Battle of the Bibles Pt. 1: Minister for Money.
The Apostles didn’t minister or do spiritual work for fiscal pay. Why should you.
Author: Morgan Franklin
I’ve came
across many across many different doctrines/dogma within the Christian
faith. From pastors preaching in a church, casual conversations with
fellow Christians and articles online. A common one
is that it is OK to earn a (fiscal) living or income through ministry,
sharing the gospel and spiritual works. What’s interesting is that
nowhere in the KJV bible that is
foretold. Sadly, they cite the new age bibles to support their points. We will use the KJV Bible and Greek to
support our research.
Disputed Verses
Philippians 4:17
(New Age Bibles Contradict KJV)
(KJV) Philippians 4:17 “Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.”
(ESV) Philippians 4:17 “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.”
(NIV) Philippians 4:17 “Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.”
The word “Account”
is “λόγος” (Greek) in the scripture and it means: account, word, message, speech and story telling.
Improved Translation: Not that I desire your gifts, but I search for material that may increase (improve) your word.
You can see
that the new age bibles threw in the word “Credit”. Now, “credit” can
also be used either as a fiscal term or to give recognition to a source.
Sadly, with adding “credit” to the text now
gives the possibility to comprehend the text falsely. With modern day
churches being the money pits they are, they will support the conclusion
on using this verse for financial gain.
Although, the
KJV and Greek were supporting that Paul doesn’t want to receive anything
other then the church being stronger in the word of YHVH. The next
verse (4:18) helps to support this by stating:
“But I have all, and abound: I am full…”. This shows us that Paul
wasn’t asking for anything fiscal nor material support from the church
because he had all that he needed.
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1 Corinthians 9:14
(New Age Bibles Contradict KJV)
(KJV) “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.”
(ESV) “In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.”
(NIV) “In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.”
With this verse there is a contradiction between “of”, “from” and “by”. Which are translated from “ἐκ” in the Greek. In the KJV “ἐκ” is translated
to “of” more often then “from” and “by”. (e.g. ἐκ is
translated to “of” 384 times, to “from” 187 times and to “by” 55 times).
This is the opposite for the new age bibles which “ἐκ” is translated to
“from” the most often. But In some cases in
the text these words often can be used in the same situation and still
work (e.g. Mark 1:29 “And forthwith, when they were come out
of/from the synagogue…”). There can be dispute here.
But, what you
can’t dispute is that the new age bibles are adding text that isn’t
there in the original Greek. They state to “get their living by the
gospel” and “receive their living from the gospel”.
The word “receive” in Greek is “λαμβάνω” and when you study the
Greek text that doesn’t come up anywhere in that verse. Also, citing the
Latin Vulgate and Alexandrian Sinaiticus Codex doesn’t state this
either. They are deliberately adding in their
own words without any textual support for it.
Now what was
the original intention of this verse? This is implying that people who
preach the gospel should be living by example of the gospel. Not be a
hypocrite and teaching doctrine that they themselves
don’t follow.
————————
1 Timothy 5:18
(New Age Bibles Contradict KJV)
(KJV)
“For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth
out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.”
(ESV) “For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”
(NIV) “For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.”
Here’s a contradiction between “reward” and “wages” which in Greek is “μισθός”. Amongst the KJV and new age bibles
it is translated more often as “reward” but here we see that the new age bibles decided to infer this as fiscal pay.
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Galatians 6:6
(New Age Bibles Contradict KJV)
(KJV) “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.”
(ESV) “Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.”
(NIV)
“Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.”
With this verse the dispute is “communicate” and “share” which In the original Greek text it’s “κοινωνέω”.
This word leans toward sharing things
verbally. But in some instances through out the text it is in a
physical manner. Also, the text “all good things” seems to be regarding
material goods and not fiscal pay.
Undisputed Verses
These
next verses state that you shall do spiritual work and share the gospel
for free. It states this in all bibles with no contradiction.
Matthew 10:8
(All Bibles Similar)
(KJV) “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.”
(ESV) “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.”
(NIV) “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.”
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1 Corinthians 9:18
(All Bibles Similar)
(KJV)
“What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may
make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in
the gospel.”
(ESV)
“What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel
free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.”
(NIV)
“What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may
offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a
preacher
of the gospel.”
It is ok to receive material compensation for your work (e.g. food, housing, etc.). But as it states in Matthew 10:8: “freely give”. In other
words, do these thing without consideration of any payment in the first place.
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1 Corinthians 9:11
(All Bibles Similar)
(KJV) “If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?”
(ESV) “If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?”
(NIV) “If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?”
Here is Paul referring to material compensation and NOT fiscal compensation.
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By
looking at these verses they are similar across the KJV and New Age
bibles. It makes the New Age bible’s verses contradict on whether or not
to
receive fiscal pay. YHVH is perfect, he would not inspire an imperfect
book that teaches then contradicts his law and works?
Side
Note: Why wouldn’t YHVH want anyone to minister for an income? Well,
look what is happening today: Greed for money is surpassing sound
doctrine.
Water down the gospel so the word of god won’t criticize the flesh to
bring in more people in the Church and collect their tithes and
offerings. More members = more money.
Got
to ask when is enough, enough? Toyota Prius or Mercedes-Benz? Condo or
mansion? Economy or first class? Bare necessity or redundant desires?
The
want for more would never end, leading these modern pastors to worship
money and not YHVH.
Matthew 6:24: “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love
the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”