How Accurate Is the King James Version of the Bible?

Direct Answer

Yes—Les Feldick regards the King James Version as highly accurate and dependable, though he acknowledges it is not perfect because it is a translation.

Les explains that the original Bible manuscripts were letter-perfect, while everything available today—including the KJV—is a translation and may contain slight errors. He still says God has not permitted any gross error to enter the Bible, so readers can rest on it. He specifically prefers the KJV over newer translations, but he also identifies one place where he believes the KJV translators made a 'glaring mistake'—the rendering of apostasia in 2 Thessalonians 2:3.

Key Scriptures

2 Thessalonians 2:3 — Les cites the KJV's rendering of the Greek word apostasia in this verse as a 'glaring mistake,' showing that even the KJV can contain translation errors.

What Does the Bible Say About the KJV?

The Bible does not directly name the King James Version or promise that a particular translation will be error-free. The KJV is a translation produced from later copies of the original manuscripts. Scripture's perfection attaches to the original God-breathed writings, not to any English version. The verse of 2 Thessalonians 2:3 demonstrates that translators must make choices about Greek words, which is why even a respected translation like the KJV can have questionable renderings.

What Does Les Feldick Teach About the King James Version's Accuracy?

Les Feldick has held to the King James Version for his entire teaching ministry and says he has never deviated from it or even owned another version (Clip 1). He considers the KJV to be highly accurate, explaining that the King James translators worked about two hundred years closer to the Greek than today's scholars (Clip 2). At the same time, he is clear that no translation is perfect: the original manuscripts were 'letter perfect,' but translations may contain slight errors (Clip 3). He also teaches that God has so 'brooded over' His Word that no gross error has been allowed to enter even our translations (Clips 4 and 6). Nonetheless, Les points to one place where he believes the KJV translators made a 'glaring mistake'—the word apostasia in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, which they rendered 'falling away' (Clip 5).

Are There Any Errors in the King James Version?

Yes, according to Les. He says 'they're not perfect, no translation is' and even identifies a specific 'glaring mistake' in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, where the Greek apostasia was translated as 'falling away.' Nevertheless, he maintains that God has not permitted gross error to enter the Bible, so readers can trust it.

Why Does Les Prefer the King James Over Modern Translations?

Les says the King James translators were about 200 years closer to the Greek than modern scholars, so he trusts them. He also argues that newer translations have 'gutted the Scriptures,' deleting thousands of words and verses and cutting the meaning of many others. He has never used another version.

Were the Original Bible Manuscripts Perfect?

Yes. Les says the original writings were 'letter perfect' and 'word-perfect'—the Word of God without error. Only the translations, which are all we have today, may contain slight errors. He still insists that God has been so jealous of His Word that He has not permitted gross error to come into even our translations.

How Can We Trust the Bible as the Word of God?

Les points to the supernatural construction of Scripture: 44 men writing over 2,000 years could not have produced a book so meticulously put together without divine inspiration. He also notes that no other book makes prophetic statements that come true—thousands of years before they happen. Because of this, readers can rest on the Bible as the inspired Word of God.

From the Teaching

The Bible Is Not a Myth

Les rebukes the idea that the Bible is a collection of Jewish legends and myths, emphasizing that Scripture is the Word of God—which supports trusting the KJV as a faithful translation.

KJV vs. Newer Translations

Les says he has never deviated from the King James Version and does not own another translation. He warns that newer translations have deleted thousands of words and verses, so he trusts the KJV.

KJV Translators Closer to Greek

Les trusts the King James translators because they worked about 200 years closer to the Greek than modern scholars. He chooses to stay with the KJV rather than follow those who twist the Greek.

Originals Letter-Perfect, Translations Slightly Flawed

Les teaches that the original manuscripts were letter-perfect, while every translation—including the King James—may contain slight errors. This is the foundation of his view on KJV accuracy.

God Prevented Gross Error

Les says the Bible may contain 'a little error here and there' because it is a translation, but God has not permitted gross error. He encourages readers to believe every word of the Book.

A Glaring KJV Translational Mistake

Les expresses high respect for King James accuracy but admits the translators 'are not perfect.' He gives 2 Thessalonians 2:3 as a place where they made a 'glaring mistake' on the word apostasia.

God Brooded Over His Word

Les says God has brooded over His Word so that no gross error has come into even our translations. This allows believers to rest on the Bible as the inspired Word of God.

Fulfilled Prophecy Confirms the Bible

Les says the Bible's fulfilled prophecy proves it is the Word of God. This is why he can confidently teach from the King James Version.

Bible Verses

2 Thessalonians 2:3: Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

Les points to the KJV's translation of apostasia as 'a falling away' in this verse, calling it a 'glaring mistake.' This verse illustrates that even the KJV can have a translation issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there errors in the King James Version?

Les says no translation is perfect, including the KJV. He points to 2 Thessalonians 2:3, where the Greek word apostasia was rendered 'falling away,' as one 'glaring mistake.' Even so, he considers the KJV highly accurate and says God has not allowed gross error into the Bible.

Why does Les Feldick trust the King James Version?

He trusts the KJV because its translators were closer to the Greek than today's scholars, and because newer translations have deleted words and verses. He has never used another version in his ministry.

Is the King James Version the inspired Word of God?

Les teaches that the original writings were inspired and letter-perfect. The KJV is a translation from those originals and, while not perfect, has been protected by God from gross error, so it can be relied on as the Word of God.

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