Reading the King James Version With Confidence

What You Will Learn

• Recognize older pronouns and verb endings in the KJV
• Use a working glossary of common KJV words whose meanings have changed
• Notice helps in the KJV text such as italics and LORD in small capitals
• Read a passage aloud or silently with growing confidence, and help others do the same without shame

Lesson Notes

God Gives Understanding to the Simple

Psalm 119:130 promises that The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. In the KJV, simple means a person without much learning or experience. God does not save His Word for scholars. Peter and John were called unlearned and ignorant men, yet people took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13).

The King James Version was first published in 1611, and its English is older than the English we speak today. Many find it beautiful, and many find it hard at first. Both are normal, and a few keys unlock a great deal. Before reading, pray as the psalmist did: Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law (Psalm 119:18).

Pronouns and Verb Endings

Thee, thou, thy, thine are singular: they mean you or your when speaking to one person. Ye and you are plural or formal: you all.

• thou = you (one person, as the subject): thou art = you are
• thee = you (one person, as the object): I will help thee
• thy / thine = your / yours (one person)
• ye = you (more than one person)

Verb endings follow a pattern:

• -eth goes with he, she, it: he loveth = he loves; it cometh = it comes; hath = has; doth = does; saith = says.
• -est or -st goes with thou: thou knowest = you know; thou hast = you have; thou art = you are; thou shalt = you shall.

Words That Have Changed

Some KJV words are still used today but meant something different in 1611. A short working glossary:

• Charity = love, especially self-giving love: Charity suffereth long, and is kind (1 Corinthians 13:4).
• Conversation = conduct or way of life, not only talking: let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ (Philippians 1:27).
• Suffer = allow or permit (as well as endure): Suffer little children... to come unto me (Matthew 19:14).
• Prevent = go before: we which are alive... shall not prevent them which are asleep (1 Thessalonians 4:15).
• Quick = living or alive: the word of God is quick, and powerful (Hebrews 4:12).
• Meat = food in general, not only animal meat.
• Let = sometimes means hinder or hold back (2 Thessalonians 2:7).
• Divers = various or different kinds: at sundry times and in divers manners (Hebrews 1:1).
• Verily = truly; behold = look or pay attention; shew = show; unto = to.
• Ghost = spirit, as in Holy Ghost (the Holy Spirit).
• Peculiar = belonging as a special possession (1 Peter 2:9), not strange.

Keep this list in the back of your Bible and add to it as you read.

Helps in the Text, and Reading Without Shame

• Italic words: In many KJV printings, some words appear in italics. These are words the translators added so the English would read smoothly. They are not emphasis.
• LORD in capital letters: When LORD appears in small capitals in the Old Testament, it stands for God's personal covenant name. Lord in regular letters usually translates a word meaning master.
• Punctuation: Read to the period or colon before stopping. Thoughts in the KJV often run across many commas.

Practical tips: read slowly; read a verse twice; use your finger or an index card under the line; and say a hard name the best you can and keep going.

As a leader, you will never force anyone to read aloud. The goal is understanding, not performance.

Key Terms

In-Class Activities

KJV Decoder

Your instructor will give you ten short KJV verses. For each, circle the older words, then rewrite the verse in plain modern English in your own words (for example, Charity suffereth long becomes Love is patient for a long time). Then compare with a partner. Remember that your rewrite helps you understand; it does not replace the KJV.

Ye or Thou?

Read Luke 22:31–32. Underline every you and circle every thee or thy. Discuss in pairs: Who is Jesus speaking about when He says you, and who when He says thee? What difference does that make for the meaning? Then build your own pocket KJV glossary card with at least twelve words from the lesson.

Assignment: My KJV Glossary and Paraphrase

• Make a KJV glossary card or page with at least fifteen words or forms and their meanings, including the pronouns, -eth and -est, charity, conversation, suffer, prevent, and quick.
• Choose one of these passages: Psalm 23, 1 Corinthians 13:4–7, or Philippians 4:4–8. Copy it in KJV, then write a plain-English paraphrase in your own words beside it.
• Write a half page: What makes the KJV hard or easy for you, and what one strategy from this lesson will you use? How will you help a woman in your future group who struggles to read?

Graded with the Module Assignment Rubric.

Reflection Journal

Psalm 119:130 says God gives understanding unto the simple. Have you ever felt that the Bible was not for someone like you? What would you say to a woman who feels that way now?

Prayer focus: Ask God to open your eyes to behold wondrous things in His Word, and thank Him that He gives understanding to the simple.

Understanding for the Simple

Some women open a King James Bible and close it again quickly. Thee, thou, hath, doth. It can feel like the Bible is written for someone else, someone more educated or more religious.

But Psalm 119:130 says, The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. In the KJV, simple means someone without much learning. That is exactly who God promises to help.

Peter and John were fishermen. The leaders of their day saw that they were unlearned and ignorant men, and yet they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13). Time with Jesus mattered more than schooling.

A few keys open many doors: thou and thee mean you (one person); -eth means -s (he loveth = he loves); charity means love; conversation means conduct. Keep your glossary card in your Bible. Read slowly. Read twice. And when you lead others, never let anyone feel ashamed of how she reads. Understanding, not performance, is the goal.

Think About It

1. Which KJV words still confuse you? Add them to your glossary. ______________________
2. Have you ever felt the Bible was not for someone like you? ______________________
3. How will you help a woman in your group who reads slowly? ______________________

Daily Devotions for Week 3

Light for the Simple

The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.— Psalm 119:130 (KJV)

God promises understanding to ordinary learners.

Reflect: Do you believe God can help you understand His Word?

Pray: Lord, give me understanding as I read.

Do: Read one verse three times, slowly, and write what you notice.

Open My Eyes

Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.— Psalm 119:18 (KJV)

Bible study begins with prayer for eyes to see.

Reflect: What wonder might God show you today?

Pray: Lord, open my eyes to behold wondrous things.

Do: Pray Psalm 119:18 before every time you read this week.

Charity Suffereth Long

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,— 1 Corinthians 13:4 (KJV)

Charity is love, and suffereth long means patient. Love is patient and kind.

Reflect: With whom do you need patient love today?

Pray: Lord, make my love patient and kind.

Do: Rewrite 1 Corinthians 13:4 in your own words, then live one line of it.

Quick and Powerful

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.— Hebrews 4:12 (KJV)

Quick means alive. God's Word is living, and it reaches the heart.

Reflect: What is God's living Word saying to your heart this week?

Pray: Lord, let Your living Word search my heart.

Do: Add quick = living to your glossary card.

They Had Been With Jesus

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.— Acts 4:13 (KJV)

Being with Jesus matters more than credentials.

Reflect: What would it look like for others to see that you have been with Jesus?

Pray: Jesus, let my life show that I have been with You.

Do: Spend ten quiet minutes with Jesus before you do anything else today.