Response to KJV-Only, Perfect TR, and Verbal Plenary Preservation

Response to KJV-Only, Perfect TR, and Verbal Plenary Preservation

Proponents of KJV-Only, Perfect TR, and Verbal Plenary Preservation hold high views on the transmission and accuracy of scripture, particularly favoring the Textus Receptus (TR) underlying the KJV. While they prioritize the wording and preservation of the text, the points we derived from 1 Corinthians actually support focusing on the central message of the Gospel and unity in Christ—themes Paul consistently emphasizes over matters of sophisticated rhetoric or external scholarly approval.

1. Unity and Non-Divisiveness (1 Corinthians 1:10-11)

The strongest counter-argument from this passage against any position that leads to division is Paul's plea for unity:

"I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you..." (1 Corinthians 1:10-11, ESV)

• The Argument: The very act of demanding one specific English translation (KJV) or Greek text-type (TR) to the exclusion of others has historically led to significant division and quarreling within the Christian church. Paul's message is that quarreling over human-derived positions (like allegiance to specific biblical scholars or translations) is inherently contradictory to the command for unity in the Lord Jesus Christ.

• The Theological Emphasis: Paul condemns the divisiveness of saying, "I follow Paul," "I follow Apollos," or "I follow Cephas." Similarly, one could argue that saying, "I only follow the King James Version" or "I only follow the Textus Receptus," when done to the point of schism, elevates a human work (the translation or specific textual tradition) above the core unity of Christ's body.

2. Christ Crucified Over Human Wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:20 and 2:2)

Paul explicitly de-emphasizes human wisdom and knowledge in favor of the simple, potent truth of the Gospel.

• 1 Corinthians 1:20: "Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?"

• 1 Corinthians 2:2: "For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified."

• The Argument: The highly technical and intricate debates surrounding Verbal Plenary Preservation (the belief that every word was perfectly preserved) and the historical lineage of the TR often rely on specialized knowledge of Greek manuscripts, textual criticism, and historical linguistics. Paul suggests that God did not intend for the Gospel's power to hinge on such technicalities.

• The Theological Emphasis: If the saving power of the Gospel required advanced scholarly ability to discern the "perfect" manuscript line or the "perfect" English phrasing, the majority of believers—the illiterate, the poor, the non-scholarly—would be disqualified. Paul's point is that the essential message is so powerful and simple ("Christ and him crucified") that it transcends the need for human wisdom or scholarly validation. The Truth is preserved in the Person and Work of Christ, not solely in the absolute preservation of a specific version's orthography.

3. Lacking Nothing in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:5)

1 Corinthians 1:5 is often translated:

"...that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge..." (ESV)

• The Argument: Paul tells the Corinthians that they were enriched in Christ with all knowledge and spiritual gifts. They didn't lack spiritual equipment. By implication, a Christian today, being "in Christ," does not lack the fundamental ability to understand the saving Gospel even if they read a modern, well-translated version of the Bible based on a different manuscript tradition.

• The Theological Emphasis: The spiritual lack (or "poverty") that the Corinthians faced was not due to a lack of accurate information or spiritual gifts, but due to their pride and quarrelsomeness. This suggests that the spiritual condition of the reader (humility, unity, love) is more critical for engaging the truth than the technical perfection of the specific biblical text version being read.

In summary, 1 Corinthians primarily argues that unity and the simple message of the Cross must take precedence over scholarly, divisive, and overly-intellectual pursuits.