King James Onlyists tend to make a huge deal out of any difference whatsoever between the KJV and modern translations. The truth is, however, that such differences rarely impact the meaning of the passage. Addressing such arguments one by one can be tedious. But examining these differences can also be helpful, not only in refuting King James Onlyism but also in understanding the verses in question more clearly. A good example of this is found in Matthew 6:27 and Luke 12:25. The KJV (and many other translations) render a certain phrase in the verse as “cubit unto his stature”. Many modern translations like the ESV or NASB render it as something like “hour to his span of life”. What are we to make of this difference?

The Problem in Context

The verse in question reads:

“Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?” (Matthew 6:27, KJV).

“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:27, NIV).

Luke 12:25 is a parallel of the same verse and thus says about the same thing. Since “taking thought” in the English of the KJV means precisely the same thing here as “worrying” in the NIV (and NASB, ESV, etc.), the two versions of these verses also mean exactly the same thing. Both are rhetorical questions meant to remind the reader that worrying does not have any actual power to change our circumstances. Thus, at heart, this is a distinction without a difference. It is also worth noting that this isn’t really a King James Only issue at all! Many other translations agree with the KJV here. Even if one concludes that “cubit unto his stature” is the best translation, that still leaves numerous translations open to them. Having said this, it is worth examining why this variation exists and what that tells us about the verse.

Cubit unto his stature or hour to his span of life?

So, why do English Bible versions differ on how to translate the idiom found in Matthew 6:27 and Luke 12:25? The variation comes primarily from what one does with the Greek word ἡλικία. The primary meaning of the word is “the period of time that one’s life continues; age, time of life.” But it can also be used as a term for maturity, for being of an appropriate age for something, or, idiomatically, even for one’s physical height or development at a mature age. Thus “span of life” (ESV, NASB, CSB, etc.) or “stature” (KJV, NKJV, MEV, HCSB, etc.) are both possible translations. We must let the context decide.

In favor of the latter reading, the other relevant Greek word in the verse, πῆχυς, does literally mean “cubit,” which is a unit of length rather than time. So, on the surface, “cubit to his stature” seems like the more literal translation. However, there are several reasons that many modern translators think that “hour to his span of life” better reflects what the Greek words mean here.

The case for “hour to his span of life”

The key reasons why many translators prefer the “span of life” reading are as follows:

1. Ancient writers often use units of length to refer to the span of life. Note, for example, when the Psalmist writes, “Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you…” (Psalm 39:5a). “Handbreadth” is a unit of length or width like “cubit.” Thus, the Psalmist represents the span of his life by using a word that literally means a measurement of distance rather than time. This seems to be what is going on in Matthew 6:27 and Luke 12:25.
2. This is further reinforced by the context of the verses. The statement in Matthew 6:27, for example, is prefaced with “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:25-26). Thus, the context is dealing with worries about basic survival needs, not about stature or height. One is not concerned about food and clothing because they want to be taller, but rather because they want to live longer. Thus, “span of life” is a much more natural reading in this context.
3. A cubit is based on the length of a man’s arm from elbow to fingertips, or about 18 inches. Adding an entire foot-and-a-half to one’s stature would be a HUGE increase in height! But Jesus’ argument here does not seem to be “who by worrying can accomplish a massive, unthinkably large physical transformation.” But rather, “who by worrying can do even this very small thing.” Adding a small increase to one’s span of life makes sense here. Miraculously growing to the stature of an NBA athlete does not.

Thus, understanding this verse as talking about adding to one’s “span of life” seems to be the correct meaning rather than adding to one’s physical stature. Still, it should be noted again that the ultimate meaning either way is the same: your worrying can’t change anything. It can’t improve your situation. So why worry? Whether you are reading the KJV or the NASB, the point is the same. It should also be noted that those modern translations that prefer the reading “add a single hour to his span of life” include footnotes that point out that “add a single cubit to his stature” is also a possible rendering, so you have access to that option irrespective of which Bible you use.

Conclusion

Both readings are possible, and translators on both sides are acting in good faith based on the Greek words. But, in this case, it seems from the context that “span of life” is the correct meaning. Perhaps the most literal approach would be to follow Young’s version, which says:

“and who of you, being anxious, is able to add to his age one cubit?” (Luke 2:25, YLT).

But, as the mixed metaphor doesn’t translate well into English idiom, the approach taken by modern translations like the NASB is probably best.