Is The 1909 Reina Valera a Good Spanish Bible for Bible Printers to Maintain a Neutral Position With?
- Emanuel Rodriguez
- Jun 24
- 22 min read
Updated: Jun 26
By Pastor Emanuel Rodriguez
About 20 years ago, a representative of a well-known Independent Baptist Bible printing press stopped by our church in Beaufort, SC. He had been with this printing ministry for over 30 years. He was just passing through our area but we recognized him and the ministry he represented during the announcement time of the services.
The ministry he represented had printed the first edition of the Reina Valera Gomez (RVG) which were all quickly distributed with good reception. However, they had received some criticism by Baptist preachers who favored the Critical Text based 1960 edition of the Reina Valera (RV1960) rather than the more faithful Received Text based RVG, the Spanish Bible most equivalent to the KJV. In addition to this criticism, this particular printing ministry also experienced a change in leadership at the same time. Due to these things, this ministry unfortunately stopped printing the RVG and decided to instead print the 1909 edition of the Reina Valera (RV1909).
We will demonstrate in this article that the RV1909 is a Spanish Bible contaminated with the Critical Text.
After the church service, I approached the Bible printing representative on the front porch of our church with the intention of trying to encourage him to reconsider printing the RVG rather than the Critical Text based RV1909 that they were supplying missionaries with. At the time I was on deputation to go to the mission field and the demand for the RVG was growing. Today the demand for the RVG in Spanish-speaking countries is overwhelming.
When I asked the rep why they decided to print the RV1909 instead of the RVG, his response was “We are waiting for the smoke to clear”. He was referring to how heated was the controversy surrounding the Spanish Bible among Independent Baptists. So they are waiting for the controversy to go away before committing to printing the RVG.
About 20 years later they have still not returned to printing the RVG. They are still printing and supplying missionaries with the RV1909.
A Reed Shaken With the Wind
This is very disappointing because the truth is that the controversy will NEVER go away. If Bible printing ministries are waiting for the smoke to clear, they will never print a 100% faithful Spanish Bible because the controversy over God’s words will never go away and the Devil who hates God’s words will make sure of it.
The proof of this is the KJV. The KJV has been around for over 400 years and yet there is just as much smoke from the fires of that controversy as ever before. I guess its easier for printing ministries to stand for the KJV because there are enough Independent Baptist supporters who stand for the KJV. That makes it more convenient to stand for the KJV, but is it really a "stand" when it is more convenient to do so?
Should it really be considered taking a stand when all of your supporters and potential supporters are in agreement? Is that when you take a stand on something – once everyone is in agreement? Or is it a real stand when you decide to do the right thing despite opposition and criticism?
Here is the truth. The RVG is the Spanish Bible more faithful to the Received Texts and more equivalent to the KJV than any other. It is definitely more faithful to the Received Texts than the 1960 RV is. That’s not even arguable. It is also more faithful to the Received Texts than the RV1909 is. The evidence for this is undeniable and you don’t even have to be fluent in Spanish to be able to recognize the obvious, as I’ll demonstrate in this article.
Can we be honest? Choosing to print the RV1909 is an attempt by Bible printing ministries to find neutral ground in the midst of a heated controversy. Some Bible printers have even admitted this. But is this the right thing to do? Is this what God desires? Is God's will really to remain neutral and avoid taking a real position so as to appease all parties? Is that what real men of God do? Have God’s men always been known for taking a neutral position when dealing with controversial issues? If I was to read Church history, is that the kind of testimony I would find of saints of yesteryear? Have they always waited for the smoke to clear before finally doing the right thing?
Is this the kind of man of God John the Baptist was? A reed shaken with the wind? Or did Jesus commend him for the opposite?
The RV1909 and the Critical Text
The RV1909 was a revision of the traditional Reina Valera Bible produced in the year 1909 by the British and Foreign Bible Society, in collaboration with the American Bible Society. This edition became affectionately known as “La Antigua” which is Spanish for “the ancient”. The idea was to produce a new edition of the traditional Spanish Bible that would maintain the flavor of the old Castilian Spanish that the Reina Valera Bible is known for while making some major changes.
Unfortunately, many changes in the RV1909 were based upon the Critical Texts. This shouldn’t surprise anyone who knows that it was produced by the British and Foreign Bible Society and the American Bible Society. Have these Bible societies ever produced a good TR-based Bible? These societies are not known for producing Textus Receptus based Bibles. They have always been known for producing Critical Text based Bibles. These Bible Societies are known for using the Greek New Testament of Eberhart Nestle.
The first edition of Nestle’s Greek text was produced in 1898. It was a combination of several texts. It incorporated the text produced by Constantin von Tischendorf who based his text heavily upon the Sinaiticus manuscript which he is credited with rediscovering. Nestle’s text also included the Greek New Testament of Westcott and Hort published in 1881. Later editions of Nestle’s text was revised by another textual critic named Kurt Aland. It is therefore now known as the Nestle-Aland text and is currently in its 28th edition. This Critical Text would serve as the basis for such corrupt Bibles as the NIV, NASB, ESV, LSB, and many others.
There are many Critical Text based corruptions in the RV1909. We have them documented in charts and graphs that can be found on our website (here). In this article I’ll present just 12 examples, which should be enough to raise the concern of any true KJV proponent. All of these flaws have been corrected in the RVG. I also include in the following examples the way the verses read in the NIV to show that the same issues in the Spanish Bible are the very same problems we repudiate in the corrupt Bibles in English. Consistency demands that if these are wrong in English Bibles, they are just as wrong in Spanish Bibles, or any other language.
As you consider these problems in the RV1909 may I remind you of the following verses:
Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”
Matthew 4:4 “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
Critical Text Corruption in the 1909 Reina Valera
1. Matthew 15:8
KJV | RVG | RV1909 | NIV |
Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. | Mateo 15:8 Este pueblo se acerca a mí con su boca, y de labios me honra, pero su corazón lejos está de mí. | Mateo 15:8 Este pueblo ____ _ _____ ___ _____ ______ _______ de labios me honra; Mas su corazón lejos está de mí. | Matthew 15:8 These people _________ _____ _____ ___ ____ _____ ________ honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. |
The RV1909 and NIV omit the words “draweth nigh unto me with their mouth”. The RVG has the reading in agreement with the KJV.
2. Matthew 26:60
KJV | RVG | RV1909 | NIV |
Matthew 26:60 But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, | Mateo 26:60 pero no lo hallaron; aunque muchos testigos falsos venían, pero no lo hallaron. Y a la postre vinieron dos testigos falsos | Mateo 26:60 Y no lo hallaron, aunque muchos testigos falsos se llegaban; _____ ___ ___ __________ mas á la postre vinieron dos testigos falsos | Matthew 26:60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward ___ _____ _____ _____. Finally two came forward |
The words “yet found they none” are omitted in the RV1909 and NIV.
3. Mark 1:2-3
KJV | RVG | RV1909 | NIV |
Mark 1:2-3 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. (v.3) The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. | Marcos 1:2-3 Como está escrito en los profetas: He aquí yo envío mi mensajero delante de tu faz, El cual preparará tu camino delante de ti. (v.3) Voz del que clama en el desierto: Preparad el camino del Señor: Enderezad sus sendas. | Marcos 1:2-3 Como está escrito en Isaías el profeta: He aquí yo envío á mi mensajero delante de tu faz, Que apareje tu camino delante de ti. (v.3) Voz del que clama en el desierto: Aparejad el camino del Señor; Enderezad sus veredas. | Mark 1:2-3 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way” (v.3) “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”[ |
Corrupt Bibles fail to present that these are 2 quotes, not one. The first quote is by Malachi (3:1) and the next is by Isaiah (40:3). They are NOT both from Isaiah. Therefore the KJV and RVG has it correct for saying “prophets” (plural) since more than one prophet is being quoted here.
4. Mark 2:17
KJV | RVG | RV1909 | NIV |
Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. | Marcos 2:17 Y oyéndolo Jesús, les dijo: Los sanos no tienen necesidad de médico, sino los enfermos: No he venido a llamar a justos, sino a pecadores al arrepentimiento. | Marcos 2:17 Y oyéndolo Jesús, les dice: Los sanos no tienen necesidad de médico, mas los que tienen mal. No he venido á llamar á los justos, sino á los pecadores ___ _______________. | Marcos 2:17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners ___ ______________.” |
The words “to repentance” are omitted in the RV1909 and the NIV.
5. Mark 9:24
KJV | RVG | RV1909 | NIV |
Mark 9:24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. | Marcos 9:24 Y al instante el padre del muchacho, clamando con lágrimas, dijo: Señor, creo, ayuda mi incredulidad. | Marcos 9:24 Y luego el padre del muchacho dijo clamando: _______ Creo, ayuda mi incredulidad. | Marcos 9:24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; ______ help me overcome my unbelief!” |
The word “Lord” is omitted in the RV1909 and the NIV.
6. Mark 11:10
KJV | RVG | RV1909 | NIV |
Mark 11:10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. | Marcos 11:10 ¡Bendito el reino de nuestro padre David, que viene en el nombre del Señor! ¡Hosanna en las alturas! | Marcos 11:10 Bendito el reino de nuestro padre David que viene: ___ ___ _______ ____ _______ Hosanna en las alturas! | Mark 11:10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” ____ ______ ___ ____ _____ ___ ____ _______ “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” |
The phrase “in the name of the Lord” is omitted in the RV1909 and NIV.
7. Luke 2:40
KJV | RVG | RV1909 | NIV |
Luke 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. | Lucas 2:40 Y el niño crecía, y se fortalecía en espíritu, lleno de sabiduría; y la gracia de Dios era sobre Él. | Lucas 2:40 Y el niño crecía, y fortalecíase ___ _________, y se henchía de sabiduría; y la gracia de Dios era sobre él. | Luke 2:40 And the child grew and became strong ___ ______; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. |
The words “in spirit” are omitted in the RV1909 and the NIV.
8. Luke 23:42
KJV | RVG | RV1909 | NIV |
Luke 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. | Lucas 23:42 Y dijo a Jesús: Señor, acuérdate de mí cuando vengas en tu reino. | Lucas 23:42 Y dijo á Jesús: ______ Acuérdate de mí cuando vinieres á tu reino. | Lucas 23:42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. |
The word “Lord” is omitted in the RV1909 and in the NIV.
9. Acts 7:30
KJV | RVG | RV1909 | NIV |
Acts 7:30 And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush. | Hechos 7:30 Y pasados cuarenta años, el Ángel del Señor le apareció en el desierto del monte Sinaí, en una llama de fuego en una zarza. | Hechos 7:30 Y cumplidos cuarenta años, un ángel ____ _______ le apareció en el desierto del monte Sina, en fuego de llama de una zarza. | Acts 7:30 “After forty years had passed, an angel ___ _____ ______ appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. |
The words "of the Lord" are omitted in the RV1909 and the NIV.
10. Romans 1:16
KJV | RVG | RV1909 | NIV |
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. | Romanos 1:16 Porque no me avergüenzo del evangelio de Cristo; porque es el poder de Dios para salvación a todo aquel que cree; al judío primeramente, y también al griego. | Romanos 1:16 Porque no me avergüenzo del evangelio ___ _________: porque es potencia de Dios para salud á todo aquel que cree; al Judío primeramente y también al Griego. | Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel ___ ______, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. |
The words "of Christ" are omitted in the RV1909 and in the NIV. Some argue that other verses make it clear that it is the Gospel of Christ. But that's not the point. The point is that "every word of God is pure". No one has a right to omit, add, or change God's words just because the same doctrine may be found elsewhere. (Deut. 4:2, Pro. 30:5-7, Rev. 22:18-19)
11. Ephesians 3:9
KJV | RVG | RV1909 | NIV |
Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: | Efesios 3:9 y de aclarar a todos cuál es la comunión del misterio escondido desde el principio del mundo en Dios, que creó todas las cosas por Jesucristo; | Efesios 3:9 Y de aclarar á todos cuál sea la dispensación del misterio escondido desde los siglos en Dios, que crió todas las cosas ____ ___________. | Efesios 3:9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things ____ _________.
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The words “by Jesus Christ” are omitted in the RV1909 and NIV. This omission eliminates the doctrine of the deity of Christ from the verse.
12. 1st Peter 2:2
KJV | RVG | RV1909 | NIV |
1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: | 1 Pedro 2:2 desead, como niños recién nacidos, la leche no adulterada de la palabra, para que por ella crezcáis; | 1 Pedro 2:2 Desead, como niños recién nacidos, la leche espiritual, sin engaño, para que por ella crezcáis en salud | 1 Peter 2:2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation |
The words “in health” are added in 1st Peter 2:2. In the old Spanish Bibles the word “health” was used in the place of “salvation” and was understood to mean salvation. This is why Bibles like the NIV add the words “in your salvation”. This addition to God’s word causes the verse to teach that salvation is a process by works, which is a damnable heresy.
Translational Problems in the 1909 Reina Valera
In addition to undeniable Critical Text corruption, there are also some serious translational problems in the RV1909, which have all been corrected in the RVG. For example, here are just a few that ought to be enough to raise concern for any Bible printer that is desirous of providing accurate Bibles:
1. Hell or Hades?
The word “hell” appears in the KJV a total of 54 times. The RVG has the word for “hell”, which is “infierno”, in all 54 places that it appears in the KJV. The RV1909, however, only mentions the word “hell” 30 times. In places where the word for “hell” is missing, it is left with the Hebrew word “sheol” or the Greek word “hades”.
A defender of the Critical Text in Spanish Bibles named Calvin George tried to defend this problem by explaining that sometimes the underlying word in Hebrew and Greek can also be translated as the grave, which is true. He argued it’s not a big deal if the word for “hell” is left untranslated as “hades” or “sheol” because the context of the passage will make it obvious whether or not it is referring to hell or the grave. My response to this argument is that if the context makes it so obvious when the underlying word refers to hell or the grave, THAN WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH TRANSLATING IT AS HELL OR GRAVE? It would be one thing if the meaning of the word was ambiguous. However, the teaching of hell in the Bible is not ambiguous at all! Why leave it untranslated if it is so “obvious” by the context that it is talking about hell?
2. Woman or Wife?
In the RV1909 a married woman is simply referred to as “woman” rather than “wife”. The RVG renders the word as “wife” just like the KJV. Some may argue that this is not really a big deal, but in today’s immoral society, when promiscuity, adultery, and living in fornication (aka “shackin up”) has become so common, the distinction is needed more than ever.
3. The Son of God or a son of the gods?
KJV | RVG | RV1909 | NIV |
Daniel 3:25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. | Daniel 3:25 Respondió él y dijo: He aquí yo veo cuatro varones sueltos, que se pasean en medio del fuego, y ningún daño hay en ellos; y el parecer del cuarto es semejante al Hijo de Dios. | Daniel 3:25 Respondió él y dijo: He aquí que yo veo cuatro varones sueltos, que se pasean en medio del fuego, y ningún daño hay en ellos: y el parecer del cuarto es semejante á hijo de los dioses. | Daniel 3:25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” |
Daniel 3:25 is an amazing passage that tells of the preincarnate appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ who miraculously delivered the 3 Hebrew men from Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace. Many argue that the underlying Aramaic words “bar Elohin” can be translated as either “son of the gods” or “Son of God”. This is true. There is a big difference, however, between the two. Both cannot be right. The context will have to dictate which translation is correct. They were either delivered by some “son of the gods” or by “the Son of God” Himself just as the KJV says. I believe the KJV over the Critical Text scholars. In this case, it really shouldn’t even be arguable that the context demands that it be translated as “the Son of God” as it is in the KJV and the RVG.
Those who deny that Nebuchadnezzar would recognize the 4th man in the fire as the Lord fail to understand the whole point of the first 4 chapters of Daniel which lead to the Babylonian king's eventual conversion. Nebuchadnezzar understood the monotheistic Jewish religion much more than KJV opponents want to give him credit for. He would have never assumed that some pagan deity came to deliver the non-pagan Jews. I go into much more detail to explain and prove all this in the article I wrote entitled “A Look at Daniel 3:25”, which I encourage you to read.
4. Who Killed Goliath?
KJV | RVG | RV1909 | NIV |
2 Samuel 21:19 And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam. | 2 Samuel 21:19 Y hubo guerra otra vez en Gob contra los filisteos, en la cual Elhanán, hijo de Jaare-oregim de Belén, mató al hermano de Goliat geteo, el asta de cuya lanza era como un rodillo de telar. | 2 Samuel 21:19 Otra guerra hubo en Gob contra los Filisteos, en la cual Elhanan, hijo de Jaare-oregim de Beth-lehem, hirió á _______ ___ Goliath Getheo, el asta de cuya lanza era como un enjullo de telar. | In another battle with the Philistines at Gob, Elhanan son of Jair[a] the Bethlehemite killed the brother of Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver’s rod. |
The RV1909 says Elhanan killed Goliath. Yet, every child in Sunday School knows it was David who slew Goliath. The KJV and the RVG tell us that Elhanan killed Goliah’s brother. The words in italics “the brother of” are proven to belong there by the cross reference in 1st Chronicles 20:5 which says “And there was war again with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear staff was like a weaver's beam.”
Surprisingly, even the current edition of the NIV has the words “the brother of”! (Older NIV editions omit them.) So here we have a case where the NIV is even more accurate than the RV1909 and RV1960!
5. Can Women Serve as Deacons?
KJV | RVG | RV1909 | NIV |
Romans 16:1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: | Romanos 16:1 Y os encomiendo a nuestra hermana Febe, la cual es sierva de la iglesia que está en Cencrea; | Romanos 16:1 ENCOMIÉNDOOS empero á Febe nuestra hermana, la cual es diaconisa de la iglesia que está en Cencreas | Romans 16:1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. |
The KJV and RVG call the godly Phebe a “servant” of the church. The RV1909 and NIV calls her a deacon! Believe it or not, I have been told by several missionary friends that because of this there are Independent Baptist churches in Spanish-speaking countries who now have female deacons, or deaconesses, in their ministries. In fact, I just heard of such a case down in Nicaragua where folks in Independent Baptist churches are arguing over the validity of women serving as deacons in the church. I shouldn’t have to waste time elaborating on how wrong this is.
Adequate vs. Accurate
Despite these issues, some want to convince themselves that by printing the RV1909 they can maintain some kind of neutral position between the RVG and RV1960. They think that they can hold to this position “until the smoke clears”. Some have even argued that though the RV1909 is not perfect, it is “adequate” enough to print for now until the controversy over the Spanish Bible ends.
I wish they would elaborate on what exactly they believe is “adequate”. Can a Bible that is contaminated with the Critical Text be considered “adequate”? Can a Bible that agrees with the NIV in key places as opposed to the KJV be considered "adequate" for the KJV man? Is a Bible that omits the name of the Lord “adequate”? Is a Bible that diminishes from the deity of Christ “adequate”? Is a Bible that adds to the word of God and causes it to teach works for salvation “adequate”? Is a Bible that refuses to translate the word “hell” in key places “adequate”? Is a Bible that allows for female deacons “adequate”? If it is, then what exactly are we complaining about with the NIV and all these other Critical Text Bibles in English?
Is the double standard here not obvious?
It would be one thing if there was no better option available. Yet the RVG is available, and it is 100% based upon the Received Texts and in agreement with the KJV barring language differences. Why won’t they print the Spanish Bible, the RVG, that is obviously more pure and more accurate? What exactly are they afraid of?
Purity vs. Politics
I suspect that because money is involved, too many are playing politics more than they care to admit.
What ever happened to earnestly contending for the faith? Whatever happened to enduring hardness (opposition, criticism, disagreement) as a good soldier of Jesus Christ? Are God’s men supposed to be men of valour or men of neutrality? Fence straddlers? Is the middle of the road where we are supposed to stand when it comes to Bible purity?
Is not purity more important than politics?
I’m not talking about being controversial for controversy’s sake, like some immature drama queen. We don’t have to be mean-spirited about the truth. I understand the principle of living peaceably with all men. But is that the approach to take when it comes to the purity of God’s words? Is that what living peaceably with all men meant in the Bible - to compromise? Or should we choose truth and Bible purity over pleasing men, even the best of men? Isn’t the old saying “the best of men are men at best”? Just how important to God is the purity of God’s holy words? Should it not be just as important to us as they are to God?
I understand that we would never desire to offend our good friends if we don’t have to. But if such men are so good, would they not have the discernment to recognize the truth that is plain and obvious? Would they not at least recognize our sincere desire for a pure Bible? Are they truly our friends if they don’t appreciate our sincere desire to provide God's people the absolute best Bible available in any language, not just in English?
All politics aside, should not Bible printers, who hold to a KJV position, be most concerned with printing the best Bible in every other language? And wouldn’t the best Bible be the one that is in the most agreement with the 100% pure KJV and its underlying texts? Wouldn’t that be the most consistent position? Isn’t that just common sense?
Here is the unavoidable truth. The RV1909 is a Spanish Bible that has been contaminated with the Critical Texts. The RV1909 may not have as many issues as the RV1960, but it is still a corrupt Spanish Bible. Plain and simple. How anyone could consider a Bible that is corrupt to be “adequate” still, especially when there is a better option available like the RVG, which is not only better but is 100% in conformity to the same underlying Received Texts of the KJV, is mind-boggling.
I would venture to say that most Independent Baptist printing ministries are so pro-KJV that they wouldn’t even consider printing the New King James Version. I agree with them! Yet the truth is that the 1909 Antigua is more corrupt than the NKJV.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
To be fair, I want to give credit where credit is due. For many years, the RV1909 was the best Spanish Bible available. In fact, it can be argued that Hispanic fundamentalism was built upon the use of this Bible. That has to count for something.
Many men have been saved with the RV1909. I have used the RV1909 to lead men to the Lord. Before I discovered the RVG, I chose to use the RV1909 over the RV1960 because I recognized it to be less flawed.
In fact, Dr. Humberto Gomez himself was saved with the RV1909. Therefore, this Bible still holds a special place in his heart as it does for many others whose lives were affected by it. Thank God, however, for men like Dr. Gomez who are honest and discerning enough to set their emotional attachments aside enough to see what is plain and obvious. Someone said one time, “Facts don’t care about your feelings”. The fact is that all the good that has been accomplished with the RV1909, or even the worse RV1960, can never change the fact that they are tainted with the Critical Texts. All the fruit in the world will never justify the perverting of God's holy words, as reflected in the Critical Texts.
I have loved ones who have been led to salvation with a Catholic Bible, but I am not going to use the Catholic Bible. I have a friend who was saved with the NIV, but I’m not going to use the NIV. He now uses the KJV. The best Bible that missionaries to New Guinea had available to them for many years was the Good News for Modern Man. When a more KJV equivalent Bible in Pidgin finally became available, however, good missionaries started using it instead. Doesn’t that just make all the sense in the world?
The RVG is a revision of the RV1909. What we did over the past 20 years is go through every word from Genesis to Revelation with a fine tooth comb and locate every flawed reading. Every flaw identified was replaced with a rendering that is 100% based in the Received Texts and matches the KJV in substance, doctrine, and many times (whenever possible) word-for-word identical.
A Plea To Bible Printers
To spend untold amounts of money, time, and energy to print and distribute a flawed Spanish Bible, when a pure one like the RVG is available, is not being neutral. It is a step backwards. Do we not have a responsibility to use the hard-earned money of God’s people to print and provide the best Bibles available, not ones contaminated by the Critical Texts?
Thank God for principled Bible printers like Victory Baptist Press in Milton, FL and Beacon of Truth Baptist Ministries in Florence, SC who exclusively print the RVG for Spanish-speaking countries. I suspect that some Bible printers and publishers are excusing themselves from feeling obligated to print a more pure Spanish Bible since they know that these good ministries are doing it. What they fail to realize, however, is that the ministries that print the RVG cannot keep up with the demand. Ask them. Talk to Jim Fellure, the Director of Victory Baptist Press. Talk to Dr. Dan Hummel, the Director of Beacon of Truth. They will both tell you without hesitation that they cannot keep up with the demand.
Missionaries who they are providing Bibles for are put on long waiting lists. They don't have any other choice. The demand is too great. Yet people need Bibles now, not later.
One missionary friend of mine, who is one of Mexico’s top Bible distributors, expressed to me his frustration with trying to get Bible printers to provide him the RVG. He refuses to use anything but a pure Spanish Bible. So he exclusively distributes the RVG. When he is finally provided with large shipments of Bibles, those pallet-loads of Bibles in his storage center are gone within a week. I’ve witnessed this with my own eyes when I spent a month with him back in the year 2020. He has become so frustrated with trying to convince Bible printers to provide for him the right Spanish Bible that he has now decided to take matters in his own hands. The money that he raises to help printers to print Bibles he is now sending to China to get them printed over there and shipped to his distribution center in Mexico. The alternative would be to either continue to beg Bible printers to stop waiting for the smoke to clear or be put on a long waiting list that may take anywhere from months to a year before an Independent Baptist printing ministry can finally get around to him. What a shame when missionaries are having to look to God-denying communists to help provide the pure word of God rather than Independent Baptist ministries in the U.S. who are waiting for the smoke to clear because they are not willing to withstand some criticism for the word of God’s sake! I wonder what men like William Tyndale, John Rogers, and many others, who paid the price with their very lives for the cause of getting God's words to their people, would think about this idea today of taking a neutral position and waiting for the smoke the clear. I'm sure they are rolling in their graves.
Dear Bible printers, I know you love the word of God. So do we. We are brothers in Christ. You have dedicated your lives to the most important cause of getting God's word to the masses. So have we. My dear brethren, we need help! Missionaries need Bibles. Precious souls need God’s word NOW, not when the smoke clears, which will never happen. They need pure Bibles, not flawed ones. The RVG is a pure Bible. The RV1909 is flawed. The RV1960 is corrupt. The RVG has corrected their flaws by replacing them with renderings that match the Received Texts and the KJV. This shouldn’t be hard to figure out. Is this not a worthy cause?! Let’s work together for the glory of God! The sky is the limit with what we would see God do if we could all unify around the cause of getting a pure Spanish Bible to the Spanish-speaking world. I guarantee you, with everything in my soul, that we would see fruit like never before if those of us who are KJV Independent Baptists would work together.
