What’s in the Margin? A comment on digging deeper.

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (footnote)” Romans 8:1

(footnote) – If you read the King James, you will find that verse 1 of chapter 8 continues with “who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit”.  But if you read the NASB or the NIV or other modern translations, you won’t see this part of the verse.  It’s either gone completely or only in the margins.  Why?

The Greek New Testament has been put together from hundreds of fragments and copies.  Some of these copies are older than others.  Scholars believe that the older copies are more likely to be the accurate expression of the writers.  Therefore, when there is a disagreement between copies, the oldest texts prevail.  In this verse, the phrase that we find in the King James comes from a Greek edition called the Textus Receptus.  It was available in 1611 when the King James Bible was translated.  But since then many other copies have been discovered.  Today, since this phrase is not among the oldest copies, it is regulated to the margins.

What difference does it make?  Think about the impact of Paul’s statement.  “Not one single bit of condemnation falls on those in Christ Jesus.”  This is unqualified and radical.  But what happens when I add, “who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit”?  Have I set up a new measuring stick?  Am I only liberated from condemnation if I am walking correctly?  Or is this phrase not a measurement but merely a description of the believer’s normal life?  Is the radical and revolutionary claim of the first part annotated by the second part, or qualified?  And if the second part is not in the oldest manuscripts, why was it added?

Understanding the Bible is often not as straightforward as many English translations make it seem.  Is it too confusing for you?  Don’t despair.  This is no ordinary book.  God Himself promises that the Spirit will lead us to truth.  But don’t be naïve.  If you want to know the truth, you must be willing to search for it.  Just like a map, you need to know the legend to read it correctly.  What you find in the margin (or in the text itself if you read the King James) might tug you in a different direction if you don’t know why it’s there.  Sacred texts require diligent examination.  Radical grace is not always easily understood.  Put your thinking cap on.