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.

Back