Romans 8:15

(KJV) For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
(1611 KJV) For ye haue not receiued the spirit of bondage againe to feare: but ye haue receiued the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, father.
(1587 Geneva Bible) For ye haue not receiued the Spirit of bodage, to feare againe: but ye haue receiued the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba, Father.
(1526 Tyndale) For ye have no receaved the sprete of bondage to feare eny moare but ye have receaved the sprite of adopcion wherby we crye Abba father.

Counterfeit Versions
(CEB) You didn’t receive a spirit of slavery to lead you back again into fear, but you received a Spirit that shows you are adopted as his children. With this Spirit, we cry, “Abba, Father.”

(CSB) For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “'Abba', Father! ”

(NABRE) For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, “Abba, Father!”
(NASV) For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”
(NRSV) For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!”
(NWT-Jehovah’s Witnesses) For you did not receive a spirit of slavery causing fear again, but you received a spirit of adoption as sons, by which spirit we cry out: “Abba,

Textus Receptus - Traditional Text
ου γαρ ελαβετε πνευμα δουλειας παλιν εις φοβον αλλ ελαβετε πνευμα υιοθεσιας εν ω κραζομεν αββα ο πατηρ

Hort-Westcott - Critical Text
ου γαρ ελαβετε πνευμα δουλειας παλιν εις φοβον αλλα ελαβετε πνευμα υιοθεσιας εν ω κραζομεν αββα ο πατηρ

Corrupted Manuscripts
None

Affected Teaching
This week’s verse speaks of the spirit of adoption which is another name for the Holy Spirit. The five modern versions listed use an indirect object “a” and it makes it look like there is more than one Spirit. There is only one Spirit of adoption and that is the Holy Spirit and there is no other and He is not one among many. This may be the teaching of the New Age movement but it is not the true teaching of biblical Christianity.  The Holy Spirit is the way we are adopted into the Kingdom of God.  He is the only way to become saved once we are indwelled by Him.  The modern versions make it sound like there are many spirits by using the indirect article “a.”  The King James uses the direct article “the” teaching there is only one way we are adopted into the Kingdom of God and that is through the Holy Spirit.

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