Who was the King James that the King James Version of the Bible is named after?

The Royal, or present so-called Authorised Version, 1611, was the fruit of a suggestion made to King James I. by Dr. John Reynolds in the Hampton Court Conference of 1604: the king accepted it without hesitation. The story is well told by Thomas Fuller. ('Church History of Britain' (1656).)

'Dr. Reyn.: May your Majesty be pleased that the Bible be new translated, such as are extant not answering the originall, &c.

We have already referred to the two versions of the Scriptures in public use during the prosperous reign of Elizabeth, and at the commencement of King James' — namely, the "Bishops' Bible," used at Court and in the Churches, and the "Geneva Bible," in more common use in the households of the people. Neither gave universal satisfaction, and it was felt by all parties that sooner or later an entirely new version must be prepared. It was brought about in a simple way, as most great undertakings are. There was a conference held at Hampton Court, on January 16, 1604. Certain Church differences and questions were discussed in which the King took great interest. In the course of the proceedings, the Puritan, Dr. Reynold, proposed a new version of the Bible. The King, to please the Puritans, and attach them more firmly to his throne and constitution, and also because of his strongly expressed dislike to the two translations then in use, consented. The King's cordial approval silenced the opposition of the conformist party. The superintending hand of God was apparent even in the preliminary arrangements.

But I will just mention a little bit of history which refers to this, and why it is so current a word. When James I (or, as we should say with Scottish Covenanters, James VI) had the Bible translated, the translation in popular use was the Geneva one, made by the refugees in Queen Mary's time. This always used the word "congregation." Now James had a long experience, or knowledge at least, of his mother's conflicts with John Knox, and was not very fond of Scottish principles embodied afterwards in the covenant, and used to say, "No bishop, no king." He therefore gave strict orders to have the word "church" everywhere, and not "congregation." Hence the prevalence of a word which has really no meaning.

Before James VI. of Scotland became King of England his resources were but small, and though he had not the burden of expensive wars to bear, as had some of his predecessors, his revenue was scarcely sufficient to enable him to keep up the state of a king at Holyrood Palace.

Thus things continued until the death of Queen Elizabeth, in March, 1603. Great hopes were entertained by the Puritans that the accession of James would bring them relief — he being supposed to be a presbyterian. Before he reached England a memorial was presented to him of the hardships to which the Puritans were exposed. It was called the Millenary Petition, because it represented a thousand ministers, though it was signed only by seven hundred and fifty.

As the word of God spread, many translations in many languages have appeared. Up to the present time these translations, in whole or in part, number over a thousand languages. Translations, however, cannot claim inspiration as the original Scriptures do. Yet the godly and learned scholars, who in the time of King James I produced The Authorised Version of the Holy Scriptures, besought prayerfully the Lord’s guidance, support, and help in their very responsible task. Surely we can see that God has answered their prayers abundantly, when we examine the Scriptures we hold in our hands, and which we can receive with assurance as being indeed the word of God.

King James named 54 pious and scholarly persons — and who were empowered to communicate with "all our principal learned men within this our kingdom," so that the scholarship of the country was consecrated to the noblest work which could engage the heart, the mind, and the pen of man — the production of our admirable English Bible. Seven of the number, through death and other causes, were unable to serve, so that the list was reduced to 47.

It may be interesting to know how and to whom the work was distributed. There were six committees chosen, two of which sat at Westminster, two at Cambridge, two at Oxford. The whole were presided over by Bishop Andrewes, who, besides possessing an intimate knowledge of Hebrew, Greek, Chaldee, and Syriac, was familiar with 16 other languages. As each set or committee of translators finished the particular part assigned to them, it was then subjected to the criticism of the other five sets in order; so that each part of the Bible came before the whole body of the translators. When the 47 finished their work it was then carefully reviewed by a final committee. Dr. Myles Smith, Bishop of Gloucester, wrote the preface.

It will be readily perceived from the instructions given to the translators that our English Bible is not a direct translation from the original tongues throughout, but might be more fitly spoken of as a combined revision and translation, the Bishops' Bible being used as the basis of the whole work. Although printed by his Majesty's special command, and appointed to be read in churches, it was not forced upon the acceptance of church and people by the civil power. On the whole, the wise measures adopted, and the number and character of the translators engaged in the work inspired general confidence, while the translation itself — so accurate, so artless, yet withal so vigorous in style and diction — commanded universal love and respect, and has continued to do so, for now nigh 300 years, The "Bishops' Bible" and "Geneva Version" soon went out of date and fashion.

It may interest the reader to have a copy of the instructions and rules issued by the King for the guidance of the translators, as also a list of their names and ecclesiastical positions, with the separate portions of Holy Scripture assigned to each committee for revision: —

However this may have been, it is far from my wish to fasten any unworthy motives on them. They have erred occasionally, but were, many if not all, excellent men and able scholars, and I believe did their work with fidelity, though with a certain measure of hindrance, especially on the part of the king. We know he was superstitious on some points, and would not allow them to alter ecclesiastical terms which notoriously foster much misconception and prejudice. I do not mean to insinuate that James I. had anything to do with the mistake alluded to in Eph. 6, nor does it particularly matter who it was that suggested or kept it up; but the fact is certain, that we are said by the Holy Spirit to battle "with spiritual wickedness in heavenly places," as Israel with blood and flesh (that is, their Canaanite enemies).

Amongst the number of refugees were Whittingham, whose wife was Calvin's sister; Coverdale, the indefatigable Bible translator; John Knox, who "never feared the face of man," and many others. The Bible was their first thought, and so a new translation was at once commenced. In 1557 the New Testament was completed with annotations, italics, and distinguished by verses — the parent, in this, of all succeeding Bibles. Three years after the publication of the New Testament, the complete Bible appeared, 1560 (the second year of Queen Elizabeth's reign), and soon became exceedingly popular — rapidly passing through, it is said, more than 100 editions. Thus two Bibles were then in circulation — the Bishops' Bible and the Geneva edition. King James could not tolerate this latter version; yet it was printed and circulated frequently for more than 30 years after the publication of the authorised version of 1611.