WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE?

Wilbur N. Pickering, ThM PhD

It has been commonly argued, for at least 200 years,^[1] that no matter what Greek text one may use no doctrine will be affected. In my own experience, for over thirty years, when I have raised the question of what is the correct Greek text of the New Testament, regardless of the audience, the usual response has been: "What difference does it make?" The purpose of this article is to answer that question, at least in part.

The eclectic Greek text presently in vogue, UBS³/N-A²⁶, represents the type of text upon which most modern versions are based.^[2] The KJV and NKJV follow a rather different type of text, a close cousin of the Majority Text.^[3] The discrepancy between UBS³ and the Majority Text is around 8% (involving 8% of the words). In a Greek text with 600 pages that represents 48 solid pages’ worth of discrepancies! About a fifth of that reflects omissions in the eclectic text, so it is some ten pages shorter than the Majority Text. Even if we grant, for the sake of the argument, that up to half of the differences between the Majority and eclectic texts could be termed "inconsequential", that leaves some 25 pages’ worth of differences that are significant (in varying degrees). In spite of these differences it is usually assumed that no cardinal Christian doctrine is at risk (though some, such as eternal judgment, the ascension and the deity of Jesus, are weakened). However, the most basic one of all, the divine inspiration of the text, is indeed under attack.

The eclectic text incorporates errors of fact and contradictions such that any claim that the New Testament is divinely inspired becomes relative, and the doctrine of inerrancy becomes virtually untenable.  If the authority of the New Testament is undermined, all its teachings are likewise affected. For over a century the credibility of the New Testament text has been eroded, and this credibility crisis has been forced upon the attention of the laity by the modern versions that enclose parts of the text in brackets and have numerous footnotes of a sort that raise doubts about the integrity of the Text.

The consequences of all this are serious and far-reaching for the future of the Church. It seems unreasonable that individuals and organizations that profess to champion a high view of Scripture, that defend verbal plenary inspiration and the inerrancy of the Autographs, should embrace a Greek text that effectively undermines their belief.^[4] Since their sincerity is evident, one must conclude that they are uninformed, or have not really looked at the evidence and thought through the implications. So I will now set out some of that evidence and discuss the implications. I wish to emphasize that I am not impugning the personal sincerity or orthodoxy of those who use the UBS text; I am challenging the presuppositions that lie behind it and calling attention to the "proof of the pudding."

In the examples that follow, the reading of the Majority Text is always given first and that of UBS³ second, followed by any others. (Where UBS³ uses brackets, or some modern version follows Nestle²⁵, that will be clearly explained.) Immediately under each variant is a literal equivalent in English. To each variant is attached a statement of manuscript and versional support of the sort one can find in the critical apparatus of UBS³, for example. (Many lay persons will not know how to interpret the statements of support; in that event one should move on to the discussion—it is worth noting, however, that "Byz" usually represents over 90% of the extant Greek MSS [known manuscripts]). The set of variants with their respective supporting evidence is followed by a discussion of the implications. First I will present errors of fact and contradictions, then serious anomalies and aberrations.

Errors of Fact and Contradictions

 

Luke 4:44 GalilaiaV—A,D,E,G,K,M,U,X,Y,G,D,Q,P,Y,047,0211,+6unc,f¹³,33,Byz,lat,syr^p      
                         [in the synagogues] of Galilee                                                                                                 

 

                       IoudaiaV   –P^75vid,À,B,C,L,Q^vid,R(W)f¹,Lect,syr^s,h,cop         
                         [in the synagogues] of Judea

 

Problem: Jesus was in Galilee (and continued there), not in Judea, as the context makes clear.

 

Discussion: In the parallel passage, Mark 1:35-39, all texts agree that Jesus was in Galilee. Thus UBS³ contradicts itself by reading Judea in Luke 4:44. Bruce Metzger makes clear that the UBS editors did this on purpose when he explains that their reading "is obviously the more difficult, and copyists have corrected it . . . in accord with the parallels in Mt 4.23 and Mk 1.39."^[5] Thus the UBS editors introduce a contradiction into their text which is also an error of fact. This error in the eclectic text is reproduced by LB, NIV, NASB, NEB, RSV, etc. NRSV adds insult to injury: "So he continued proclaiming the message in the synagogues of Judea."

 

Luke 23:45  eskotisqh –A,C^c,D,E,G,K,M,Q,R,U,V,W,X,Y,G,D,Q,P,Y, 0117,0135,+5unc,f^1,13,Byz
                           [the sun] was darkened                                                                       Lect,lat,syr,Diat

                         eklipontoV–P⁷⁵,À(B,C^vid)L,0124(cop)^[6]
                           [the sun] being eclipsed

 

Problem: An eclipse of the sun is impossible during a full moon. Jesus was crucified during the Passover, and the Passover is always at full moon (which is why the date for Easter moves around). UBS introduces a scientific error.

 

Discussion: The Greek verb ekleipw is quite common and has the basic meaning "to fail" or "to end", but when used of the sun or the moon it refers to an eclipse ("eclipse" comes from that Greek root). Indeed, such versions as Moffatt, Twentieth Century, Authentic, Phillips, NEB, New Berkeley, NAB and Jerusalem overtly state that the sun was eclipsed. While versions such as NASB, TEV and NIV avoid the word "eclipse", the normal meaning of the eclectic text that they follow is precisely "the sun being eclipsed."^[7]

Mark 6:22  authV thV HrwdiadoV–A,C,E,G,H,K,M,N,S,U,V(W,Q)Y,G,P,å,F,W,f⁽¹⁾¹³,33,Byz,Lect,
                        [the daughter] herself of Herodias                                               lat(syr,cop,Diat)                

                       autou – – HrwdiadoV—À,B,D,L,D
                         his [daughter] Herodias

 

Problem: UBS in Mark 6:22 contradicts UBS in Matthew 14:6.

 

Discussion: Matthew 14:6 states that the girl was the daughter of Herodias (Herodias had been the wife of Philip, King Herod’s brother, but was now living with Herod). Here UBS makes the girl out to be Herod’s own daughter, and calls her "Herodias". Metzger defends the choice of the UBS Committee with these words: "It is very difficult to decide which reading is the least unsatisfactory" (p. 89)! (Do the UBS editors consider that the original reading is lost? If not it must be "unsatisfactory", but are those editors really competent to make such a judgment? And just what might be so “unsatisfactory” about the reading of over 99% of the MSS? I suppose because it creates no problem.) The modern versions that usually identify with UBS part company with it here, except for NRSV that reads, "his daughter Herodias."

1 Corinthians 5:1  onomazetai–P⁶⁸,À^c,Y,Byz,syr
                                          is named         

                                               —       –P⁴⁶,À*,A,B,C,D,F,G,33,lat,cop

 

Problem: It was reported that a man had his father’s wife, a type of fornication such that not even the Gentiles talked about it. However, the UBS text affirms that this type of incest does not even exist among the Gentiles, a plain falsehood. Every conceivable type of sexual perversion has existed throughout human history.

 

Discussion: Strangely, such evangelical versions as NIV, NASB, Berkeley and LB propagate this error. I find it interesting that versions such as TEV, NEB and Jerusalem, while following the same text, avoid a categorical statement.^[8]

 

Luke 3:33  tou Aminadab,                  tou Aram–A,E,G,K,N,D,P,Y,047,0211(D,Q)+7unc(f¹)33,Byz,
                      of Aminadab                   of Aram                                                        Lect,lat,syr^p,h

 

                      tou Aminadab, tou Admin, tou Arni  –none!!
                      of Aminadab    of Admin  of Arni

                                                          tou Admein, tou Arnei–B
                        tou Adam,        —     —       tou Arni?–syr^s
                        tou Adam,        tou Admin,  tou Arnei—À*
                        tou Adam,        tou Admein, tou Arnei–cop^sa
                      tou Admein,      tou Admin,  tou Arni –cop^bo
                        tou Aminadab, tou Admin,  tou Arnei—À^c
                        tou Aminadab, tou Admin,  tou Arhi –f¹³
                          tou Aminadab, tou Admh,    tou Arni –X
                      tou Aminadab, tou Admein, tou Arni –L
                        tou Aminadab, tou Admein, tou Aram–0102(P⁴?)

 

Problem: The fictitious Admin and Arni are intruded into Christ’s genealogy.

 

Discussion: UBS has misrepresented the evidence in their apparatus so as to hide the fact that no Greek MS has the precise text they have printed, a veritable "patchwork quilt". In Metzger’s presentation of the UBS Committee’s reasoning in this case he writes, "the Committee adopted what seems to be the least unsatisfactory form of text" (p. 136). Is this not a good candidate for "chutzpah" of the year? The UBS editors concoct their own reading and proclaim it "the least unsatisfactory"! And just what might be "unsatisfactory" about the reading of over 99% of the MSS except that it doesn’t introduce any difficulties?

           There is complete confusion in the Egyptian camp. That confusion must have commenced in the second century, resulting from several easy transcriptional errors, simple copying mistakes.  APAM to APNI is very easy (in the early centuries only upper case letters were used); with a scratchy quill the cross strokes in the A and M could be light, and a subsequent copyist could mistake the left leg of the M as going with the L to make N, and the right leg of the M would become I. Very early “Aminadab” was misspelled as “Aminadam”, which survives in some 25% of the extant MSS. The "Adam" of Aleph, syr^s and cop^sa arose through an easy instance of homoioarcton (the eye of a copyist went from the first A in "Aminadam" to the second, dropping "Amin-" and leaving "Adam"). A and D  are easily confused, especially when written by hand—"Admin" presumably came from “AMINadab/m”, though the process was more complicated. The "i" of "Admin" and "Arni" is corrupted to "ei" in Codex B (a frequent occurrence in that MS—perhaps due to Coptic influence). Codex Aleph conflated the ancestor that produced "Adam" with the one that produced "Admin", etc. The total confusion in Egypt does not surprise us, but how shall we account for the text and apparatus of UBS³ in this instance? And whatever possessed the editors of NASB, NRSV, TEV, LB, Berkeley, etc. to embrace such an egregious error?^[9]

Matthew 19:17  Ti me legeiV agaqon; oudeiV agaqoV ei mh eiV, o qeoV–C,E,F,G,H,K,M,S,U,V,W,Y,D,å,F,W,
              Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, God.     f¹³,33,Byz,Lect,syr^p,h,cop^sa,Diat                                                                                                                                                                                                          

                         Ti me erwtaV peri tou agaqou; eiV estin o agaqoV   —À,L,Q(B,D,f¹,syr^s)
                         Why do you ask me about the good? One is good.

                 Ti me erwtaV peri tou agaqou; eiV estin o agaqoV, o qeoV–lat,syr^c,cop^bo

 

Problem: UBS in Matthew 19:17 contradicts UBS in Mark 10:18 and Luke 18:19 (wherein all texts agree with the Byzantine here).

 

Discussion: Presumably Jesus spoke in Aramaic, but there is no way that whatever He said could legitimately yield the two translations into Greek given above.^[10] That the Latin versions offer a conflation suggests that both the other variants must have existed in the second century—indeed, the Diatessaron overtly places the Byzantine reading in the first half of that century. The Church in Egypt during the second century was dominated by Gnosticism. That such a "nice" gnostic variant came into being is no surprise, but why do modern editors embrace it? Because it is the "more obscure one" (Metzger, p. 49). This "obscurity" was so attractive to the UBS Committee that they printed another "patchwork quilt"—taking the young man’s question and this first part of the Lord’s answer together, the precise text of UBS³ is found only in the corrector of Codex B; further, with reference to the main Greek MSS given as supporting the eclectic text here (À,B,D,L,Q,f¹), the fact is that no two of them precisely agree! (Should they be regarded as reliable witnesses? On what basis?) Most modern versions join UBS in this error also.

Acts 19:16   autwn       –H,L,P,S(Y)Byz,syr^s
                    them

                    amfoterwn–P⁷⁴,À,A,B,D,33,syr^p,cop
                    both of them

 

Problem: The sons of Sceva were seven, not two.

 

Discussion: To argue that "both" can mean "all" on the basis of this passage is to beg the question.  An appeal to Acts 23:8 is likewise unconvincing. "For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection—and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both." "Angel" and "spirit" if not intended as synonyms at least belong to a single class, spirit beings. The Pharisees believed in "both"—resurrection and spirit beings. There is no basis here for claiming that "both" can legitimately refer to seven (Acts 19:16).^[11] Still, most modern versions do render "both" as "all". NASB actually renders "both of them," making the contradiction overt!

Matthew 1:7-8  Asa –E,K,L,M,S,U,V,W,G,D,P,å,W,33,Byz,Lect,lat^pt,syr
                         Asa 

                        Asaf—À,B,C,f^1,13,lat^pt,cop
                        Asaph

 

Problem: Asaph does not belong in Jesus’ genealogy.

 

Discussion: Asaph was a Levite, not of the tribe of Judah; he was a psalmist, not a king. It is clear from Metzger’s comments that the UBS editors understand that their reading refers to the Levite and should not be construed as an alternate spelling of Asa; he overtly calls Asaph an "error" (p. 1).  In fact, "Asaph" is probably not a misspelling of "Asa".  Not counting Asa and Amon (see v. 10) Codex B misspells 13 names in this chapter, while Codex Aleph misspells 10, which undermines their credibility. However, their misspellings involve dittography, gender change, or a similar sound (z for s, d for t, m for n)—not adding an extraneous consonant, like f, nor trading dissimilar sounds, like s for n.

           In response to Lagrange, who considered "Asaph" to be an ancient scribal error, Metzger writes: "Since, however, the evangelist may have derived material for the genealogy, not from the Old Testament directly, but from subsequent genealogical lists, in which the erroneous spelling occurred, the Committee saw no reason to adopt what appears to be a scribal emendation" (p. 1).  Metzger frankly declares that the spelling they have adopted is "erroneous". The UBS editors have deliberately imported an error into their text, which is faithfully reproduced by NAB (New American Bible) and NRSV. RSV and NASB offer a footnote to the effect that the Greek reads "Asaph"—it would be less misleading if they said that a tiny fraction of the Greek MSS so read. The case of Amon vs. Amos in verse 10 is analogous to this one. Metzger says that "Amos" is "an error for ‘Amon’" (p. 2), and the UBS editors have duly placed the error in their text.

Matthew 10:10  mhde rabdouV–C,E,F,G,K,L,M,N,P,S,U,V,W,Y,G,D,P,å,F,W,f¹³,Byz,syr^h,cop^bo                                                                                       neither staffs                          

                         mhde rabdon  —À,B,D,Q,f¹,33,lat,syr^p,cop^sa                                                                                                                                                                                       neither a staff

 

Problem: In both Matthew 10:10 and Luke 9:3 UBS has "neither a staff," thus contradicting Mark 6:8 where all texts have "only a staff."

 

Discussion: In Luke and Matthew the Byzantine text reads "neither staffs", which does not contradict Mark—the case of the staffs is analogous to that of the tunics; they were to take only one, not several. A superficial reader would probably expect the singular; that some scribe in Egypt should have trouble with "staffs" and simplify it to "a staff" comes as no surprise, but why do the UBS editors import this error into their text? Almost all modern versions follow UBS both here and in Luke 9:3.

Mark 1:2  en toiV profhtaiV        –A,E,F,H,K,M,P,S,U,V,W,Y,G,P,å,F,W, f¹³,Byz,Lect,syr^h                                              [as it is written] in the prophets                

                en tw Isaia tw profhth—À,B,L,D,33(D,Q,f¹)lat,syr^p,pal,cop                                                                                          [as it is written] in Isaiah the prophet

 

Problem: The UBS text ascribes extraneous material to Isaiah.

 

Discussion: The rest of verse 2 is a quote from Malachi 3:1 while verse 3 is from Isaiah 40:3. Once again Metzger uses the "harder reading" argument, in effect (p. 73), but the eclectic choice is most probably the result of early harmonizing activity.^[12] Almost all modern versions agree with UBS here.

Luke 9:10  eiV topon erhmon polewV kaloumenhV Bhqsaida(n)–(A)C,E,G,K,M,U,Y,W,G,D,P,047,0211,                          into a deserted place belonging to a town called Bethsaida                      f⁽¹⁾¹³,Byz,syr^(p)h

                  eiV polin kaloumenhn Bhqsaida                          –(P⁷⁵)B,L,X,X,33 (syr^s)cop                                                             into a town called Bethsaida                          

                  eiV topon erhmon                                                      —À,syr^c,bo^mss                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  into a deserted place

 

Problem: UBS has Jesus and company going into Bethsaida, but in v. 12 the disciples say they are in a deserted area; thus a contradiction is introduced. UBS here is also at variance with UBS in the parallel passages.

 

Discussion: In Matthew 14:13 all texts have Jesus going to a deserted place, and in v. 15 the disciples say, "the place is deserted . . . send the crowd away to the towns." In Mark 6:31-32 all texts have Him going to a deserted place, and in v. 35 the disciples say it is a deserted place, etc. So UBS not only makes Luke contradict himself, but sets him against Matthew and Mark. The modern versions do not surprise us.

 

I pause to register a case where the chief "Alexandrian" witnesses introduce a contradiction that the "critical" texts have not adopted, thankfully, although Westcott and Hort included it in double brackets in their text. This gives a further illustration of the tendency of those MSS.

Matthew 27:49   —    —   —     —     —     —       —      —       —      —      —     —    —  –A,D,K,W,   D,Q,P,090,f^1,13,33,Byz,Lect,lat,syr,cop,Diat

                         alloV de labwn logchn enuxen autou thn pleuran, kai exhlqen udwr kai aima—À,B,C,                                              but another taking a spear pierced His side, and water and blood came out              L,G

 

Problem: The "Alexandrian" reading here has Jesus being speared before His death (presumably becoming the direct cause of that death), which contradicts John 19:34 that states plainly that Jesus’ side was pierced after He dismissed His spirit.

I am well aware that the foregoing examples may not strike the reader as being uniformly convincing. However, I submit that there is a cumulative effect. By dint of ingenuity and mental gymnastics it may be possible to appear to circumvent one or another of these examples (including those that follow), but with each added instance the strain on our credulity increases. One or two circumventions may be accepted as possible, but five or six become highly improbable; ten or twelve are scarcely tolerable.

Serious Anomalies/Aberrations

John 7:8  oupw–P^66,75,B,E,F,G,H,L,N,T,W,X,D,Q,Y,070,0105,0141,0250,f^1,13,Byz,Lect,syr^p,h,pal,co^sa                                                    not yet

                ouk —À,D,K,P,lat,syr^s,c,co^bo                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              not

 

Problem: Since Jesus did in fact go to the feast (and doubtless knew what He was going to do), the UBS text has the effect of ascribing a falsehood to Him.

 

Discussion: Since the UBS editors usually attach the highest value to P⁷⁵ and B, isn’t it strange that they reject them in this case? Here is Metzger’s explanation: "The reading ["not yet"] was introduced at an early date (it is attested by P^66,75) in order to alleviate the inconsistency between ver. 8 and ver. 10" (p. 216). So, they rejected P^66,75 and B (as well as 99% of the MSS) because they preferred the "inconsistency". NASB, RSV, NEB and TEV stay with the eclectic text here.

John 6:47  eiV eme –A,C^c,D,E,G,H,K,N,D,P,Y,0141,0233,f^1,13,33,Byz,lat,syr^p,h(c,s),cop,Diat                       [believes] into me

                  —  — –P^66,75vid,À,B,C*,L,T,W,Q                                                                                                                           [believes]

 

Problem: Jesus is making a formal declaration about how one can have eternal life: "Most assuredly I say to you, he who believes into me has everlasting life." By omitting "into me" the UBS text opens the door to universalism.

 

Discussion: Since it is impossible to live without believing in something, everyone believes—the object of the belief is of the essence. The verb "believe" does occur elsewhere without a stated object (it is supplied by the context), but not in a formal declaration like this. The shorter reading is probably the result of a fairly easy instance of homoioarcton—three short words in a row begin with E. And yet Metzger says of the words "in me", "no good reason can be suggested to account for their omission" (p. 214). The editors grade the omission as {A}, against 99% of the MSS plus 2^nd century attestation!  TEV, NASB, NIV, NRSV and Jerusalem reproduce the UBS text precisely.

 

Acts 28:13  perielqonteV–P⁷⁴,À^c,A,L,P,048,056,066,0142,Byz,Lect,lat,syr^p,h                                                                                                                                                                                             making a circuit [we reached Rhegium]

                  perielonteV  —À*,B,Y,cop^(sa)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              taking away (something) [we reached Rhegium]

 

Problem: The verb chosen by UBS, periairew, is transitive, and is meaningless here.

 

Discussion: Metzger’s lame explanation is that a majority of the UBS Committee took the word to be "a technical nautical term of uncertain meaning" (p. 501)! Why do they choose to disfigure the text on such poor evidence when there is an easy transcriptional explanation? The Greek letters O and Q are very similar, and being side by side in a word it would be easy to drop one of them out, in this case the theta. Most modern versions are actually based on the "old" Nestle text, which here agrees with the Majority reading. NRSV, however, follows UBS³, rendering it as "then we weighed anchor."

Mark 16:9-20  (have)–every extant Greek MS (a. 1,800) except three,Lect,lat,syr^p,h,cop,Diat                                              

                       (omit)–À^vid,B,304,syr^s

 

Problem: A serious aberration is introduced—it is affirmed that Mark’s Gospel ends with 16:8.

 

Discussion: UBS³ encloses these verses in double brackets, which means they are "regarded as later additions to the text," and they give their decision an {A} grade, "virtually certain". So, the UBS editors assure us that the genuine text of Mark ends with 16:8. But why do critics insist on rejecting this passage? It is contained in every extant Greek MS (about 1,800) except three (really only two, B and 304—Aleph is not properly "extant" because it is a forgery at this point).^[13] Every extant Greek Lectionary (about 2,000?) contains them (one of them, 185, doing so only in the Menologion). Every extant Syriac MS (about 1,000?) except one (Sinaitic) contains them. Every extant Latin MS (8,000?) except one (k) contains them. Every extant Coptic MS except one contains them. We have hard evidence for the "inclusion" from the II century (Irenaeus and the Diatessaron), and presumably the first half of that century. We have no such hard evidence for the "exclusion".

 

In the face of such massive evidence, why do the critics insist on rejecting this passage?  Lamentably, most modern versions also cast doubt upon the authenticity of these verses in one way or another (NRSV is especially objectionable here). As one who believes that the Bible is God’s Word, I find it to be inconceivable that an official biography of Jesus Christ, commissioned by God and written subject to His quality control, should omit proofs of the resurrection, should exclude all post-resurrection appearances, should end with the clause "because they were afraid"!  If the critics’ assessment is correct we seem to be between a rock and a hard place. Mark’s Gospel as it stands is mutilated (if it ends at v. 8), the original ending having disappeared without a trace.  But in that event what about God’s purpose in commissioning this biography?

John 1:18  o monogenhV uioV–A,C^c,E,F,G,H,K,M,S,U,V,W^s,X,D,Q,P,Y,063,f^1,13,Byz,Lect,lat,syr^c,h,pal                            the only begotten son                 

                  —monogenhV qeoV–P⁶⁶,À*,B,C*,L,syr^p                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  an only begotten god

                 o monogenhV qeoV–P⁷⁵,À^c,33,cop^bo                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        the only begotten god

 

Problem: A serious anomaly is introduced—God, as God, is not begotten.

 

Discussion: The human body and nature of Jesus Christ was indeed literally begotten in the virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit; God the Son has existed eternally. "An only begotten god" is so deliciously gnostic that the apparent Egyptian provenance of this reading makes it doubly suspicious. It would also be possible to render the second reading as "only begotten god!", emphasizing the quality, and this has appealed to some who see in it a strong affirmation of Christ’s deity. However, if Christ received His "Godhood" through the begetting process then He cannot be the eternally pre-existing Second Person of the Godhead. Nor is "only begotten" analogous to "firstborn", referring to priority of position—that would place the Son above the Father. No matter how one looks at it, the UBS reading introduces a serious anomaly.

 

PresumablymonogenhV is intended to mean something more than just monoV, "only". In Luke 7:12, even though for reasons of style a translator may put "the only son of his mother", we must understand that he is her own offspring—he could not be an adopted son. The same holds for Luke 8:42 and 9:38.  In Hebrews 11:17, with reference to the promise and to Sarah, Isaac was indeed Abraham’s "only begotten", even though he in fact had other sons with other women. Note that in Genesis 22:12 & 16 God Himself calls Isaac Abraham’s "only" son. John uses monogenhV  five times, always referring to the Son of God (Jn. 1:14, 18; 3:16, 18; 1 Jn 4:9). I see nothing in NT usage to justify the rendering "unique".

 

That P⁷⁵ should have a conflation of the first two readings is curious, but demonstrates that the discrepancy arose in the second century. (Articles modify nouns not adjectives, when in a noun phrase such as we have here, so the article is part of the same variation unit.) Most modern versions avoid a straightforward rendering of the UBS reading. NIV offers us "but God the only [Son]"—a bad translation of a bad text. (A subsequent revision has "God the One and Only"—a pious fraud since none of the variants has this meaning.) TEV has "The only One, who is the same as God"—only slightly better. NASB actually renders "the only begotten God"! (the reading of P⁷⁵). Not to be outdone Amplified serves up a conflation, "the only unique Son, the only begotten God." Ho hum!

John 7:53-8:11  (retain)–D(F)G,H,K,M,S,U,G((E,L,P))Byz,lat,syr^pal,p(pt)

                         (omit)  –P^66,75,À,A^vid,B,C^vid,L,N,T,W,X,Y,D,Q,Y,0141,0211,33,f^1,13,Lect(?),                                                                                                                                                              syr^c,s,p(pt),cop,Diat

 

Problem: UBS³ encloses these verses in double brackets, which means they are "regarded as later additions to the text," and they give their decision an {A} grade, "virtually certain". The omission introduces an aberration.

 

Discussion: The evidence against the Majority Text is stronger than in any of the previous examples, but assuming that the passage is spurious (for the sake of the argument), how could it ever have intruded here, and to such effect that it is attested by some 85% of the MSS? Let’s try to read the larger passage without these verses—we must go from 7:52 to 8:12 directly. Reviewing the context, the chief priests and Pharisees had sent officers to arrest Jesus, to no avail; a "discussion" ensues; Nicodemus makes a point, to which the Pharisees answer:

 

(7:52) "Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee." 

(8:12) Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world . . . ."

 

What is the antecedent of "them", and what is the meaning of "again"? By the normal rules of grammar, if 7:53-8:11 is missing then "them" must refer to the "Pharisees" and "again" means that there has already been at least one prior exchange. But, 7:45 makes clear that Jesus was not there with the Pharisees. Thus, UBS introduces an aberration. And yet, Metzger claims that the passage "interrupts the sequence of 7.52 and 8.12 ff." (p. 220)! To look for the antecedents of 8:12 in 7:37-39 not only does despite to the syntax but also runs afoul of 8:13—"the Pharisees" respond to Jesus’ claim in verse 12, but "the Pharisees" are somewhere else, 7:45-52 (if the Pericope is absent).

 

Metzger also claims that "the style and vocabulary of the pericope differ noticeably from the rest of the Fourth Gospel"—but, wouldn’t the native speakers of Greek at that time have been in a better position than modern critics to notice something like that? So how could they allow such an "extraneous" passage to be forced into the text? I submit that the evident answer is that they did not; it was there all the time. I also protest their use of brackets here. Since the editors clearly regard the passage to be spurious they should be consistent and delete it, as do NEB and Williams.  That way the full extent of their error would be open for all to see. NIV, NASB, NRSV, Berkeley and TEV also use brackets to question the legitimacy of this passage.

1 Timothy 3:16  qeoV–A,C^vid,F/G^vid,K,L,P,Y,Byz,Lect^[14]                                                                                                                                           God [was manifested in flesh]

                          oV   —À,33,syr^pal                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          who [was manifested in flesh]

                                 o    –D,lat,syr^p,h?,cop?                                                                                                                                                                      that [was manifested in flesh]

 

Problem: A grammatical anomaly is introduced. "Great is the mystery of godliness, who was manifested in flesh" is worse in Greek than it is in English. "Mystery" is neuter in gender while "godliness" is feminine, but "who" is masculine!

 

Discussion: In an effort to explain the "who" it is commonly argued that the second half of verse 16 was a direct quote from a hymn, but where is the evidence for this claim? Without evidence the claim begs the question.^[15] That the passage has some poetic qualities says no more than that it has some poetic qualities. "Who" is nonsensical, so most modern versions that follow UBS here take evasive action: NEB and NASB have "he who"; Phillips has "the one"; NRSV, Jerusalem, TEV and NIV render "he". Berkeley actually has "who"! The Latin reading, "the mystery . . . that," at least makes sense. The true reading, as attested by 99% of the Greek MSS, is "God". In the early MSS "God" was written QC, "who" was written OC, and "that" was written O. The difference between "God" and "who" is just two cross strokes, and with a scratchy quill those could easily be light (or a copyist could be momentarily distracted and forget to add the cross strokes). The reading "who" can be explained by an easy transcriptional error. The reading "that" would be an obvious solution to a copyist faced with the nonsensical "who". Whatever the intention of the UBS editors, their text emasculates this strong statement of the deity of Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 3:10  katakahsetai–A,048,049,056,0142,33,Byz,Lect,lat,syr^h,cop^bo                                                                                                                                                                                [the earth . . .] will be burned up

                     eureqhsetai   –(P⁷²)À,B,K,P,syr^ph(cop^sa)                                                                                                                          [the earth . . .] will be found

 

Problem: The UBS reading is nonsensical; the context is clearly one of judgment.

 

Discussion: Metzger actually states that their text "seems to be devoid of meaning in the context" (p. 706)! So why did they choose it? Metzger explains that there is "a wide variety of readings, none of which seems to be original"—presumably if "shall be burned up" were the only reading, with unanimous attestation (it has 94% of the MSS), he would still reject it, but he can scarcely argue that it is meaningless. The UBS editors deliberately chose a variant that they believed to be "devoid of meaning in the context." NASB abandons UBS here, giving the Byzantine reading; NEB and NIV render "will be laid bare"; TEV has "will vanish".

1 Peter 2:2  auxhqhte  —     —     –L,Byz,it^pt                                                                                                                                                      [desire . . . the word that] you may grow [thereby]

                    auxhqhte eiV swthrian–(P⁷²)À,A,B,C,K(P)Y,33,lat,syr,cop                                                                                        [desire . . . the word that] you may grow [thereby] into salvation

 

Problem: A doctrinal anomaly is introduced. Peter is writing to the "elect" (1:2), to the "redeemed" (1:18), to the "born again" (1:23), to “a holy priesthood” (2:5), to “believers” (2:7), to “slaves of God” (2:16)—they do indeed need to grow, but not "into salvation".

 

Discussion: Metzger explains: "The TR . . . omits ["into salvation"] either through an oversight in copying . . . or because the idea of ‘growing into salvation’ was theologically unacceptable" (p. 689). Notice that the UBS editors understand their text to mean "growing into salvation." TEV, NRSV and Jerusalem render UBS literally, putting the salvation in the future. NIV renders "grow up in your salvation," something the text doesn’t say, while LB has a looser variation on that theme (NEB is looser still).

 

Jude 15  pantaV touV asebeiV–A,B,C,K,L,Y,049,f¹,Byz(99.5% of the MSS)lat,syr                                                                [to convict] all the ungodly [among them of all their ungodly deeds]

              pasan yuchn          –P⁷²,À(only one other MS)cop^sa                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             [to convict] every soul [of all their ungodly deeds]

 

Problem: UBS³ introduces a serious anomaly.

 

Discussion: Certain very evil persons have been rather graphically described in verses 4, 8 and 10-13. In verse 14 Jude introduces a prophecy "about these men," the same ones he has been describing, and the quotation continues to the end of verse 15. Verse 16 continues the description of their perversity, but verse 17 draws a clear distinction between them and the believers that Jude is addressing. So, Enoch cannot be referring to "every soul"—the UBS³ reading is clearly wrong. In fact, Nestle²⁵ and UBS² stayed with the Majority, reading "all the ungodly." UBS³ changes to "every soul," without comment! Is this not a curious proceeding? The UBS editors reverse an earlier position, following just three MSS and the Sahidic version, and do not even mention it in their apparatus. This is especially unfortunate, given the serious nature of the change. Most modern versions are with the Majority here, but NRSV has "convict everyone."

There are dozens of further examples some of which, taken singly, may not seem to be all that alarming. But they have a cumulative effect and dozens of them should give the responsible reader pause.  Is there a pattern? If so, why? But for now enough has been presented to permit us to turn to the implications.

Implications

How is all of this to be explained? I believe the answer lies in the area of presuppositions.  There has been a curious reluctance on the part of conservative scholars to come to grips with this matter. To assume that the editorial choices of a naturalistic scholar will not be influenced by his theological bias is naive in the extreme.

To be sure, both such scholars and the conservative defenders of the eclectic text will doubtless demur. "Not at all," they would say, "our editorial choices derive from a straightforward application of the generally accepted canons of NT textual criticism" [“generally accepted” by whom, and what basis—that is, what are the presuppositions behind them?]. And what are those canons? The four main ones seem to be: 1) the reading that best accounts for the rise of the other reading(s) is to be preferred; 2) the harder reading is to be preferred; 3) the shorter reading is to be preferred; 4) the reading that best fits the author’s style and purpose is to be preferred. It could be said that the first canon sort of distills the essence of them all, and therefore should be the ruling canon, but in practice it is probably the second that is most rigorously applied. From B.M. Metzger’s presentation of the UBS Committee’s reasoning in the examples given above it appears that over half the time they based their decision on the harder reading canon (for four of them he has no comment because the UBS apparatus does not mention that there is any variation; for two of them he says that all the variants are unsatisfactory!). But, how are we to decide which variant is "harder"? Will not our theological bias enter in?

Let’s consider an example: in Luke 24:52 the Nestle editions 1-25 omit "they worshipped him" (and in consequence NASB, RSV and NEB do too). UBS³ retains the words, but with a {D} grade, which shows a "very high degree of doubt." Only one solitary Greek manuscript omits the words, Codex D, supported by part of the Latin witness. In spite of the very slim external evidence for the omission it is argued that it is the "harder" reading—if the clause were original, what orthodox Christian would even think of removing it?  On the other hand, the clause would make a nice pious addition that would immediately become popular, if the original lacked it. However, not only did the Gnostics dominate the Christian church in Egypt in the second century, there were also others around who did not believe that Jesus was God—would they be likely to resist the impulse to delete such a statement? How shall we choose between these two hypotheses? Will it not be on the basis of our presuppositions? Indeed, in discussing this variant set, along with Hort’s other "Western non-interpolations," Metzger explains (p. 193) that a minority of the UBS committee argued that "there is discernible in these passages a Christological-theological motivation that accounts for their having been added, while there is no clear reason that accounts for their having been omitted." (Had they never heard of the Gnostics?)

Why Use Subjective Canons?

It is clear that the four canons mentioned above depend heavily upon the subjective judgment of the critic. But why use such canons? Why not follow the manuscript evidence? It is commonly argued that the surviving MSS are not representative of the textual situation in the early centuries of the Church. The official destruction of MSS by Diocletian (AD 300), and other vagaries of history, are supposed to have decimated the supply of MSS to the point where the transmission was totally distorted—so we can’t be sure about anything. (Such an argument not only "justifies" the eclectic proceeding, it is used to claim its "necessity".) But, the effectiveness of the Diocletian campaign was uneven in different regions. Even more to the point are the implications of the Donatist movement which developed right after the Diocletian campaign passed. It was predicated in part on the punishment that was deserved by those who betrayed their MSS to destruction. Evidently some did not betray their MSS or there would have been no one to judge the others. Also, those whose commitment to Christ and His Word was such that they withstood the torture would be just the sort who would be most careful about the pedigree of their MSS. So it was probably the purest exemplars that survived, in the main, and from them the main stream of transmission derives.

Since the Byzantine (Majority) textform dominates over 90% of the extant MSS, those who wish to reject it cannot grant the possibility that the transmission of the text was in any sense normal. (If it was then the consensus must reflect the original, especially such a massive consensus.) So it is argued that the "ballot box" was "stuffed", that the Byzantine text was imposed by ecclesiastical authority, but only after it was concocted out of other texts in the early IV century. But, there is simply no historical evidence for this idea. Also, numerous studies have demonstrated that the mass of Byzantine MSS are not monolithic; there are many distinct strands or strains of transmission, presumably independent. That at least some of these must go back to the III century (if not earlier) is demonstrated by Codex Aleph in Revelation, in that it conflates some of those strands. Asterius (d. 341) used MSS that were clearly Byzantine—presumably most of his writing was not done on his deathbed, so his MSS would come from the III century. There are further lines of evidence that militate against the eclectic position, not least the very nature of their canons.

"The shorter reading is to be preferred." Why? Because, we are told, scribes had a propensity to add bits and pieces to the text. But that would have to be a deliberate activity. It is demonstrable that accidental loss of place results in omission far more often than addition—about the only way to add accidentally is to copy part of the text twice over, but the copyist would have to be really drowsy not to catch himself at it. So, any time a shorter reading could be the result of parablepsis it should be viewed with suspicion. But even when deliberate, omission should still be more frequent than addition. If there is something in the text that you don’t like it draws your attention and you are tempted to do something about it. Also, it requires more imagination and effort to create new material than to delete what is already there (material suggested by a parallel passage could be an exception). Further, it is demonstrable that most scribes were careful and conscientious, avoiding even unintentional mistakes. Those who engaged in deliberate editorial activity were really rather few, but some were flagrant offenders (like Aleph in Revelation).

"The harder reading is to be preferred." Why? The assumption is that a perceived difficulty would motivate an officious copyist to attempt a "remedy". Note that any such alteration must be deliberate; so if a "harder" reading could have come about through accidental omission (e.g.) then this canon should not be used. But in the case of a presumed deliberate alteration, how can we really ascribe degrees of "hardness"? We don’t know who did it, nor why. Due allowance must be made for possible ignorance, officiousness, prejudice and malice. In fact, this canon is unreasonable on the face of it—the more stupid a reading is, whether by accident or design, the stronger is its claim to be "original" since it will certainly be the "hardest". It does not take a prophet to see that this canon is wide open to satanic manipulation, both in the ancient creation of variants and in their contemporary evaluation. But in any case, since it is demonstrable that most copyists did not make deliberate changes, where there is massive agreement among the extant MSS this canon should not even be considered. Indeed, where there is massive agreement among the MSS none of the subjective canons should be used—they are unnecessary and out of place. Of the 6,000+ differences between UBS³ and the Majority Text, the heavy majority of the readings preferred by the UBS editors have slender MS attestation.

The Myth of Neutrality

We need to lay to rest the myth of neutrality and scholarly objectivity. Anyone who has been inside the academic community knows that it is liberally sprinkled with bias, party lines, personal ambition and spite—quite apart from a hatred of the Truth.^[16] Neutrality and objectivity should never be assumed, and most especially when dealing with God’s Truth—because in this area neither God nor Satan will permit neutrality. In Matthew 12:30 the Lord Jesus said: "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters abroad." God declares that neutrality is impossible; you are either for Him or against Him. Jesus claims to be God. Faced with such a claim we have only two options, to accept or to reject.  ("Agnosticism" is really a passive rejection.) The Bible claims to be God’s Word. Again our options are but two. It follows that when dealing with the text of Scripture neutrality is impossible. The Bible is clear about satanic interference in the minds of human beings, and most especially when they are considering God’s Truth. 2 Corinthians 4:4 states plainly that the god of this age/world blinds the minds of unbelievers when they are confronted with the Gospel. The Lord Jesus said the same thing when He explained the parable of the sower: "When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts" (Mk. 4:15, Lk. 8:12).

Furthermore, there is a pervasive satanic influence upon all human culture. 1 John 5:19 states that "the whole world lies in the evil one." The picture is clearly one of massive influence, if not control—NASB, RSV, NEB and Jerusalem render "in the power of," TEV has "under the rule of," NIV has "under the control of," NKJV has "under the sway of." All human culture is under pervasive satanic influence, including the culture of the academic community. Ephesians 2:2 is even more precise: "in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience." Satan actively works in the mind of anyone who rejects God’s authority over him. Materialism has infiltrated the Church in Europe and North America to such an extent that what the Bible says on this subject has been largely ignored. But I submit that for someone who claims to believe God’s Word to accept an edition of the Bible prepared on the basis of rationalistic assumptions is really to forget the teaching of that Word.

Interpretation is preeminently a matter of wisdom. A naturalistic textual critic may have a reasonable acquaintance with the relevant evidence, he may have knowledge of the facts, but that by no means implies that he knows what to do with it. If "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom" (Prov. 9:10), then presumably the unbeliever doesn’t have any, at least from God’s point of view. Anyone who edits or translates the text of Scripture needs to be in spiritual condition such that he can ask the Holy Spirit to illumine him in his work as well as protect his mind from the enemy.

In Jesus’ day there were those who "loved the praise of men more than the praise of God" (John 12:43), and they are with us still. But, the "praise of men" comes at a high price—you must accept their value system, a value system that suffers direct satanic influence. To accept the world’s value system is basically an act of treason against King Jesus, a type of idolatry. Those conservative scholars who place a high value on "academic recognition," on being acknowledged by the "academic community," etc., need to ask themselves about the presuppositions that lie behind such recognition. Please note that I am not decrying true scholarship—I have three earned graduate degrees myself—but I am challenging conservatives to make sure that their definition of scholarship comes from the Holy Spirit, not from the world, that their search for recognition is godly, not selfish. I rather suspect that were this to happen there would be a dramatic shift in the conservative Christian world with reference to the practice of NT textual criticism and to the identity of the true NT text.

Conclusion

To sum it up, I return to the opening question:  "What difference does it make?" Not only do we have the confusion caused by two rather different competing forms of the Greek text, but one of them (the eclectic text) incorporates errors and contradictions that undermine the doctrine of inspiration and virtually vitiate the doctrine of inerrancy; the other (the Majority Text) does not. The first is based on subjective criteria, applied by naturalistic critics; the second is based on the consensus of the manuscript tradition down through the centuries. Because the conservative evangelical schools and churches have generally embraced the theory (and therefore the presuppositions) that underlies the eclectic text (UBS³/Nestle²⁶), there has been an ongoing hemorrhage or defection within the evangelical camp with reference to the doctrines of Biblical inspiration and inerrancy (especially). The authority of Scripture has been undermined —it no longer commands immediate and unquestioned obedience. As a natural consequence there is a generalized softening of our basic commitment to Christ and His Kingdom. Worse yet, through our missionaries we have been exporting all of this to the emerging churches in the "third world". Alas!

So what shall we do, throw up our hands in despair and give up? Indeed no! "It is better to light one candle than to sit and curse the darkness." With God’s help let us work together to bring about a reversal of this situation. Let us work to undo the damage. We must start by consciously trying to make sure that all our presuppositions, our working assumptions, are consistent with God’s Word. When we approach the evidence (Greek MSS, patristic citations, ancient versions) with such presuppositions we will have a credible, even demonstrable, basis for declaring and defending the divine preservation, the inspiration and the inerrancy of the New Testament text. We can again have a compelling basis for total commitment to God and His Word. The present printed Majority Text is a close approximation to the original, free from the errors of fact and contradictions discussed above. Until such a time as a good translation of the Majority Text becomes available, the best current English version of the NT is the NKJV—an excellent translation of a good Greek text.

 

© 2010, Matt. All rights reserved.