Article: Mansions by Will Kinney

From Textus Receptus

John 14:2 in the 1611 King James Version

John 14:2 King James Bible: "In my Father's house are many MANSIONS: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you."

One such Bible critic is Doug Kutilek. He has written an article criticizing the King James Bible's use of the word "mansions" by telling us that it does not convey to the modern reader the true meaning of the Greek word used, and that the KJB's use of mansion supposedly came from the Latin Vulgate. His article can be seen here:

http://sharperiron.org/2009/05/13/a-“mansion”-over-the-hilltop/print/

In Doug Kutilek's mind he wants you to think Latin Vulgate = bad, thus KJB = bad. It is not a case of the King James Bible translators and many other Bible translators taking the word "mansions" directly from the Latin version, but rather their use of a perfectly good and accurate English word to translate what John 14:2 is saying. There are many Latinized words that have past over into the English language. Words like edify, civil, conjugal, dominion, feminine, fraternity, generation, judge, lunar, malevolent, malice, nocturnal, patriarch, regal, sinister, terrestrial, verify and village. Would Mr. Kutilek object to these good latinized English words being used in any English Bible? I would hope not.

Keep in mind that Doug Kutilek does not believe that ANY Bible in ANY language is now nor ever has been the complete, inspired and inerrant words of God. His stated doctrinal position is typical of most Bible Agnostics today. His doctrinal statement regarding the inspiration and infallibility of Scripture says: "We believe the Scriptures as originally given by God, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, infallible, entirely trustworthy, and the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct."

One big problem for men like Mr. Kutilek is the simple fact that he has never seen one word of the "the Scriptures as originally given by God" and it is a well known fact that they do not exist anywhere on this earth today. Mr. Kutilek is professing a faith in something that he KNOWS does not exist, and this clearly leaves him and you (if you believe what he says) with no inspired, complete and inerrant Bible NOW.

Definitions

Even Mr. Kutilek's own article gives us the proper definition of what the word "mansions" means in John 14:2. In his own article Mr. Kutilek states:

The Oxford English Dictionary gives one of the definitions of "mansion" as: "A place where one stops or dwells; place of abode (1386). THIS INCLUDES A SEPARATE DWELLING PLACE, SUCH AS AN APARTMENT IN A LARGE HOUSE (Caps are mine) (1400)...So then, sorting through the historic usages of “mansion” as reported in OED, it is clear that the OED correctly classifies Tyndale’s (and subsequently the KJV’s) use of “mansion” in John 14:2 under the meaning AN APARTMENT IN A LARGE HOUSE. We might say a guest chamber for an honored visitor. I think of the special room prepared by the Shunamite woman and her husband for the prophet Elisha, 2 Kings 4:10; and Samuel Johnson’s visit to the Thrales’ estate, where he more or less remained continuously for twenty years! In the Father’s house, we are honored guests WITH OUR OWN WELL-FURNISHED APARTMENTwith, and we never have to leave because we are home." (End of quote by Doug Kutilek)

The rendering of mansions is not an error at all.

The Merriam-Webster's Dictionary 7th New Collegiate Edition 1967 gives one of the definitions of mansions as "A SEPARATE APARTMENT OR LODGING IN A LARGE STRUCTURE."

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary - Mansion: a. a large imposing residence b: a separate apartment or lodging in a large structure.

Webster’s New World College Dictionary - Mansion: 1.a dwelling place 2.a separate dwelling place or lodging in a large house or structure. British - an apartment house

The American Heritage Dicionary of the English Language 2000 - Mansion - 1. A large stately house. 2. A manor house. 3. Archaic a. A dwelling; an abode. b. MANSIONS A SEPARATE DWELLING IN A LARGE HOUSE OR STRUCTURE..

Infoplease Online Dictionary - 1. a very large, impressive, or stately residence. 3. Often, mansions. Brit.a large building with many apartments; apartment house.

Online Plaintext English Dictionary - Mansion (n.) A dwelling place, -- whether a part or whole of a house or other shelter.

Encyclopedia Britannica - Mansions : From the general meaning of a conspicuously large dwelling-place comes the modern employment of the term "mansions," in London and elsewhere, for large buildings composed of "flats."

Bouvier’s Law Dictionary - Mansion: A portion only of a building may come under the description of a mansion-house.

The Liddell and Scott's Greek-English Lexicon Abridged 17th edition, on page 451 lists the meanings of monee as "a staying, abiding, tarrying. 2. a place to stay in, A MANSION.

Not only does the KJB read: "In my Father's house are many mansions", but so also do Tyndale 1525, the Great Bible 1540, Matthew's Bible 1549, Daniel Mace N.T. 1729, Whiston's Primitive N.T. 1745, Wesley's translation 1755, Worsley Translation 1770, Living Oracles 1835, Murdock Translation 1851, Etheridge Translation 1849, the Revised Version 1881, American Standard Version 1901, William Godbey translation 1902, the New Testament Translation from the Sinaitic Manuscript 1918 by Henry Anderson, the NKJV 1982, Douay 1950, Young's literal translation, the modern Hebrew Names Version, World English Bible, Webster's 1833 translation, the KJV 21st Century Version 1994, Green's Modern KJV 2001, and the Third Millenium Bible 1998.

Apartments called mansions

Johnathan Edwards wrote specifically about John 14:2 “in my Father’s house are many mansions”. You can find his writing here:

http://www.biblebb.com/files/edwards/JE-mansions.htm

In it he clearly states: “There are many MANSIONS in the house of God. By many mansions is meant many seats or places of abode. As it is a king's palace, there are many mansions. Kings' houses are wont to be built very large, with many stately rooms and apartments. So there are many mansions in God's house....as in a king's palace there is not only a mansion or room of state built for the king himself and for his eldest son and heir, but there are many rooms, mansions for all his numerous household, children, attendants and servants.”

Commentaries

David Guzik’s Commentary - Whatever dwelling place God has for us in heaven, it will be as glorious as a MANSION.

Matthew Henry - It is a Father's house: my Father's house; and his Father is our Father, to whom he was now ascending; so that in right of their elder brother all true believers shall be welcome to that happiness as to their home. It is his house who is King of kings and Lord of lords, dwells in light, and inhabits eternity. [3.] There are MANSIONS there; that is, First, Distinct dwellings, AN APARTMENT for each.

John Calvin - In my Father’s house are many dwellings.... he says, that THE MANSIONS are many, not that they are different or unlike, but that there are enough of them for a great number of persons; as if he had said, that there is room not only for himself, but also for all his disciples.

Mansions Today

Even in today’s modern society almost 400 years after the King James Bible was first printed, we still find modern realtors referring to apartment dwellings within a large single structure as “mansions”. If you have a very nice, luxuriously furnised apartment, it can be referred to as a mansion.

http://www.londonservicedapartments.co.uk/economy/mansions.htm

The Mansions is a superb Edwardian block in a central residential location consisting of 29 differently designed and well furnished apartments, each with its own character and style. Our serviced apartments provide an exceptionally comfortable way of staying in London with all the convenience of your own home.

http://www.mansionsapts.com/

Discover all the comforts of home and then some at the Mansions at Hemingway Apartments located in Johnston, Iowa. You will find luxury living is the standard and not the exception.

http://www.mynewplace.com/apartment/mayfair-mansions-washington-dc-2me300563401

Come home to Mayfair Mansions where you'll find a quiet community nestled in the heart of DC with beautifully landscaped grounds and spacious apartments. We are conveniently located near downtown DC.

http://hotels.lastminute.com.au/accommodation/australia/australia/tasmania/launceston-and-tamar-valley/launceston-~-pt-b/launceston/apartments-at-york-mansions

Apartments at York Mansions offers spacious fully self-contained apartments, each with it’s own theme and luxurious décor.

http://www.mansionsintheparkapartments.com/

http://www.rent.com/rentals/illinois/chicago-and-vicinity/arlington-heights/mansions-apartments/451292/

http://www.mansionsatriverside.com/

http://www.questmansions.com.au/

Conclusion

Doug Kutilek and other King James Bible critics like him have no inerrant Bible to give or recommend to anyone, but rather have set up their own minds and understanding as their ever changing "final authority". Mr. Kutlek blindly rails against alleged "blasphemous errors" that he thinks he has found in our beloved King James Bible, and will not repent nor revise his errant ways even after his arguments have been shown to be empty and vain. One such case is his erroneous view that referring to the Holy Spirit as "it" is an "error bordering on blasphemy".

I have also addressed this issue here:

http://brandplucked.webs.com/thespirititself.htm

The King James Holy Bible IS the only true, complete, inspired and inerrant Bible on the earth today. It is always right, and men like Mr. Kutilek have nothing to give you in its place but their own opinions.

"In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes." Judges 21:25

"When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:8

Will Kinney

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