When you are reading the Bible and encounter words in italics, is there special meaning for those words in italics? Yes, there is. I will explain the meaning of italicized words in the KJV, AMP, and TS2009 translations, using my copy of these translations that don’t need electricity or the internet. 🙂
In the KJV, words in italics indicate words that are not there in the original languages.
Italic type was used in the KJV, as in the Geneva Bible, to indicate words in English translation that have no exact representative in the original language.
Preface to the King James Version, 1873 Edition
The same is true of the TS2009 translation. Strictly speaking, words in italics simply are not present in the original language.
Words in italics are not found in the original text but were added for context and/or readability.
Preface of ‘The Scriptures’, 3rd edition (TS2009), 2016 reprint
So in the KJV, the TS2009, and in many other translations, words in italics were added by the translators to bring out the meaning of the passage. In general I think they did a good job – most of the words in italics are ok. I’d like to give an example where I think the KJV translators inserted words they should not have, in Psalms 7.
From the Lord’s Prayer in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, we learn we should repent daily. I mean, praying for daily food and forgiveness are right next to each other!
8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 9 In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Matthew 6:8-15 NKJV
This is how the TS2009 translates Psalm 7:11-12. There are no words in italics, so all the words come from the Hebrew text.
11 Elohim is a righteous judge.
And Ěl is enraged every day,
12 If one does not repent!
He sharpens His sword,
He bends His bow and makes it ready,
Tehillim (Psalms) 7:11-12 TS2009
The King James Version translators added words not found in the Hebrew text, “with the wicked”. (Note – I had to make these words italic myself. Online Bibles are inconsistent in application of italics. These words are in italics in the KJV in my printed Parallel Bible.)
11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.
12 If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.
Psalm 7:11-12 KJV
The New King James Version follows the KJV, adding words that are not in the Hebrew text. (I added this reference so you can click on the link and see the italics.)
11 God is a just judge,
And God is angry with the wicked every day.
12 If he does not turn back,
He will sharpen His sword;
He bends His bow and makes it ready.
Psalm 7:11-12 NKJV
I believe Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount that I should repent every day. So the TS2009 straight-from-the-Hebrew makes sense: God will be angry at anyone not in active repentance.
11 Elohim is a righteous judge.
And Ěl is enraged every day,
12 If one does not repent!
Tehillim (Psalms) 7:11-12a TS2009
Brothers and sisters, there have been great controversies over words translators inserted! Psalms 7:11 is one such passage.
The AMP Bible extends the meaning of words in italics.
Italics point out:
(One) certain familiar passage now recognized as not adequately supported by the original manuscripts. This is the primary use of italics in the New Testament, so that, upon encountering italics, the reader is alerted to a matter of textual readings. Often these will be accompanied by a footnote. See as an example Matthew 16:2-3.
(Two) conjunctions such as “and,” “or,” and the like, not in the original text, but used to connect additional English words indicated in the same original word. In this use, the reader, upon encountering a conjunction in italics, is alerted to the addition of an amplified word of phrase. See as an example Acts 24:3.
(Three) words which are not found in the original Hebrew or Greek but implied by it.
Introduction to the Amplified Bible
(Three) is much like the italics in the KJV and the TS2009. The translators added words they thought help bring out the meaning.
(One) is a warning that the text may or may not be in the original manuscripts. I agree with the AMP about their italics in 1 John 5:7-8. My brief look into the Comma Johanneum makes me think these words were not in the original manuscripts. (KJV-Only people tend to disagree.)
Based on the life of Peter, I think the AMP translators missed italicizing a passage in Matthew 28. Peter denied Jesus, and felt horrible about it. After Jesus rose from the dead He reinstated Peter in a long conversation. Therefore I believe Peter would be very careful to follow Jesus’ instructions exactly! But how did Peter baptize in the book of Acts? Just in Jesus’ name.
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 2:37-38 NKJV
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.
Acts 10:44-48 NKJV
Therefore I agree with those who believe Jesus did not say the words in italics in verse 19. (I added the italics in verse 19.) In my opinion Peter baptized as he was taught.
18 Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.
19 Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it be).
Matthew 28:18-20 AMPC (Italics added by me in verse 19)
To sum up, words in italics mean Use Caution. They may have been added by the translators (who may have gotten it wrong), or there may be doubt whether the words should be in the New Testament.
Jesus is coming very soon. Be ready!
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.
1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 NKJV
32 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! 34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.”
Matthew 24:32-35 NKJV
34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Luke 21:34-36 NKJV
Has the rapture happened? You can still be saved and go to heaven! --- Are you following God's plan for your life? You should. Your plan is not going to work. It is a really, really bad plan. Please come to Jesus to escape your plan! Most people are WRONG! WRONG! WRONG! Jesus is coming. Are you ready to meet Him? Give your life to Jesus Christ. Time is running out.
Lift Up Your Eyes! 
This is interesting. I appreciate you sharing this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
YW 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person