1 Timothy 6:20 - Is the word science wrong in the King James Bible?
1 Timothy 6:20 KJB - O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of SCIENCE FALSELY SO CALLED.
NKJV (ESV, NIV, NASB, NET and the Catholic Versions) - "O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called KNOWLEDGE"
Some King James Bible critics tell us that the KJB completely dropped the ball here in 1 Timothy 6:20 by translating the word gnosis as science. They point out that the word is found 29 times in the New Testament and 28 of those times the word is translated as knowledge. So they ask, Why did the KJV translators suddenly change it to science here in 1 Timothy 6:20?
One such Bible critic is a guy by the name of Reese Currie. He writes: "The difficulty here would seem to be between the words "science" and "knowledge." The fact is, there would be no way to differentiate the words for "science" and "knowledge" in Greek. Even the King James Version translates this word, gnosis, as "knowledge" 28 times. The literal meaning of the word is "knowledge." The Greek word for science is a different word, eeisteme. The NKJV translation is more accurate than the KJV on this verse." [End of Reeses criticism of the KJB]
As the saying goes - Some people drink from the fountain of knowledge; others just gargle.
First of all it should be pointed out that not one of these KJB critics has or believes himself that ANY Bible in ANY language IS or ever was the complete, inspired and 100% infallible words of God. Not one of them. Just ask them to show you a copy of Gods infallible words in print, in hand and in stock. They cant and wont do it.
Secondly, it should be noted that ALL bible translations frequently translate the same Hebrew or Greek word in a wide variety of ways, often with words that have entirely different meanings in English. So the fact that the KJB translates the same word as "knowledge" and only one time as "science" means absolutely nothing. All modern versions do this same type of thing with other Hebrew and Greek words.
And thirdly, since I am convinced that the King James Bible is Gods true book of the LORD and the Standard for all written truth, I believe God had a direct hand in guiding the KJB translators to the right texts and the correct translation of those texts into the English language.
The apostle Paul was writing to Timothy and giving us an epistle that would soon form part of Gods infallible and timeless Book. In this epistle the apostle tells us of what would be happening in the last days before the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that IN THE LATTER TIMES some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. 1 Timothy 4:1
God Himself is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. He knows full well what will be happening in the last days and He knew how He would use the King James Bible to carry the gospel to the far ends of the earth and that it would be the ONLY Bible in the English language that would be believed by thousands even today to be the infallible and inspired words of God.
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure. Isaiah 46:10
The Bible is full of scientific facts that were not known when it was inspired and written by God. The Bible tells us in Isaiah 40:22 that God is he that sitteth upon THE CIRCLE OF THE EARTH, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers. God knew the earth was round long before man found out about it.
Likewise people may have wondered how it could be true in Revelation chapter 11 when the two witnesses of God are slain by the beast and their bodies lie in the streets of Jerusalem and they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall SEE their dead bodies three days and an half, and they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them and make merry.
How could people living all over the planet SEE these dead bodies? Now with the advancements of worldwide Television and the Internet, it all becomes clear how this could easily happen.
God knew beforehand that there would be at least three major stumbling blocks causing unbelief that would be operative in the last times - Tradition of men, philosophy (Colossians 2:8) and science falsely so called (1 Timothy 6:20)
There is nothing wrong with good science. It is amazing to see the complex intricacies of life and all living forms of animals, plants and of the earth's ecosystem itself. It all bears abundant witness to the fact that there is vastly superior intellect - a personal Creator God - who is the Source of it all and who set in motion.
Much of modern day science is very good and beneficial to man, like the fields of medicine, chemistry and biology. But there is also a type of science falsely so called like the humanistic lie called Evolution "from molecules to man" so commonly taught in public schools and believed by many today, and it is THIS science falsely so called that God refers to his His infallible word.
Evolution is nothing more than a Fairy Tale for grownups who are desperately hoping there really is no God who created us and to whom they will some day be forced to give an account and be judged for their sins.
Another possible reference to this "SCIENCE falsely so called" may well be what the Bible agnostics and unbelievers in the infallibility of ANY Bible like to call their ever changing SCIENCE" of textual criticism. The modern versionists are constantly changing not only their English translations but the underlying Hebrew and Greek texts as well.
The Bible itself is our rule of both faith and practice, or at least it should be. We see from the King James Bible itself that there is a difference between what is called knowledge and science.
What does the word Science mean? Oxford English Dictionary give us a good definition. It means: The intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment.
And what is the origin of this word? The English word Science comes from the Latin word scientia, from sciens having knowledge, from present participle of scire to know. It is derived from the basic word to KNOW and this is exactly the meaning of the underlying Greek word gnosis.
But the word science is not usually referring to knowledge in general, although the word can have this meaning. Merriam Websters Dictionary lists under Full Definition of Science - the state of knowing: knowledge as distinguished from ignorance or misunderstanding
But generally the term is applied to the specific knowledge or professed knowledge about the natural world based on facts learned through experiments and observation.
SCIENCE in the King James Bible
The word science only occurs twice in the King James Bible. Lets look at the other time this word is used. It is found in the prophetic book of Daniel where we read in chapter one of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, giving an order to Ashpenas the master of his eunuchs to bring certain men of the children of Israel who were characterized as - Children in whom there was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in KNOWLEDGE and understanding SCIENCE, and such as had ability in them to stand in the kings palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. Daniel 1:4.
Notice that they were to be both cunning in knowledge AND understanding Science. Clearly science here is a specific area of their general knowledge.
The Greek translation of this section found in Bentons Septuagint is και γινώσκοντας γνώσιν - and knowing science (knowledge). Different versions of the so called Greek Septuagint are out there, but this is the most widely used version.
Also translating this verse in Daniel 1:4 as understanding SCIENCE are the Douay Rheims 1610, Thomas Haweis N.T, 1795 - of misnamed SCIENCE, Websters translation 1833, Calvin Translation Society N.T. 1856, Leicester Sawyers N.T. 1859 - the oppositions of false SCIENCE, the Revised Version 1881, Darby 1890, the ASV 1901, the Hebrew Publishing Company O.T. 1936 - and understanding SCIENCE, the Lesser Old Testament, World English Bible, Hebrew Names Bible, the KJV 21st Century Version 1994, the Third Millennium Bible 1998, the Updated Bible Version 2004, A Conservative Version 2005 - and understanding SCIENCE, the New Heart English Bible 2010 - and understanding SCIENCE, and the Orthodox Jewish Bible 2011 - and understanding SCIENCE.
Lamsas 1933 translation of the Syriac Peshitta - who were handsome in their appearance and skillful in all wisdom and cunning in knowledge and understanding of SCIENCE
Many foreign language Bibles did the same thing, translating this as understanding SCIENCE.
John Calvins translation into Latin - vaniloquia et oppositiones falsò nominatae SCIENTIAE., Spanish Sagradas Escrituras 1569 - y sabios en CIENCIA = wise in SCIENCE, Reina Valera Gomez 2010, French Martin 1744 - connaissant les SCIENCES = knowing the SCIENCES, French Ostervald 1996 - ayant de la SCIENCE et pleins d'intelligence =with SCIENCE and full intelligence, the Portuguese Sagradas Escrituras and the Almeida Corregida - e doutos em cincia = and taught in SCIENCE, the Italian Diodati 1649 - e saputi in iscienza = and wise in SCIENCE.
(more to come)
1 Timothy 6:20 KJB - O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of SCIENCE FALSELY SO CALLED.
NKJV (ESV, NIV, NASB, NET and the Catholic Versions) - "O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called KNOWLEDGE"
Some King James Bible critics tell us that the KJB completely dropped the ball here in 1 Timothy 6:20 by translating the word gnosis as science. They point out that the word is found 29 times in the New Testament and 28 of those times the word is translated as knowledge. So they ask, Why did the KJV translators suddenly change it to science here in 1 Timothy 6:20?
One such Bible critic is a guy by the name of Reese Currie. He writes: "The difficulty here would seem to be between the words "science" and "knowledge." The fact is, there would be no way to differentiate the words for "science" and "knowledge" in Greek. Even the King James Version translates this word, gnosis, as "knowledge" 28 times. The literal meaning of the word is "knowledge." The Greek word for science is a different word, eeisteme. The NKJV translation is more accurate than the KJV on this verse." [End of Reeses criticism of the KJB]
As the saying goes - Some people drink from the fountain of knowledge; others just gargle.
First of all it should be pointed out that not one of these KJB critics has or believes himself that ANY Bible in ANY language IS or ever was the complete, inspired and 100% infallible words of God. Not one of them. Just ask them to show you a copy of Gods infallible words in print, in hand and in stock. They cant and wont do it.
Secondly, it should be noted that ALL bible translations frequently translate the same Hebrew or Greek word in a wide variety of ways, often with words that have entirely different meanings in English. So the fact that the KJB translates the same word as "knowledge" and only one time as "science" means absolutely nothing. All modern versions do this same type of thing with other Hebrew and Greek words.
And thirdly, since I am convinced that the King James Bible is Gods true book of the LORD and the Standard for all written truth, I believe God had a direct hand in guiding the KJB translators to the right texts and the correct translation of those texts into the English language.
The apostle Paul was writing to Timothy and giving us an epistle that would soon form part of Gods infallible and timeless Book. In this epistle the apostle tells us of what would be happening in the last days before the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that IN THE LATTER TIMES some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. 1 Timothy 4:1
God Himself is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. He knows full well what will be happening in the last days and He knew how He would use the King James Bible to carry the gospel to the far ends of the earth and that it would be the ONLY Bible in the English language that would be believed by thousands even today to be the infallible and inspired words of God.
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure. Isaiah 46:10
The Bible is full of scientific facts that were not known when it was inspired and written by God. The Bible tells us in Isaiah 40:22 that God is he that sitteth upon THE CIRCLE OF THE EARTH, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers. God knew the earth was round long before man found out about it.
Likewise people may have wondered how it could be true in Revelation chapter 11 when the two witnesses of God are slain by the beast and their bodies lie in the streets of Jerusalem and they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall SEE their dead bodies three days and an half, and they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them and make merry.
How could people living all over the planet SEE these dead bodies? Now with the advancements of worldwide Television and the Internet, it all becomes clear how this could easily happen.
God knew beforehand that there would be at least three major stumbling blocks causing unbelief that would be operative in the last times - Tradition of men, philosophy (Colossians 2:8) and science falsely so called (1 Timothy 6:20)
There is nothing wrong with good science. It is amazing to see the complex intricacies of life and all living forms of animals, plants and of the earth's ecosystem itself. It all bears abundant witness to the fact that there is vastly superior intellect - a personal Creator God - who is the Source of it all and who set in motion.
Much of modern day science is very good and beneficial to man, like the fields of medicine, chemistry and biology. But there is also a type of science falsely so called like the humanistic lie called Evolution "from molecules to man" so commonly taught in public schools and believed by many today, and it is THIS science falsely so called that God refers to his His infallible word.
Evolution is nothing more than a Fairy Tale for grownups who are desperately hoping there really is no God who created us and to whom they will some day be forced to give an account and be judged for their sins.
Another possible reference to this "SCIENCE falsely so called" may well be what the Bible agnostics and unbelievers in the infallibility of ANY Bible like to call their ever changing SCIENCE" of textual criticism. The modern versionists are constantly changing not only their English translations but the underlying Hebrew and Greek texts as well.
The Bible itself is our rule of both faith and practice, or at least it should be. We see from the King James Bible itself that there is a difference between what is called knowledge and science.
What does the word Science mean? Oxford English Dictionary give us a good definition. It means: The intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment.
And what is the origin of this word? The English word Science comes from the Latin word scientia, from sciens having knowledge, from present participle of scire to know. It is derived from the basic word to KNOW and this is exactly the meaning of the underlying Greek word gnosis.
But the word science is not usually referring to knowledge in general, although the word can have this meaning. Merriam Websters Dictionary lists under Full Definition of Science - the state of knowing: knowledge as distinguished from ignorance or misunderstanding
But generally the term is applied to the specific knowledge or professed knowledge about the natural world based on facts learned through experiments and observation.
SCIENCE in the King James Bible
The word science only occurs twice in the King James Bible. Lets look at the other time this word is used. It is found in the prophetic book of Daniel where we read in chapter one of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, giving an order to Ashpenas the master of his eunuchs to bring certain men of the children of Israel who were characterized as - Children in whom there was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in KNOWLEDGE and understanding SCIENCE, and such as had ability in them to stand in the kings palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. Daniel 1:4.
Notice that they were to be both cunning in knowledge AND understanding Science. Clearly science here is a specific area of their general knowledge.
The Greek translation of this section found in Bentons Septuagint is και γινώσκοντας γνώσιν - and knowing science (knowledge). Different versions of the so called Greek Septuagint are out there, but this is the most widely used version.
Also translating this verse in Daniel 1:4 as understanding SCIENCE are the Douay Rheims 1610, Thomas Haweis N.T, 1795 - of misnamed SCIENCE, Websters translation 1833, Calvin Translation Society N.T. 1856, Leicester Sawyers N.T. 1859 - the oppositions of false SCIENCE, the Revised Version 1881, Darby 1890, the ASV 1901, the Hebrew Publishing Company O.T. 1936 - and understanding SCIENCE, the Lesser Old Testament, World English Bible, Hebrew Names Bible, the KJV 21st Century Version 1994, the Third Millennium Bible 1998, the Updated Bible Version 2004, A Conservative Version 2005 - and understanding SCIENCE, the New Heart English Bible 2010 - and understanding SCIENCE, and the Orthodox Jewish Bible 2011 - and understanding SCIENCE.
Lamsas 1933 translation of the Syriac Peshitta - who were handsome in their appearance and skillful in all wisdom and cunning in knowledge and understanding of SCIENCE
Many foreign language Bibles did the same thing, translating this as understanding SCIENCE.
John Calvins translation into Latin - vaniloquia et oppositiones falsò nominatae SCIENTIAE., Spanish Sagradas Escrituras 1569 - y sabios en CIENCIA = wise in SCIENCE, Reina Valera Gomez 2010, French Martin 1744 - connaissant les SCIENCES = knowing the SCIENCES, French Ostervald 1996 - ayant de la SCIENCE et pleins d'intelligence =with SCIENCE and full intelligence, the Portuguese Sagradas Escrituras and the Almeida Corregida - e doutos em cincia = and taught in SCIENCE, the Italian Diodati 1649 - e saputi in iscienza = and wise in SCIENCE.
(more to come)
