Things New and Old: The 'thees' and 'thous'

Things New and Old

Ancient truths revealed in the Scriptures are often forgotten, disbelieved or distorted, and therefore lost in the passage of time. Such ancient truths when rediscovered and relearned are 'new' additions to the treasury of ancient truths.

Christ showed many new things to the disciples, things prophesied by the prophets of old but hijacked and perverted by the elders and their traditions, but which Christ reclaimed and returned to His people.

Many things taught by the Apostles of Christ have been perverted or substituted over the centuries. Such fundamental doctrines like salvation by grace and justification have been hijacked and perverted and repudiated by sincere Christians. These doctrines need to be reclaimed and restored to God's people.

There are things both new and old here. "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things" 2Ti 2:7.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

The 'thees' and 'thous'

Dear brethren,

It is very common to hear the comment that the 'thee' and 'thou' of the KJ translation is archaic and confusing. I have always thought so too until now. And on this ground, in the newer translations they are all removed.

Just few days ago I read an interesting comment of this matter. What do you think?
I am beginning to wonder whether we are the better or the WORSE of without the 'thee' and 'thou'? Read on. Aren't 'thees' and 'thous' needed after all? What is your verdict?

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Let me pick on [this newer version] a little ... if you will allow me. They claim to simply be updating the archaic language of the KJV, commonly expressed in Bible & Book stores as "getting rid of all the 'thees' and 'thous.' " Well, now, you money-changers at Thomas Nelson Publishers, let's consider those words. The 'thees' and 'thous' of the AV1611 are far superior to any English in the world today! In the KJV, all second-person pronouns beginning with 't' are singular, and all second-person pronouns beginning with 'y' are plural. "Thee," "thou," and "thy" are always singular - ALWAYS! "Ye," "you," and "your" are always plural - ALWAYS. Only the superior English of the KJV1611 could bring the precise pronouns of Hebrew and Greek into our language!

Do you follow me, brother...? Thomas Nelson, the money-changers in the temple, "updated" the language of the English Bible by changing all second-person pronouns to "you" and "your", and in so doing they have stolen the accuracy of the English Bible. They have eliminated the precision of the Hebrew and Greek. This single tiny change, only one of many, has seriously altered the Bible. Brother, we believe Satan is alive and well today, and we believe he is still saying, "Yea, hath God said?"

Here is John 3:7 in both versions!
KJV John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
NKJV John 3:7 "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'

#1 I have heard this text preached with this sense - "Don't be shocked Nicodemus, but you personally are already born again."

#2 I have heard this text preached with this sense - "Don't be shocked Nicodemus, but you personally need to be born again."

#3 I preach this text with this sense - "Don't be shocked Nicodemus, but men must be born again in my religion."

... I believe Nicodemus was born again before coming to see Jesus, for it was only a regenerate man that would seek out Jesus of Nazareth and recognize the power of God working in Him (3:1-2). He was just like Cornelius, born again before hearing the gospel.

I know that my sense of the text is correct, version #3 above, because the English of the King James Bible will only support the sense I put on the verse. Jesus addressed Nicodemus singularly with the second-person pronoun "thee," which is always singular, meaning Nicodemus only. But Jesus spoke of a general rule about the new birth by using the plural pronoun, "ye."

They [newer version] corrupts the sentence by removing any distinction. The precision is lost. The point Jesus made is clouded. I pray you can see this change (out of thousands) that removes the precision of the document, until no man can know anything for sure! But we want the MORE SURE WORD of prophecy, which we are to take heed until our Lord comes!