« | 1 Timothy 3 | » |
1 Faithful is the Word: If anyone reaches out to overseership, he desires a good work.
2 Then it behooves the overseer to be without reproach, husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, well-ordered, hospitable, apt at teaching,
3 not a drunkard, not contentious, not greedy of ill gain, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous,
4 ruling his own house well, having children in subjection with all honor.
5 (For if a man does not know to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6 not a novice, lest being puffed up he may fall into the condemnation of the Devil.
7 But he must also have a good report from those on the outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the Devil.
8 Likewise the deacons are to be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of ill gain,
9 having the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
10 And let these also first be tested, then let them minister without reproach.
11 Even so their wives are to be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.
12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and households well.
13 For they having served well gain a good grade for themselves, and much boldness in the faith, those in Christ Jesus.
14 I write these things to you, hoping to come to you shortly.
15 But if I should delay, that you may know how you ought to behave in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among nations, believed on in the world, and received up into glory.
The Modern King James Version (MKJV)
The Modern King James Version (MKJV) is a contemporary English translation of the Bible that aims to preserve the majesty and accuracy of the original King James Version (KJV) while updating its language for modern readers. Developed by Jay P. Green Sr. and first published in 1990, the MKJV seeks to maintain the literary beauty and doctrinal reliability of the KJV, making only necessary adjustments to archaic terms and phrases to enhance readability. This careful balance allows the MKJV to retain the classic feel of the KJV while making it more accessible to today’s audience.
One of the standout features of the MKJV is its commitment to formal equivalence, or word-for-word translation. The translators have meticulously preserved the structure and vocabulary of the KJV, only updating words and phrases that have become outdated or whose meanings have shifted over time. This approach ensures that the MKJV remains faithful to the original texts and maintains the theological and literary integrity of the KJV. By preserving the cadence and phrasing of the original, the MKJV offers a reading experience that is both familiar and refreshed for modern readers.
The MKJV also pays special attention to the textual basis of the translation. Like the KJV, it relies on the Textus Receptus for the New Testament and the Masoretic Text for the Old Testament. This adherence to traditional source texts underscores the MKJV’s commitment to continuity with the historic Christian tradition. The translation is designed to serve both devotional and scholarly purposes, providing a text that is suitable for study, teaching, and public reading in a variety of settings.
Despite its strengths, the Modern King James Version has faced some criticism. Some scholars and readers argue that the translation could benefit from a more extensive revision to fully embrace contemporary language, suggesting that the MKJV’s adherence to the structure and style of the KJV may still pose challenges for modern readers. Others appreciate the balance it strikes but note that it occupies a niche space, appealing primarily to those who have a strong attachment to the KJV. Nonetheless, the MKJV remains a respected and valued translation for those seeking a modern update of the KJV that honors its rich heritage and timeless message.