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THE NEW KING JAMES VERSION |
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THE NEW KING JAMES VERSION |
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Matthew 5:32 and 19:9 Recently I have seen and heard of more and more brethren using the NKJV. Although not as bad as some of the other translations, the NKJV does have some serious problems. I consider the following one of the most serious:
The NKJV perverts Matt. 5:32 and Matt. 19:9 by using “sexual immorality” instead of the term “fornication”. “Fornication” is specific (unlawful sexual intercourse), whereas “sexual immorality” is a general phrase that would include much more than fornication. In other words, all fornication is sexual immorality but not all sexual immorality is fornication. For example “uncleanness” is a kind of sexual immorality (Gal. 5:19), but is not fornication and not a Biblical reason for divorce. “Lasciviousness” is also sexual immorality, but not a scriptural reason for divorce (Gal. 5:19; Matt. 19:9). Fornication is the one and only reason the Lord gave for divorce.
This is a serious and self-condemning defect in the NKJV. One cannot teach people to live in adultery and please God. One cannot live in adultery and go to heaven (I Cor. 6:9-11). The NKJV would allow other reasons than the only scriptural reason for divorce and remarriage.
Written by Randy Kea
Submitted by: Walter M. Bishop, Elder