Restoring the NT TextRestoring the NT Text

Commentary and Excerpts Commentary and Excerpts

From the Book by From the Book by

Neil R. LightfootNeil R. Lightfoot

Restoring the NT TextRestoring the NT Text

NT text had been born through centuries by NT text had been born through centuries by means of manuscripts and other materialsmeans of manuscripts and other materials– Mistakes were bound to happenMistakes were bound to happen– The primary concern is what affect mistakes have The primary concern is what affect mistakes have

on the texton the text– Practically all variations found among all extant Practically all variations found among all extant

manuscripts do not affect our present textmanuscripts do not affect our present text– The few textual problems that remain are The few textual problems that remain are

explained in footnotes etc. of recent translationsexplained in footnotes etc. of recent translations Understanding that the text is sound and why Understanding that the text is sound and why

now enables us to learn about our accepted now enables us to learn about our accepted text and something of its historytext and something of its history

Restoring the TextRestoring the Text

Our modern Greek text should be Our modern Greek text should be considered a restored or reconstructed considered a restored or reconstructed texttext– Only two things can be doneOnly two things can be done

Select a single manuscript and declare it an Select a single manuscript and declare it an authority and the standard textauthority and the standard text

Consult a number of manuscripts and Consult a number of manuscripts and authorities and by comparison reconstruct a authorities and by comparison reconstruct a text acceptable as like the originaltext acceptable as like the original

– No one manuscript is free of scribal errorNo one manuscript is free of scribal error Consultation has always been followed Consultation has always been followed

in the printing of the Greek NTin the printing of the Greek NT– Our modern text is an Our modern text is an editionedition of the NT of the NT– It has been restored through all the aids of It has been restored through all the aids of

textual criticismtextual criticism

Authorities for Restoring the Authorities for Restoring the TextText

If we did not have a modern edition of the NT If we did not have a modern edition of the NT how would we go about restoring it?how would we go about restoring it?

ManuscriptsManuscripts – Vatican, Siniatic, Alexandrian, – Vatican, Siniatic, Alexandrian, Ephrahem Manuscript, Codex Bezae and Ephrahem Manuscript, Codex Bezae and othersothers– Manuscripts of the original language (Greek)Manuscripts of the original language (Greek)– Not all of equal weightNot all of equal weight

Some are good, better, and a few bestSome are good, better, and a few best– Some of these habitually agree in their readings Some of these habitually agree in their readings

and are obviously derived from a common ancestorand are obviously derived from a common ancestor These are called a “text type”These are called a “text type”

These can be traced back to different quarters These can be traced back to different quarters of the worldof the world– Alexandria and Egypt (Alexandrian)Alexandria and Egypt (Alexandrian)– Antioch of Syria (Syrian or Byzantine)Antioch of Syria (Syrian or Byzantine)– Western Europe (Western)Western Europe (Western)

Since these represent a wide range of textual Since these represent a wide range of textual variations, whenever they agree on a reading, variations, whenever they agree on a reading, this is textual certaintythis is textual certainty

Authorities for Restoring the Authorities for Restoring the TextText VersionsVersions – Syriac, Latin, Coptic, Armenian, Gothic, Ethiopic – Syriac, Latin, Coptic, Armenian, Gothic, Ethiopic

and Georgianand Georgian– All appeared in the early centuries of the Christian eraAll appeared in the early centuries of the Christian era– They had to made from some Greek textThey had to made from some Greek text– Each different type of text provides us with an independent Each different type of text provides us with an independent

line of witnessesline of witnesses Early Christian writersEarly Christian writers

– Most lived near the end of the 1Most lived near the end of the 1stst century and early into the century and early into the 22ndnd, they wrote extensively of their religion and quoted , they wrote extensively of their religion and quoted frequently from Scripturefrequently from Scripture

– Volume upon volume of writing of these “Church Fathers” Volume upon volume of writing of these “Church Fathers” have been preservedhave been preserved

– These writing are literally filled with quotations of the NT These writing are literally filled with quotations of the NT from their copies which were much older than oursfrom their copies which were much older than ours

– The reading of their many quotations tells us much about The reading of their many quotations tells us much about the early churchthe early church

– So extensive are these quotations that if all other sources So extensive are these quotations that if all other sources for the NT were lost, these would be sufficient to for the NT were lost, these would be sufficient to reconstruct practically all of the NTreconstruct practically all of the NT

The manuscripts, the versions and citations from early The manuscripts, the versions and citations from early Christian are the tools used to restore the NT textChristian are the tools used to restore the NT text– There are so many readings available we come so near to There are so many readings available we come so near to

the original autographs as to all but grasp them in our the original autographs as to all but grasp them in our handshands

The Greek NT in PrintThe Greek NT in Print Erasmus of Rotterdam edited and published the first printed Erasmus of Rotterdam edited and published the first printed

Greek NTGreek NT– 1516, invited by a printer John Froben in Basle, Switzerland1516, invited by a printer John Froben in Basle, Switzerland– Erasmus had learned Greek and had worked on his own Latin Erasmus had learned Greek and had worked on his own Latin

translationtranslation– He was known as Europe’s greatest scholarHe was known as Europe’s greatest scholar

The edition used parallel columns with Greek on the left and The edition used parallel columns with Greek on the left and Latin on the rightLatin on the right– The Latin was not Jerome’s Vulgate but Erasmus’ own The Latin was not Jerome’s Vulgate but Erasmus’ own

translationtranslation– Erasmus also attached about 1,000 pages of notes and Erasmus also attached about 1,000 pages of notes and

essaysessays– The volume was rushed through printing in about five months The volume was rushed through printing in about five months

because a Spanish Bible in Hebrew, Greek and Latin was because a Spanish Bible in Hebrew, Greek and Latin was underway and Erasmus wanted to get ahead of itunderway and Erasmus wanted to get ahead of it

Erasmus’ NTErasmus’ NT– 11stst publication of the NT in Greek publication of the NT in Greek– Prepared using a few late Greek manuscripts that were Prepared using a few late Greek manuscripts that were

availableavailable– Edited and carried through printing very hastilyEdited and carried through printing very hastily– Although corrected by 4 subsequent editions of Erasmus its Although corrected by 4 subsequent editions of Erasmus its

many shortcomings would be perpetuated by subsequent many shortcomings would be perpetuated by subsequent editors of the Greek texteditors of the Greek text

Despite all this Erasmus did lead the way in valuing Greek Despite all this Erasmus did lead the way in valuing Greek manuscripts over Latinmanuscripts over Latin

He also spoke boldly against the Roman Church, Bishops, secular He also spoke boldly against the Roman Church, Bishops, secular scholars and Monks were all publicly dragged out for wrongsscholars and Monks were all publicly dragged out for wrongs

Seeds of ReformationSeeds of Reformation After Erasmus came a man named Stephanus EstienneAfter Erasmus came a man named Stephanus Estienne

– 1546 through 51 brought out several editions of the 1546 through 51 brought out several editions of the Greek textGreek text

– 33rdrd and 4 and 4thth editions were most noteworthy editions were most noteworthy 1551, first time text was divided into verses1551, first time text was divided into verses To this day when citing NT verses it is Stephanus’ To this day when citing NT verses it is Stephanus’

arrangement that is usedarrangement that is used– The edition of 1550 “the Royal edition” was smaller, 9 x The edition of 1550 “the Royal edition” was smaller, 9 x

13, it was very beautiful and almost entirely used 13, it was very beautiful and almost entirely used Erasmus’ textErasmus’ text

From this, plus minor alterations, came the “Received Text”From this, plus minor alterations, came the “Received Text” The Protestant Reformer Theodore Beza forwarded The Protestant Reformer Theodore Beza forwarded

Stephanus’ work by putting out a number of Greek editions, Stephanus’ work by putting out a number of Greek editions, 1565-1604, but they were essentially the text of Stephanus1565-1604, but they were essentially the text of Stephanus– This was the type of text used by the translators of the KJThis was the type of text used by the translators of the KJ

By now the Greek text had become standardizedBy now the Greek text had become standardized– A Dutch family, the Elzevirs, confirmed this with their A Dutch family, the Elzevirs, confirmed this with their

edition in 1633, “You have the text now received by all” edition in 1633, “You have the text now received by all” written in Latin which read “written in Latin which read “Textus ReceptusTextus Receptus” or ” or ““Received TextReceived Text””

– This edition was scarcely different from the Stephanus This edition was scarcely different from the Stephanus text which is about the same as the Erasmus texttext which is about the same as the Erasmus text

– Erasmus’ text is based on no more than a handful Erasmus’ text is based on no more than a handful of late Greek manuscriptsof late Greek manuscripts

The Evidence MountsThe Evidence Mounts

As more and earlier manuscripts came As more and earlier manuscripts came to light demands became strong for an to light demands became strong for an improved Greek textimproved Greek text– The Alexandrian Uncial came to England in The Alexandrian Uncial came to England in

1627, as a 41627, as a 4thth century document it century document it predated Erasmus’ sources by 700 yearspredated Erasmus’ sources by 700 years

– Collations of manuscripts began to appear, Collations of manuscripts began to appear, then evidence from the versions and then then evidence from the versions and then quotations of early Christian writersquotations of early Christian writers

The KJThe KJ Our issues can be manyOur issues can be many 1) The Vulgate1) The Vulgate

– No one knows for sure who translated Acts through No one knows for sure who translated Acts through RevelationsRevelations

It was certainly Jerome but he did not declare it in It was certainly Jerome but he did not declare it in writingwriting

– The original commission was only to gather all of the The original commission was only to gather all of the Old Latin writings and create one BibleOld Latin writings and create one Bible

Thankfully it appears with the Gospels that Greek Thankfully it appears with the Gospels that Greek writings were consultedwritings were consulted

2) Codex Bezae, known for its peculiar readings and 2) Codex Bezae, known for its peculiar readings and general issues with the “Western” type of text was the general issues with the “Western” type of text was the only uncial available for the original KJ writersonly uncial available for the original KJ writers

3) The “Received Text” has as its beginnings a hastily 3) The “Received Text” has as its beginnings a hastily prepared translation that used only a handful of very prepared translation that used only a handful of very late Greek manuscriptslate Greek manuscripts– Even though subsequent editions made changes, the Even though subsequent editions made changes, the

errors of the original perpetuated throughout the errors of the original perpetuated throughout the publicationspublications

– Stephanus Etienne and Theodore Beza did little Stephanus Etienne and Theodore Beza did little revision of the textrevision of the text

4) The Alexandrian uncial has many disagreements with 4) The Alexandrian uncial has many disagreements with the KJ and it predates the KJ source material by 700 the KJ and it predates the KJ source material by 700 yearsyears

John Mill + Richard John Mill + Richard BentleyBentley

Dr. John Mill of OxfordDr. John Mill of Oxford– After 30yrs, in 1707, he issued his edition of the Greek After 30yrs, in 1707, he issued his edition of the Greek

NTNT– He wanted to present as much of the existing He wanted to present as much of the existing

evidence on the text as was possibleevidence on the text as was possible He gathered previous collations, collated additional He gathered previous collations, collated additional

manuscripts himself, and had colleagues make yet manuscripts himself, and had colleagues make yet more collationsmore collations

Along with the testimony of the manuscripts he includedAlong with the testimony of the manuscripts he included– Abundant information from the ancient versions Abundant information from the ancient versions

(Syriac, Coptic, Latin)(Syriac, Coptic, Latin)– Writings of the Church FathersWritings of the Church Fathers

Mills’ work was not a new NT, he did what his Mills’ work was not a new NT, he did what his predecessors had done and merely reprinted the predecessors had done and merely reprinted the Stephanus text of 1550Stephanus text of 1550

Mills’ work provoked controversy because of the large Mills’ work provoked controversy because of the large number of variants (30,000)number of variants (30,000)– The problem was including so much from the Church The problem was including so much from the Church

Fathers and so many collationsFathers and so many collations Many charged that Mill’s had only succeeded in Many charged that Mill’s had only succeeded in

making the text uncertainmaking the text uncertain

John Mill + Richard John Mill + Richard BentleyBentley

In 1713, Anthony Collins, published a pamphlet In 1713, Anthony Collins, published a pamphlet “Discourse of Free-Thinking” that slammed the “Discourse of Free-Thinking” that slammed the Bible and held up works such as Mills’ as Bible and held up works such as Mills’ as evidenceevidence

Richard Bentley, a great classics scholar from Richard Bentley, a great classics scholar from Trinity College in Cambridge, wrote “Remarks Trinity College in Cambridge, wrote “Remarks upon a Late Discourse of Free-Thinking”upon a Late Discourse of Free-Thinking”

Bentley sought to defend Mills’ text against Bentley sought to defend Mills’ text against those who magnified textual variationsthose who magnified textual variations– He also wanted to clearly speak out against He also wanted to clearly speak out against

those who defended the “Received Text” at all those who defended the “Received Text” at all costscosts

Bentley went on to plan and begin an entirely Bentley went on to plan and begin an entirely new edition of the “Received Text” that would be new edition of the “Received Text” that would be corrective and use original Greekcorrective and use original Greek– He died before finishing it and no one took up He died before finishing it and no one took up

the causethe cause

The Westcott-Hort TextThe Westcott-Hort Text The original Greek is our source for all The original Greek is our source for all

of our NT translationsof our NT translations In the middle of the nineteenth century In the middle of the nineteenth century

two extraordinary things happenedtwo extraordinary things happened– 1) Tischendorf’s discovery of the Sinaitic 1) Tischendorf’s discovery of the Sinaitic

ManuscriptManuscript– 2) His successful collation of the Vatican 2) His successful collation of the Vatican

ManuscriptManuscript The availability of these witnesses The availability of these witnesses

gave momentum for a new edition of gave momentum for a new edition of the Greek text and for a thorough the Greek text and for a thorough revision of the Authorized or King revision of the Authorized or King James VersionJames Version

18811881 Two Cambridge scholars:Two Cambridge scholars:

– Brooke Foss Westcott and Fenton John Brooke Foss Westcott and Fenton John Anthony HortAnthony Hort

May 12May 12thth published the first of two published the first of two volumes entitled “The New Testament volumes entitled “The New Testament in the Original Greek”in the Original Greek”

It was a completely new text revised or It was a completely new text revised or reconstructed with accuracyreconstructed with accuracy

Tischendorf and other Biblical scholars Tischendorf and other Biblical scholars had long set aside the “Received Text” had long set aside the “Received Text” or “KJ” but fully accepted the work of or “KJ” but fully accepted the work of Westcott and Hort as definitiveWestcott and Hort as definitive

Westcott and HortWestcott and Hort On September 4On September 4thth the 2 the 2ndnd edition came out with an edition came out with an

Appendix and IntroductionAppendix and Introduction AppendixAppendix: had notes on selected textual problems: had notes on selected textual problems IntroductionIntroduction: comprises a monumental discussion of the : comprises a monumental discussion of the

principles underlying the Westcott-Hort Greek textprinciples underlying the Westcott-Hort Greek text They had labored thirty years and the achievement was They had labored thirty years and the achievement was

revolutionaryrevolutionary– Not because of new ideas but because of the deliberate Not because of new ideas but because of the deliberate

thoroughness of their work and the principles that backed it thoroughness of their work and the principles that backed it upup

– No piece of evidence was passed over, no authority had No piece of evidence was passed over, no authority had been set aside without vettingbeen set aside without vetting

The Westcott-Hort text was a rejection of mass The Westcott-Hort text was a rejection of mass authorities and an acknowledged dependence on the authorities and an acknowledged dependence on the Sinaitic and Vatican Manuscripts, particularly the VaticanSinaitic and Vatican Manuscripts, particularly the Vatican

Every edition of the Greek text since Westcott-Hort has Every edition of the Greek text since Westcott-Hort has only confirmed their miraculous workonly confirmed their miraculous work

In the same year, 1881, the English Revised Version of In the same year, 1881, the English Revised Version of the NT appearedthe NT appeared– It received immense attentionIt received immense attention– While it was not entirely based on Westcott-Hort, they were While it was not entirely based on Westcott-Hort, they were

on the Revision Committeeon the Revision Committee

English Revised and English Revised and Westcott HortWestcott Hort

There were “Received Text” scholars There were “Received Text” scholars and proponents on the committee of and proponents on the committee of the English Revised Versionthe English Revised Version– The fact that the text so heavily relies on The fact that the text so heavily relies on

Westcott-Hort speaks to its validityWestcott-Hort speaks to its validity The Westcott-Hort text along with the The Westcott-Hort text along with the

English Revised Version dealt the final English Revised Version dealt the final blow to the “Received Text” on which blow to the “Received Text” on which the KJ Version is basedthe KJ Version is based

The work begun by Tischendorf, The work begun by Tischendorf, carried on by Mills and then Bentley, carried on by Mills and then Bentley, finally came to public recognition as finally came to public recognition as definitive and authoritativedefinitive and authoritative

SummarySummary Our NT is a reconstructed or restored textOur NT is a reconstructed or restored text It has been reconstructed using the rules of It has been reconstructed using the rules of

textual criticism and modern scholarship textual criticism and modern scholarship from three independent lines of witnessesfrom three independent lines of witnesses– 1) the manuscripts, 2) the versions, 3) writings of 1) the manuscripts, 2) the versions, 3) writings of

the early Church Fathersthe early Church Fathers 1516 Erasmus: First NT in Greek 1516 Erasmus: First NT in Greek

– Based on a few late manuscriptsBased on a few late manuscripts 1550 Stephanus: published a beautiful 1550 Stephanus: published a beautiful

edition of the Greek that became the edition of the Greek that became the “Received Text”“Received Text”– Almost identical with Erasmus’ workAlmost identical with Erasmus’ work– Printed and accepted for almost 300 yearsPrinted and accepted for almost 300 years

1881 and Westcott-Hort published their work 1881 and Westcott-Hort published their work and it holds true to this day with only slight and it holds true to this day with only slight modificationsmodifications

All new editions of the NT and almost all new All new editions of the NT and almost all new translations heavily depend on Westcott-Horttranslations heavily depend on Westcott-Hort

For DiscussionFor Discussion What three main sources are available to us in What three main sources are available to us in

restoring the original text of the New Testament?restoring the original text of the New Testament?– Manuscripts, versions, Church FathersManuscripts, versions, Church Fathers– Manuscripts = Vatican, Sinaitic, AlexandrianManuscripts = Vatican, Sinaitic, Alexandrian

Which is the most important source?Which is the most important source?– Manuscripts (Vatican)Manuscripts (Vatican)

What is the text of Erasmus?What is the text of Erasmus?– A hastily prepared manuscript based on very late A hastily prepared manuscript based on very late

Greek manuscripts and Erasmus’ own Latin Greek manuscripts and Erasmus’ own Latin translationtranslation

Why is the work of Erasmus important?Why is the work of Erasmus important?– It was the first Greek NT in print and it was the It was the first Greek NT in print and it was the

basis for what would become the “Received Text”basis for what would become the “Received Text” What is the “Received Text”?What is the “Received Text”?

– Stephanus’ third edition (1550) known as the Royal Stephanus’ third edition (1550) known as the Royal edition because of its beauty and based almost edition because of its beauty and based almost entirely on Erasmusentirely on Erasmus

– From this edition with a few slight alterations came From this edition with a few slight alterations came the text know as the “Received Text”the text know as the “Received Text”

Who were the two textual scholars who produced a Who were the two textual scholars who produced a completely revised edition of the Greek text?completely revised edition of the Greek text?– Westcott and HortWestcott and Hort