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Clarity in Contemporary English

The art and science of Bible translation is one of the most demanding—and humbling of all ministry professions. Perhaps Martin Luther said it best when he opined that he was glad he became a Bible translator, "...otherwise I might have died someday imagining that I was a learned man."

The challenge of beginning with the original Bible languages, syntax and cultures and translating them into the receptor language, replete with its own idioms and cultural understandings, is massive. It can never be a work of personal preferences or accommodation to special interests. Textual revisions result when a better understanding of ancient languages and cultures, new archeological findings and developments in biblical scholarship create the need for translation changes.

As a result, readers of the TNIV will experience:

Increased Clarity: Word Updates

Some of the improvements reflected in the TNIV text are simple word changes that reflect contemporary English terms. For example,

  • The "sixth hour" is accurately translated as "noon" in the modern understanding of time. Mark 15:33.

  • A "tunic" is a "shirt." Matthew 5:40.

  • "With child" means to be "pregnant." Matthew 1:18

Increased Understanding: Christ and Messiah

Two terms that declare Jesus as the "anointed one" are employed in the New Testament. The Greek Cristos and the Hebrew Messiah received careful evaluation. When used as the Messianic title for Jesus, especially in Matthew, John and Acts, the translators used the title of "Messiah." In other passages, where the title does not reflect a particularly Messianic overtone, translators utilized the Greek "Christ."

Increased Understanding: Jews versus Jewish Leaders

Similar insight is achieved in the translators' treatment of the term "Jew." The Greek word Ioudaioi, based on the context, can be used to refer to a more precisely identifiable group within the whole of Judaism. In some instances, such a change accurately dispels anti-Semitic misinterpretations of the New Testament. So, the TNIVtranslates the term Ioudaios in John 5:16 to read "...the Jewish leaders began to persecute [Jesus]" in order to accurately implicate those directly responsible.

Increased Understanding: Saints

The TNIV presents an updated translation of the Greek term for hagios, traditionally translated as "saints." The TNIV translators were concerned to reflect the original sense of the term and avoid confusion with the process of canonization within religious tradition. Therefore, the TNIV replaces the word "saint" with terms such as "God's people," "people of God" and "believers." (A notable exception will be found in Romans 1:7).

Increased Clarity: Gender

Without exception, the TNIV retains gender-accurate, masculine terminology for references to God. This is a theological understanding and commitment that the Committee on Bible Translation, standing in concert with the Church throughout the ages, considers inviolable.

There are passages in the TNIV, however, in which the contemporary English rendition used to refer to men and women has been translated to accurately reflect the original language, context and understanding. Where the NIV previously used "he," "man," or "men" to indicate all people, the TNIV, in many cases, renders these passages as "person," "people" or other terminology that reflects the meaning of the original language. In other words, where the original language indicates that both men and women were being addressed, the TNIV reflects that understanding in contemporary English.

For example, in Paul's letter to Titus, referring to God's saving grace, the TNIV, renders 2:11 this way: "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all people."

And in Matthew 5:16, Jesus' call for all believers to live a life of moral excellence before a watching world reads, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

The TNIV sometimes uses a generic plural pronoun in the place of a masculine singular pronoun, making it more consistent with contemporary English.

As a case in point, Paul's admonition in 1 Corinthians 11:28 for each believer to prepare for communion is translated, "We ought to examine ourselves before we eat of the bread and drink of the cup."

All of these TNIV revisions from its predecessor, the NIV, reflect a better rendition of clear gender language for the modern reader. In no cases do these updates impose upon or change the doctrinal impact of Scripture.

Other textual updates in the TNIV reflect simple revisions in punctuation, copy editing details and treatment of footnotes.