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The KJV and the changing use of words: Highminded

by | Oct 31, 2018 | Minor Groups & Issues, King James Onlyism

This article is part of a series on the changing meaning of English words and its impact on the King James Only debate. To see the introduction to this series, click The King James Version and the changing use of words.

The meanings of the words we use change over time. A word may remain quite common in everyday speech while its definition can change, either subtly or quite radically. Familiar English words that meant one thing in generations past may now mean something completely different to present-day English speakers. These changes obviously impact how accurately and reliably we read older English writings. Without our even realizing it, we often read modern definitions of words into historical texts, accidentally changing the meaning of the sentence. There are many such words in old translations like the KJV. For an example of this, let’s consider the word “highminded.”

Be not highminded

The term “highminded” is nearly archaic. Most English-speakers rarely use it in everyday speech. It is a word that will likely pass out of use altogether in the near future. Presently, however, it is still used on occasion. Today, the word normally means “having or showing high, exalted principles or feelings,” “principled, honest, fair, ethical,” or “having or characterized by high moral principles.” It is occasionally used in a sarcastic sense for someone who seems to have high moral principles or convictions about trivial issues, such as saying “he is too highminded to read popular fiction,” or “he is too highminded to eat corn dogs and fries.” Even here, the words sill means one of high principle and conviction. The point is siply to mock the person for having such strong principles about such an irrelevant issue. Outside of such hyperbolic jibes, however, the term “highminded” is generally a positive term for someone of lofty moral conviction. It can seem strange, then, that Paul is so negative about those who are highminded. For example, he writes:

“Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear,” (Romans 11:20).

It would be strange for Paul to argue that we ought not to have high ethical principles or strong convictions about what is right or wrong. Is Paul perhaps using it in a sarcastic sense, alluding to a sort of self-righteousness or legalism about trivial things? If so, no indication of the ironic hyperbole is given. It doesn’t seem to fit the context. What does Paul mean here? The answer is actually quite simple. “Highminded” used to mean something quite different than it does today. To be “highminded” was to think too highly of oneself. It meant to be haughty, impetuous, and headstrong. This is what the KJV actually means by “highminded.” This is why modern translations render the same phrase:

“…Do not be conceited…” (NASB).

“…Do not be arrogant…” (NIV, see also CSB, MEV).

“…do not become proud…” (ESV).

“…Do not be haughty…” (NKJV).

Paul elsewhere similarly writes:

“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy,” (1 Timothy 6:17).

Again, we are told not to be “highminded,” and it is again for the same reason. In Miles Coverdale’s 1535 English Translation, long before the KJV, he rendered the phrase:

“…be not proud…” (Coverdale)

Modern translators likewise word it as:

“…not to be conceited…” (NASB, see also MEV).

“…not to be haughty…” (ESV, see also NKJV).

“…not to be arrogant…” (NIV, see also CSB).

Paul yet again writes about men in the last days, that they will be:

“Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God,” (2 Timothy 3:4).

The late 14th-Century John Wycliffe Bible translated the same term here as “swollen with proud thoughts.” Modern translators similarly render it “swollen with conceit” (ESV), “puffed up,” (ASV), “conceited” (NASB, MEV, NIV, CSB), or “haughty” (NKJV). As we can again see through comparison, “highminded” is a term for pride, self-absorption, and thinking too highly of oneself. If we were restricted to using the King James Version alone without reference to other translations, however, we might be apt to misunderstand what “highminded” means and thus fail to fully grasp Paul’s point.

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