My critique of the ESV book of Ephesians. ESV vs KJV
1.)
ESV
Ephesians 1:10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
KJV
Ephesians 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Notice that the ESV omitted the word "dispensation". It is clear from the omissions of the word "dispensation" in the ESV [and the omission of "rightly dividing" (2 Tim. 2:15)] that the translators were not fans of studying the Bible in context. Dispensationalism is one of the most attacked subjects in the KJB.
2.)
ESV
Ephesians 1:12-13 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
KJV
Ephesians 1:12-13 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
The ESV omitted trusting Christ from salvation.
3.)
ESV
Ephesians 2:1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
KJV
Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
The ESV omits the reference to Christ quickening us.
4.)
ESV
Ephesians 2:22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
KJV
Ephesians 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
The KJV makes it clear that the Ephesians were already saved and built for an habitation of God through the Spirit, the ESV makes it sound like a PROCESS rather than an instantaneous occurrence.
5.)
ESV
Ephesians 3:2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you,
KJV
Ephesians 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to youward:
Again, the ESV attacks dispensational study of the Bible. The KJV makes it clear that the present age began with Paul. You would have a hard time figuring that out with an ESV.
6.)
ESV
Ephesians 3:5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.
KJV
Ephesians 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
Surprise! Another attack on dispensational teaching, courtesy of the ESV. The word "age" refers to God's order and set-up for a period of time. Like a dispensation. Paul makes it clear in Ephesians 3:5-9 and Colossians 1:25-26 that a new age had begun with the dispensing of the mystery.
It is true that the mystery was hid from other generations...but it was hid from BOTH generations AND ages past.
Colossians 1:25-26 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
7.)
ESV
Ephesians 3:12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
KJV
Ephesians 3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
The ESV just omitted Christ's faith that saved us and replaced it with our own faith. To see this in more detail look at these posts
http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2014/08/hoss-vs-herb-did-christ-have-faith.html
http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2014/09/why-i-wont-use-esv.html
8.)
ESV
Ephesians 4:17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.
KJV
Ephesians 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
The ESV has watered down Paul's condemnation of heathen Gentiles.
9.)
ESV
Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
KJV
Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Here the ESV attacks the doctrine of eternal security. The KJV makes it clear that we trusted Christ and were sealed with the Holy Spirit until the rapture (Eph. 1:13, 4:30). However, the ESV does not make any sense by saying "you were sealed for the day of redemption".
10.)
ESV
Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.
KJV
Ephesians 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
Should we imitate God? That is what Satan and the antichrist do (Isa. 14, Ezek. 28, 2 Thes. 2)....but what Christians are supposed to do is FOLLOW God's revelation that He gave us in His word.
2 Thessalonians 2:
[3] Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
[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.
Isaiah 14:
[11] Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.
[12] How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
[13] For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
[14] I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
[15] Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
11.)
ESV
Ephesians 5:3-5
But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
KJV
Ephesians 5:3-5
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Again, the ESV has watered down the condemnation of sin.
12.)
ESV
Ephesians 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
KJV
Ephesians 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Again, the ESV has toned down the language...."empty" or "vain"? Which sounds more serious?
13.)
ESV
Ephesians 5:9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true),
KJV
Ephesians 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
What is "the fruit of light"??? It should be the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT!
Galatians 5:
[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
[23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
14.)
ESV
Ephesians 5:18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
KJV
Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
The ESV claims to be "updating" the "archaic" and "hard to understand" King James Bible.....but that claim is FALSE. I asked a 16 year old kid what "debauchery" was and he didn't know. Then I asked him what "excess" is and he knew that.
15.)
ESV
Ephesians 5:21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
KJV
Ephesians 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Did the ESV translators have a problem with FEARING God?
16.)
ESV
Ephesians 5:25-27
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
KJV
Ephesians 5:25-27
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
As you can see, the ESV helps enable the false teaching that the body of Christ (church) is the bride of Christ when it is actually ISRAEL.
17.)
ESV
Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
KJV
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
I am supposing that the ESV translators thought that the KJV was soooo archaic that the ESV needed to use some Star Wars science fiction terminology.
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