I read an article, on John McTernan’s blog, the other day about the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. The article was not about 2 Corinthians 2:17, but rather about Revelation 13:1. As we discussed the article as a family, we wondered how the new versions rendered 2 Corinthians 2:17.
Here is the verse from the King James Bible:
For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. — 2 Corinthians 2:17 (KJV)
Here is the verse from the New International Version (© 2011):
Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God. — 2 Corinthians 2:17 (NIV)
Here is the verse from the New American Standard Bible:
For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.– 2 Corinthians 2:17 (NASB)
The key difference is the following phrase:
KJV – corrupt the word of God
NIV – peddle the word of God for profit
NASB – peddling the word of God
Why the difference? Could it be that the translators for the NIV and NASB could not identify themselves with those who corrupt the word of God?
God bless, Mike