When the topic of religion came up during a recent conversation with a dear friend who belongs to a Protestant denomination, a claim was made that the Catholics changed the wording in the Bible.
The example given was in regard to the 10 Commandments, which I learned is worded differently between the texts of the Standard Catholic Bible and the King James Bible that is used by Protestants.
Because I am no biblical scholar, I wasn't sure how to answer that, but I am able to do the research, and when I got home, I did. Here is what I learned.
Origins
The main difference between the Protestant i.e. King James Bible and the Catholic Bible is in the origin.
- The Catholic Bible that we have today, was translated into Latin by St. Jerome in the 4th Century CE. This is the Standard Catholic Bible that has been used for centuries, and that has been translated into the different languages that the Bible is available in today from that original source.
- The King James Bible on the other hand, was compiled during the 16th Century as part of the Protestant Reformation. The KJB was translated by a team of scholars. The project was overseen by Archbishop Richard Bancroft.
- King James Bible: The New Testament of the KJV was translated from the Textus Receptus (Received Text), a series of Greek texts compiled by Erasmus and later revised by others like Stephanus and Beza. The Old Testament was translated from the Masoretic Hebrew text, and the Apocrypha from the Greek Septuagint. This text was compiled in the 16th century and is based on a limited number of late Byzantine manuscripts. While it's highly respected, especially in Protestant traditions, it may not include the oldest or most varied manuscript evidence.
- Catholic Bible: The New Testament of the Catholic Bible primarily uses the Vulgate, which was translated by St. Jerome from the Hebrew and Greek texts, including the Septuagint. The Old Testament also uses the Septuagint for some books. The Septuagint is a Greek translation of Hebrew scriptures dating back to around the 3rd century BCE, making it one of the oldest translations. The Vulgate, translated by St. Jerome in the 4th century CE, uses these older sources and reflects a longer tradition of textual transmission, particularly within the Catholic Church.
St. Jerome's work made the scriptures more accessible to the common people of his time, as Latin was the prevalent language of the Roman Empire.
Notable DifferencesThere are a number of books and chapters that are included in the Catholic Bible that are not in the King James Bible. These additional books are known as the Deuterocanonical books. Here they are:
Tobit
Judith
1 Maccabees
2 Maccabees
Wisdom (of Solomon)
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
Baruch
Additions to Esther (parts of Esther that are not in the Hebrew Bible)
Additions to Daniel:
Prayer of Azariah
Song of the Three Holy Children
Susanna
Bel and the Dragon
These books are included in the Catholic Old Testament but are not part of the Protestant Old Testament, including the KJV.
The Catholic Bible includes the Deuterocanonical books for several reasons:
Historical Tradition: These books were widely used by early Christians and were part of the Greek Septuagint, a key scriptural source in the early Church. The Septuagint included these books, and early Church Fathers often referenced them in their writings.
Council Decisions: The Deuterocanonical books were affirmed as canonical at several important Church councils. The Council of Rome (382 AD), Councils of Hippo (393 AD), and Carthage (397 and 419 AD) all endorsed the inclusion of these books. This decision was further solidified at the Council of Trent (1546 AD) in response to the Protestant Reformation.
Theological Consistency: The Catholic Church views these books as inspired and consistent with the rest of Scripture. They provide valuable teachings, historical accounts, and insights into Jewish life and faith during the intertestamental period (between the Old and New Testaments).
Liturgy and Devotion: These books have been used in Catholic liturgy and devotion for centuries. They are included in the readings at Mass and other liturgical celebrations.
In summary, the Catholic Church considers the Deuterocanonical books an integral part of its scriptural and theological tradition, reaffirming their importance through historical councils and consistent use in liturgy and teaching.
Another difference is in the wording or presentation. The specific example that I was presented with during the conversation was in regard to the 10 Commandments.
The Ten Commandments are essentially the same across different Christian traditions, but the wording and grouping can differ slightly between the Catholic and Protestant (King James Bible) versions. Here's a comparison to highlight these differences:
Catholic Ten Commandments:
I am the Lord your God. You shall not have strange gods before me.
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.
Honor your father and your mother.
You shall not kill.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.
You shall not covet your neighbor's goods.
Protestant (King James Bible) Ten Commandments:
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Honour thy father and thy mother.
Thou shalt not kill.
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Thou shalt not steal.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Thou shalt not covet.
Key Differences:
The Catholic version combines the prohibition of other gods and the creation of idols into the first commandment.
The Catholic version separates the commandment on coveting into two: one for coveting a neighbor's wife and another for coveting a neighbor's goods.
The Protestant version explicitly separates the commandment against making graven images.
These differences reflect variations in theological emphasis and historical tradition. Despite these variations, the core moral teachings remain consistent across both versions.
So yes, the Catholic Bible and the King James Version have a number of key differences and variations in wording. The original claim that the Catholic's changed the bible is unfair and incorrect. I hope I have been able to explain why that is and how it came to be.
Sources
English-Bible-4-Understanding-the-Greek-Text-Behind-the-King-James-Version.pdf
The Texts | The King James Bible: A Translation for the Ages | Cedarville University
Septuagint Version | Catholic Answers Encyclopedia
How St. Jerome Translated the Bible for the Masses
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