Wednesday, November 20, 2019

WM 140: Responding to the "Which TR?" Objection





WM 140: Responding to the "Which TR?" Objection has been posted. Listen here.

In the chapter “Why Not the Textus Receptus” (pp. 87-91) in his Introduction to the Greek New Testament Produced at Tyndale House, Cambridge (Crossway, 2019), Jongkind poses a version of the “Which TR?” objection.

Is this challenge an insurmountable defeater for the TR position?

Jongkind’s Objections:

Jongkind begins, “Before we start discussing the Textus Receptus we should clarify which printed Greek NT we are talking about” (88).

He makes reference and brief comparisons to the printed editions of Stephanus (1550) and Elzevir (1624, 1633).

He adds, “Each of these printed Greek New Testaments has some problems, though most of these are minute” (88).

He lists three examples:

First: Revelation 7:7 involves the spelling of the name Issachar. He gives the variants as Isaschar and Isachar. The differences is one letter (sigma). Jongkind does not tell us in which printed editions he located this variation.

Second: Revelation 8:11 reads το τριτοv in Stephanus (1550), while Elzevir (1633) has το τριτον των υδατων.

Third: 2 Peter 1:1 reads σωτηρος in Stephanus (1550) and Elzevir (1633), but σωτηρος ημων in Elzevir (1624). BTW, Scrivener (1894) also reads σωτηρος ημων, though Jongkind does not mention this.

He then writes: “I give these examples to demonstrate that even if one holds to the originality of the Textus Receptus, one cannot avoid the critical task of having to judge which wording to accept. Admittedly, there is a difference in the scale of the critical task, but it is not a difference in kind.” (88).

Toward some general principles in response to the “Which TR?” challenge:

Let me offers some responses, since we do indeed have no desire to avoid making an informed and reasonable determination when such slight differences are discovered between the various editions of the TR.

First, it is important to point out that there is no single “perfect” printed edition of the TR. This does not mean, however, that the various printed editions of the TR taken collectively fail to provide for us a reasonable and reliable witness to the received text.

At the Text and Canon Conference Jonathan Arnold made mention of the TBS’s helpful “Statement of Doctrine of Holy Scripture” which, for the NT, refers to the received text as “a group of printed texts” adding that “the scope of the Society’s Constitution does not extend to considering the minor variations between the printed editions of the Textus Receptus.”

Second, we should not let the fact that such minor variations exist among the various printed editions of the TR overshadow the fact that those editions are overwhelmingly uniform and, particularly so, with regard in those places where there are major differences with the modern critical text. All the classic Protestant printed editions of the TR, for example, include the doxology of the Lord’s Prayer (Matt 6:13b), the traditional ending of Mark, “the only begotten Son” at John 1:18, the PA, Acts 8:37, “God was manifest in the flesh” at 1 Timothy 3:16, the CJ, etc.

As for the remaining minor variations, each of these, should be evaluated on a case by case basis. If this is done, I believe that most of them will be easily resolved, while only a few will call for more careful deliberation.

Let me lay out at least four tentative principles for how this might be done:

First: The various printed Greek editions of the TR should be consulted.

If this is done, one may find that a variant is discovered in only one or two printed editions (perhaps due to a printing error) and a determination can quickly and easily be made in favor of the dominant reading.

The editions which should be primarily consulted are the classic Protestant ones of Stephanus and Beza, based on Erasmus' foundational work. The Elzevir editions should also be consulted, but with the understanding that they appeared after most of the translations of the TR had first been made into the modern languages of Europe.

Second: The early vernacular translations based on the printed editions of the TR, as well as original language editions and other versions, should be consulted.

If this is done, one may find that a variant is found in only one or two translations and a determination can quickly and easily be made in favor of the dominant reading.

Third: If available, early annotations and commentaries made by the editors of the printed editions of the TR and/or by the early translators of the versions may be consulted.

This would include the annotations of Erasmus and Beza.

Fourth: With regard to extremely minor variations in spelling, word order, definite articles, separation of words, and collective possessive pronouns it should be determined whether the detected difference makes any significant impact in determining the conceptual meaning of the reading.

In such cases, consultation with the early versions will be helpful, as it may be determined that the variant has no impact on the conceptual understanding of the text.

“Scale” versus “Kind”?:

Let me also address the assertion of difference in “scale” versus “kind.” Jongkind says that the differences in the printed edition of the TR are only ones of “scale” and not “kind.” The implication is that deliberating among the minor variations in the printed editions of the TR is no different than the deliberations made by modern text critics using reasoned eclecticism. They are of the same “kind” and, therefore, offer no greater degree of epistemological certainty. But is this, in fact, the case?

I would counter, to the contrary, that I do not think that the variations in the printed editions of the TR could be said to be equitable (of the same “kind”) with those variations encountered using the modern text critical method. The differences within the printed editions of the TR and the differences within the various modern critical text reconstructions is one both of “scale” AND “kind.”

Key to this is the fact that the variants found among the printed TR editions are necessarily and historically limited. There will not be previously unknown printed editions of the TR discovered in the sands of Egypt or the caves of the Dead Sea. Modern text critics may suggest it is unlikely that there will be any major finds of Greek manuscripts that will profoundly alter the modern critical text in the next five hundred years or beyond, as does Peter J. Williams when he writes, “If discoveries in the future are anything like discoveries in the last five hundred years, then we do not expect editions of the Gospels to change much” (Can We Trust the Gospels?: 116). Still, the method must inherently affirm its openness to the possibility of radical alteration of the text. Thus, the modern critical text can never attain the measure of stability and confidence that is assured by the adoption of the Textus Receptus.

To compare, therefore, the variations in the printed editions of the TR with the variations found in the mass of existing Greek manuscripts, versions, Patristic citations, lectionaries, etc. not to mention those that are, at least conceptually, still to be found, is to compare apples with oranges.

Jongkind’s three examples:

Let’s return to a brief and tentative examination of Jongkind’s three examples:

BTW, notice that all three of his examples come from those parts of the NT where the manuscript evidence is latest and weakest: the catholic epistles and Revelation.

First: Revelation 7:7 involves the spelling of the name Issachar. He gives the variants as Isaschar and Isachar. The difference is one letter (sigma). Jongkind does not tell us where he located the variation.

A quick check reveals that Stephanus (1550) reads ισαχαρ as does Scrivener (1894).
I assume that the other variant is in one or both of the Elzevir editions.

This would fall under the category of principle four above, a minor spelling variation that makes no significant impact on the conceptual understanding of the text.

My hunch would be that if we were to check the various versions we would find that they would offer a translation that favors Isachar (without the sigma) and this is the proper reading.

Second, Revelation 8:11 involves a more significant difference. Should the text include the genitive plural των υδατων modify the nominative noun το τριτον?

Jongkind notes that Revelation 8:11 reads το τριτοv in Stephanus (1550), while Elzevir (1633) has το τριτον των υδατων.

Let’s look at the larger context of the clause in dispute in several printed editions:

Revelation 8:11 in Stephanus (1550): και γινεται το τριτον εις αψινθον

Literally: “and the third part became into wormwood [bitterness]”

Revelation 8:11 in Elzevir (1633): και γινεται το τριτον των υδατων εις αψινθον

Literally: “and the third part of the waters became into wormwood [bitterness].”

To follow our tentative principles above, we would begin by comparing the printed TRs. I found that Erasmus, like Stephanus, had only το τριτον, while Beza (assuming it is the same of Scrivener) like Elzevir has το τριτον των υδατων. There does not seem to be a predominant reading.

Next, I go to the early versions based on the printed TR and other evidences.

Again, this sketch is tentative and limited.

I found that Tyndale (1534) follows the reading of Erasmus and Stephanus: “and the third part was turned to wormwood.”

But the other versions seemed predominantly to follow Beza and Elzevir:

Luther (1522): “Und der dritte Teil der Wasser wurde zu Wermut”

Reina-Valera (1569): “Y la tercera parte de las aguas fué vuelta en ajenjo”

Károlyi Gáspár (1589): “változék azért a folyóvizek harmadrésze ürömmé”

Geneva (1599): “And that third part of the waters became wormwood”

King James Version (1611): “and the third part of the waters became wormwood”

It appears that the predominant reading as evidenced by the versions favors το τριτον των υδατων, and I would suggest that this is the proper text.

Third, 2 Peter 2:1 reads σωτηρος in Stephanus (1550) and Elzevir (1633), but σωτηρος ημων in Elzevir (1624). BTW, Scrivener (1894) also reads σωτηρος ημων, though Jongkind does not mention this.

The question is should there be a first person plural genitive pronoun ημων following σωτηρος.

Again, it might help to look at the larger context for the passage in several printed editions:

2 Peter 1:1b in Stephanus (1550) and Elzevir (1633): εν δικαιοσυνη του θεου ημων και σωτηρος ιησου χριστου

Literally: “in [through] the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ”

2 Peter 1:1 in Elzevir (1624) and presumably Beza [as in Scrivener (1894)]: εν δικαιοσυνη του θεου ημων και σωτηρος ημων ιησου χριστου

Literally: “in [through] the righteousness of our God and our Savior Jesus Christ”

In this case we might also profit from consulting and comparing the printed Greek editions of the TR, where we find again that Erasmus is in harmony with Stephanus.

Next, we consult the versional evidence (see below).

As we do so we also notice that this variant seems to fall under the category of principle four since the variation does not impact the concept conveyed. A translator might well render either text with the same translation.

A quick survey of the versions finds that none duplicate the pronoun whatever text they might have used:

Tyndale (1534): “in the righteousness that cometh from our God and saviour Jesus Christ”

Luther (1522): “die unser Gott gibt und der Heiland Jesus Christus”

Reina-Valera (1569): “en la justicia de nuestro Dios y Salvador Jesucristo”

Károlyi Gáspár (1589): “a mi Istenünknek és megtartónknak Jézus Krisztusnak igazságában”

Geneva Bible (1599): “by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ”

King James Version (1611): “through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ”

This survey indicates that no version uses the first-person plural possessive pronoun with both nouns “God” and “Savior.” Most explicitly apply it to “God” and at least one to “Savior” (KJV). All seem to assume it is collectively applied to both nouns. The best text then would seem to be that in Scrivener (Beza): εν δικαιοσυνη του θεου ημων και σωτηρος ημων ιησου χριστου,since it allows for the pronoun's explicit application to either the noun and its collective application to both.

The study of these three examples demonstrates that the vast number of variations in the printed editions of the TR are far from insuperable if they are examined on a case by case basis. All the same, we readily admit that there are some variants which will present special difficulties, though Jongkind does not raise any of these particular objections (like Rev 16:5). In the end, once more we can affirm that these minor differences are not the same either in “scale” or “kind” with those encountered by those using the modern reconstruction method.

Conclusion:

In the end the “Which TR?” objection is by no means a defeater for the Confessional Text position.

JTR

10 comments:

  1. Dr. Riddle,

    Judging whether I John 5:7-8 should or shouldn't be accepted as authentic is absolutely the same "kind" of critical task (at it's core), regardless of what Textual Principles (or lack thereof) one follows. I'm not understanding your rebuttal of Dr. Jongkind on this point. It's seems as if you are addressing "scale" and even scope, but not "kind". Is it possible that you have conflated the two?

    If two readings present themselves, whether in the manuscript tradition or the TR tradition;--and therefore we are left to choose between reading a.) and reading b.) in both cases, the task before us is identical in "kind"...is it not?

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  2. MMR,

    There is not a debate about 1 John 5:7-8 in the TR.

    I think I addressed your question in the article. Please re-read:

    I would counter, to the contrary, that I do not think that the variations in the printed editions of the TR could be said to be equitable (of the same “kind”) with those variations encountered using the modern text critical method. The differences within the printed editions of the TR and the differences within the various modern critical text reconstructions is one both of “scale” AND “kind.”

    Key to this is the fact that the variants found among the printed TR editions are necessarily and historically limited. There will not be previously unknown printed editions of the TR discovered in the sands of Egypt or the caves of the Dead Sea. Modern text critics may suggest it is unlikely that there will be any major finds of Greek manuscripts that will profoundly alter the modern critical text in the next five hundred years or beyond, as does Peter J. Williams when he writes, “If discoveries in the future are anything like discoveries in the last five hundred years, then we do not expect editions of the Gospels to change much” (Can We Trust the Gospels?: 116). Still, the method must inherently affirm its openness to the possibility of radical alteration of the text. Thus, the modern critical text can never attain the measure of stability and confidence that is assured by the adoption of the Textus Receptus.

    To compare, therefore, the variations in the printed editions of the TR with the variations found in the mass of existing Greek manuscripts, versions, Patristic citations, lectionaries, etc. not to mention those that are, at least conceptually, still to be found, is to compare apples with oranges.

    JTR

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  3. On the Revelation 8:11 one, I can't help but think that Erasmus was following something else there that is no longer extant. According to Hoskier, των υδατων is only missing in the Arabic, 2 Armenian mss, 1 Sahidic ms, and possibly 2065 from the 15th century. The more I look at the differences between Revelation in Erasmus' 1516 and the manuscript he is known to have used (2814), the more I am convinced that he followed other nonextant witnesses. He omits things sometimes that are found in every known witness in the world including 2814 such as ο Θεός in 1:8, επτα in 1:11 and 3:1, και in 2:20, and all of 21:26.

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  4. What of points in the TR such as Romans 12:11? What of Erasmus' conjectural emendation in James 4:2 in his early editions? Does all a reading need to do is be printed, regardless of how poorly supported, to merit consideration, via your approach? Or to put it another way, is it irrelevant how well a reading is supported, if nobody printed it in the 1500s?


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  5. 2 Peter 1:1
    "As we do so we also notice that this variant seems to fall under the category of principle four since the variation does not impact the concept conveyed. ... A quick survey of the versions finds that none duplicate the pronoun whatever text they might have used"

    2 Peter 1:1 (AV)
    Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

    There is an impact. If you accept the two pronouns (whether you translate to English with one or two) you cannot accurately translate with what we cam call the Granville Sharp change the AV identity error. Missing the real sense of the verse in order to declare Jesus is God. As done in the Geneva but not the AV.

    Thanks!

    Steven Avery
    Dutchess County, NY, USA

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  6. The variant in Revelation 8:11 isn't described as comprehensively as it could. The omission of the phrase "of the waters" is found very specifically in the Erasmus, Stephanus and Colinaeus editions. The words are found to be present meanwhile not only in the Elzevir editions, but also, those of Beza, the Nuremberg Polyglot of 1599, and even the Complutensian Polyglot as well as the Vulgate in this case. Nevertheless, I don't think this is a case of both Stephanus and Colinaeus blindly following suit in an accidental omission made by Erasmus. See the following two paragraphs for the argument.

    The fourth edition of Erasmus (1527) contains two Latin columns. One reflecting the omission he has in Greek is representing his own Latin translation, and the other Latin column reflects the inclusion of the phrase, as it reflects the reading contained in the Vulgate. Furthermore, the fourth edition of Stephanus (1551) also has a second Latin column which is reflecting the Vulgate text here in the exact same way as Erasmus' fourth edition. In this place, this phrase happens to coincide with the Beza and Elzevir reading of Revelation 8:11 in this place. Not only is this inclusion at Revelation 8:11 found within the Received Text (Beza, etc.), it is also found in the Byzantine text, as well as in the Vulgate and Nestle-Aland as well.

    So with that said, it is highly unlikely that Erasmus, Colinaeus and Stephanus replicated the same "mistake of omission" that many times in their different Greek and Latin texts, while Erasmus and Stephanus were also at the same time correctly including the omitted text of the pericope, "of the waters," in Revelation 8:11, in their second Latin column, which was meant to reflect the Vulgate tradition. I think they surely would have noticed and been aware of this. Instead, it seems that Erasmus and Stephanus had an exemplar (Greek) that they were following which contained this omission, likely a minority reading, and they preferred it over the Byzantine, Complutensian and Vulgate. Their influence is reflected in the Tyndale, Matthew's, and Great Bible and Bishops' Bible, including the 1602 Bishops' Bible; but not the 1557 Geneva New Testament, 1560 or 1599 Geneva Bible, or KJV. The Coverdale Bible, meanwhile, appears to have legitimate influence coming from outside of the TR tradition here, as it seems it must have gotten it from the Complutensian, from Byzantine MSS or Vulgate. In theory it could have come from a Greek MS that Beza also later used, but this seems quite unlikely to me.

    The variant in Second Peter 1:1 isn't described exactly right here either. Only Beza's editions of the TR include the [additional] " ἡμῶν " before "savior" in the Greek text. Both Elzevir editions of 1624 and 1633 do not include this word, so that Beza's editions exist alone among the TR editions on this point. But the effect on the translation is negligible, similar to the case of the third "and" in Luke 20:31 (appears after "ἑπτὰ"), for example - which is only found in the Elzevir editions. Yet this conjunction appears in many translations including the KJV regardless of this fact, because it would translate the same way with the inclusion written out in Greek as it would with the conjunction omitted. (1/2)

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  7. Two other things to note here for me. I also disagree with the idea that the variants existing within the TR tradition are of the same kind as those that exist in the wider set of texts being used for reasoned eclecticism. Besides being of a different scale (not expanding vs expanding pool of texts), they are also of a different kind, because the TR are based exclusively on readings that we know were in use and circulation at that time, since the TR reflects the extant Greek MSS of that time. Even better still, we know they came from Greek MSS, not readings limited to versions only (e.g. Vulgate tradition), due to the methodology employed. My final point is that I don't tend to use Scrivener's version of the TR (the 1894 edition - he also did some earlier reprints in 1860 and 1887 of Stephanus' 1550 TR base text with apparatus) because it contains some readings external to the received tradition, or that are only found in Colinaeus 1534. For example, Scrivener's 1894 TR contains the omission of "Amen" in Ephesians 6:24 (found in no TR, not even Colinaeus), the omission of "them" (αὐτῶν) in First Cor. 14:10, and the substitution of the word " ἐπαγγελία " with the word " αγγελια " in First John 1:5. Instead of choosing one witness with this heritage I prefer to look at it as multiple witnesses rather than one, just as in the mouth of two or three witnesses all things (or as it says in the New Testament, "every word") will be established.

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  8. Hi Dr. Riddle,

    I couldn't find a better contact method, so apologies for posting this here. I noticed that my post that I submitted a while back (2 parts) on this page hasn't shown up here yet, I'm just wondering if it registered or not for you. Also I have noticed one other post I made before that on another article here appeared but later got removed after I posted here, making me wonder if there was something wrong in my posts that would present an issue with being approved for discussion. If you want to communicate anything, my profile email is: waterwave1080 (at) gmail (dot) com. Have a good day and thanks for the articles.

    Thank you,

    -Andrew

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  9. Andrew, got your note. I do moderate the comments to keep out spammers and (sometimes) inappropriate posts. Sometimes I get busy with other things or miss the notifications. I went back and checked the posts you mentioned, and I simply had not yet opened them. They are posted now.

    Thanks and blessings, JTR

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  10. Hi JTR,

    Thanks for providing this blog and your comments, they've been very helpful. I'm still reading through the rest of your blog (getting caught up), so I may have more thoughts to add, Lord willing. Also, regarding the one other post I had made on here that isn't currently appearing, it's in your 2016 article, titled, "A Questionable Greenlee Anecdote on the CJ". I don't know if you want to display that post or not, but if you do, I had some interesting observations to add there as well, regarding the difference between Erasmus' fourth and fifth editions as compared to Colinaeus' edition of the TR. Have a happy Fourth! --John 8:36

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