King James Version
In the early 17th century there were many religious struggles going on: Catholics vs. Anglicans ....... the Prelate Party vs. the Puritans [Prelate put retrial over doctrine whereas Puritans were mainly Calvinists] ....... Calvinists vs. the Non-Calvinistic theologians ....... and many other such conflicts. These translators brought with them to their work of translation and revision their various religious backgrounds and biases. In fact, no matter how careful a translator is, or how honest and sincere, or how objective and unbiased he tries to be, his biases and beliefs will still affect his work to some noticeable degree. For example, certain passages in the KJV clearly reflect a Calvinistic perspective:
#1 --- In Acts 2:47 the KJV reads, "And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." [were or were being saved (NASB, NIV, ASV, NKJV, CJB), added to the church (NKJV)]. The actual Greek verb form here is: "the ones who are being saved." The rewording of the KJV (from "are" to "should be") is felt by some scholars to reflect the doctrines of election and predetermination.
#2 --- In Galatians 5:17 the KJV reads: "...so that ye cannot do the things that ye would." This particular verb appears in the Subjunctive Mood in the Greek text; thus, it is a conditional statement, not an absolute statement! Its correct translation would be, "so that ye might not do..." By failing to correctly translate this verb form the KJV implies a lack of free will, which is another strong Calvinistic doctrine. [Do not do - (NIV, NKJV); May not do - (NASB, ASV); Don't always do - (GWT)]
#3 --- In Hebrews 6:6 the KJV [also NIV and NKJV] reads, "If they shall fall away." The word "if" is not in the original Greek text; it has been added by the KJV translators. The text actually reads, "and having fallen away." This is a statement of absolute fact, yet the KJV translators have changed it into a conditional statement. By making it more hypothetical, the implication is left with the reader that the statement is unlikely at best, thus upholding the Calvinistic doctrine of The Eternal Security of the Believer or "Once Saved, Always Saved" (the "P" in TULIP theology --- Perseverance of the Saints). [And they have fallen away - (NASB), and they fall away - (ASV), yet they have deserted Christ - (GWT)]
#4 --- In Hebrews 10:38 the KJV reads, "Now the just man shall live by faith; but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him." The words "any man" have been added to the text. The actual subject of the verb "draw back" is "the just man." The Calvinists, however, do not believe that the "just man" can draw back after having drawn near, so the wording of the verse was changed to better reflect their false doctrine. The correct reading of the verse is: "...but if he draw back," with the antecedent of "he" being "the just man." [For my iust man lyueth of feith; that if he withdrawith hym silf, he schal not plese to my soule. (Wycliffe Bible, 1384); If he - (ASV, NIV, NASB, GWT); if anyone - (KJV)]
#5 --- There are seven passages where the KJV [also NKJV]has the phrase "be converted" (Passive Voice), when these verbs are actually in the Active Voice. This changes the meaning of the verb. Instead of the person performing the action of the verb, the action of the verb is performed upon the person. The Calvinists believed that conversion was passive on man's part. The individual was acted upon from an outside source: the Holy Spirit. Thus, if God chose to save you, you were saved regardless of what your will in the matter might be. This is the "I" in TULIP theology --- Irresistible Grace of God. Acts 3:19 is an example of this doctrinal manipulation of the text. [Epistrefoo - (Strong's # 1949) to turn,] [repent and turn (or return) - (ASV, NIV, NASB), change and turn - (GWT)]