Contradictions in the Bible!?

Opposition in the Bible!? 3: Sinning against God or sinning against a fellow believer?  

February 23, 2024 - drs. Gijs van den Brink
  1. Mat.18:15 

SV/WV/NBV But if your brother sinned against you, go and punish him between you and him alone; if he hears you, you have won your brother.

NBG/GNB If your brother sins, go, punish him in private. If he listens to you, you have won your brother. 

This is quite a contradiction: in the first case, you should address only someone who has misbehaved against you. In the second case, anyone who sins (against God). 

The difference arose because of ambiguity in the manuscripts. There are over 5,000 manuscripts of pieces of the NT. And these differ in all sorts of small details. This usually does not affect the meaning, but sometimes it does. In the Gospel of Matthew 3-5 times, including this place.

Most manuscripts have 'against you well, in the oldest it is missing. That is why we find it in some translations of the NT and not in others.

Lack of historical material, in this case obscurity in manuscripts, is the reason for this contradiction in our Bible translations

Contribution of

drs. Gijs van den Brink
Since 1981 working as editor and author on a commentary series known as "Study Bible." First at IDR in Soest, from 1998 at the "Center for Bible Research" (CVB) in Doorn. From 1996 to 2015 editor NT of the quarterly magazine for evangelical theological reflection "Soteria". Since 2007 editor-in-chief of the quarterly theological journal "Study Bible magazine". From 2010-2011 editorial board member of Tussenruimte, journal for intercultural theology.

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