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.
29 January, 2008 at 10:49 pm
[...] 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 [...]
17 February, 2008 at 3:15 am
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?
17 February, 2008 at 3:56 am
TNIV SUXKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
17 February, 2008 at 5:43 pm
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.
17 February, 2008 at 6:40 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
17 February, 2008 at 6:56 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.
17 February, 2008 at 7:15 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!
17 February, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Thanks Bryan, I like it. Carson has quite a way with words.
12 April, 2008 at 5:34 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.
12 April, 2008 at 5:52 pm
I’m with you on that one!
16 May, 2008 at 8:58 am
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.
29 May, 2008 at 1:59 pm
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.
30 May, 2008 at 12:08 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.
30 May, 2008 at 12:09 pm
I also think that mentioning the ESV has very little to do with this post too!
12 August, 2008 at 6:51 am
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!