Hoyte Nelson's 

Poems/ Reflections & Biblical Essays

Biblical Essays

Poems & Reflections

Essay

A “Scribal Insert”, what is it?

            I must confess that as a young man I was troubled to learn that the KJV translation of the Bible was not translated from the original manuscripts. I did not know then that there were no original manuscripts in existence as far as is known; therefore, all we have today are copies handed down from the original manuscripts.

What happened to the original manuscripts we do not know---, lost in the passing of time; nevertheless, I believe that God has preserved in the copies all the truths of the original manuscripts. Those who gave their lives copying the scriptures were truly dedicated servants of God to whom we owe a great debt of gratitude. Behind it all, God, the Holy Spirit, has watched over His Word for us.  

 The Bible is still the “Bible;” it is God’s holy Word; therefore, my confidence in the trustworthiness of the “Holy Scriptures” has not changed, but my understanding of the translations, etc., has changed.

            This article is written for member of my family (and others) who may never have the opportunity to study the truths “about” the Bible. It may be troubling to some to know that we have to depend upon copies handed down by scribes who copied other copies that were handed down to them, etc., but it need not be so. Translations are simply updates form better sources of information as more modern means of acquiring information is available. For example, the Authorized King James version is said to be “translated out of the original tongues (Languages, not manuscripts) and with the former translations diligently compared and revised” (Fly-Leaf of every copy of the KJV Bible). 

            Before I address the subject of “A Scribal Insert,” and as a background for this study, I will give an example of why we need updated translations:

When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane with the disciples, this is the recorded account (KJV): “Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. 37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. 38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me” (Matthew 26:36—38)…

44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.”

            Notice, that when Jesus returns the third time and finds them asleep, the KJV translation says: “Sleep on now and take you rest, Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me. 

            The “New” KJV (and others) records this event in the Life of Jesus as follows: “And He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See, he who betrays Me is at hand.”

            The question is, did Jesus say to the disciples, “sleep on now…Arise” (Judas is here), Or, did He ask them, “are you still sleeping…?  “Arise”! (Judas is here) In other translations we often have a clearer understanding of the original intent of this passage. This is also true with many hard to understand passages of scripture. Translations are oftentimes our best commentary for Bible studies. (Good commentaries are likewise recommended.) 

              It is a fact that a copyist, in copying the scriptures, would at times take liberties in addressing a passage of scripture; either intentionally, or by accident. This is called a “Scribal Insert.” In this article I am sharing with you my understanding of how a copyist has altered a verse of scripture in Romans 8:1 by borrowing a phrase from Romans 8:4, (kjv)

In chapter eight, verse one, it is recorded: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, (And the copyist borrowing this phrase from verse four, inserted: “Who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

            You will notice that in Romans 8: 4 there is this reference: “who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit,” but the context is altogether different from verse one. In chapter 8:4, the scripture is speaking of the Christian “walking in the spirit” as evidence of his faith; whereas in chapter 8:1, the Apostle is speaking, not about our walk as Christians, but about our standing, or our position “in Christ,” un-condemned. “There is now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus.” True, our walk is important, but our salvation is not dependent upon our walk (good works), but upon God’s grace. “for by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8, KJV).

            Today, most of the people of the world look to their walk (good works) for their salvation, but thank be to God, it not our walk that gets us to heaven, but the walk and sacrifice of Jesus all the way to the cross, and who is now seated at the right hand of our heavenly Father making intercession for us.

            For a better understanding of what I am seeking to explain, I will go into a greater detail about this important truth:

In the Apostle Paul’s Epistle to the Christians in Rome, (chapters 7 and 8), gives us a contrast between a man striving to be the best that man could be under the law. (Chapter 7), and man’s victory in Christ. (Chapter 8) You cannot understand chapter eight without some understanding of chapter seven. I will now record the problem, as I see it, as recorded in Paul letter to the Church in Rome. (Romans 7:22-25; 8:1-4):

         In chapter 7:22, The Apostle says, “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! WHO (Highly for emphasis) shall deliver me from the body of this death?  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

            Notice in verse 24 Paul asked the question: “Who shall deliver me; (not what shall deliver me). In verse 25 Paul names the person who shall deliver him: “Jesus.”

Now, we will continue in Paul’s Roman Letter as recorded in chapter 8: 1-4 and I’ll point out the “Scribal insert” and the adverse difference that it makes for all Christendom:

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, (The insert) “who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: “That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:1-4).

             What is the problem? The problem is that the Scribe (inserted) this phrase, “who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” in chapter 8: 1 where it is said, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (PERIOD).

Let me explain: Remember, the Apostle asked the question, “Who shall deliver me…” meaning Jesus (The cross, etc.), but if you add, “who walk…” then your salvation depends, not upon Jesus, but upon your walk, therefore, salvation by works, not grace. 

            I do not know why the copyist took it upon himself to insert this phrase in verse Romans 8:1.  I remember, however, when this was introduced to me in my studied at Clarke College in 1951 or ’52. The Godly Bible Teacher said that maybe the Scribe, having read verse four about the Christian walking in the Spirit, could not comprehend that salvation could be in the finished work of Jesus only; therefore, seeing in verse 4 about the statement of the Christian walking in the Spirit, he might have thought he was doing God a favor by inserting this phrase in verse 1, thus changing the gospel of grace, to a gospel of grace-works, and thereby, creating mass systems of religion based upon this supposition. 

            In closing, I make no claim to scholarship, but I do make the claim of being led of the Holy Spirit, and in doing so, I love to share the truth of His word with my family, and others who might read my writings. I remember the blessing it was to me when I learned of this truth. I knew from this passage of scripture, void of the insert, that my salvation did not depend upon my walk, but upon Jesus Christ’s finished work. It is true that we are to walk “in the Spirit,” but not for salvation, but for sanctification. Sanctification has to do with our life here on this earth, whereas, our salvation has to do with our home in heaven!