The preferment of “church” to “congregation” in the KJV

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Part 12 –
The preferment of “church” to “congregation” in the KJV
This episode addresses the translation of “ekklesia” in the KJV into “church” in Matthew 16:18. King James, who was understandably partial to the “established” Church of England which he led, insisted that translators use the word “church” instead of “congregation.” The dispute is less over the literal meaning of “ekklesia” than over the connotations of the word in seventeenth century England. Both “church” and “congregation” accurately convey the meaning of “ekklesia,” which literally means “those called out of.” Yet one connotation of “church,” which is still true today, points to the building and the establishment behind the structure. “Organized religion” embodies this connotation, on top of the literal meaning. James, who headed the established Church of England, insisted that “church” be the word translated from “ekklesia.” Significantly, 4 previous English translations used the word “congregation,” including the Great Bible and the Bishop’s Bible. Ironically, the Geneva Bible, produced by Marian exiles who most resisted the “established” church, opted for “church” over “congregation, ” largely in deference to John Calvin’s high ecclesiology.
  • 00:00:35 – Introduction to King James Only Week
  • 00:01:06 – The Context of King James’s Rule
  • 00:02:11 – The Proposal for a New Bible
  • 00:03:40 – Politics Behind the King James Bible
  • 00:05:12 – King James’s Instructions for Translation
  • 00:08:07 – The Role of the Bishop’s Bible
  • 00:09:30 – Sources for Hebrew and Greek Texts
  • 00:11:00 – Importance of Manuscript Evidence
  • 00:12:01 – Reassurance of Biblical Integrity
  • 00:12:44 – Closing Remarks and Prayer
Part 12 –
The preferment of “church” to “congregation” in the KJV
  • 00:00:35 – Introduction to King James Only Week
  • 00:01:06 – The Context of King James’s Rule
  • 00:02:11 – The Proposal for a New Bible
  • 00:03:40 – Politics Behind the King James Bible
  • 00:05:12 – King James’s Instructions for Translation
  • 00:08:07 – The Role of the Bishop’s Bible
  • 00:09:30 – Sources for Hebrew and Greek Texts
  • 00:11:00 – Importance of Manuscript Evidence
  • 00:12:01 – Reassurance of Biblical Integrity
  • 00:12:44 – Closing Remarks and Prayer
This episode addresses the translation of “ekklesia” in the KJV into “church” in Matthew 16:18. King James, who was understandably partial to the “established” Church of England which he led, insisted that translators use the word “church” instead of “congregation.” The dispute is less over the literal meaning of “ekklesia” than over the connotations of the word in seventeenth century England. Both “church” and “congregation” accurately convey the meaning of “ekklesia,” which literally means “those called out of.” Yet one connotation of “church,” which is still true today, points to the building and the establishment behind the structure. “Organized religion” embodies this connotation, on top of the literal meaning. James, who headed the established Church of England, insisted that “church” be the word translated from “ekklesia.” Significantly, 4 previous English translations used the word “congregation,” including the Great Bible and the Bishop’s Bible. Ironically, the Geneva Bible, produced by Marian exiles who most resisted the “established” church, opted for “church” over “congregation, ” largely in deference to John Calvin’s high ecclesiology.

Episode Scripture References -

1 Peter 2:9, Matthew 16:18

More About This Episode -

Victor begins by discussing the historical context surrounding the creation of the KJV, emphasizing the conflict between the Puritan desire for a new Bible and the established Anglican Church’s authority. He explains that King James’s response to a Puritan minister’s suggestion about sharing power with lay presbyters was one of anger, stating, “no bishop, no king,” reflecting the deep intertwining of church and state during that time.


Victor notes that the request for a new translation was made by John Reynolds, as the Puritans were dissatisfied with the Bishop’s Bible. King James saw the potential for uniting his kingdom behind a single Bible that would resonate with both Anglicans and Puritans, particularly since he disliked the politically charged Geneva Bible. Victor highlights that the aim of the KJV was to bridge the divide between the two factions within the church.


Contrary to a common misconception, Victor clarifies that King James did not directly translate the Bible; instead, he commissioned a group of about forty-eight translators, including both Anglican bishops and Puritan divines, to perform the work, which began in 1607 and was completed in 1610 and authorized in 1611. He discusses the conservative approach taken by the translators, aiming to make minimal alterations to the Bishop’s Bible while comparing it to the original languages.


Victor explains the methodology used in creating the KJV, mentioning that the translators operated from the Bishop’s Bible and made necessary changes based on the original Greek and Hebrew texts. He points out the significance of the translators’ reliance on earlier versions and notes that a substantial portion of Tyndale’s Greek New Testament was retained with little to no changes in the KJV.


Additionally, Victor discusses the underlying texts used for translation, which were later editions of the Greek manuscripts, primarily from Erasmus and others. He emphasizes that the KJV was influenced by relatively late manuscripts while contemporary translations often rely on older manuscripts with closer proximity to the original writings.

Key Terms From This Episode -

Main Theme: Determining the correct Bible translation from many available options

    Key Points:

  • Conflict between Puritans seeking a new Bible and the Anglican Church’s authority
  • John Reynolds requested a new translation for the dissatisfied Puritans
  • King James commissioned about 48 translators (Anglican bishops and Puritan divines)
  • Work began in 1607, completed in 1610, and authorized in 1611
  • Translators worked from the Bishop’s Bible and referenced older versions
  • Episode Scripture References -

    1 Peter 2:9, Matthew 16:18

    More About This Episode -

    Victor begins by discussing the historical context surrounding the creation of the KJV, emphasizing the conflict between the Puritan desire for a new Bible and the established Anglican Church’s authority. He explains that King James’s response to a Puritan minister’s suggestion about sharing power with lay presbyters was one of anger, stating, “no bishop, no king,” reflecting the deep intertwining of church and state during that time.


    Victor notes that the request for a new translation was made by John Reynolds, as the Puritans were dissatisfied with the Bishop’s Bible. King James saw the potential for uniting his kingdom behind a single Bible that would resonate with both Anglicans and Puritans, particularly since he disliked the politically charged Geneva Bible. Victor highlights that the aim of the KJV was to bridge the divide between the two factions within the church.


    Contrary to a common misconception, Victor clarifies that King James did not directly translate the Bible; instead, he commissioned a group of about forty-eight translators, including both Anglican bishops and Puritan divines, to perform the work, which began in 1607 and was completed in 1610 and authorized in 1611. He discusses the conservative approach taken by the translators, aiming to make minimal alterations to the Bishop’s Bible while comparing it to the original languages.


    Victor explains the methodology used in creating the KJV, mentioning that the translators operated from the Bishop’s Bible and made necessary changes based on the original Greek and Hebrew texts. He points out the significance of the translators’ reliance on earlier versions and notes that a substantial portion of Tyndale’s Greek New Testament was retained with little to no changes in the KJV.


    Additionally, Victor discusses the underlying texts used for translation, which were later editions of the Greek manuscripts, primarily from Erasmus and others. He emphasizes that the KJV was influenced by relatively late manuscripts while contemporary translations often rely on older manuscripts with closer proximity to the original writings.

    Key Terms From This Episode -

    Main Theme: Determining the correct Bible translation from many available options

      Key Points:

  • Conflict between Puritans seeking a new Bible and the Anglican Church’s authority
  • John Reynolds requested a new translation for the dissatisfied Puritans
  • King James commissioned about 48 translators (Anglican bishops and Puritan divines)
  • Work began in 1607, completed in 1610, and authorized in 1611
  • Translators worked from the Bishop’s Bible and referenced older versions
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