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Problems With KJV-Onlyism: (4) It is Difficult to Read

While the KJV is not based on the earliest and most reliable Greek manuscripts, it is still a very accurate translation.  However, this does not address the biggest problem with the KJV -- readability.  

Dr. Mark Ward points out that the Bible teaches the principle that "edification requires intelligibility" (1 Cor 14:8-9).  People need to learn the Bible in order to grow in Christ, but if they can't understand what they are reading, then it will be of not use.  Just as a Spanish translation will not help you to grow if you can't understand Spanish, the KJV will not help you grow if you can't understand Elizabethan English.

Dr. Mark Ward discusses two different types of words in the KJV that make it difficult to understand.  "Dead words" are archaic, obsolete words no longer used in modern English.  These are words we know we don't know, because we can immediately see that we don't recognize them.  Second, "false friends" are words with changed meanings.  These are words that we don't know we don't know.  They are words that we still use today, but the meaning has changed.  

The following is a list of "dead words" placed in paragraph form for the sake of humor:  Mingled people (Jer. 25:20) from the nethermost (1 Kings 6:6) ate snuffdishes (Ex. 25:38) and palmerworm (Joel 1:4) every quarternion (Acts 12:4).  Their sheepcote (2 Sam. 7:8) were in shambles (1 Cor. 10:25). Naught (Prov. 20:14) to worry. We outwent (Mk. 6:33) to bewray (Isa. 16:3) the breeches (Ex. 28:42) with putrifying sores (Isa. 1:6) on the sackbut (Dan 3:5). For those who think this is but succothbenoth (2 Kings 17:30), vain janglings (1 Tim. 1:6) and superfluity of naughtiness (James 1:21), winefat (Isa. 63:2) and wist (Joshua 8:14) will unstopped (Isa. 35:5). Trow (Luke 17:9) the wreathen (Ex. 28:14) and gay clothing (James 2:3) over the clift (Ex. 33:32) and churl (Isa. 32:5) the checker work (1 Kings 7:17) down the firepans (2 Kings 25:15) and on hungerbitten (Job 18:12) hoar frost (Ex. 16:14). The latchet (Mark 1:7) to the lowering (Mt. 16:3) has occurrent (1 Kings 5:4) and even munition (Isa. 29:7). The mortar (Num. 11:8) pavement (Esther 1:6) is below the almug (1 Kings 10:12) and pressfat (Hag. 2:16) the sheaf (Gen. 37:7). Understandeth what thou readeth?" (https://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/kjvterms.htm).

Here is a list of "false friends" compiled by Dan Corner: "Did you know that in the King James Version of the Bible the word “advertise” means “tell,” “allege” means “prove,” and “conversation” means “behavior”? That “communicate” means “share,” “take through” means “be anxious,” and “prevent” means “precede”? That “meat” is a general term for “food,” and “anon” and “by and by” translate Greek words which mean “immediately”?"

And here's the kicker.  There are at least 827 words and phrases in the KJV that have changed their meaning or are no longer in use!

The reading-difficulty of the KJV leads to multiple problems.  First, it increases misinterpretation and application.  The only way to interpret and apply the Bible correctly is if you understand it, but the KJV makes this very difficult.  Second, it decreases readership.  The only way to benefit from the Bible is if you read it, because many people have given up on reading the Bible because they can't understand it.

Bottom line:  God gave us His word so that we would read it, understand it, and apply it to our lives.  It was first written in way that people could understand.  Modern translations should be the same -- they should be rendered in way that the common man can comprehend.  

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