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Capiche?

Understand? You might if you know Italian. Otherwise, a translation would be nice. God’s Word is no different. You need to be able to comprehend it in order to reap its benefits. That’s one of the big reasons behind the TNIV—put the Bible in today’s English so you can relate to it easier. No poetry unless it was there in the first place. No words from another century. No stuff to get in the way. Just you and God’s Words, face to face. You don’t need a dictionary to tell you that’s a good idea.

Check out this VIDEO – mp4
English, The Most Rapidly Changing Language in the World, featuring:

• Dr. Gordon Fee, Professor of New Testament at Regent College
• Dr. Karen H. Jobes, Associate Professor of New Testament at Westmont College
• Dr. Douglas Moo, Blanchard Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College Graduate School
• Pastor Michael Hidalgo of Crossroads Bible Church
• Mark Strauss, Ph.D., Associate Professor of New Testament, Bethel Seminary, San Diego

Try This

In five minutes, type as many NEW words that you know about in today’s English as you can think of. Include words whose meanings have changed in your lifetime.

(Display Examples; Botox, comb-over, crunch-exercise, dead-cat bounce, dead presidents, Mcjob, def, exfoliant, gimme cap, identity theft, phat, and tweener)

Try This

Type in an example of how English is used differently in the U.S., Great Britain, or Australia.

Here are a few examples: 

Australia/U.K.                      U.S.A.

Aerial                          Antenna

Dressing Gown        Bathrobe

Rucksack                  Backpack

Barrister                     Lawyer

Mate                           Good Friend

He, she, them… 

The TNIV is gender accurate (as opposed to “gender-neutral,” which suggests the removal of specific male or female attributes). The TNIV does not remove male or female attributes or “neuter” any passages of Scripture. The TNIV uses generic language only where the meaning of the text was intended to include both men and women. These changes reflect a better understanding of the meaning of the original Greek and Hebrew.

Where the Meaning of the Text was Intended to Include Both Men and Women

Personal pronouns, the words we use to talk about people without using their names, they can get confusing when you go from language to language. Sometimes, using “he” in English doesn’t get you that close to the original. Case in point: Matthew 5:9. Jesus is teaching what Christians should be like. The TNIV reads, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Older English versions read “sons of God.” Saying “children” gets everyone in on the act, the way the original intended.

Put the Bible in Contemporary English

Contemporary English? Here’s what we mean. Compare the TNIV to the earlier NIV. 

The TNIV is a new translation communicating the timeless truth of Scripture in today’s language. Sample passages show how the TNIV combines the latest scholarship, contemporary language, and gender accuracy to provide a compelling translation of God’s Word for today’s generation. 

Clear Understanding of God

One thing hasn’t changed in the TNIV. 

There are no changes in references to God in the TNIV. Without exception, the TNIV keeps the gender-accurate, masculine terminology for references to God. This is a theological understanding and commitment that the translators, standing with the church throughout the ages, didn’t mess with.

“It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth…Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name given under heaven by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:10, 12 TNIV

Get thee gone.

Okay, that’s extreme, but you get the idea. You’re not interested in reading ancient language you want language you can relate to. So some of what you’ll see in the TNIV is simple word changes that reflect contemporary English terms. The “sixth hour” is translated as “noon” (Mark 15:33). A “tunic” is a “shirt” (Matthew 5:40). And to be “with child” means to be “pregnant” (Matthew 1:18). Other updates in the TNIV reflect simple revisions in punctuation, copy editing details, and treatment of footnotes. Want more? Go read a little.

"The TNIV takes the clearest and most accurate English Bible version—the NIV—and makes it even better. By updating the NIV with reference to textual, linguistic and historical issues, the TNIV represents the cutting edge of contemporary Bible translation."
 Mark Strauss, Ph.D., Associate Professor of New Testament, Bethel Seminary, San Diego

“As the editor of The Student Bible, I’ve spent thousands of hours trying to help readers understand the NIV Bible. I’m thrilled to hear about the TNIV and its ability to help add clarity and impact to the study of God’s Word.”
Philip Yancey, Author

“Today’s New International Version is a powerful tool for evangelism in the 21st century. God's Word was meant to be read and understood by everyone and the TNIV has been prayerfully translated toward this God-glorifying goal. I give it my highest recommendation."

Jim Cymbala, Senior Pastor, Brooklyn Tabernacle

"I majored in Bible for three years and have a commitment to teaching and preaching the Scriptures with integrity. I tenaciously hold to the inspiration of all Scripture and to the importance of not tampering with the scriptural truth. I read all the comparison texts you provided and then looked up texts that deal with the most important elements of the Christian faith, specifically those elements covered in evangelical statements of faith.

I am delighted with the clarity of the TNIV and even more delighted with the results of careful gender translation. The result is scriptural truth and grace that includes both genders. I could find no place where the translation felt forced in order to accommodate a preconceived agenda. I am delighted with the integrity and readability of the TNIV."
Ken Davis, Author and Speaker

"The TNIV does an excellent job in offering a clear, accurate, and contemporary translation in order to have the greatest impact on the masses for Christ."
Roger Feenstra, President of Berean Christian Stores

"I'm very excited about the TNIV, especially after reading about the translation process as well as portions of the text. It's clear the translation team was passionate about doing what any good translator should do: communicate the original intent of the God-inspired writers in the language of our day. I'll be using the TNIV in my speaking, as I'm convinced it will provide one less hurdle in people connecting with our great God!"
Mark Oestreicher, President of Youth Specialties

"If we are to communicate the gospel in today's world we must use today's language. Today's NIV does just that. It provides a clear and accurate translation of the Bible's unchangeable text into the changing language of today's culture—with careful and appropriate use of gender-inclusive language and modern idiom."
Nick Pollard, Writer and Evangelist 

“I have been reading the TNIV New Testament and have been very impressed. I am beginning a series on 1 Corinthians so it was easy to move through Paul’s letter and pick up on the changes in the translation. I am very pleased with what I read. I have used the NIV for over 25 years in preaching and teaching and I have consistently had to alter my reading of the text in order to include women and men in the hearing of the Word of God. For more than a generation masculine pronouns have stood exclusively for males in the mind of many. To pretend otherwise has had the unfortunate effect of alienating those who have grown up with these changes. If the New Testament was not written to be read exclusively by males, why would anyone want to perpetuate such a misleading notion?

The TNIV seeks to present a true translation of the original languages in a way that conveys the intent of the biblical writers. I believe the TNIV’s sensitivity to the original biblical message coupled with sensitivity to the dynamic of the English language, is a major success and, from my perspective, long overdue. To use gender-exclusive language in preaching the Word of God is to mistranslate the original biblical text and to seriously alter it’s meaning. I am grateful for the prayerful expertise and the Christ-honoring labor that has gone into the New Testament and look forward to the completion of the whole Bible. May the Lord bless your efforts in this very important project.”
Dr. Douglas D. Webster, Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, San Diego

See and hear more!
The Video Clips featured below highlight the Committee on Bible Translation (CBT) and the careful detail that went into the TNIV.

• Relevance of the TNIV

• Committee On Bible Translation (CBT)

• Readability

• Reliable

• History on Translating

Jarrett Stevens, Willow Creek

• Language Barriers Today

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