Introduction
One of the glories of the King James Bible is its precision. Words matter. A slight change in wording can distort truth, especially when it touches the very nature of God. Modern versions often blur this precision, introducing language that suggests God “wants” something — as though He were lacking. But the true and living God is eternally self-sufficient. He is complete in Himself.
This is why I trust the KJV: it carefully preserves the language of Scripture, protecting both doctrine and worship.
Psalm 23:1 — God’s Sufficiency
KJV
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
NIV
The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
Commentary:
“I shall not want” conveys more than “I lack nothing.” It is not merely about having no unmet needs — it is a declaration of absolute sufficiency in God. The KJV preserves the spiritual depth, the poetry, and the assurance of trust in the Shepherd. Modern renderings reduce it to a statement about temporary provisions.
2 Peter 3:9 — God’s Will, Not His Lack
KJV
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
NIV
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Commentary:
“Not willing” reflects God’s sovereign will. “Not wanting” suggests a deficiency — as if God desires something He does not have. To speak of God “wanting” challenges His perfection. He is whole, complete, and sufficient in Himself. The KJV carefully guards this doctrine; the NIV introduces confusion.
James 1:4 — The Believer’s Maturity
KJV
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
ESV
And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Commentary:
“Wanting nothing” keeps the chain intact with Psalm 23 — the believer, shepherded by the Lord, reaches a place of spiritual maturity and sufficiency in Him. Modern versions replace “wanting” with “lacking,” severing the biblical continuity and flattening the meaning into a material sense of deficiency rather than a spiritual condition of fullness.
Philippians 4:11 — The Secret of Contentment
KJV
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
NIV
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
Commentary:
“In respect of want” links directly to Psalm 23: “I shall not want.” Paul is not speaking about material need, but about the deeper truth that in Christ he has no want. The NIV replaces this with “in need,” reducing it to circumstantial poverty. Once again, the KJV preserves the biblical word-chain, pointing to sufficiency in Christ rather than earthly lack.
Doctrinal Implications
The KJV consistently ties together the biblical truth that:
- God Himself is never in want.
- The believer, trusting in the Shepherd, is brought into that same sufficiency.
By contrast, modern versions scatter these connections, trading the language of want (spiritual sufficiency) for the language of lack or need (material deficiency). Subtle? Yes. Harmless? No. Because words shape doctrine.
Conclusion
This is why I trust the KJV. It guards the truth of God’s self-sufficiency, preserves the beauty of biblical language, and keeps intact the internal word-chains that God Himself built into His Word.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.