Universal ownership of KJV

In all seriousness, if you had been able to ask me this question 300-400 years ago, I would have said, “Yes.” That is because if you wanted an English translation of the Bible back then, the King James Version (KJV) was the book to get.

Even though the KJV has undergone many revisions since its introduction in 1611 (I am not speaking of the New King James Version), the language can be a barrier to many English-speaking people today.

If Christians use the KJV and understand it, I say, “Keep reading it.” If Christians use the KJV and do not understand it, I would encourage them to find a reliable, contemporary translation of the Bible they can understand. Ownership of a Bible is one thing. Readability is an entirely different matter.

“Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21, KJV). “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you” (James 1:21, NIV). There are different ways of saying that God’s word is precious. Christians treasure God’s word by reading it, believing it and doing what it says.