When the Scriptures use a particular word you can count on it to mean something specific. Men are foolish to tamper with the words that the Holy Spirit has chosen through inspiration to be written. After five decades of reading the written Word of God this writer has yet to come across a single word that can be shown to be out of place in the Scriptures. So why is it, then, that some writers pick their puny wits against the Almighty and make fools of themselves when they consciously exchange a word in the Holy Scriptures with one of their own?

As I read the verses for today, the 24th of June 2011, I noticed that one word had been changed in one of the two verses. The word “ensamples” has been replaced with the word ‘examples’. How did that happen?

Was it a ‘typo’? I don’t think so as most people use computer software when having to print verses. If it was a ‘typo’, the person responsible needs to be made aware of their shortcoming in light of the admonitions in Scripture that “it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (1 Cor 4:2) and to copy a verse erroneously is a serious misdemeanour. Some Old Testament scribes would begin a scroll again if they made a copying error.

Did the writer of this comment use a King James Bible that had been printed by one of those publishers who have changed various words to suit their own liking? If so, had he never read it or heard it read as “ensamples” rather than ‘examples’? Really. Where has he been fellowshipping all this time? Even I can recall a sister in the Lord quoting the very verse with the correct word in it over forty years ago, during a discussion over a cup of tea. I remember it because the word fascinated me seeing it was not part of everyday speech in the world I lived in then. The Bible I use still has it. It hasn’t been lost and is still read by many. So to go with this excuse amounts to ‘willful ignorance’. Nobody who expounds the Word of God should dare to use that as any excuse. As one well-known speaker used to say: “You know as much as you want to know.”

Then there is the possibility that this change of word was deliberate – whether it be done by the writer of this article or the publishers of the Bible quoted from. There are two reasons why someone would think to do it with the verse under discussion. Firstly, it was a case of substituting the word that most people would use today if they were to write the verse. Secondly, there is a trap writers fall into where they think they are at liberty to replace a word in order to have the verse say something to the present when it clearly makes a reference to a past specific period of time; an event. If the verse was left as written it would still deliver a perfectly good exhortation for the present.

In using a Bible that substitutes the word ‘examples’ (that most people would use today if they were to write the verse), the writer displays his ignorance of the proper word used in the Scriptures; namely “ensamples”. What is the difference? Does it really matter?

It mattered enough for the Scriptures to use both words, only five verses, or sentences, apart. They are each used in different ways because they have different meanings. Surely any ordinary person can see that ‘en’ on the front of a word means something to do with ‘in’. For example, without getting all complicated and just keeping it basic, an entrance is the way in. In the same way ‘ex’ on the front of a word means something to do with ‘out’. For example, an exit is the way out.

The word “ensamples” has to do with that which reflects within the group referred to; the Israelites. The word “examples” has to do with that which radiates to outside of the group where it took place. Consider how the verses actually read:

Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. (1 Cor 10:6) These things that happened show us [Paul, the Corinthian assembly, any believers (1 Cor 1:2) and us] what we should not do.

Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. (1 Cor 10:11) These things that happened were to show them [the Israelites] what they should not do, but however, they are written for us [Paul, the Corinthian assembly, any believers (1 Cor 1:2) and us] to learn from.