Bad Translation

C H U R C H   R E F O R M   S E R I E S

By Biblicism Institute

There are some words and verses in the Bible that have been wrongly transliterated, either from the Old Testament Hebrew or the New Testament Greek.

Unfortunately, these bad translations can be found in all currently published versions, and have caused more than just confusion.

“God is not the author of confusion…” 1 Corinthians 14:33

This section is dedicated in exposing them. Get acquainted with the right translations below in order to make a mental rectification when you come upon them in your study of the word.

Hopefully, Christians will soon pull together to fix all transcribed versions.

Visit often as new verses might be added.

Matthew 6:13 + Luke 21:24 + 1 Timothy 3:15 + Luke 16:9 + Jeremiah 3:8 + Matthew 10:34 + 
1 Corinthians 11:14 + Matthew 16:18 + Matthew 5:28 + 2 Corinthians 3:8,17,18 + 
1 John 5:7,8 + Mark 16:17-18 + Hebrews 13:17 + Romans 12:6-8 + The Word JEW + Mark 15:42

16) Matthew 6:13 – In Re: The Lord’s Prayer

Popular Translation:

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

Biblicism Institute Correction (in bold color):

“And may our hearts not be driven into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

Comment:

The literal translation is: “And be driven inward we not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” So we structured it correctly and contextually.

In the popular version, the composite word that is translated as lead is the Greek word eisphero, meaning carry inward. It’s composed of the following two words: eis, which has a variety of meanings including to, into, that, therefore, until, -ward, etc.; and phero, which also has various meanings like be driven, carry, endure, lay, lead, etc. We believe be driven is the most accurate, given the context.

The word that is translated as us is the Greek word hemas, which can be translated as our, us, we. We picked our and replaced inward with hearts.

What needs to be thoroughly understood is that God would NEVER lead us into temptation.

“When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone…” James 1:13

Therefore, Jesus would NEVER ask us to pray that God not lead us into temptation. In addition, the inward part (or the heart) is what one needs to be mindful of.

“For out of the heart come evil thoughts–murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” Matthew 15:19

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23

See The Heart Adjustment for an exposé.

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15) Luke 21:24 – In Re: Jerusalem And The Gentiles

Popular Translation:

“And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.”

Biblicism Institute Correction (in bold color):

“They will be killed by the sword when all of them are made captives by the Gentiles. And Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles until the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled.”

Comment:

The word that is translated as and is the Greek word kai. It has a slew of meanings: and, also, with, but, even, for, if, indeed, likewise, moreover, when, yes, yet, etc. Hence, context is key. We chose when because the Hebrews were slated to be killed while being held captives – that’s the context. And that’s exactly what happened in 70 A.D. when they were under siege (or made captives) by a sudden shutdown of the Roman army.

The word that is translated as all is the Greek word pas, a primary word that is itself a declension that emphasizes the number of the original subject of the sentence, which is they. Therefore, we placed all in its rightful order.

The word that is translated as led away captive is the Greek word aichmalotizo, which means make captive. So why not translate it to what it actually means. Besides, how could they die by the sword and then be led away captive? It doesn’t make any sense.

The word that is translated as into is the Greek word eis, which has various meanings: to, into, against, among, as, at, before, by, concerning, etc. Again, context is key. We chose by because the Hebrews were to be made captives by the Gentiles. Again, that’s exactly what happened in Jerusalem during the siege of 70 A.D. when all the Hebrews were made captives by the Gentiles or the Romans.

The word that is translated as nations is the Greek word ethnos, which also means Gentiles (i.e., non-Hebrews), and which, in the next sentence down, is translated as Gentiles in the popular version (it’s the same word being repeated). And why use two different words (nations and Gentiles) and not keep the same understanding. So we went with Gentiles throughout.

The popular version causes people to erroneously think that the Hebrews were deported and carried captives throughout the nations of the world, when in fact they were not. They were all slaughtered by the Romans, while Jerusalem and the Temple were totally destroyed or trodden down. Consequently, the Roman army’s time in Jerusalem was fulfilled as prophesied.

See A Brief History of the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah for an exposé.

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14) 1 Timothy 3:15 – In Re: House Of God And The Word Church

Popular Translation:

“If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.”

Biblicism Institute Correction (in bold color):

“If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave with the family of God, which is the assembly of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.”

Comment:

The word that is translated as house in the popular version is the Greek word oikos which means a dwelling, a family, a house, a home, a temple. Hence, context is key.

The word house (i.e.,  the dwelling of the family) could be kept if it were indicating a location.

“To the assembly in your house.” Philippians 1:1

“When you go into a household, greet it.” Matthew 10:12

“Likewise greet the assembly that is in their house.” Romans 16:5

However, given the fact that it is not referring to a location, the proper translation should be family which itself is the assembly (i.e., the family of God or the temple/house of God), not a building.

“Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.” 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

The word that is translated as in is the Greek word en which has a slew of meanings such as with, in, at, about, against, wherewith, while, etc. Again, context is key. In this instance, we believe with is the better choice since it involves interacting with other people as opposed to being inside a building.

The word that is translated as church is the Greek word ekklesia which is a composite word [ek (out) + kaleo (call)] meaning call out. The purpose of the calling out is to bring forth an assembly. Hence, assembly is a better word to use as opposed to church, which itself is derived from the Greek word kuriakos meaning pertaining to the Lord – a much different meaning.

In Jesus’s time a calling out was usually officiated by a magistrate or legitimate authority. It was in that sense that the word was adopted and applied by the writers of the New Testament to the Christian congregation. And who calls out the gathering of Christians? Jesus Christ, the head of the assembly and the only legitimate authority.

“Christ is the head of the assembly, his body, and is himself its Savior.” Ephesians 5:23

The TEMPLE principle of the Old Covenant with its altar and a human, Levite High Priest calling out and hovering over everyone is no longer in effect. Jesus is now the new High Priest.

“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.” Hebrews 4:14

It’s time for Christians to renew their mind.

“… be transformed by the renewal of your mind…” Romans 12:2

P.S. Even though the word church is not in the bible, we still use it in our articles in order to make ourselves understood. Many would be more than a little lost if we were to only employ the word assembly or call out. A great number of words evolve over time, therefore if we bend church to mean assembly it could take on that meaning in the mind, until the body of Christ pulls together to rectify this mistake in all currently published bibles – along with all the other bad translations herein exposed.

See Church Services Are NOT Biblical for an exposé.

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13)  Luke 16:9 – In Re: Fail Or Death

Popular Translation:

“And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.”

Biblicism Institute Correction (in bold color):

“And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when you die, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.”

Comment:

The word that is translated as fail in the popular version is the Greek word ekleipo which means to omit, to cease (die), to fail. Hence, context is key.

One of the root words of ekleipo is kleipo which means to leave or to be absent. The other root word is ek which is a preposition that points to the origin of the action. And what is the origin of the action in this case? You. “I say unto YOU.” “Make to YOURSELVES.” “They may receive YOU.” And finally “that, when YOU die.”

Why die? Because the rest of the sentence points to everlasting life or habitations. And everlasting life only happens after death. If fail is understood to be the body failing, hence death, then it’s okay. However, when fail is put together with money in the same body of context, confusion will come about as to which failure it is referring to. Consequently, the better word to use is die.

See Who should Christians give their Money to? for an exposé.

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12)  Jeremiah 3:8 – In Re: Divorce And The Old Testament

Popular Translation:

“And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce.”

Biblicism Institute Correction (in bold color):

“And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery, having been put away and given a bill of divorce.”

or

“And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery [after] I had put her away and given her a bill of divorce.”

Comment:

Right after adultery, the  Hebrew word that follows is shalach, which means put away or cast away. The I and the Her were added to shape the sentence. As a result, it changed the meaning of adultery, as if God had put away Israel for “adultery” (i.e. fornication = adultery).

No. God cast away Israel with a bill of divorce, and THEN she committed adultery. The beginning of Jeremiah Chapter 3 sets up the whole understanding of what God wanted to say.

“They say, If a man divorces his wife, and she goes from him, and becomes another man’s, shall he return unto her again?” Jeremiah 3: 1

Adultery is the by-product of Divorce and Remarriage.

“And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except [it be] for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.” Matthew 19:9

Therefore God put away or divorced Israel, and then she went and committed adultery with strange gods.

See Of Fornication, Divorce, and Adultery for an exposé.

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11)  Matthew 10:34 – In Re: Earth Or Land

Popular Translation:

“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace upon the earth.”

Biblicism Institute Correction (in bold color):

“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace upon this land.”

Comment:

The Greek word that is translated as earth in the popular version is ge. Its first meaning is a region. It also means country, earth, ground, land, world. Therefore context is key.

In that verse Jesus was addressing the Judahite Hebrews about the conflict that was soon to take hold of their house over who He was. So the land of the Hebrews, or Judah, was the intended target, not the whole earth.

Comparatively, as the Heavenly Host announced the birth of the Saviour, this is how it was clamored in Luke 2:14:

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

The same word ge is used in that sentence, but that pronouncement had a different scope because Jesus was born to be the Savior of all mankind – hence the word men – and therefore not just of the Hebrews, but of the world or the whole earth.

“…and they were saying to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.” John 4:42

See Jesus and the Sword for an exposé.

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10)  1 Corinthians 11:14 – In Re: Long Hair On Man

Popular Translation:

“Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him…”

Biblicism Institute Correction (in bold color):

“Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man wears tresses of hair, it is a dishonor to him…”

Comment:

The Greek word that is translated as has long hair in the popular version is komao. It literally means to wear tresses of hair. It is derived from the word kome and denotes locks of hair as ornamental, as opposed to one’s own hair on the scalp which itself is the Greek word thrix. These are two separate and distinct words.

Further, keep in mind that the Apostle Paul was putting in context the spiritual authority of man over woman using a hair metaphor.

“A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God…” 1 Corinthians 11:7

For a man to wear tresses of hair would be tantamount to covering his head with what belongs to woman (i.e., placing himself under the authority of another man when man’s authority is Jesus Himself, as the Apostle Paul clearly pointed out at the beginning of the chapter).

“I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ…” 1 Corinthians 11:3

Therefore, if a man places himself in such a position (spiritually covered by a man other than Christ), it would be a disgrace to him. However, the woman must always have her head covered (i.e., be under the authority of man).

“It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head…” 1 Corinthians 11: 10

“…the head of the woman is man.” 1 Corinthians 11:3

Besides, why did God accept long hair on Nazirites such as Samson and John the Baptist? Their long hair coif was neither feminine nor a disgrace.

See Of Authority and Christians for an exposé.

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9)  Matthew 16:18 – In Re: Peter And The Pope

Popular Translation:

“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” KJV

Biblicism Institute Correction (in bold color):

“And I say also unto you, you are a piece of rock, but upon this mass of rock I will build my assembly; and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”

Comment:

In the popular version, the Greek word that is translated as Peter is petros and it means a piece of rock. Besides, Jesus never called Simon Peter, He always called him Simon Bar-Jona.

“And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona…” Matthew 16:17

After this incident, Simon Bar-Jona either got stuck with the nickname Petros or Peter, or adopted it as his “Christian” name a la Saul-became-Paul. And even though verse 16 (amongst many others) says “And Simon Peter said”, one must keep in mind that Matthew was narrating this after the fact.

Further, the Greek word that is translated as rock is petra. It means a mass of rock.

Jesus would have never thought of building His church or assembly solely on a sinful man like Peter. It would have been faulty construction.

The foundational cornerstone of the assembly is Jesus Himself, the great rock:

“Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” Ephesians 2:20

“Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.” Matthew 21:44

“The LORD is my rock…” Psalm 18:2

However, Peter and the other Apostles also make up the foundation of the assembly.

“(you are) built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” Ephesians 2:20

That’s why Jesus called Simon Bar-Jona a piece of that mass of rock, with the other Apostles being the remainder pieces.

When Jesus mentioned the mass of rock he was pointing toward a certain direction by using the word tautes  (translated as this in this rock). It actually means this hereof. It is a directional word with a particular slant. And that slant was not just toward Peter since Jesus used two different expressions for rock. It was directed at Jesus Himself and at the Apostles, as the word mass means aggregate or conglomeration or whole. Again, Peter was only a piece of this mass of rock or this mass quantity of rock.

Last, the Greek word that is translated as and is kai. It has a slew of meanings: and, but, also, then, even, etc. Therefore, context is key. Jesus was telling Simon (Peter) that he was not the only one he was relying on, and that He Himself and the other Apostles were part of the mass of rock upon which the foundation of the assembly would be laid. That’s why but is the appropriate translation.

By using and instead of but the translators of the popular version made a connection between the two types of rock as if they were both one and the same.

That fallacy led to the Papal system inside the Catholic church, or at the very least is being used to explain it, especially as Catholic scholars strangely and erroneously consider the Pope to be Peter’s successor – a bizarre understanding with no biblical verses to prove it.

In fact, immediately following verse 18 Jesus promised all of the Disciples/Apostles (or the mass of rock) that He would give them authority and power.

“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16: 19

[As for assembly instead of church, see 1 Timothy 3:15 above, #14]

See Is the Pope Peter’s Successor? for an exposé.

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8)  Matthew 5:28 – In Re: Adultery And The New Testament

Popular Translation:

“But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” KJV Version

Biblicism Institute Correction (in bold color):

“But I say unto you, that whosoever looks upon someone’s wife to set his heart upon her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

Comment:

In the popular version, the Greek word gune that is translated as woman really means a woman who is married or wife. In this instance someone’s wife or even an ex-wife, since an ex-wife is still her husband’s wife in God’s eyes.

“What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” Mark 10:9

The Greek word epithumeo that is translated as lust after has even a more powerful meaning: set one’s heart upon. Remember, Jesus looks at the heart.

“The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

In Matthew 5: 28 Jesus was referring to someone’s (ex-)wife, just like the woman caught in adultery in John 8:3 was someone’s (ex)-wife who married another man, and Jesus told her to “go and sin no more. (John 8:11)”

Remember, adultery is the by-product of Divorce and Remarriage.

“And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except [it be] for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.” Matthew 19:9

When a man sets his heart upon someone’s (ex-)wife, Jesus already sees it as the foundational act which will cause that man to marry such a woman, hence that man is already in the throes of adultery.

Thus in Matthew 5:28 Jesus was really reiterating Matthew 19:9 in a more profound way, so profound that He commanded right after:

“If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.” Matthew 5:29-30

That stark command was Jesus’s other way of saying “go and sin no more” or go and cut off the relationship with the adulteress.

A man who marries a divorcée becomes one with her, as in “the two shall become one flesh.” Therefore, she is grafted onto that man’s body and would need to be cut off as she does not belong to him in the first place – she’s somebody’s (ex-)wife.

Ultimately,  such a rigid admonition is intended to wake up those who are guilty of adultery (i.e., guilty of marrying someone’s wife or ex-wife or thinking about doing so), otherwise they will not enter the kingdom of Heaven.

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9,10

See Of Fornication, Divorce, and Adultery for an exposé.

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7)  2 Corinthians 3:8,17,18 – In Re: Spirit Or Life

Popular translation:

v 8: “How shall the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?”

v 17: “Now the Lord is that Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”

v 18: “… from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

Biblicism Institute Correction (in bold color):

v 8: “How shall the ministration of life be rather glorious?”

v 17: “Now the Lord is that life, and where the life of the Lord is, there is liberty.”

v 18: “… from glory to glory, even as by the life of the Lord.”

Comment:

The word that is translated as spirit and Spirit in the popular translation is the Greek word pneuma. It is a word with various meanings including spirit man, soul, spirit, and life.

Consequently, context is key. The Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 3:7 said this:

“But if the ministration of death… was glorious… which glory was to be done away;”

Paul was contrasting death and life. Death is represented by the law and Life by Jesus. Therefore, verse 8 must be the following:

“How shall the ministration of life be rather glorious?”

And as Paul concluded in verses 17 and 18:

“Now the Lord is that life, and where the life of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass, the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the life of the Lord.”

Again, context is key: Death vs Life, and Life is more glorious because it is the life of the Lord.

“I am the resurrection and the life…” John 11:25

See Life, Death, and the Afterlife for an exposé.

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6)  1 John 5:7,8 – In Re: Agreement Of Witnesses Or Triune God

Popular translation:

“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. For there are three that bear record in earth: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree in one.”

Biblicism Institute Correction (in bold color):

“For there are three that bear witness in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit: and these three agree as one. For there are three that bear witness in earth: the Spirit and the water and the blood;  these three agree throughout as one.”

Comment:

In every bible version, the above verses (especially verse 7) are wrongly translated from the Greek:

“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. For there are three that bear record in earth: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree in one.” 1 John 5:7,8 (KJV)

Notice that in verse 7 (KJV), the Greek word eisi is translated as are, but in verse 8, that same word eisi is translated as agree.

Why did the translators feel the need to create such a glaring discrepancy? Because they assumed (wrongly) that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one and that their “oneness” would somehow explain their agreement.

Additionally, let’s follow John’s train of thought.

For there are three that bear record in heaven….

For there are three that bear record in earth…

John was establishing a record of testimony. To bear record or to bear witness is to testify. And what is God’s law concerning testimony?

“At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses…” Deuteronomy 17:6

“Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” 2 Corinthians 13:1

Therefore, the essence of those verses was to establish a testimony or a record by 3 witnesses: 3 in heaven and 3 in earth. The goal of a testimony with many witnesses is to demonstrate that all of them are in agreement.

In verse 7, the translators (of KJV and others) tried hard to construct a non-existent trinity because they realized there were no other verses in the bible that pointed to it. Not one verse in the whole bible directs us to believe that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one and the same. So they felt it was their opportunity to somehow rectify a “wrong” in order to validate their presupposition.

If we leave their translation as is, it would only point to a false unity of the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit as a trinity (three persons) and not to their agreement as befitting witnesses, which John was trying to convey.

Unfortunately for the trinity theory, if the testimony of the 3 witnesses in Heaven put forth by John is to be valid, the record must indicate that they are in agreement just like the 3 witnesses on earth are properly recorded to be in agreement in verse 8.

See The Trinity Doctrine is NOT in the Bible for an exposé.

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5)  Mark 16:17-18 – In Re: The Serpents And Their Poison

Popular translation:

“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

Biblicism Institute Correction (in bold color):

“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall raise their voices against the serpents (or malicious ones); and if they imbibe any poison (or poisonous doctrine), it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

Comment:

The Greek verb airo, that is translated as take up in the popular translation, is used here in the figurative sense: raise the voice. Just like Jesus used the serpents in the figurative sense.

Remember when Jesus called the Pharisees “Brood of Vipers”? Well, they are the serpents that Jesus had in mind when He said those words.

“You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Matthew 12: 34

In every generation, religious “leaders” infected with the pharisaic spirit are the ones who author all the poisonous doctrines, with the first poisonous one originally injected in the Garden of Eden by the serpent of serpents.

Their expertise is to twist God’s word in order to make it mean what God did not intend. All their false doctrines are destroying the Church from within, and the ensuing rot is visible to all: the Church in Europe is in a coma while the Church throughout the Americas is paralyzed and fast slipping into irrelevancy.

“Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees…” Matthew 16: 6

See The War on Christianity for an exposé.

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4)  Hebrews 13:17 – In Re: Ruler Or Something Else

Popular translation:

“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that [is] unprofitable for you.”

Biblicism Institute Correction (in bold color):

“Obey them who esteem (care about) you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that [is] unprofitable for you.”

Comment:

The Greek word hegeomai is used here in the figurative sense of esteem because the other regular meanings (such as to rule over) mostly apply to authority out in the world and would not fit within a Christian ministry, where no one is supposed to rule over anybody or have any authority over anyone.

“But Jesus called them to Himself and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not this way among you…” Matthew 20: 25

Note: Some verses concerning “Ecclesiastical Function” in the New Testament have been wrongly translated from the Greek using the English word “rule” or “authority” when it should be something else. So please exercise wisdom while using an appropriate Greek/English lexicon to guide you in your study.

See Of Authority and Christians for an exposé.

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3)  Romans 12:6-8 – In Re: Church Leader Or Something Else

Popular translation:

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;  if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”

Biblicism Institute Correction (in bold color):

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is to prophesy, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is to teach, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is to give, then give generously; if it is to preside, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”

Comment:

The word translated as to lead is from the Greek word proistemi. It means to preside.

Here’s one of the Apostle Paul commands regarding biblical gathering:

“For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.” 1 Corinthians 14:31

Which means that every Christian at one point would be presiding in the assembly.

Furthermore,  the Lord Jesus never asked anyone to be a Ministry Leader. As a matter of fact, there are no titles in the Church Assembly, only duties. We are all simply brothers and sisters in the faith.

“But you are not to be called ‘Teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘Father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called Leaders (or Masters), for you have one Leader (or Master), the Messiah.” Matthew 23:8-10

See Of Leaders and Servants in the Church for an exposé.

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2)  The Word Jew Is Not In The Bible

Hebrew Words in the Old Testament: Yehuwdah: Jehudah or Judah – Yehuwdiy: Jehudite or Judahite.

Greek Words in the New Testament: Iouda: Jehudah or Judah –  Ioudaios: Jehudite or Judahite or belonging to Jehudah/Judah.

Comment:

The word “Jew” as it is understood today is not a biblical word. It is an indicative and descriptive term which points to someone who follows and adheres to the faith of the Pharisees of Judah, but is not of the tribe of Judah.

In all currently published bibles the word “Jew” is what is printed. However, in the 1985 New King James version, published by Thomas Nelson, Inc., there’s a glaring discrepancy:

“…the Judeans, who both killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men.” 1 Thessalonians 2:15

That’s the only place in that version where the word Ioudaios is rightly translated as Judean instead of the conspicuous word Jew.

Which prompts the following questions:

Did Jews bribe Thomas Nelson, Inc. to do it? If so, what did they stand to gain? And do the editors at Thomas Nelson, Inc. actually know that the word Jew is NOT in the bible?

All in all, it simply is deliberate manipulation. Because, simply put, the same Greek word Ioudaios is oddly translated two different ways in that version.

And the only place where it’s different is in that very uncomfortable and crucial verse where we are being led, like sheep to the slaughter, to envisage “Jews” (of today, of course) as not contrary to all men and not the killers of our Lord; while the “Judeans,” of the tribe of Judah, were the actual contrary ones who crucified the Lord and persecuted Christians.

Still, in other verses where the word Jew is maintained throughout, the Talmudic Rabbinists (aka Fake Hebrews or Jews) get to be seen as the Hebrews of old – a misappropriated appellation that is full of benefits for them, including the theft of Palestine to create modern-day Israel.

Consequently, yes, the editors at Thomas Nelson, Inc. do know that the Word Jew is NOT in the Bible, and yet they keep using it.

See The Word Jew is not in the Bible for an exposé.

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1)  Mark 15:42 – In Re: Prior To The Sabbath

Popular translation:

“And now when the evening was come, because it was preparation day, that is, the day before the Sabbath…”

Biblicism Institute Correction (in bold color):

“And now as the evening was approaching, because everyone had to get ready, that is to say, prior to the Sabbath…”

Comment:

The word that is translated as come in the popular version is the Greek word ginômai, which literally means to become. Its connotation is that of the future, therefore was approaching (i.e., was to become) is the better translation. Consequently when was removed and replaced with as to fit the expectancy of it.

The word that is translated as it was is the Greek word ēn, which contains an intrinsic pronoun along with a verb – that verb has a slew of meanings like was, agree, have charge of, etc., hence context is key. We think everyone and had (as in have charge of) are the better choices. We chose everyone as the replacement for the pronoun because of the preparation that everyone had to make during those holy days (i.e., Passover, Sabbath, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread).

The word that is translated as preparation day is the Greek word paraskêuē which means readiness. There is no word day in there. Therefore why not translate it to its exact meaning.

The word that is translated as that is is the compound Greek word hô esti, meaning which is, that is (to say). By choosing that is to say it fills the sentence better.

Last, the word that is translated as the day before the sabbath is just one Greek word prôsabbatôn, derived from two other Greek words prô, meaning in front of or prior to, and sabbatôn, meaning the sabbath. There is no word day in there either. Therefore, we believe prior to the Sabbath is the better translation.

By translating Mark 15:42 as the popular version does (i.e., by linking and hinting that preparation day was the day before the sabbath, when there is no word day in either expression), people came to believe that the need for the disciples to prepare had to be fulfilled before the weekly Sabbath sunset which was supposedly at hand, with only a few hours left following Christ’s expiration on the cross. Not true.

The reason the disciples had to get ready for the Sabbath was because the day after Christ’s crucifixion, or Thursday, was the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread – which always took place after Passover, was to start in a few hours at sunset following Christ’s crucifixion, and went on for seven days, while no customary work was to be performed on that first day as it was called a “special Sabbath” by the Judahites.

“and the next day was to be a special Sabbath.” John 19:31

Consequently, they had to prepare not only for the first day of the Feast (special Sabbath) but for the weekly Sabbath as well, which was just two days away. Add to that the need to get Jesus’s body down from the cross for a proper burial, and you had one group of people who were in a rush to make their necessary household arrangements.

In the end, the popular version of Mark 15:42 made people think that the crucifixion of Christ occurred on a Friday, when it actually happened on Passover Wednesday.

See Passion Week: Truth and Fiction for an exposé.

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HOW TO SPOT A BAD TRANSLATION

Simple.

1) It usually doesn’t jibe with the rest of Scriptures.

2) The Holy Spirit nudges you to dig deeper.

NOTE

We do not have the entirety of the bible translated as a Biblicism Institute Version.

We are mostly working on verses and words with doubtful translations, which have caused more than just confusion.

But, in the future, who knows? 🙂

PARTICIPATE

You can participate in our BAD TRANSLATION section, either by submitting a verse that you translated correctly or by asking us to look up a verse with a doubtful translation, using the form below.

If you wish to submit a verse you translated properly:

1) please maintain your submission with its related explanation concise and to the point;

2) keep in mind that our focus is on those verses that make a real MESS of the translation, DESTROY the context or spirit of their respective passage, CAUSE CONFUSION in their everyday application, and do NOT line up with the rest of scriptures;

3) if we decide to publish your submission, it’ll be edited if need be and put forth anonymously;

4) upon submitting you’re agreeing to our Publishing Bylaws.

Thank you.

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