Dealing with a KJV-Only Teacher Causing Division in the Church

This is a common issue in some conservative Christian circles—a Bible teacher who believes:

• The Textus Receptus (TR) is perfect, just like the original Bible autographs.
• The King James Version (KJV) is the only acceptable Bible translation.
• Anyone who disagrees is a "compromiser" or "rejecting God’s Word."
• This mindset has led to arguments, division, and strife in the church.

 

Here’s our take on how to handle this biblically and wisely:

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1. The TR and KJV Are Not "Inspired" – Only the Original Autographs Were

• 2 Timothy 3:16 says Scripture is "God-breathed," but this refers to the original writings (autographs), not later copies or translations.
• The TR is a printed Greek text (16th century), compiled from manuscripts available at the time—it’s not miraculously perfect.
• The KJV is a translation (1611), and while excellent for its time, it’s not the only "God-approved" Bible.
• Problem: If someone claims the KJV is "perfect," they’re essentially treating it like new revelation, which is dangerous (Revelation 22:18-19 warns against adding to Scripture).

Response:

• Ask: "Did Christians before 1611 have a defective Bible?" (No—they used Latin, Syriac, or earlier Greek texts.)
• Ask: "If the KJV is perfect, why were there revisions (e.g., 1611 vs. 1769)?"

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2. Divisiveness Over Secondary Issues Is Sinful

• Romans 14:1 – Don’t quarrel over "disputable matters."
• 1 Corinthians 1:10 – Paul rebukes divisions over human leaders (e.g., "I follow Paul, I follow Apollos"). Today, it’s "I follow KJV, you follow ESV."
• Proverbs 13:10 – "Pride leads to conflict." If this scholar is causing fights, pride is likely involved.

Response:

• If he’s accusing others of compromise, ask: "Is this issue worth dividing the church over?"
• Remind him that many godly scholars (even those who love the TR) use other translations (e.g., NKJV, MEV).

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3. The KJV-Only Position Is Historically and Textually Weak

• No early church father (Augustine, Chrysostom, etc.) ever claimed one translation was perfect.
• Erasmus (who compiled the TR) himself admitted he worked with limited manuscripts and even added parts (like 1 John 5:7) based on late Latin copies.
• Modern translations (ESV, NASB, CSB) are based on older, more reliable manuscripts (e.g., Sinaiticus, Vaticanus).

Response:

• Ask: "If God preserved His Word perfectly in the KJV, why do we have older manuscripts today that the KJV translators didn’t have?"

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4. How to Respond Without Escalating Conflict

If You’re a Church Leader:

• Set boundaries: If he’s causing division, Matthew 18:15-17 applies. Warn him privately, then with witnesses, then before the church if needed.
• Focus on the gospel, not textual debates: The core message (Christ’s death & resurrection) is clear in all reliable translations.

If You’re a Church Member:

• Don’t engage in endless arguments (2 Timothy 2:23).
• Show grace but stand firm: "I respect your love for the KJV, but let’s not divide over this."

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Final Thought: Unity in Essentials, Liberty in Non-Essentials

• Essential: Belief in Christ, salvation by faith, inerrancy of Scripture.
• Non-essential: Which translation or Greek text is "best."

If this teacher keeps attacking others and splitting the church, he’s violating 1 Corinthians 13—"love does not insist on its own way."

The best response? Keep preaching Christ, not KJV.