Variations between manuscripts are sometimes counted in many thousands. Are not many of these details of no material significance?

This text is from a transcript of a talk by David Gooding, entitled ‘Documentary Evidence, Textual Criticism and Translation’ (2007).

Exactly so! You are perfectly right in your observation. As textual critics we have to regard all variations; but some variations (to put it no more strongly) are neither here nor there, and are without significance. Textual critics are liable to copy the Apostle Paul in a wrong manner—they are liable to 'magnify their office,' as Paul put it (see Romans 11:13). This is a pity. They make out that many differences are vastly important and some are very important, but many are neither here nor there.