GAIL RIPLINGER'S MISREPRESENTATION OF THE NKJV ADDENDUM

In Gail Riplinger’s tract, “New King James Errors & Omissions,” she claims, “The NKJV ignored the KJV Greek Textus Receptus over 1,200 times.” This impressive assertion is never documented and careful investigation reveals the opposite to be the case — the NKJV normally follows the Textus Receptus and most of the alleged “errors and omissions” represent accurate translations of the Greek Textus Receptus.

To make the New King James Version appear heretical, Gail Riplinger isolates words and phrases from their verses and contexts and misrepresents them as departures from the Textus Receptus. However, Gail always evaluates the NKJV in terms of its agreement with the KJV, rather than the Textus Receptus. This sleight of hand works because she has, in the above statement and in the minds of her readers, merged the KJV with the Textus Receptus as the “KJV Greek Textus Receptus,” which creates the impression that the KJV is a word-for-word translation of the Greek Text, which it is not.

The first chart in Gail’s tract, “New King James Errors & Omissions” states, “The NKJV omits key Christian words.” Examples such as “Lord,” “God,” “repent,” “blood” and “hell” are listed to convey the idea that the NKJV is light on doctrine. Because no specific verses are provided as evidence, we asked AV Publications for a list of the verses in the NKJV which omitted these “key Christian words.” AVP responded with an offer to send us the NKJV tract which, obviously, we already had in hand. Our second request for specific verses was not answered. We then commenced our own analysis of Gail’s tract and appended our findings as additional columns to her charts.

Other charts in the tract did provide specific verses, but these proved not that the NKJV “ignored the Textus Receptus,” but that it is a very good translation of the Greek. For the most part, the readings of the KJV and the NKJV are valid translation options of the words in the Greek Received Text. However, there are some translation errors in both versions. This fact is simply confirmation of the 1611 Translators’ judgment that no translation can be as perfect as the Greek and Hebrew originals.

“For whatever was perfect under the Sun, where Apostles or Apostolic men, that is, men endued with an extraordinary measure of God’s spirit, and privileged with the privilege of infallibility, had not their hand?... So, by the story of Ezra, and the prophecy of Haggai it may be gathered, that the Temple built by Zerubbabel after the return from Babylon, was by no means to be compared to the former built by Solomon (for they that remembered the former, wept when they considered the latter) [Ezra 3:12] notwithstanding, might this latter either have been abhorred and forsaken by the Jews, or profaned by the Greeks? The like we are to think of Translations.”

In the expanded charts below, the first two or three columns are those found in the tract, “New King James Errors & Omissions,” which is also in Riplinger’s book, The Language of the King James Bible. In the appended columns, the reader will find solid textual evidence for the NKJV readings based on the context of the verses and the various translation options of the Greek words in the Textus Receptus. Textual data is presented from the Jewish Study Bible [Hebrew Masoretic Text], George Ricker Berry’s Interlinear Greek English New Testament (Stephens’ Text, 1550) [TR], F.H.A. Scrivener’s 1894 Textus Receptus (Beza’s Text, 1598) [TR], Strong’s Concordance and Wesley Perschbacher’s New Analytical Greek Lexicon.

George Ricker Berry’s Interlinear is a word-for-word translation of the Stephens’ Text with the King James Bible in the margin. “Noble Bereans” who scrutinize Gail Riplinger’s charts using Greek and Hebrew resources will understand why she is determined to suppress these Bible study helps.

Why does the NKJV omit key words critical to mankind’s salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ?

Why has Gail “omitted” the specific verses in which the NKJV “omitted” these words?

*The NKJV Omits Key Christian Words:*	*Times* *Omitted*	WHY OMITTED?	NEW KING JAMES VERSION	KING JAMES VERSION	GREEK TR / HEBREW MT
"Lord"	66 times	“Lord” (capital “L”) is used only in referring to God, not human beings.	“So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’” (Matt. 20:8)	“So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.” (Matt. 20:8)	TR – lord Strong’s #2962 – kurios: he to whom a person or thing belongs…; master, lord Perschbacher #2962 – “an owner, possessor, Matt. 20:8”
"God"	51 times	“God” is not used in the NKJV when the word is not in the Textus Receptus. For example, in Matt. 2:12, “God” is not in the Greek text and the KJV uses dynamic equivalence.	“Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.” (Matt. 2:12)	“And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.” (Matt. 2:12)	TR – divinely instructed Strong’s #5537 – chrematizo: “to be divinely commanded, admonished, instructed” Perschbacher #5537: “to be divinely instructed, receive a revelation or warning from God”
"heaven"	50 times	When referring to the visible expanse of the sky, the NKJV correctly translated the Hebrew word shameh and the Greek word ouranos as “the heavens” instead of “heaven.” When referring to the abode of God, they are translated as “heaven” in the NKJV.	“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Gen. 1:1) “men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” (Luke 21:26)	“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” (Gen. 1:1) “Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.” (Luke 21:26)	TR/MT – “the heavens” Strong’s #8064 –shameh: the sky, heavens, heaven Strong’s #3772 – ouranos: the vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it Perschbacher #3772: “the heavens, the visible heavens and all their phenomena…the air, atmosphere, heaven as the…abode of God.”
"repent"	44 times	The NKJV uses “relent” instead of “repent” when referring to God changing His mind. e.g. Ex. 32:12,14, 1 Sam 15:29, 2 Sam. 24:16, 1 Chr. 21:15, Ps. 106:45, 110:4, Jer. 4:28, 15:5, 18:8,10, 20:16, 26:3,13,19, 42:10, Ezek. 24:14, Joel 2:13,14, Amos 7:3,6, Jon 3:9,10, Zech 8:14, Heb. 7:21, etc. Matt. 21:32 – “relent” is incorrect translation	“Perhaps everyone will listen and turn from his evil way, that I may relent concerning the calamity which I purpose to bring on them because of the evil of their doings.” (Jer. 26:3) "God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent;” (Num 23:19)	“If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings.” (Jer. 26:3) “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent;” (Num. 23:19)	MT/TR – repent Strong’s #5162 –nacham: to be sorry, console oneself, repent, regret, comfort, be comforted…be moved to pity, have compassion; Strong’s #3338 – metamellomai: it is a care to one afterwards… to repent one’s self Perschbacher #3338: “to change one’s mind and purpose, Heb. 7:21”
"blood"	23 times	When not referring to the “blood of Jesus Christ,” the NKJV often uses words such as “bloodline,” “bloodshed,” “bloodthirsty,” “take the life” instead of “blood” e.g. Ezek. 19:10, Exod. 22:2,3, Lev. 17:4, Deut. 17:8, 19:10, 22:8, 1 Sam. 25:26, 33, Heb. 12:4, etc.	“Your mother was like a vine in your bloodline,* Planted by the waters, Fruitful and full of branches Because of many waters.” (Ezek. 19:10) (Footnote: Literally blood) “You have not yet resisted to bloodshed*, striving against sin.” (Heb. 12:4)	“Thy mother is like a vine in thy blood, planted by the waters: she was fruitful and full of branches by reason of many waters.” (Ezek. 19:10) “Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” (Heb. 12:4)	MT/TR – blood Strong’s #1818 – dam: blood; #129 – aiúma: blood of man or animals, refers to the seat of life…blood shed, to be shed by violence, slay, murder Perschbacher #129 – bloodshed, color of blood, blood-guiltiness, natural descent
"hell"	22 times	The KJV transliterated the Greek word “hades” as “hell.” The NKJV left “hades” untranslated.	“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16:18)	“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.” (Matt. 16:18)	TR – hades Strong’s #86 – aè – Hades Perschbacher #86: “the invisible abode or mansion of the dead; the place of punishment, hell”
"JEHOVAH"	entirely	“Jehovah” is a corruption of the Hebrew name of God, YHWH. “Jehovah” was not in the 1611 KJV but was added to later editions. (See Chap. 2) The NKJV translates the Hebrew name of God as “YAH” or “LORD.”	“Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds, By His name YAH, And rejoice before Him.” (Ps. 68:4) “Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.” (Is. 26:4)	“Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.” (Ps. 68:4) “Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:” (Is. 26:4)	MT – הוהי Strong’s #3068 – הוהי Y^ehovah
"new testament"	entirely	The Greek word “diatheke” can be translated as “testament,” “will,” “compact” or “covenant.” The word “testament” does not have the same connotation as “covenant” which conveys the idea of close relationship, whereas a “testament” is a strictly legal term.	“…by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.” (Heb. 7:22) The NKJV uses the word “covenant” for God’s covenant with the Jews and also His covenant with the Church. “Covenant” implies a relational as well as legal bond, as in a marriage covenant. (Heb. 7:22, 9:15-17, 9:20)	“By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.” (Heb. 7:22) The KJV uses “testament” in most verses pertaining to the Church, but “covenant” in verses pertaining to the Jews.” e.g. Heb. 9:20 – “Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.”	TR – new covenant Strong’s #1242 – diatheke – a testament or will, a compact, a covenant Perschbacher #1242: a testamentary, disposition, will, a covenant, Heb. 9:16, 17, Gal. 3:15; in N.T. a covenant of God with men, Gal. 3:17; 4:24; Heb. 9:4; Matt. 26:28, et al…
"damnation"	entirely	The NKJV translates the Greek word “krima” as “condemnation” instead of “damnation.” Dam- nation is the abbreviated form of “condemnation” just as “damned” is the abbreviated form of “condemned.”	“And why not say, ‘Let us do evil that good may come"?—as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.” (Rom. 3:8)	“And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.” (Rom. 3:8)	TR – judgment Strong’s #2917 – krima – a decree, judgments, condemnation of wrong, Perschbacher #2917: judgment, a sentence, award, judicial sentence, an adverse sentence Matt. 23:14, Rom. 13:2…
"devils"	entirely	The KJV transliterated the Greek word “daimonion” as “devil,” however, the NKJV correctly translated it as “demon.”	“And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying, ‘It was never seen like this in Israel!’” (Matt. 9:33)	“And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.” (Matt. 9:33)	TR – demons Strong’s #1140 – daimonion – evil spirits or the messengers and ministers of the devil Perschbacher #1140: in N.T., a demon, evil spirit

*How the NKJV Demotes Jesus Christ*			*How the NKJV is a Correct Translation of the Greek Text*
	NKJV	KJV	TEXTUS RECEPTUS	NKJV	KING JAMES VERSION	GREEK / HEBREW RESOURCES
Luke 13:8	Sir	Lord	Sir	But he answered and said to him, “Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.	And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:	context: title “Lord” does not apply to Jesus Christ in this verse. “Sir” used to address the human owner of a vineyard.
Matt. 18:26	fell down before him, saying, Master	and worshipped him, saying, Lord	did homage to him saying, Lord	The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, “Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’	The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.	context: title “Lord” not used to address Jesus Christ in this verse. “Master” used to address a human master.
Matt. 20:20	kneeling down	worshipping him	doing homage	Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She said to Him, "Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom."	Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.	Strong’s #4352: proskuneÑw – to kiss the hand…in token of reverence …kneeling or prostration to do homage Perschbacher #4352 – to do reverence or homage by prostration, Matt. 2:2,8,11; 20:20 CONTEXT: The mother does not address Jesus as “God” but as a subject asking a king for favor. (“thy kingdom”)
Matt. 26:64	right hand of the Power	right hand of power	right hand of power	Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (cf. Heb. 1:3)	Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.	Strong’s #1411: “dunamis” – strength, power, ability Perschbacher #1411: ή δύναmewV omnipotence, Matt. 26:64; Luke 22:69 GREEK SYNTAX: definite article “the” modifies “power” not “right hand”
Gen. 22:8	God will provide for himself the lamb	God will provide himself a lamb	God will provide himself a lamb	And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.”… Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns… And Abraham called the name of the place, The-LORD-Will-Provide” Note: 22:14 – Hebrew YHWH Yireh	And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering:... And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns… And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah jireh:	Jay P. Green’s Interlinear: “God will provide for Himself the lamb” CONTEXT: Gen. 22:8-14 As YHWH Yireh, God did provide a ram, a male sheep, for Abraham’s sacrifice. This event foreshadowed God’s sacrifice of His Son, but it was not that sacrifice in a literal sense. God the Father was not Himself the sacrifice, but gave His Son, Jesus Christ, as the Lamb to be sacrificed for the sins of the world.
Col. 2:2	the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,	the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ (Trinity)	the mystery of God and of [the] Father and of [the] Christ	that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,	That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;	Strong’s #2532 – kaið – and, also, even, indeed, but #2316 – qeou - Theos – God Perschbacher #2532 – …both* …and; as a cumulative particle, also, too…emphatic, even, also* GREEK: “both” and “even” are translation options. Theos (God) not literally translated as “Holy Spirit”
Matt. 8:19 et al.	Teacher	Master	Teacher	Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.”	And a certain scribe came , and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.	Strongs #1320 – “Didaskale” –a teacher, in the NT one who teaches concerning the things of God, and the duties of man Perschbacher #1320 – a teacher, master, Rom. 2:20 et al; in N.T. as an equivalent to ραββί, John 1:39, et al.
Matt 19:16	Good Teacher	Good Master	good Teacher	“Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”	And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?	Strongs #1320 – “Didaskale” –a teacher Perschbacher #1320 – a teacher, master… in N.T. as an equivalent to ραββί [rabbi]
Matt. 22:16	Teacher	Master	Teacher	And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men.	And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.	Strongs #1320 – “Didaskale” –a teacher, in the NT one who teaches concerning the things of God, and the duties of man Perschbacher #1320 – a teacher, master… in N.T. as an equivalent to ραββί [rabbi]
Matt. 23:8	One is your Teacher, the Christ	one is your Master, even Christ	one is your leader, the Christ	But you, do not be called “Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.	But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.	Strongs’ #4461 – r³Abbi – “Rabbi, a title used by the Jews to address their teachers” Perschbacher #4461 – Rabbi, my master, teacher, doctor (Matt. 23:7, 8; 26:25, 49, et. Al…)
Matt 23:10	And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ	Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ	Neither be called leaders, for one is your leader, the Christ	And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ.	Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.	Strong’s #2519 – kathegetes* – a guide, a master, teacher Perschbacher #2519 – a guide, a leader; in N.T. a teacher, instructor, Matt. 23:8,10

*The word “catechism” comes from kathegetes: “Katekisasi comes from the Greek words kathegetes. (teacher or educator) and Sidicomes from the Sanskerta word Sidi (bringing up). Both words Katekisasi Sidi thus mean: ‘to instruct a child in order to be brought up.’” (Journal of Theology Dialogue, Fall 2002)

*How the NKJV Matches Jehovah Witness Version (NWT)*			*How the NKJV Matches the Textus Receptus*
*Demotes Jesus Christ*			*NKJV Does Not “Demote” Jesus Christ*
	NKJV	KJV	TEXTUS RECEPTUS	NKJV	KING JAMES VERSION	GREEK / HEBREW RESOURCES
Acts 3:13	His Servant Jesus	his Son Jesus	his servant Jesus	The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go.	The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.	Strong’s #3816 – paiÛv – a child, boy, girl, servant, slave Perschbacher #3816 – child, boy, girl, youth, servant, slave Cf. Messianic prophecies: Matt. 12:18 – “Behold my servant (“paiÛv”), whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.” (KJV) (See also Isa. 42:1, 43:10) Isaiah 52:13 – “Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.” (KJV) Isaiah 53:11 – “He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.” (KJV)
Acts 3:26	His Servant Jesus	his Son Jesus	his servant Jesus	To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities."	Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.
Acts 4:27	holy Servant Jesus	holy child Jesus	holy servant Jesus	For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together	For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
Acts 4:30	holy Servant Jesus	holy child Jesus	holy servant Jesus	by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus."	By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
Col. 1:15	the firstborn over all creation	the firstborn of every creature	firstborn of all creation	He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.	Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:	Strong’s #2937 – ktiðsiv – the act of founding, establishing, building etc., the act of creating, creation, i.e. thing created Perschbacher #2937 – in N.T. creation… a created thing, a creature…Col. 1:15
Mark 2:15	OMIT “JESUS” OMITTED BECAUSE NOT IN GREEK TEXT	Jesus	he “And it came to pass as he reclined [at table] in his house, that many tax-gatherers and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples;	“Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him.”	And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.	Strong’s #846 – auton - himself, herself, themselves, itself Perschbacher #846 – nominative, singular, masculine personal pronoun…a reflexive pronoun, self… of one’s self GREEK TEXT: MARK 2:15a