“You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you.” (Deuteronomy 4:2 ESV)
Recently I was in a class at church where someone mentioned they didn’t choose a New International Version of the Bible because the NIV left out some verses. I thought: WHAT?!?! What are they talking about? Somewhere in the back of my mind were these verses from Revelation 22:18-19 (NLT): “If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book.” I believe – I know – that God’s Word in the Bible is important to him and, because it was perfectly inspired by Holy Spirit, the Bible is perfectly written. We may not understand it all, and we certainly cannot always see things from God’s perspective, but God’s Word is faithful and True.
Needless to say, I did some research about these missing verses of the Bible. As you probably know, our modern Bible is descended from ancient Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic texts that scholars have translated into our modern languages. In 1611 when the King James Version of the Bible was translated into English, Biblical scholars undertook this monumental task using the ancient texts they had available. The King James Bible was an amazing accomplishment for its time, but since 1611 we have found many more and older ancient manuscripts of the Bible that scholars judge to be more accurate in their wording. When these older and more accurate manuscripts are used for modern translations, it seems like some verses are removed, but, in truth, the verses that were added for the 1611 version are moved to footnotes. “These footnotes are intended to help the reader understand that certain perceived differences in the text are due to improved biblical scholarship. The treatment of these verses has not changed recently and reflects a consensus among the majority of Bible scholars. It is important and comforting to note that no doctrines of the Christian faith are affected by differences between the KJV and translations such as the NIV that follow more reliable sources.”* WHEW! I thought. I really appreciate my NIV Study Bible and was relieved it hadn’t shorted some of what God wants to say to us.
God is pretty sure he doesn’t want his Word messed with. “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar” (Proverbs 30:5-6 NIV). And, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV). And, “God’s word is living and active. It is sharper than any two-edged sword and cuts as deep as the place where soul and spirit meet, the place where joints and marrow meet. God’s word judges a person’s thoughts and intentions” (Hebrews 4:12 GW). This living, active, and powerful Word that he has given us is flawless and a shield and refuge to us. When we read it, meditate on it, and put it into action we are completely equipped for life.
I am grateful for the men (and now women) of deep and abiding faith whose commitment to quality Biblical scholarship has helped form the many Bible translations we have available. The Word of God is active and profound and their work helps us to understand what God wants to say to us in our own human language. May we always have ears to hear, hearts to listen, and the will to do what God calls us to do.
Word of God,
Thank you for the many ways in which you speak to us – including in prayer, in nature, in fellowship with other believers, in the depths of our spirits, and in the Bible. Thank you that all Scripture is given to us as a gift to help us know you and be equipped for the good works you have for us. Thank you that your Word is flawless, living, active, full of power, energizing, and judging. Thank you for faithful and brilliant Biblical scholars that have worked through many generations to translate your Word into our own languages and for our time. God, in this day and hour we need your Word to direct and guide us, show us which way to go, and show us how to live. Give us a deep and abiding hunger to read, study, meditate on, and memorize your Word so that it completes us at the deepest part of our nature. We ask in the name of Christ, Amen.
* I highly recommend this article: Why Does the NIV Bible Omit or Have Missing Verses?
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV)
“For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 AMP)
“Every word of God is flawless;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Do not add to his words,
or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.” (Proverbs 30:5-6 NIV)
“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.” (Revelation 22:18-19 ESV)
“Wonderful Words of Life”
by Philip Bliss
Sing them over again to me,
Wonderful words of life;
Let me more of their beauty see,
Wonderful words of life;
Words of life and beauty
Teach me faith and duty.
Christ, the blessed one, gives to all
Wonderful words of life;
Sinner, list to the loving call,
Wonderful words of life;
All so freely given,
Wooing us to heaven.
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life;
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life.