral.  "The blood" is taught in many other passages of scripture; most notibly in this context is Ephesians 1:7, which parallels this verse and is essentially identical to the KJV in all widely-used translations.

The shorter version of Colossians 1:14 is in the vast majority of manuscripts. The Alexandrian manuscripts side with the majority and also agree with each other.

KJV - "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one."

NIV - "For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement."

NASB - "For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement."

HCSB - "For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit, the water, and the blood — and these three are in agreement."

The Holy Trinity is at the heart of Christian doctrine. The TR and KJV clearly teach it in this verse. However, both Byzantine and Alexandrian manuscripts alike do not include the trinitarian element. The longer of the two versions comes from other source(s).

Inclusion of "The Father", "The Word", and the "Holy Ghost" in this passage does not establish the trinitarian doctrine in the scriptures. Neither does their exclusion negate it.

Greek Text sources cited above include:
Aleph(א) (codex Sinaiticus manuscript),
A (codex Alexandrinus manuscript),
B (codex Vaticanus manuscript),
Byz (the Byzantine manuscripts),
TR (Textus Receptus Greek text), and
GNT (Greek New Testament text).