Reasons Why KJV-Only Advocates Reject the NIV
1. Missing and Altered Verses
KJV-Only scholars argue that the NIV omits or changes key verses that support core Christian doctrines. Some examples include:
Matthew 17:21 – ("Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.") – Missing in the NIV.
Mark 16:9-20 – The longer ending of Mark is either omitted or footnoted in modern translations.
Acts 8:37 – A verse affirming belief in Christ before baptism is omitted.
1 John 5:7 – The Johannine Comma, supporting the Trinity, is removed or footnoted.
2. Use of Alexandrian Manuscripts
The NIV relies on older manuscripts from Alexandria, Egypt (Codex Sinaiticus, Codex Vaticanus), while the KJV is based on the Textus Receptus.
KJV-Only scholars argue that the Alexandrian texts were corrupted by Gnostic influences or deliberate alterations by early scribes.
3. Changes in Christology (Diminishing Jesus’ Divinity)
Critics claim the NIV subtly weakens the doctrine of Christ’s deity. For example:
1 Timothy 3:16
KJV: "God was manifest in the flesh…"
NIV: "He appeared in the flesh…" (Removes "God")
Philippians 2:6
KJV: "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God…"
NIV: "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage…" (Different meaning)
4. Westcott and Hort Connection
The scholars who influenced modern critical Greek texts (Westcott & Hort) are accused of having theological liberalism and occult interests.
KJV-Only teachers claim their Greek text was biased toward Roman Catholic and rationalist influences.
5. Paraphrased or Dynamic Equivalence Translation
The NIV uses a more thought-for-thought translation method, while the KJV is word-for-word.
This results in theological shifts that KJV-Only advocates believe distort God’s message.
6. Ecumenical and Liberal Bias
Some KJV defenders believe modern translations, including the NIV, were influenced by ecumenism, diluting biblical truth.
The NIV’s translation committee included scholars with theological liberalism, which raises suspicion among KJV supporters
Why the Alexandrian Texts Are Considered Corrupt
1. Origin in Egypt
Egypt is often associated with corruption in the Bible (e.g., Deuteronomy 17:16, Revelation 11:8).
KJV-Only advocates argue that God would not preserve His pure Word in a place known for heresies.
2. Missing Passages
The Alexandrian manuscripts often lack entire sections of Scripture (e.g., John 7:53-8:11, Mark 16:9-20), which raises suspicion of tampering.
3. Influence of Gnostic Thought
Some scholars believe early Alexandrian scribes were influenced by Gnosticism, a heretical belief system that distorts Christian doctrine.
4. Contradictions Among the Manuscripts
The Alexandrian texts (Codex Vaticanus and Codex Sinaiticus) often disagree with each other, suggesting they are not reliable.
References from KJV-Only Scholars
1. Dr. David Otis Fuller – Which Bible? (Argues for the superiority of the Textus Receptus and exposes problems with modern translations.)
2. Dr. Peter Ruckman – The Christian’s Handbook of Manuscript Evidence (Strongly argues against the NIV and modern textual criticism.)
3. Gail Riplinger – New Age Bible Versions (Claims the NIV and other versions are influenced by New Age doctrines.)
4. Dr. Edward F. Hills – The King James Version Defended (Argues that the KJV is the providentially preserved Word of God.)
5. Dean John William Burgon – The Revision Revised (Criticized Westcott & Hort’s Greek text, defending the Traditional Text.)
Conclusion
KJV-Only scholars reject the NIV because they believe it is based on corrupt Alexandrian manuscripts, removes key doctrines, and was influenced by liberal theology. They argue that the KJV, based on the Textus Receptus and the Masoretic Text, is the true, preserved Word of God.
Here is a list of altered and missing verses in the NIV compared to the King James Version (KJV), along with explanations of why KJV-Only advocates believe these changes are erroneous and dangerous to Christian doctrine.
Missing Verses in the NIV
The following verses are completely removed from the NIV. In many cases, they are footnoted but not included in the main text.
These omissions are troubling to KJV-Only believers because they remove key doctrinal statements about salvation, fasting, spiritual warfare, and the reality of hell.
Altered Verses in the NIV (Doctrinal Changes)
In many cases, the NIV changes words or phrases, subtly affecting doctrine. Below are some examples of serious alterations.
1. 1 Timothy 3:16 – The Deity of Christ
KJV: "God was manifest in the flesh…"
NIV: "He appeared in the flesh…"
Issue: The NIV removes "God" and replaces it with "He," making the verse ambiguous. The KJV affirms that Jesus is God, while the NIV weakens this doctrine.
2. Colossians 1:14 – The Blood of Christ
KJV: "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins."
NIV: "In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
Issue: The NIV removes "through his blood," downplaying the importance of Christ’s blood for redemption (Hebrews 9:22).
3. Isaiah 14:12 – Lucifer Becomes "Morning Star"
KJV: "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!"
NIV: "How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn!"
Issue: "Morning Star" is a title given to Jesus in Revelation 22:16. The NIV confuses Lucifer (Satan) with Christ, creating a theological problem.
4. Luke 4:4 – The Word of God Omitted
KJV: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God."
NIV: "Man shall not live on bread alone."
Issue: The NIV removes "but by every word of God," weakening the doctrine of Scriptural authority.
5. 1 John 5:7 – The Trinity Weakened
KJV: "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."
NIV: "For there are three that testify."
Issue: The NIV removes a clear statement of the Trinity, weakening the biblical defense of this doctrine.
6. Philippians 2:6 – Christ’s Equality with God Changed
KJV: "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God."
NIV: "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage."
Issue: The NIV implies that Jesus wasn’t equal with God, contradicting the doctrine of Christ’s divinity.
7. Micah 5:2 – Christ’s Eternality Altered
KJV: "Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."
NIV: "Whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."
Issue: The KJV affirms that Jesus is eternal, while the NIV makes it sound like He had an origin.
8. Mark 1:2 – Prophecy Misattributed
KJV: "As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face…"
NIV: "As it is written in Isaiah the prophet…"
Issue: The prophecy quoted is actually from Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3. The NIV incorrectly attributes it only to Isaiah, creating an error.
9. Daniel 3:25 – The Fourth Man in the Fire Changed
KJV: "The fourth is like the Son of God."
NIV: "The fourth looks like a son of the gods."
Issue: The KJV points to Jesus Christ appearing in the fire, while the NIV makes it sound like a pagan deity.
10. Acts 2:30 – Christ's Resurrection Prophecy Weakened
KJV: "…according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne."
NIV: "…he would place one of his descendants on his throne."
Issue: The KJV directly states that Christ will sit on David’s throne, while the NIV weakens the prophecy by making it generic.
Conclusion: Why These Changes Are Problematic
1. Weakened Christology – Many NIV changes diminish Jesus’ deity, eternal existence, and equality with God.
2. Removal of Key Doctrines – The blood of Christ, fasting, the Trinity, and the necessity of God’s Word are all downplayed or removed.
3. Confusion in Prophecy – The NIV misattributes prophecies or alters meanings, leading to theological errors.
4. Corrupt Manuscript Sources – The NIV is based on Alexandrian manuscripts, which omit or modify verses, whereas the KJV is based on the Textus Receptus, which KJV-Only advocates believe is the preserved Word of God.
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