Translation Difference - KJV ESV NASB NIV

Here’s the question.....

Pastor Ben,

During Sunday’s sermon one of the verses you taught from was Romans 8:1.  In the NIV and NASB translations it reads, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”  In the King James version there is more to the verse, it reads, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”   Do you know why this additional wording was left off of the later translations?  It seems to change the meaning of the verse.

My response......

GREAT observation.........the King James Version and Young’s Literal Translation (and probably some others) use the Greek Textus Receptus version or other less robust greek versions for translation rather than the better versions used for translation in the NASB, ESV and NIV.   It’s a GREAT practice of reading other versions for study and I encourage you to keep using the KJV as one of those.  God has used and will continue to use the unique and literal wording of the KJV to speak to our hearts and to open our eyes.   When you see differences between the versions, of the ones out today, I would and do place the most trust on the ESV, NASB and NIV in that order.....while enjoying the beautiful imagery of the KJV and one of my favorites, the Young’s Literal Translation.  

A good study bible, like the new ESV study bible, will sometimes address some of these textual variant issues.  

Ben McGraw