Titus 1:2
(KJV) In hope
of eternal life, which God, that cannot
lie, promised before the world began;
(1611 KJV) In hope of eternall life,
which God that cannot lie,
promised before the world began:
(1587 Geneva Bible) Vnto the hope of
eternall life, which God that cannot
lie, hath promised before the world began:
(1526 Tyndale) vpon the hope of
eternall lyfe which lyfe God that cannot
lye hath promised before the worlde begane:
Counterfeit Versions
(CEB) Their faith and this knowledge are based on the
hope of eternal life that God, who doesn’t lie, promised before time began.
(CEV) Then they will have the hope of eternal life
that God promised long ago. And God never tells a lie!
(1899 Douay Rheims-American Edition-Roman Catholic)
Unto the hope of life everlasting, which God, who lieth not, hath promised
before the times of the world:
(ERV) This faith and knowledge make us sure that we
have eternal life. God promised that life to us before time began—and God does
not lie.
(ESV) in hope of eternal life, which God, who never
lies, promised before the ages began
(GNB) which is based on the hope for eternal life.
God, who does not lie, promised us this life before the beginning of time,
(THE MESSAGE) My aim is to raise hopes by pointing the
way to life without end. This is the life God promised long ago—and he doesn’t
break promises!
(NEW AMERICAN BIBLE-Roman Catholic) in the hope of
eternal life that God, who does not lie, promised before time began,
(NET) in hope of eternal life, which God, who does not
lie, promised before time began.
(NIRV) That belief and understanding lead to the hope
of eternal life. Before time began, God promised to give that life. And he does
not lie.
(NIV) in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does
not lie, promised before the beginning of time,
(NLT) This truth gives them confidence that they have
eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began.
(NRSV) in the hope of eternal life that God, who never
lies, promised before the ages began—
(RSV) in hope of eternal life which God, who never
lies, promised ages ago
Textus Receptus - Traditional Text
επ ελπιδι ζωης αιωνιου ην επηγγειλατο ο
αψευδης θεος προ χρονων
αιωνιων
Hort-Westcott - Critical Text
επ ελπιδι ζωης αιωνιου ην επηγγειλατο ο
αψευδης θεος προ χρονων
αιωνιων
Corrupted Manuscripts
None
Affected Teaching
Here is a case of the translators using the wrong
English words. The word “cannot” as used in the King James Bible is the Greek
word “apseudês” which has a specific meaning of “free from falsehood, truthful.”
It is used only once in the New Testament. It conveys the fact that God is
absolutely free from any and all falsehood and as a result, He cannot lie. The
words “can and cannot” are words of ability. This means that He does not have
the ability to lie. The Greek word should never be translated “does not or never
tells” because these English words convey that “lying” is optional and that God
chooses not to lie, leaving Him the ability to lie. Let me use an illustration.
I will use myself as the subject. Ken has trouble with his legs and therefore
cannot run. Modern usage-Ken has trouble with his legs and therefore does not
run. Do you see the major difference? My leg problems make it impossible for me
to run, it does not give me a choice. Once again the modern versions leave a
confusing thought instead of a definite truth like the King James Bible does in
this verse.