NIV & TNIV
Exactly how different is the TNIV from the NIV?
I wondered this for sometime.
And then, because I have Logos Bible Software, I decided to check. I put the two Bibles against each other and the program showed me every place where there is a difference in wording!
Here are the results:
4.2% Variant from Base.
But this percentage is a bit skewed simply because some books of the Bible are more different than others. For example, 1-2 Chronicles are only 2.1% different from the NIV, but Proverbs is more than 15% different.
In order to both example the books on an individual basis and document the types of changes made, I’ve began a series going through the sections of the Bible noting and discussing the kinds of changes made:
NIV / TNIV – The Historical Books
NIV / TNIV – The Major Prophets
NIV / TNIV – The Minor Prophets
NIV / TNIV – The Gospels
NIV / TNIV – Paul’s Letters
NIV / TNIV – The General Letters & Revelation
The links will become active as I proceed in the comparison, which will be about once a week. As far as I can tell, the changes seen show the TNIV to be a good improvement on the NIV, making it both more clear, more accurate, and often more formal in many ways.
[...] NIV? What is it about the TNIV that you find appealing? I’ve read Mike Aubrey’s comparison results and I don’t really see enough of a difference to warrant actually spending the money on [...]
Question for TNIV Readers « Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth
January 29, 2008 at 10:49 pm
USE A REAL BIBLE. The ESV is the actual words of God translated. Are you a real Christian or are you into all this PC TNIV garbage?
Bill
February 17, 2008 at 3:15 am
TNIV SUXKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TNIV Suxks
February 17, 2008 at 3:56 am
For those who are wondering about the comments above. They are from the same person – same IP address – who apparently didn’t have much to do at 3.15 and 3.56 in the morning.
He also used some great fake e-mail addresses:
screwyou@screwyou.com & esvrulez@tnivsucks.com.
Regarding “Bill’s” question, my answer is this:
That depends on whether you’re still beating your wife or not.
Seriously though I have several problems with these comments. For one its unfair to ask people questions that they can’t win on – i.e. I am a real Christian and the only TNIV garbage is the stuff that people like “Bill” are dispensing, which is a matter of political correctness in the “religious right.”
Using fake e-mail addresses (normally I don’t allow such comments through) and spouting off your ignorance about translation theory isn’t going to help you convince anyone that you’re right. Its one thing to develop and make an argument for your view, it a very different thing to make inflammatory assertions with no evidence.
All of this is a bit ironic considering the recent discussions about translation that have occurred here and here.
“Bill” would do well to read those discussions and this essay before he says anything else to anyone about translation.
Mike
February 17, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Great response.
Re: True Christian or TNIV reader?
)
As D.A. Carson wrote once:
“Damn these false antithesis to Hell”
(Note: Carson does not actually think that false antithesis will face judgment for their sins
Bryan
February 17, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Thanks Bryan. I like that quote. Do you know where it is?
and by the way, I’m working on an answer your question about αληλως.
Mike
February 17, 2008 at 6:56 pm
It’s from Carson’s book “Becoming Conversant with the Emergent Church.”
Here’s the lengthier quote:
“So which shall we choose? Experience or truth? The left wing of an airplane, or the right? Love or integrity? Study or service? Evangelism or discipleship? The front wheels of a car, or the rear? Subjective knowledge or objective knowledge? Faith or obedience?
Damn all false antitheses to hell, for they generate false gods, they perpetuate idols, they twist and distort our souls, they launch the church into violent pendulum swings whose oscillations succeed only in dividing brothers and sisters in Christ. The truth is that Jesus Christ is Lord of all—of the truth and of our experience. The Bible insists that we take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ. ”
And I appreciate the help!
Bryan
February 17, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Thanks Bryan, I like it. Carson has quite a way with words.
Mike
February 17, 2008 at 7:23 pm
While I didn’t like that NIV that much, the TNIV has changed all that. It’s the Bible I read and study and will gladly recommend it.
TC
April 12, 2008 at 5:34 pm
I’m with you on that one!
Mike
April 12, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Thanks for the notes on the TNIV vs. NIV. As most (should) already know, all responsible translations are reliable and should be used in exegesis along with the original languages. Those who say one is the “only” translation are simply not doing sufficient reading/research.
Paul
May 16, 2008 at 8:58 am
I will say I use the ESV and it seems to me to be more literal and more beautifully written than the NIV or TNIV. It has a higher reading level as well, but it doesn’t make sentences confusing (like the NASB, which I used to use).
But a Bible’s a Bible…unless it’s the Message. Now that’s another blog.
james
May 29, 2008 at 1:59 pm
I will say I disagree completely. Nothing in the ESV makes it a beautiful translation that wasn’t in the RSV. 99% of the time the changes made by the translation team, in my opinion were changes for the worse.
But then, I also think the Message is beautiful English.
Mike
May 30, 2008 at 12:08 pm
I also think that mentioning the ESV has very little to do with this post too!
Mike
May 30, 2008 at 12:09 pm
I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you down the road!
AlexM
August 12, 2008 at 6:51 am
The most interesting will be when you get to the New Testament, I think. That’s where most of the disputes are anyway, if I remember right.
Gummby
September 2, 2008 at 10:42 pm
[...] NIV & TNIV – Thoughts and Meditations [...]
What are your favorite changes from NIV to TNIV? | Scripture Zealot
September 29, 2008 at 4:48 am
Gummby, actually, as I’ve begun working through the NT, the difference isn’t too much greater. Proverbs is still on top with the most change so far.
Mike
October 12, 2008 at 3:15 pm
[...] NIV & TNIV [...]
The ESV, RSV, & NRSV Compared « ΕΝ ΕΦΕΣΩ
November 26, 2008 at 2:58 pm
anticipating the changes seen in the NT betweent the NIV and the TNIV.
brianfulthorp
December 30, 2008 at 6:13 pm
oh yeah…I had forgotten…
Mike Aubrey
December 30, 2008 at 7:36 pm
A helpful change that I found in the NT is the way that the Corinthian slogans are translated in 1 Corinthians. For example:
1 Cor. 6:12-13a
NIV
“Everything is permissible for me”–but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”–but I will not be masted by anything. “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food”–but God will destroy them both.
TNIV
“I have the right to do anything,” you say–but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”–but I will not be masted by anything. You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.”
The main thing I appreciate about the TNIV is that it makes it more clear that the quoted sections are “slogans” of the Corinthians, which Paul was quoting. The addition of “you say” in both verses makes this much more apparent to the average reader.
And I also like the extension of the slogan in verse 13. I think it’s a solid interpretive decision.
For other places where the TNIV modifies its translation of Corinthian slogans, see 1 Cor. 7:1; 8:1, 4; 10:23.
Nathan
March 6, 2009 at 8:49 am
“I have the right to do anything.” Now that sounds like language children use to talk to their mothers!
I like the TNIV, but I still use the NIV because I can’t stand the font they use with the TNIV. I know that sounds nit-picky, but the font doesn’t look serious to me.
I hope they have brought the more far out translations more into line with the Greek text. I’ve had the unfortunate experience of sitting in a Bible study wherein a point was made upon a detail of language in the NIV, that simply was not in the Greek text. I can’t remember the exact scripture.
I can greatly appreciate the fact that both translations are good at avoiding the pseudo-regal blabber in some other versions.
Kendall
March 25, 2009 at 12:19 am
The TNIV; it’s a wonderful bible. I’ve had several bibles over the years and have enjoyed this one the best. It has been about 15 years since I bought my last bible and thought that I wouldn’t need to ever upgrade (I own the KJV, NKJV, NRSV, and now the TNIV). This bible reads so well; I would recommend it to anyone that is looking for an update to his or her bible collection. If you are currently looking for a bible and are unsure of the version to purchase; find a chapter or two that really stands out to you, that makes you want to read more. With those two chapters in mind read several of the versions that are out there, the one that appeals the most to you that’s the one for you. For me it’s the TNIV. Ignore what the naysayers have to say about any version and find the one that you enjoy.
Peace & Love
Warren
April 13, 2009 at 6:07 pm
[...] is my opinion that the TNIV is an improved translation of its predecessor. As Mike Aubrey notes, there is a 4.2% variation across the board between the two versions. This is not a large [...]
What I Dislike Most About the TNIV… «
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