In the previous lesson below about the Greek text of 1 Timothy 3:16, I discussed the modern switch away from the word God to "he" or "who." The Greek word for God is theos, and that is the basis for theology - the study of God's revelation through the inerrant Scriptures.
The argument for God is overwhelming, so the deliberate advoidance of God is a decided mark, truly disgraceful in:
- The NIV
- The ESV
- The New Q KJV, by means of a footnote. Q - for Quisling, traitor, collaborator.
- God was manifest in the flesh,
- justified in the Spirit,
- seen of angels,
- preached unto the Gentiles,
- believed on in the world,
- received up into glory.
- 1 Timothy 3:16 Greek Who; some manuscripts God; others Which
- 1 Timothy 3:16 Or justified
- 1 Timothy 3:16 Or vindicated in spirit
16 Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:
He appeared in the flesh,
was vindicated by the Spirit,[a]
was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.
- 1 Timothy 3:16 Or vindicated in spirit
The KJV is the clearest and best. The other two take away from the original message, but that was the style of Eugene Nida. He was opposed to the precise translation of the original and insisted on departing from the Majority - or Byzantine text of the Apostles in favor of an ever-changing paraphrase of the minority scraps.