Kinds of Differences among TRS

This page is a companion tool for a paper in the Detroit Baptist Seminary Journal, vol. 25, 2020, entitled, “Which TR? A Critique of Confessional Bibliology.” The paper is not neutral on the question of which text of the New Testament is best. But this page is. It simply presents the differences between 1) the standard Greek New Testament edition within KJV-Only and Confessional Bibliology circles and 2) the 1550 Stephanus GNT that was one of two Greek New Testament editions used by the KJV translators. The paper attempts to demonstrate that the same kinds of differences that occur between these two TRs occur between the TR and CT traditions more generally.

For a full list of  differences between the two TR editions used by the KJV translators (Stephanus 1550 and Beza 1598), see the “Which TR?” page.

Which TR?

The two major sides in the debate over the TR both agree with the Trinitarian Bible Society in regarding the differences catalogued on this page as “minor.”

The Greek Received Text is the name given to a group of printed texts, the first of which was published by Desiderius Erasmus in 1516. The Society uses for the purposes of translation the text reconstructed by F.H.A. Scrivener in 1894. As the scope of the Society’s Constitution does not extend to considering the minor variations between the printed editions of the Textus Receptus, this necessarily excludes the Society from engaging in alteration or emendation of the Hebrew Masoretic and Greek Received Text on the basis of other Hebrew or Greek texts.

SCRIVENER Vs. STEPHANUS

 

SCRIVENER’S TR (1881)

READINGS THAT WERE ADOPTED BY THE KJV TRANSLATORS

On the top in each pairing is the KJV as it stands in most KJVs today, the 1769 Blayney edition.

Differences from Stephanus are
highlighted and marked in bold.

On the left is the KJV as it stands in most KJVs today, the 1769 Blayney edition.

Differences from Stephanus are
highlighted and marked in bold.

STEPHANUS’ TR (1550)

PLACES THE KJV TRANSLATORS CHOSE NOT TO FOLLOW STEPHANUS

On the bottom is the KJV as it would be if the KJV translators had chosen to follow Stephanus’ 1550 TR edition.

Differences from Beza are
highlighted and marked in bold.

On the right is the KJV as it would be if the KJV translators had chosen to follow Stephanus’ 1550 TR.

Differences from Beza are
highlighted and marked in bold.

1. Spelling differences

(This is a REPRESENTATIVE AND NOT an EXHAUSTIVE LISTING)
Matt 2:23; 4:13; etc. Ναζαρέτ (nazaret)
Matt 10:25 Βεελζεβοὺλ (beelzeboul)
Matt 24:15 Ἑστὸς (estos)
Ναζαρέθ (nazareth)
Βεελζεβοὺβ (beelzeboub)
ἑστὼς (estōs)

2. Differences that do not have to show up in translation, but could

Matt 9:33 And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.
Matt 9:33 And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying that it was never so seen in Israel.

3. Differences in word order that do not affect meaning

1 Tim 1:2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

Mark 16:14 But afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

4. Differences that amount to simple redundancies

Rev 7:14 These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Rev 7:14 These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made their robes white in the blood of the Lamb.

5. Differences in number (singular vs. plural)

Matt 10:10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
Matt 10:10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staff: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
Matt 21:7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.
Matt 21:7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and he set him thereon.
2 Pet 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
2 Pet 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

6. Differences of person in pronouns

Mark 9:40 The one who is not against us is for us.
Mark 9:40 The one who is not against you is for you.

7. Tense and/or mood differences in verbs

Matthew 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
Matthew 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which is sowing good seed in his field:
Revelation 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
Revelation 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

8. Differences in Words that Produce Differences in Meaning

Matt 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
Matt 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they found the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
1 Peter 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
1 Peter 1:8 Whom having not known, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
1 Timothy 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
1 Timothy 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly stewardship which is in faith: so do.
1 John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
1 John 1:5 This then is the promise which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
2 Corinthians 11:10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
2 Corinthians 11:10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall seal me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
2 Thessalonians 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
2 Thessalonians 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all the things that are called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
Philemon 1:7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
Philemon 1:7 For we have great gratitude and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
Hebrews 9:1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.
Hebrews 9:1 Then verily the first tabernacle had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.
James 5:12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
James 5:12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into hypocrisy.
Revelation 7:10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
Revelation 7:10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to the one who sits on the throne of our God, and unto the Lamb.

9. Missing sentences

1 John 2:23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
1 John 2:23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father:

10. Missing sections

(This kind of difference does not occur between The Scrivener TR and the Stephanus TR)

11. Contradictions

James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith by thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Revelation 11:2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
Revelation 11:2 But the court which is inside the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

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