NIV: A Corrupted Version of the Holy Bible?

Part I: Denying the Sabbath

In 2 Corinthians 2:17, Paul stated that there are some “which corrupt the word of God.” (KJV). Is it possible that a corrupted copy of the Word of God is currently being used? The devil is known to be the master of the scriptures, therefore he quoted one to tempt Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:6). Jesus also stated that “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

   EVERY WORD is vital for living a Christian life. Now, is it possible that the devil can corrupt the scripture by tampering with just one word such that the whole meaning of a passage, and even a doctrine, is changed?

   The aim of this article and some more to come is to expose to you the subtle deceptions of the devil as to how he has tampered with our favourite New International Version and other revised versions of the Bible.

   Please study them prayerfully and with a desire to ‘know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” At the end, you should be able to conclude and decide which of the many versions of the Bible most accurately renders the original intent of God’s Word.

   In this article, let’s see how the Sabbath truth was subtly tampered with. Firstly, the Sabbath commandment itself (only the versions in my possession are used).  

Exodus 20:8, 9

KJV: Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God:

NIV: Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your

work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God

ASV: Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; but the seventh day is a sabbath unto Jehovah thy God:

WEB: "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. You shall labor six days, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh your God.  

The New International Version (NIV), American Standard Version (ASV) and the World English Bible (WEB) referred to the seventh day as a sabbath (indefinite article). This gives the meaning that it can be any sabbath. But the King James Version (KJV) states that the seventh day is the sabbath (definite article). Here we understand that the seventh day is the Sabbath, not just any Sabbath. God stressed three (3) times in Genesis 2:2, 3 that the seventh day is the Sabbath. The change is also repeated in Deuteronomy 5:14 

Acts 13:42

KJV: And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.

NIV: As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath.

ASV: And as they went out, they besought that these words might be spoken to them the next sabbath.

WEB: So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. 

KJV and WEB stated that it was the Jews and the Gentile that met on the Sabbath. Now, if it is the Jews that are involved, then the sabbath that is referred to here is Saturday, because every single Jew knows by heart that Saturday is the seventh day Sabbath.

   NIV and ASV used Paul and Barnabas and they respectively, and replaced Gentile with the people and they respectively. When Jews is omitted, the sabbath referred to here can mean that any other day is the Sabbath (e.g. Sunday). 

Colossians 2:16, 17

KJV: Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

NIV: Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

ASV: Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a sabbath day: which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ's.

WEB: Let no man therefore judge you in eating, or in drinking, or with respect to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day, which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ's. 

While the other three versions used a sabbath day (singular noun), KJV used the sabbath days (plural noun). Understanding these verses from KJV, it would mean the ceremonial sabbaths that were a shadow of things to come. From the other three versions, it can be understood that a single Sabbath day (which most likely mean the seventh day), was just a shadow of things to come and therefore, is now irrelevant to keep the sabbath. 

In these texts, it is evident that the King James Version most accurately renders the original meaning of God’s Word. Other versions distorted the sabbath message, hinting that it has been tampered with by someone who hates Jesus. Also, such changes makes the Bible contradict itself, promoting the Sabbath commandment in some texts, and discouraging its observance in others. When there is evidence that the bible contradicts itself, who would want to trust its Source anymore?

   Of course, most passages in NIV have blessed many, have led many to Christ and have retained the original meaning of the Scripture, thus should be continued to be read. But be extra careful of the trifling changes that have been made to distort the truths of Christ, and defile His doctrine.

   One important point to note is that if someone made changes to the scriptures to deny the Sabbath, then it would mean that the Sabbath message is truth and it is biblical to keep the Sabbath holy!

   In other articles still to come, we shall see how changes have been made to deny the divinity of Jesus, deny His atoning sacrifice, promote the doctrine of purgatory, and deny the priesthood of Jesus.

   Be blessed!