4/26/22

According To The ESV, NASB, NKJV, NIV, Etc. The Gospel Message Is "Foolishness" And "Folly" - Danger Danger

The message of the gospel is foolishness and folly? The message that "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us" [John 1:14]; the message "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" [1Cor. 15:3-4]; the message that it is only by the blood of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ shed on the cross of Calvary that God can forgive sin and man receive redemption [John 19:17; Eph. 1:7]? That one? That message is "foolishness"? And God is "pleased" by the foolishness of it?

Yes yes it is true. The message of the gospel is foolishness and folly and God is pleased. The 'bible' says so...if that is...you will believe the Westcott-Hort aka Nestle-Aland so-called modern bible versions. The gospel message is foolishness and folly - it says so right in 1 Corinthians 1:21:


- RSV - Real-Sorry-Version [1952 - compare ESV] 1 Cor. 1:21 "For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe"

- NIV - Non-Inspired-Version: 1 Cor. 1:21 "For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe'

- NASB - Not-A-Solid-Bible: 1 Cor. 1:21 "For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

- NKJV - Neutered-King-James-Version: 1 Cor. 1:21 "For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

- ESV - Error-Saturated-Version: 1Cor. 1:21 "For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.


The King James Bible says something entirely different though. Nothing whatsoever about the Gospel message in this verse of scripture - especially nothing about the gospel message being foolishness. To say the message of the gospel is foolishness is pure blasphemy. It is not here the message, but rather the method by which the message would be made effective that is deemed foolishness, and that pleased God. It is this method that is described in 1 Corinthians 1:21 as the "foolishness of preaching":

- KJV - King James Bible: 1Cor. 1:21 "For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe"
***
Saving men by the method of preaching. This method pleased God because it confounds the wisdom of man. Perform religious rituals? Men will do this. Offer up their own works, as did Cain when he sought to be accepted on his own merits by offering his basket of fruits [Gen. 4:3]? Men will gladly do this. As long as they can 'do' something, anything, they will comply. But man can 'do' nothing. This they must learn [Titus 3:5-7]. Only through the "foolishness of preaching", whereby man is completely removed from the equation, as it were, can he be saved. 'Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God' [Rom. 10:17]. The Word of God preached, and heard. This is God's one only method by which He works the salvation of mankind. The 'foolishness' of preaching. No other way. It is the work of God start to finish. He is Alpha and Omega [Rev. 1:8].

On this subject of the foolishness of preaching, this from Spurgeon. It is excerpted from an 1857 sermon entitled "A Mighty Saviour":


"How is it that Christ is able to make men repent, to make men believe, and to make them turn to God? One answers, "Why, by the eloquence of preachers." God forbid we should ever say that! It is "not by might nor by power." Others reply, "It is by the force of moral suasion." God forbid we should say " ay" to that; for moral suasion has been tried long enough on man, and yet it has failed of success.

How does he do it? We answer, by something which some of you despise, but which nevertheless is a fact. He does it by the omnipotent influence of his divine Spirit. While men are hearing the word (in those whom God will save) the Holy Spirit works repentance; he changes the heart and renews the soul. True, the preaching is the instrument, but the Holy Spirit is the great agent. It is certain that the truth is the means of saving, but it is the Holy Ghost applying the truth which saves souls. Ah! and with this power of the Holy Ghost we may go to the most debased and degraded of men, and we need not be afraid but that God can save them. If God should please, the Holy Spirit could at this moment make every one of you fall on your knees, confess your sins, and turn to God. He is an Almighty Spirit, able to do wonders.

In the life of Whitefield, we read that sometimes under one of his sermons two thousand persons would at once profess to be saved, and were really so, many of them. We ask why it was? At other times he preached just as powerfully, and not one soul was saved. Why? Because in the one case the Holy Spirit went with the word, and in the other case it did not. AH the heavenly result of preaching is owing to the divine Spirit sent from above. I am nothing; my brethren in the ministry around are all nothing; it is God that doeth every thing. "Who is Paul, who is Apollos, and who is Cephas, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as God gave to every man." It must be "not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord." Go forth, poor minister! Thou hast no power to preach with polished diction and elegant refinement; go and preach as thou canst. The Spirit can make thy feeble words more mighty than the most ravishing eloquence. Alas! alas! for oratory! Alas! for eloquence! It hath long enough been tried. We have had polished periods, and finely-turned sentences; but in what place have the people been saved by them? We have had grand and gaudy language; but where have hearts been renewed? But now, "by the foolishness of preaching," by the simple utterance by a child of God's Word, he is pleased to save them that believe, and to save sinners from the error of their ways. May God prove his word again this morning."

***
The main number-one argument of 'modern bible' proponents is always that "no doctrines are affected". Obviously this argument is 'foolishness' and 'folly'. A horribly blasphemous lie is it not.

Rev. 18:4

[credit: original source]
***
see also: Is The Holy Ghost Gone From Your Bible? - Unless You Have A KJV The Answer Is Yes - video
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Hebrews 10:29 'Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, where with he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?'

23 comments :

Anonymous said...

"(KJV) But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;" - 1 Cor 1:23

Anonymous said...

"(KJV) Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men." - 1 Cor 1:25

It's therefore clear that "foolishness" is the reaction of the unsaved man to the preached word (that man regards the word as foolishness to him), not that the word, or the act of preaching the word, is "foolishness". But you already know all this... and the KJV clearly incorporates that very word.

Regards.

tom m. said...

Anon (above),

re: unto the Greeks foolishness

Really the key to 1Cor. 1:21 "it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching" is that the emphasis is on "pleased God". That the lost consider the gospel message foolish is not likely something that would 'please God'. What is being addressed really is nothing at all to do with the 'content' of the gospel message, but rather with the 'how' it is made effective. Namely simply by one speaking, another hearing. To man who by nature would have his own works suffice - this is confounding. No animal sacrifices, no good deeds, no religiosity...none of these can change the fallen adamic nature. Faith comes by hearing - this is "foolishness"...in comparison to man's vaunted wisdom. It "pleased God" to save man in this fashion.

Anonymous said...

I respectfully disagree. The gospel message itself is indeed considered "foolish" by those who do not believe. Whether "preached", spoken, or written. To keep harping on this KjV only is really doing a disservice to all Christians. In reality, God didn't stop all "English" translations at the year 1611 in the Kings English from being correct and valid. To actually think that He did so is folly. To also think that He couldn't preserve His word in ANY language of any era that He desires is also discrediting His power and glory.

It IS prudent to be wary of ANY translation by man, even the KjV, which has verses itself mistranslated. Some of the modern translations are weak and suspect, I agree. Some are downright wrong and to be avoided entirely. It is always prudent to compare 5 or even more translations when reading scripture, which modern tools make very easy to do.

The KJV only argument also falls flat (has zero merit) for speakers of ALL other languages, nearly 3/4 of the worlds population. Did God also somehow "stop" allowing new translations into those languages in the year of the king 1611?

So give it a rest now...please have the courage to post this comment, as you moderated out one I already posted here, and tend to moderate out comments which disagree with you.

God bless.

tom m. said...

There are many foreign language (non-English) bibles based on, i.e. translated from, the KJV.

Perhaps you've not researched Westcott-Hort, the 'fathers' of the so called modern versions. It would be prudent to do so - especially if you choose to study from 4 or 5 of the WH-based versions (aka Nestle-Aland).

As for harping...only play one string on the harp here...for a reason. The bible-version harp has only one string that is in tune.

He that hath ears to hear...

Anonymous said...

So, by your own reasoning, if there are errors in the KJV version, then it would lead to a conclusion that it should not be the only translation that one should read and reference, yes? Perhaps you should therefore point out in fairness some of the verses that the KJV mis translates?

And in the case you cite here as reason to discard the other translations (1 Cor 1:21), you will notice that prior to this in 1 Cor 1:18, that Paul defines exactly WHAT exactly is foolishness: the "word" (Greek G3056 logos), I.e. the message not the act of preaching:

((KJV+) For G1063  the G3588  preaching G3056  of( G3588 ) the G3588  cross G4716  is G2076  to them that perish G622  ( G3303 ) foolishness; G3472  but G1161  unto us G2254  which G3588  are saved G4982  it is G2076  the power G1411  of God. G2316 

(NASB+) For the word G3056  of the cross G4716  is  R1 foolishness G3472  to  R2 those G3588  who  N1 are perishing G622 , but to us who  N2 are being saved G4982  it is  R3 the power G1411  of God G2316 .

So you can clearly see that the message is what is considered foolishness by those who are perishing. Please also help readers know about the verses in the KJV which were translated incorrectly.

And in closing, i will state that the wording of 1 Cor 1:21 in the other translations has caused NOT ONE SINGLE person in all of history to not become saved due to their (actually correct) wording. You make a mountain out of somewhting which is not even a molehill, based on faulty logic, for no reason whatsoever, without even providing a fair and unbiased list of the shortfalls of the KJV translation.

Anonymous said...

It is wisest to compare multiple translations always:

(NASB) For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

(NKJV) For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

(AMP) For the message of the cross is foolishness [absurd and illogical] to those who are perishing and spiritually dead [because they reject it], but to us who are being saved [by God's grace] it is [the manifestation of] the power of God.

(NLT) The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.

(LITV) For the Word of the cross is foolishness to those being lost, but to us being saved, it is the power of God.

(YLT) for the word of the cross to those indeed perishing is foolishness, and to us—those being saved—it is the power of God,

(ESV) For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

(AMP+) For the message of the cross is foolishness [absurd and illogical] to those who are perishing and spiritually dead [because they reject it], but to us who are being saved [by God's grace] it is [the manifestation of] the power of God.

(NIV) For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

(RSV) For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

(NRSV) For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

(KJV+) For G1063  the G3588  preaching G3056  of( G3588 ) the G3588  cross G4716  is G2076  to them that perish G622  ( G3303 ) foolishness; G3472  but G1161  unto us G2254  which G3588  are saved G4982  it is G2076  the power G1411  of God. G2316 

(NASB+) For the word G3056  of the cross G4716  is  R1 foolishness G3472  to  R2 those G3588  who  N1 are perishing G622 , but to us who  N2 are being saved G4982  it is  R3 the power G1411  of God G2316 .

(Greek NT TR+) ο G3588 T-NSM  λογος G3056 N-NSM  γαρ G1063 CONJ  ο G3588 T-NSM  του G3588 T-GSM  σταυρου G4716 N-GSM  τοις G3588 T-DPM  μεν G3303 PRT  απολλυμενοις G622 V-PEP-DPM  μωρια G3472 N-NSF  εστιν G1510 V-PAI-3S  τοις G3588 T-DPM  δε G1161 CONJ  σωζομενοις G4982 V-PPP-DPM  ημιν G1473 P-1DP  δυναμις G1411 N-NSF  θεου G2316 N-GSM  εστιν G1510 V-PAI-3S 

(Greek NT WH+) ο G3588 T-NSM  λογος G3056 N-NSM  γαρ G1063 CONJ  ο G3588 T-NSM  του G3588 T-GSM  σταυρου G4716 N-GSM  τοις G3588 T-DPM  μεν G3303 PRT  απολλυμενοις G622 V-PEP-DPM  μωρια G3472 N-NSF  εστιν G1510 V-PAI-3S  τοις G3588 T-DPM  δε G1161 CONJ  σωζομενοις G4982 V-PPP-DPM  ημιν G1473 P-1DP  δυναμις G1411 N-NSF  θεου G2316 N-GSM  εστιν G1510 V-PAI-3S 

Anonymous said...

So as cited, even the textus receptus (not WH) has "logos" in 1 Cor 1:18, properly rendered by all translations EXCEPT the KJV!

tom m. said...

re: "...prior to this in 1 Cor 1:18, that Paul defines exactly WHAT exactly is foolishness: the "word" (Greek G3056 logos), I.e. the message not the act of preaching:

Your entire argument is completely off point. There is no dispute that (v. 18) "the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness"

1Cor 1:21 is not expounding v. 18. It is bringing up another point altogether. Note carefully the phrase in v. 21 is "the foolishness of preaching". It is not, note carefully, "the preaching of foolishness".

The message of the gospel of Christ is not foolish (Rom. 1:16). The KJV alone protects this truth. Nothing foolish about the blood of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ shed on the cross of Calvary.

Unless you are a WHO*

[*Westcott-Hort-only]

Rev. 18:4

Anonymous said...

Thanks, but the argument is on point.

Also, I'm not a "WHO" as you call it, which you can see if you go to my site: http://www.eachday.org. I've not listed it (or me) prior because it's not important, but you can see I'm a real person, a Christian, and one who shares very similar concerns about what is happening to the Gospel message, among other things.

I think you'd be well served to drop the "KJV Only" theme, and instead, focus on helping others understand:

a) the specific issues in the "WHO" materials, and
b) the strengths (and weaknesses) of the KJV translation, and
c) the strengths (and weaknesses) of other modern translations.

I stand by the call to read several different translations before coming to any conclusion on the verses. The original Greek (or Hebrew) text was inspired, and inerrant. However, ALL (and I stress ALL) translations, including the KJV, are man's effort, and subtle (both intended and unintended) errors have crept in at times. Newer discoveries (e.g. dead sea scrolls, etc) have also advanced our understanding of the original manuscripts, and many of these discoveries occurred after the KJV was written.

If you take the time to review my site, you'll see I share very similar concerns about many areas of Christianity today, which is why I monitor your site, but I disagree strongly on this topic.

God bless!

tom m. said...

re: on/off point

If you are honest you will simply admit (1) that the KJV in 1Cor. 1:21 does in fact refer to the method and not the message - and (2) that you think the KJV is wrong.

Issue settled.

My position on the KJV is also settled. Inspired and inerrant - not the 'original texts' as you say - for as you should know there are no originals. They do not exist.

All the homework has been done. The Alexandrian texts of the 'modern' bibles have proven corrupt and spurious. And, no 'new discoveries' ever have or will add one thing useful to the completed revelation of the KJV bible.

No weaknesses in the KJV whatsoever. It is the living Word. Every other so-called version is utterly 'lifeless'.

That message will not change because it is the truth.

For some reason you want to keep giving me your unsolicited advice:

"I think you'd be well served to drop the "KJV Only" theme"

Truly, to try and tell me that is very close to getting the response "Get thee behind me, Satan"

The fact is that if anybody were to be well served it would be you - by ditching the corrupt and spurious WH's ...and adopting the "KJV Only theme".

And that may be the best unsolicited advice you ever got.

Anyway like you suggested i should do five comments ago...

give it a rest.

Anonymous said...

I am at rest and at peace. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

If someone doesn't agree that the KJV is perfect, then they are telling you that they don't have a Bible at all (since all the other "versions" have missing verses and changed words). And if they don't have a Bible at all, then what are they arguing for?

The KJV is perfect, thank the Lord Jesus.

Bette said...

Time for me to delete this site from 'favorites'. Tom likes strife and in the process is demeaning the faith of others in the Bible. Was truly shocked when he blasted a dear sister for quoting from the ESV. My guess is she's is also long gone from this site.

tom m. said...

Reply to Bette (directly above):

Like strife? No. Compromise with error to avoid conflict is not an option though.

Using any Westcott/Hort bible-per-version is a huge mistake. Go down that road it is a dead end - literally.

In 'Christendom' regarding some doctrinal issues the phrase is often heard 'this is not an issue to divide over'...

This is an issue to divide over

Anonymous said...

TOm,
You were given much research, use it!
some 25 pages more than the following
dj

ANOTHER BIBLE ~ ANOTHER GOSPEL
THE NEW GREEK TEXT

https://watch-unto-prayer.org/another.html

In 1853, F.J.A. Hort and B.F. Westcott, who later became an Anglican bishop, proceeded to create, not a revision, but an altogether New Greek Text of the New Testament. 42. According to Dr. Hort, their intention was to radically alter the Traditional or Majority Text for future generations. “Our object is to supply clergymen generally, schools, etc., with a portable Greek Text which shall not be disfigured with Byzantine corruptions.” 43. The correction of “Byzantine corruptions” by Hort and Westcott was, in fact, the substitution of corrupt Alexandrian manuscripts for the Textus Receptus which underlies the Authorised Version – the text which agrees with the majority of manuscripts extant today.


Wrote Dr. Hort: “He (Westcott) and I are going to edit a Greek text of the New Testament some two or three years hence, if possible. Lachmann and Tischendorf will supply rich materials, but not nearly enough; and we hope to do a good deal with Oriental versions.” 44. Karl Lachmann (1793-1851) was professor of Classical and German Philology in .................

“[Hort] found time to attend the meetings of various [Cambridge] societies and in June joined the mysterious Company of the Apostles… He remained always a grateful and loyal member of the secret Club,........
“[The] Apostles had hoped that developments in the social sciences would before long make possible an equitable and frictionless society.” 38.

Roland Perry’s expose, The Fifth Man, revealed that a member of the powerful House of Rothschild which directs the worldwide network of Masonic societies, was a member of the Cambridge Apostles Club.

“The Fifth [man] provided Stalin almost on a daily basis with what Churchill and Roosevelt were saying about the USSR. The spy also had particular links to the US military and intelligence during and after the war… The Fifth Man was Nathaniel Mayer Victor Rothschild (1910 to 1990), better known as the third Lord Rothschild. He was the British head of the famous banking dynasty, which apart from prolific ed in.” 39


Secular historians as well as the Life and Letters of both B.F. Westcott and F.J.A. Hort, have documented the unorthodox doctrines and occult affiliations of these two clergymen during the

tom m. said...

To dj (above comment)

As stated, i'm well aware of Aho's site and writings. Aho actually proved herself false on the bible-version issue some years back when she came out against the Authorized Version and took up the 'Textus-Receptus Only' position. She then went on to promote the NKJV as superior to the AV. The NKJV is corrupt through and through. Lost all credibility right then...

- which the truth is she never had anyway due to her interpretations of scripture. Being a woman that would disobey God's Word and make herself a 'teacher' - it is certain that it is not possible that she has been anointed by the Holy Ghost to exposit scripture. Only error can result. Her attack against the inerrant Word of God the Authorized Version case in point.

You do need to relax dj, you are now sending me, and promoting, unsolicited, false teaching. Please refrain, i'm well researched.

Meme said...

Brother, this MAY help in this (TRUE) argument. A video just put up by a channel that features some sermons, some videos like this one. In the FIRST 5 or 10 minutes, he tells you WHY there are Bible versions, though I heard this long ago.I'm recommending that people watch if only the first 10 minutes of this video if they don't listen to anymore of it - JUST to hear exactly where the Bible versions began, came from, and why. God bless you, brother, and keep up the GOOD fight of the faith (once and for all delivered to the saints) and the TRUTH of God's own word, the King James Bible. Here is the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAKDiIvftCg&t=1181s

tom m. said...

to Meme (directly above),

What is presented in that vid is actually a deception - right at the beginning the speaker quotes Ellen G. White from 'The Great Controversy' - that is Seventh-day Adventist. Seventh-day Adventism is wholly unscriptural. It then goes into the Vatican and Jesuits. The reality of this topic though is that 'Jesuits' are a Jewish-Zionist front group, and always have been. The video even stated that the 'Catholic-Jesuits' were trying to take-over (along with everything else) Zionism. Nothing could be further from the truth - but that is exactly the purpose for it: Jewish-Zionists making it out that Rome and the Jesuits are behind it all..and not them. This Jesuit theme is widespread among many Christian-internet-groups and actively promoted. But it is completely opposite the reality. Rome is not Babylon, the pope will not be the AC. Zionists alone are behind all world-takeover agendas. The AC is to be a Jew: Coming Jewish Antichrist

Meme said...

to Tom - This is why you are one of my favorite brothers. I've learned much from you and I am so grateful. I believed some of this about the Jesuits, though I did catch the 7th day Adventist right off. I fast forwarded past him. After he said what he did about the Bible versions being planned (which Dave Hunt covers and I BELIEVE Manly P Hall tried it first), I had heard what I was looking for. I've known for years that the versions are corrupted. By the way, per the story I'm looking at now about the Gospel "being foolishness": in 1 Cor. 1:18, 15:2, and in 2 Cor. 2:15: in the KJB they all saved you who "ARE saved"..these all day "BEING saved". I'm always finding something! Thank you SO much for your help, I'll not bother with that other video.Thankfully, I quit not too far into it. God bless you!
Even so come, Lord Jesus!

Meme said...

Sorry for another response. I neglected to say that in my own studying I have found that the AC will be a Syrian Jew. However, I also thought that "Mystery Babylon" was the Vatican/Rome because of things named like the "bring arrayed in Scarlett and Purple. As a former RC, I saw plenty of that. I'll not quit studying..Thanks again, brother, and God bless you!
(My head is full and foggy (allergies) so I didn't comprehend all you said the first time, so again, sorry for 2 responses.

tom m. said...

To Meme (directly above)

*Rev. 17:5 'MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH'

Rome is not the 'mother' of harlots and abominations - there were many 'harlots and abominations' before Rome and the Vatican and catholicism and popes ever existed.

MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT'... essentially can only be a description of the 'spirit of this world' or 'spirit of antichrist', etc. [see: 1 John 4:3; 1 Cor. 2:12; Eph. 2:2 ..] - the sole source of it being the "god of this world" [2 Cor. 4:4] - who, working through that anti-christ spirit, which has literally done the mothering-work (so to speak), has brought forth every false way i.e. every harlot spirituality, and abominations of the earth, that have ever been birthed on this earth. Another aspect of the overall is that 'Babylon' represents the 'city of man' in opposition to God ruling over them.

tom m. said...

(*cont. from directly above)

...on this topic important to note that the phrase "Mystery Babylon" is not correct. There is a comma that goes between the two words: "MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS..." (and another comma between 'BABYLON...' and 'THE MOTHER...'). The correct way to speak of this then is simply 'MYSTERY', the mystery being the 'woman', for she personifies all of it (as briefly explained in above comment) wrapped together in one vivid picture - as it were; i.e. who is behind it, how it is actuated, that this reality is entirely unknown to the inhabitants of the 'city of man' - who are all drunk on her wine, etc.. It is a revelation of what this present world system really is and what drives it...

Rev. 18:4