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.

Words change in meaning and usage over time. Words that meant one thing even a few generations ago may now mean something completely different to present-day English speakers. These changes can impact how we read, understand, and apply older English writings without our even realizing that we are misunderstanding what the author meant. There are, for example, many passages in the KJV that seem (in the mind of readers in our own day) to be saying something quite different than what modern translations say in the same passage. Upon further reflection, when one understands how the relevant words were used four hundred years ago, it often becomes clear that they are actually saying the same thing. For an example of this, let’s consider the word “wait.”

Wait on our ministering

When Paul wrote to the church in Rome regarding the exercise of spiritual gifts, he instructed them:

“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching,” (Romans 12:6-7, KJV).

These instructions have confused many readers. Those with gifts like prophecy and teaching were to use their gifts accordingly. Why were those gifted in ministry supposed to wait on their ministering? Why delay? Why not minister now? Actually, Paul is not instructing them to “wait” in the manner in which we use that term today. He did not mean to patiently hold off until a later time. Instead, “wait on” here is actually a term of active service. It is where we get the words “waiter” and “waitress” for someone who serves you food in a restaurant (though, even here, many people have shifted to using the term “server” for such individuals and don’t speak of “waiters” at all anymore.). Paul is actually telling them to actively serve one another in ministry. Where the KJV has, “Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering,” in the 14th century, over 200 years before the KJV, the John Wycliffe Bible rendered the phrase “either service, in ministering.” Modern translations capture this meaning in today’s terms, rendering the verse:

“…if service, in his serving…” (NASB, see also NIV, ESV, CSB).
“…or ministry, let us use it in our ministering…” (NKJV).

As one can see, all of these translations agree that if one has a gift of service or ministry one ought to use it by actively serving others. This, too, is what the KJV means by “wait on” in this context.

…upon the Lord

Even learning this fact about the old meaning of “wait” can lead to some confusion. The problem comes in the fact that the meaning of “wait” familiar to us today also existed in the 1600s. The term “wait” had more than one meaning, depending on the context. When some well-meaning Christians learn that “wait on” can mean an act or role of service, they sometimes go on to assume that it must mean that. Then they arrive at passages like:

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint,” (Isaiah 40:31).

I have seen many people take the knowledge that “wait upon” can mean to serve. They then deduce that this passage is actually saying that those who actively serve the Lord will renew their strength. This sounds good. It is certainly a good and worthy thing to serve the Lord. Doesn’t it make more sense for this passage to be pronouncing these blessings on those who serve the Lord rather than those who do nothing and just wait on the Lord in the sense we mean by “wait” today? In this case, however, “wait” means exactly what we would mean by it in present-day English. It means to be patient and give time for another to do something. Specifically here, it means to trust God and to patiently wait in hope for God to fulfill His promises. But since “wait upon” could mean either one, how are we to know which it is supposed to be in any given context when we are not used to such a meaning? How do we avoid misinterpretation in a day where we are not accustomed to the nuances of these two separate definitions of “wait”? This is where there is value in multiple translations! Even if we look at the other older English translations, the ones that came before the KJV, we find:

“But unto them that have their trust in the Lord…” (Bishops Bible).
“But unto them that have the LORD before their eyes…” (Miles Coverdale, see also Matthew Bible, Great Bible).

The sense here is of patience and trust rather than acts of service. Likewise, in modern translations we read:

“Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength…” (NASB, see also ESV, NKJV).
“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength…” (NIV).
“but those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength…” (CSB).

Here, the word is clearly “wait” in the modern sense, implying patience and trust. This is why, as we see, several modern translations still use the very word “wait!” The meaning of the word “wait” is just what we would expect it to be. But this only became clear by stepping outside the KJV alone and allowing other witnesses. As our Lord said, “in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established,” (Matthew 18:16). Reading the KJV alone, it is easy for a phrase like “wait on” to leave the contemporary reader with the wrong interpretation.