The Sin of the Tongue (III)

Scripture solemnly warns that “the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity… it defileth the whole body” (James 3:6, KJV). Words matter to God. They can edify or destroy, unify or splinter, glorify Christ or serve the flesh. Tragically, among some who champion KJV-onlyism and perfect Textus Receptus (TR) ideologies, the sin of the tongue has manifested in harsh judgment, elitism, and even spiritual abuse—particularly toward Mandarin-speaking pastors and believers who use other translations. Let us confront these sins with biblical clarity, grace, and a call to repentance.

When we elevate the KJV or TR to a position of absolute inerrancy—beyond what Scripture itself claims—we risk idolatry. This pride often fuels words of condemnation toward others. To declare modern translations “corrupt” or label their readers “unfaithful” is to wield the tongue as a weapon (Proverbs 12:18). Such rhetoric mirrors the Pharisees, who burdened others with man-made standards while neglecting “the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faith” (Matthew 23:23).

Extreme separatism fractures churches over secondary issues. Paul rebuked those who caused divisions, urging believers to “mark them which cause divisions… and avoid them” (Romans 16:17). Yet some KJV-only advocates initiate splits, excommunicating brothers over translation preferences. This violates Christ’s prayer for unity (John 17:21) and substitutes doctrinal tribalism for gospel-centered love.

Many Mandarin-speaking pastors use the Chinese Union Version (CUV), translated from Greek/Hebrew texts. Yet some KJV-only hardliners, often unfamiliar with Chinese, demand they abandon the CUV for a direct KJV translation. They weaponize English-only rhetoric, dismissing non-Western believers as “compromised.” This cultural imperialism and bullying—through emails, sermons, or social media—is not zeal for truth; it is pride (Philippians 2:3).

Pride undergirds these sins. When we insist, “My translation alone is pure!” we echo the Pharisee who prayed, “God, I thank thee that I am not as other men” (Luke 18:11). Such self-righteousness blinds us to the Spirit’s work in diverse global churches. It also ignores the KJV translators’ own humility, who wrote: “We do not deny, nay we affirm and avow, that the very meanest [simplest] translation… containeth the word of God.”

To leaders entangled in these sins: Repentance is urgent. “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good… that it may minister grace” (Ephesians 4:29).

 Confess elitism. The gospel unites a global church (Revelation 7:9). Apologize to those harmed. Pursue peace (Romans 14:19). Honor Mandarin-speaking pastors. Learn their context. Use your tongue to “heal” rather than “tear down” (Proverbs 12:18). 

Beloved, “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar” (1 John 4:20). Let us cease weaponizing translations and instead “follow after charity” (1 Corinthians 14:1). May our words reflect Christ, who “when he was reviled, reviled not again” (1 Peter 2:23). The world will know we are His disciples not by our KJVs, but by our love (John 13:35).

In grace and hope,

A Servant of the Word

A Call to Unity and Love Beyond Translation: A Pastoral Plea

Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, I write to you not as an adversary, but as a fellow laborer deeply committed to the truth of God’s Word. I recognize your fervent desire to honor Scripture, your reverence for the sacred text, and your passion to uphold its authority. Many of you champion the Textus Receptus and the King James Version with sincere conviction, driven by a desire to preserve the purity of God’s revelation. For this, I commend your zeal. Yet today, I appeal to you in the spirit of love and humility, urging reflection on whether our pursuit of textual perfection might unintentionally fracture the very body Christ died to unite.

Our Lord Jesus prayed with anguish, “That they all may be one… that the world may believe” (John 17:21). His heart aches when His children divide over secondary matters. The apostle Paul implores us to “keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3), reminding us that love, not doctrinal precision alone, is the mark of discipleship (John 13:35). Let us ask ourselves: Does our insistence on one translation foster this unity, or does it breed pride, suspicion, and strife? Even the apostle Peter, writing of Paul’s divinely inspired letters, acknowledged that some truths are “hard to understand” (2 Peter 3:16)—yet he called for grace, not division.

Dear friends, let us tremble at the warning of Isaiah 29:13: “Their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men.” When we elevate a translation—however venerable—above the living Word Himself, we risk replacing reverence for God with loyalty to human tradition. The Pharisees clung fiercely to their interpretations, yet missed the Messiah in their midst. Could we, in our zeal for textual purity, similarly obscure the gospel’s simplicity? The KJV is a priceless gift to the church, but it is not an idol. Let us worship the God of the Word, not the words alone.

Throughout history, God has used diverse translations to spread His truth. The Septuagint carried the Old Testament to Greek-speaking Jews. Luther’s Bible ignited the Reformation. Tyndale’s work laid the foundation for the KJV itself. Even the Textus Receptus you cherish was compiled by Erasmus—a man who prayed over his manuscripts despite their imperfections. If God could use these “flawed” tools to transform nations, might He not also work through modern translations to reach hearts today? Let us trust the Spirit’s power to transcend human limitations (2 Corinthians 3:6).

To leaders who’ve sown discord: I urge you, in grace and mercy, to repent. When we condemn fellow believers over translations, we grieve the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). When we label others “unfaithful” for reading the ESV, NIV, or NASB, we forget that “the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). Let us lay down the sword of judgment and take up the towel of service (John 13:14). Does not James warn that “the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and open to reason” (James 3:17)? Let our debates be seasoned with Christlike humility.

Beloved, the fear of the Lord is not merely about perfect manuscripts—it is about hearts transformed by grace. Let us major on the majors: the gospel of Christ crucified, the call to holiness, and the command to love. May we stand shoulder to shoulder with those who confess Christ as Lord, whether they read the KJV, CSB, or Swahili Bible. Let our legacy be one of unity, not division; of love, not suspicion. As the KJV itself declares: “Above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness” (Colossians 3:14).

With hope in our Unifier,

Reverend So and So

A Fellow Servant in Christ

Pride in Bible Translation and Ministry Practices

The sin of pride, as addressed in the Bible, manifests in various attitudes and behaviors that elevate self over others and God. Below is an analysis of how pride may manifest in the five contexts, alongside biblical rebukes and calls to humility:

1. KJV-Onlyism

Prideful Manifestation: Insisting the King James Version (KJV) is the only valid translation often dismisses the value of other translations, scholarship, and the Holy Spirit’s work in diverse contexts. This dogmatism can reflect intellectual arrogance (Proverbs 3:7) and a lack of gratitude for God’s Word being accessible in many languages (Revelation 7:9).

Scripture affirms that "All Scripture is God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16), not limited to one translation. Humility recognizes God’s sovereignty in preserving His Word through various means (Isaiah 55:11).

2. Perfect Textus Receptus

Prideful Manifestation: Asserting the Textus Receptus (TR) is flawless ignores the fallibility of human transmission and the value of older manuscripts discovered since its compilation. This mirrors the Pharisees’ rigid adherence to tradition over truth (Mark 7:8-9).

While the TR has historical significance, humility acknowledges that “knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” (1 Corinthians 8:1). Trust in God’s providential preservation of Scripture (Psalm 12:6-7) need not deny scholarly diligence (Proverbs 27:17).

3. Extreme Separatism

Prideful Manifestation: Severing fellowship with all who disagree cultivates elitism, contradicting Jesus’ prayer for unity (John 17:20-21). Such separatism often stems from self-righteousness (Luke 18:11-12).

Christians are called to “keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3), distinguishing between essential doctrines and disputable matters (Romans 14:1-4).

4. Bullying Mandarin-Speaking Pastors

Prideful Manifestation: Intimidating others over language or cultural differences reflects a superiority complex, violating Christ’s command to love neighbors (Matthew 22:39) and honor the weak (1 Corinthians 12:22-24).

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness esteem others better than oneself” (Philippians 2:3). The gospel transcends cultural barriers (Galatians 3:28).

5. Claiming Omniscience About Manuscripts/Translation

Prideful Manifestation: Professing exhaustive knowledge rejects the limits of human understanding (1 Corinthians 13:9-12) and dishonors God, who alone is all-knowing (Isaiah 55:8-9).

“If anyone thinks he knows anything, he does not yet know as he ought to know” (1 Corinthians 8:2). Humility embraces lifelong learning and dependence on God’s wisdom (Proverbs 1:7).

Antidote to Pride: Christlike Humility

Scripture calls believers to “clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’” (1 Peter 5:5). Pride divides and destroys; humility fosters unity, love, and reverence for God’s sovereignty. As Jesus modeled, true greatness lies in serving others (Mark 10:43-45), not in dogmatic superiority.