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A Look at the NIV
----- A Look At The
NIV
----- By Harold Littrell, Th.D.
----- The New International Version has many
interesting and thought-provoking passages,
however, there are some very serious
problems and some gross and inexcusable
errors.
----- Least reliable
----- The NIV is the least reliable of the
major versions available today, in the
opinion of this writer, and should not be
trusted. Poisoned doctrine can be dangerous
to your eternal welfare.
----- If one does not know the Greek of the
N.T., and/or does not have access to the
Greek text to check the NIV renderings,
he/she should find a more reliable version.
----- More reliable than the NIV:
----- The King James Version, the New King
James Version, and the New American Standard
Version are all to be preferred over the NIV.
----- All the versions have problems. All
were translated and prepared, for the most
part, by denominational men, with the errors
of denominationalism evident in them to one
extent or another.
----- Of course the English Study Bible,
translated by this author, is the safest of
all, doctrinally, but it is available only
in the New Testament now.
-----The Old Testament is being translated
now. Genesis through Deuteronomy whould be
ready for distribution the summer of 2001.
----- Some less reliable than NIV:
-----The American Bible Society's TEV (Good
News For Modern Man); The "Living Bible -
Paraphrased"; The Easy to Read Version.
----- Here are a few of the problems
found in the NIV
----- 1. Gross Mistranslation of Acts
2:27 and 2:31
NIV: 27because you will not abandon me to
the grave, nor will you let your Holy one
see decay. 31Seeing what was ahead, he spoke
of the resurrection of the Christ, that he
was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his
body see decay.
----- "Me" is substituted for "my soul," and
"the grave" is substituted for "Hades" by
the NIV.
----- Here are the two verses as given in
the English Study Bible, with footnotes and
references:
----- 27. Because you will not abandon my
soul to Hades2, nor allow your Holy One to
see corruption.
----- 31. He foresaw the resurrection of
Christ, and spoke of it; that he was neither
abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh decay.
Psalm 132:11; see 2 Sam. 7:12,13
----- Hades is the unseen abode of the
departed soul or spirit, not the grave where
the dead body lies.
----- There is no Greek text available
having what NIV gives in this verse. The
false wording is deliberate; evil.
----- God warns against adding to, taking
from, or changing his holy word (Deut. 4:2;
Proverbs 30:6; Rev.22:18,19).
----- 2. NIV Re-words and Paraphrases
Romans 10:10
----- to teach "faith only,"
a favorite doctrine of the version.
----- The NIV has: 10"For it is with your
heart that you believe and are justified,
and it is with your mouth that you confess
and are saved."
----- According to this false statement from
the NIV, when one believes he/she is
justified [made righteous]. When one
confesses he/she is saved.
----- God does not say that. God says," For
with the heart one believes unto
righteousness, and with the mouth confession
is unto salvation."
----- Here is the ESB on Rom.10:10:
----- 10. For with the heart one believes
unto righteousness, and with the mouth
confession is unto salvation.
----- God says that faith is unto
righteousness, and confession is unto
salvation. Both faith (belief) and
confession are in "the direction of" -
"toward" righteousness and salvation.
----- There is no justification for the
"salvation at the point of faith" position
of the NIV in this passage (and elsewhere).
____________________________
-----1.The SOUL (spirit, not the body)
returns to God at death (Eccl. 12:7; Luke
16:22,23; 23:43).
-----2.HADES, from hades, the abode of
departed spirits awaiting the judgment (Luke
16:22,23; Eccl. 12:7; Luke 23:43). Not "the
grave" as some have it (e.g. NIV). See 1
Pet.3:20,21.
----- Beware!
----- One can teach a lot of religious error
through the NIV.
Will God hold us accountable for it? This
writer believes that he will.
----- 3. The NIV Mistranslates -----
Romans 1:17, Putting in "Faith Only" -----
(See Romans 10:10 above.)
----- NIV: 17For in the gospel a
righteousness from God is revealed, a
righteousness that is by faith from first to
last, just as it is written, "The just shall
live by faith."
----- A literal translation of the Greek:
For in it God's righteousness is revealed
out of faith unto faith, as it is written,
The just shall live by faith.
----- The ESB & note have:
----- 17. For in it God's righteousness1 is
revealed out of faith unto faith2, as it is
written, The just shall live by faith. Hab.
2:4
----- Note: The gospel reveals God's
righteousness--shows how he can forgive sin
through Jesus Christ, and at the same time
remain just in condemning sin in the
unbelievers. Cf. Romans 3:25,26.
__________________________
-----1.GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS is shown in his
forgiving past sins through the blood of
Christ (Rom. 3:25,26).
-----2.OUT OF FAITH UNTO FAITH - out of "the
faith," the gospel, unto faith (belief)
which comes by hearing the word (Rom.
10:17).
----- 4. Mistranslation of Romans 3:31
Holding to the Law of Moses
----- The NIV mistranslates and paraphrases
Romans 3:31, apparently to preserve the Law
of Moses as being valid and established and
"upheld".
----- NIV: 31Do we, then, nullify the law by
this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold
the law.
-----(The main thing wrong with that
rendering is that it is not what God said!)
----- The English Study Bible has:
----- 31. Do we then make law null and void
by the faith? Let it not be! Instead, we
establish law3.
----- The ESB has it exactly as the Greek
original - nothing added or taken away -
nothing changed even slightly. This is
precisely what every version should have.
----- Denominational thought is in favor of
keeping the Law of Moses as still valid; and
that we are not really under any kind of law
now - just grace.
----- The NIV makes it easy to teach such
denominational doctrines, with apparent
support from their "Bible."
----- The "law we establish" (verse 31)
is the law of Christ (1 Cor.9:21). There
Paul states that he was under that law.
----- Note: The faith (see Jude 3) is the
system of doctrine, the body of doctrine,
that makes up God's law in this age.
-----It is obvious that we do not establish
the Law of Moses, for it was fulfilled by
the death of Christ. It was abolished "in
his flesh" on the cross (Ephesians 2:15ff;
Colossians 2:14).
-----The law "we establish" is the law of
faith.
_________________________
-----3.WE ESTABLISH LAW; the law of faith
(verse 27). It is the law of liberty (James
1:25; 2:12); the law of God, Christ's law (1
Cor. 9:21).
----- 5.NIV on Rom.3:27
----- NIV: 27Where, then, is boasting? It is
excluded. On what principle? On that of
observing the law? No, but on that of
faith."
-----(The Greek has, pou oun he kauchesis;
exekleisthe. dia poiou nomou; ton ergon;
ouchi, alla dia nomon pisteos.)
----- The English Study Bible has:
----- 27. Where is boasting then? It is
eliminated. Through what law? The Law of
works? No! But through the law of faith1.
----- Note: The law of faith is Christ's
doctrine (2 John 9). It is "the faith" of
Jude 3. It is the perfect law of liberty of
James 1:25. It is the law of Christ (1
Corinthians 9:21).
----- The law of faith is the law "we
establish" as indicated in Rom.3:31.
----- No excuse for the NIV
----- The NIV translators and revisers can
not blame their mishandling of this verse on
the passage being obscure or uncertain.
There is no room for misunderstanding what
the Greek has.
----- They deliberately changed God's word
to read what they wanted it to say.
----- 6. A favorite NIV doctrine:
----- Salvation at the Point of Faith.
----- The NIV mistranslates and changes
Ephesians 1:13 radically.
----- NIV: 13And you also were included in
Christ when you heard the word of truth, the
gospel of your salvation. In him, when you
believed, you were marked with a seal, the
promised Holy Spirit.
----- The ESB has:
----- 13. In whom also you all, after you
heard the word of truth, the gospel of your
salvation; in whom, after you believed, you
were sealed by2 the Holy Spirit of promise.
----- This is precisely what the Greek has.
-----Note: The NIV has a person saved and
sealed with the Holy Spirit at the point of
faith. This is their "faith only" position
in Romans 1:17 also: "a righteousness that
is by faith from first to last."
----- This passage, along with Romans 1:17,
should be enough for anyone who loves the
Lord and respects his word. The NIV is
unreliable at every turn.
----- We should not encourage false doctrine
by using and/or recommending the NIV. It is
filled with such gross errors.
-----7. The NIV Adds to God's Word in
many passages
The NIV adds to the word of God. (See
Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22: 18.)
----- NIV on Galatians 4:6: 6Because you are
sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into
our hearts, the Spirit who cries out, "Abba,
Father." The NIV adds, "The Spirit who" to
the verse (without warning the reader that
it did).
----- This was done, evidently, to be sure
that the reader would think that it is the
Holy Spirit doing the crying, "Abba,
Father." ("We cry Abba, Father" - Romans
8:15.)
----- This same practice (of adding words
and capitalizing words), to direct the
readers to the same biased conclusions held
by the translators and revisers, is evident
in Romans 8 also.
__________________________
-----1.THE LAW OF FAITH is Christ's law in
this age; even as the Law of Moses was God's
Law before the cross, but abolished "in his
flesh" (Eph. 2:15). See 1 Cor. 9:21 and
footnote.
-----2.BY, from the dative case of the
phrase. This is common idiom in the Greek of
the New Testament. The context usually
indicates the preposition to be used. Here
either "by" or "in" would do.
----- The NIV's misconduct in this verse
should be enough to make anyone stand in
doubt about every part of the version, and
to shun it as if were a plague - which it
is. It does not serve Christ (see Romans
16:17,18). See 2 John 10.
----- 8. More "faith only" doctrine in
the NIV
----- In Romans 5:2 NIV has, 2through whom
we have gained access by faith into this
grace in which we stand.
----- The Greek and The English Study Bible
have:
-----2. Through whom also we have access by
the faith unto this grace1 in which we stand
and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
("the faith" = "Christ's doctrine"; "the
gospel - see Gal.1:11,23)
----- This is what the Greek of the inspired
word says. It is the word of God.
----- There is much difference between
"faith" (belief) and "the faith" (Christ's
doctrine); yet, the NIV changes "the faith"
(Christ's doctrine) into "faith" (belief)
regularly.
----- You can be certain that God is not
well pleased with such high-handed mis-use
of his holy word.
----- One might as well play with a cage
full of rattle-snakes as to trust the NIV.
----- Liberalism is the fruit of using the
NIV. It destroys one's faith in the word of
God if believed and followed.
----- 9. More "Faith Only" in the NIV
----- NIV has, in Philippians 3:9, 9and be
found in him, not having a righteousness _
of my own that comes from the law, but that
which is through faith in Christ--the
righteousness that comes from God and is by
faith.
----- Here is how it is in the ESB:
----- 9. And be found in him, not having my
righteousness which is of the Law, but that
which is through the faith of Christ, the
righteousness which is from God based upon
the faith2.
-----This is precisely what the Greek has.
----- The righteousness from God is based on
the gospel, his power to save the believers
(Romans 1:16,17). It is based on (epi) "the
faith."
_________________________
-----1.BY THE FAITH UNTO THIS GRACE - "The
faith" is the gospel, God's power to beget
(1 Cor. 4:15; James 1:18; Luke 8:11). It
reveals God's grace to all people (Mark
16:15,16; Rom. 1:16,17; Titus 2:11-14). It
is "by grace through the faith" (Eph. 2:8).
Grace teaches (Titus 2:11,12). It is "the
word of his grace" that is able to guide us
(Acts 20:32).
-----10. The NIV Teaches Premillennialism
----- The NIV changes the text of Ephesians
1:10, injecting the premillennial theory.
----- (Acts 3:20,21 is perverted also.) See
2 Thess.2:13.
----- Eph.3:10 in the NIV:
----- 10to be put into effect when the times
will have reached their fulfillment--to
bring all things in heaven and on earth
together under one head, even Christ.
----- On Eph.1:10 the ESB has:
----- 10. Unto an administration of the
fullness of times, to bring together all
things under one head, in Christ, things in
the heavens and things upon the earth, in
him.
----- The NIV "wrests" the word of God -
perverts the word of God - to teach that
sometime in the future all things shall be
put under Christ.
----- That false doctrine is not taught
anywhere in the Bible. It is a figment of
the imagination of men.
__________________________
-----2.BASED UPON THE FAITH - The only way
we can be righteous is in Christ Jesus; and
we get into Christ where all spiritual
blessings are (Eph. 1:3) at the point of
immersion into him (Rom. 6:3,4; Gal.
3:26,27). There is no other way into Christ.
----- 11. NIV's Paragraph Heading are
Misleading
----- (Using this one to teach their
Premillennialism)
----- The NIV is misleading in the paragraph
heading of Romans 11:25ff. The NIV heads the
paragraph with:
----- "All Israel Will Be Saved."
----- This might be mistakenly deduced from
verse 26, "And so all Israel will be saved .
. ." - it might be thus deduced by someone
who does not know the Greek.
----- But the translators of the NIV present
themselves as masters of that language -
telling us just what it means.
----- The "so" of this verse is from houtos,
"in this manner," "thus."
----- Israel shall be saved, as indicated in
v. 23, "If they do not abide in unbelief."
----- The premillennial theory has Christ
hindered from establishing his kingdom while
here on earth, but coming back to Jerusalem
- to gather all the Jews - and reign on
David's throne for 1,000 years.
----- So, they would rather pervert the word
with such paragraph headings, just to uphold
their religious beliefs.
----- The gospel is God's power to save both
Jews and non-Jews (Romans 1:16).
----- Everyone, both Jew and non-Jew, must
come to God by the same route--by the gospel
(Romans 1:16). It is God's power to save
every person who believes (the unbeliever is
condemned already, John 3:18 - see also John
8:24).
----- God is no respecter of person (Acts
10:34). People are not saved as nations, but
as individuals. "He who believes and is
immersed shall be saved" (Mark 16:16).
----- Every Jew or non-Jew who believes and
obeys the gospel is among the saved. The
Lord adds him/her to his church (Acts
2:38-47).
----- How much is enough?
----- Such misleading paragraph headings
should be enough to make one distrust the
NIV.
----- 12. The NIV rewrites and
paraphrases God's word
----- Acts 11:17 is rewritten and
paraphrased.
----- The NIV has, 17So if God gave them the
same gift as he gave us when we believed in
the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think I
could oppose God?
----- The ESB has: 17. Therefore if
God gave them the same gift1 as to us who
believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I
that I could hinder God?"
----- Not, "When we believed"
----- Peter was not talking about "when we
believed," but "to us who believed" (Acts
2:1-4; 5:32).
----- The gift the apostles received on
Pentecost was that of languages. The
Gentiles, in the household of Cornelius,
were immersed in the Holy Spirit, and they
received the gift of languages, which proved
to the Jewish brethren who were with Peter
that God had accepted the Gentiles into the
kingdom.
__________________________
-----1.THE SAME GIFT-that of other languages
(Acts 2:4,7,8;10: 10:45,46; See 1 Cor.12:10
"languages of nationalities" given by the
Spirit.
NIV is filled with such perversions
----- The NIV is filled with perversions
like this. See Galatians 1:6-9.
----- 13. NIV keeps one saved - can't
fall
----- NIV has 1 Peter 2:2 like this, 2Like
newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk,
so that by it you may grow up in your
salvation.
----- The Greek & the ESB have: 2. As
newborn babies desire the pure milk of the
word that you may grow by it unto salvation.
----- The denominational view that one has
"salvation" and can't lose it is NIV's
position in this verse, and elsewhere.
-----_ "Growing up unto salvation" and
"growing up in your salvation" are two very
different concepts.
----- 14. The NIV substitutes.
----- "Sinful Nature" for "flesh" is
Calvin's Doctrine of Total Depravity -
Inherited Sin
----- The NIV substitutes in many passages.
----- This strongly indicates that the
translators believed in "inherited sin"--"Adamic
sin." See Romans 7:18; 8:4, 5, 8, 9, 12, 13
. . . 13:14; Galatians 5:13, 17, 18, 24.
----- When will we say, "Enough!"
----- This one gross abuse of God's holy
word should forever bar the NIV from the use
by those who love the Lord and respect his
word.
----- 15. Calvinism again Direct
Operation of the Holy Spirit
----- The NIV mistranslates 1 Cor. 2:14.
----- NIV: 14The man without the Spirit does
not accept the things that come from the
Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to
him, and he cannot under-stand them, because
they are spiritually discerned.
-----The verse, heading, & note in ESB:
----- The uninspired Man
----- (See 2 Peter 1:20,21)
----- 14. But the uninspired1 man does not
receive the things of the Spirit of God;
indeed they are foolishness to him; and he
cannot know, for they are spiritually
judged.
-----Note: The NIV teaches Calvin's doctrine
of man's inability to understand or accept
God's word without a direct operation and
influence of the Holy Spirit.
----- The NIV encourages and favors almost
all the denominational doctrines. This makes
it quite popular among those who do not
respect God's Word.
__________________________
-----1.UNINSPIRED, from psuchikos,
unspiritual; uninspired; worldly. almost all
the major denominational doctrines. This
makes is quite popular among those who do
not respect God's word.
-----16. NIV "Adds To" God's Word
----- The NIV adds to the word of God
without giving any indication that words not
in the original language are being used in 1
Corinthians 7:36-38 (and in many other
passages).
----- NIV: 36If anyone thinks he is acting
improperly toward the virgin he is engaged
to, and if she is getting along in years and
he feels he ought to marry, he should do as
he wants. He is not sinning. They should get
married. 37But the man who has settled the
matter in his own mind, who is under no
compulsion but has control over his own
will, and who has made up his mind not to
marry the virgin--this man also does the
right thing. 38So then, he who marries the
virgin does right, but he who does not marry
her does even better.
----- Here is the ESB, with footnotes:
----- Such Virgins are to Marry
----- 36. If anyone considers that he is
acting in an unsuitable manner toward his
virginity2, and such a person is passing the
prime of life, and if thus it should be; he
is to do what he wishes; it is not a sin;
such are to marry.
----- 37. But he who stands firm in his own
heart, having no necessity, but having
control of his own will; and has decided in
his own heart to keep himself3 a virgin,
does well.
----- 38. So then the one who is a virgin,
who marries, does well; and the one who does
not marry does better.
__________________________
-----2.His or her state of being a virgin.
If, due to age or necessity one decides to
marry, such should.
-----3.HIMSELF, from heautou, a reflexive
pronoun of the third person; himself,
herself, itself. It is used with all the
genders. The masculine pronouns are used in
the generic sense in this passage.
-----The NIV changes, adds, and subtracts
from the sacred text--and that without
giving the reader the slightest hint that
these things have been done. Such ought not
to be! They inject their opinions and
sectarian doctrines into the text at will,
and remove or becloud words, phrases, and
verses that are objectionable to their
doctrinal bias.
----- Note Mark 16:9-20 as an example.
----- The NIV inserts, in brackets, before
verse 9: [The most reliable early MSS omit
Mark 16:9-20].
----- In fact only two manuscripts (of
importance) omit the verses--the Aleph and B
(the Vaticanus). All the other major
manuscripts and most of the minor
manuscripts contain the last 12 verses of
Mark: A, C, D, K, X Delta, Theta, Pi, f13,
28, 33, 274, 565, etc.
----- Other places where Aleph and B are
lacking a part of the text go unnoticed by
the NIV and others. For example, all of
Hebrews from 9:14 to the end is lacing in
the Vaticanus (B). Yet, not a word about it
in the NIV and others. It happens that Mark
16:9-20 is a "thorn in the flesh" to some
favorite sectarian doctrines. As a result,
we have this determined effort to remove it
from God's word.
----- 17. "United With" Rather Than
"Immersed Into Christ."
-----The NIV injects "faith only" and
paraphrases Galatians 3:26,27.
----- NIV: 26You are all sons of God through
faith in Christ Jesus, 27for all of you who
were united with Christ in baptism have been
clothed with Christ.
----- Here is the ESB on Gal.3:26,27,
with subject headings & footnotes:
----- Children of God in Christ,
----- through The Faith
----- 26. For you are all children of God in
Christ Jesus through the faith. Immersed
into Christ (See Romans 6:3,4)
-----27. For as many as have been immersed
into Christ1 have put on Christ.
__________________________
-----1.IMMERSED INTO CHRIST - The Bible
shows no other way into Christ. One
believes, repents and confesses unto life;
salvation, but one is immersed into Christ
(Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:27).
----- The word "baptize" is capable of being
understood in more than one way. The Greek
does not say what the NIV gives as its
version.
----- 18. NIV obscures - hides the true
meaning
"Perfection" Rather Than "The Completed
Word"
-----The NIV mistranslates and changes the
meaning in 1 Corinthians 13:9,10.
----- NIV: 9For we know in part and we
prophesy in part, 10but when perfection
comes, the imperfect disappears.
----- Here is the ESB with notes:
----- 9. For we know a portion and prophesy
a portion. 10. But when the completed
revelation comes, that which is by portion
will be done away2.
----- Note: When "that which is perfect"
(the complete law of faith--the "perfect law
of liberty" James 1:25)--came, with the
final words of inspiration having been
written; the partial things, e.g. tongues,
prophecies, knowledge (as gifts of the
Spirit, 1 Corinthians 12:8) ceased. They
were no longer needed after the word of God
had been confirmed. See Mark 16:20; Hebrews
2:1-4.
----- The NIV so changes the meaning of
verse 10 that it has no bearing on the gifts
of the Spirit ending at the coming of the
completed word of inspiration.
_________________________
-----2.THE PARTIAL GIFTS would (and did)
cease when the Scriptures were finished. The
perfect law of liberty (James 1:25) made the
gifts unnecessary.
----- 19. NIV Misleads the Readers
----- NIV adds capitals and changes gender
in Romans 8:16.
----- NIV: 16The Spirit himself testifies
with our spirit that we are God's children.
----- A literal translation of the Greek:
----- "That same spirit [or, "that spirit"]
bears witness with our spirit that we are
children of God."
-----ESB, text, headings & notes have:
----- As God's Children we have a Spirit of
Sonship, In Christ Jesus Gal.4:5-7
----- 16. The same spirit1 of sonship bears
witness with our spirit that we are God's
children.
----- Note: In verse 15 we are told that the
Christian did not receive "a spirit of
slavery again unto fear, but you received a
spirit of sonship, in which we cry, Abba,
Father." Compare this with Galatians 4:6. We
cry, "Abba, Father," because we have a
spirit of sonship. This is the "spirit of
God's son." We are not slaves. We are God's
children (Galatians 3:26,27).
----- The NIV capitalized spirit and changed
the neuter gender of spirit to
masculine-from "it" to "him." This forces
the reader to the same conclusion as that
held by the translators, that it is the Holy
Spirit doing the testifying with our spirit.
----- The word that the NIV translated
"himself," and that this writer translated
"the same" [or "that"] is auto. It may be
translated by: "the same," "that," or
"itself," depending on the context.
----- An example
----- For example, see Luke 10:21 and 13:1.
These verses have the same construction and
word order as Romans 8:16.
----- The Greek of Romans 8:16 is "auto
(neuter gender) pneuma." That of Luke 10:21
is "aute (feminine gender) te hora," and in
Luke 13:1 it is "auto to kairo."
__________________________
-----1.THE SAME SPIRIT, from auto to pneuma,
means precisely, "the same spirit" here. The
phrase has been long mistranslated as,"The
Spirit itself" (KJV and many others) and,
"The Spirit himself" (ASV and some others).
Here it relates to our consciousness of
being a child of God rather than a slave.
That inner awareness (sense, spirit,
feeling) is what the writer is relating. See
Luke 2:38; 10:7,21; 12:12; 13:1; 20:19;
23:12; 24:13,33; Acts 16:18 and notes for
this use of auto.
----- The NIV translates Luke 10:21 with,
"At that time." The KJV has, "in that hour,"
which is exactly what the Greek says.
----- The NIV translates Luke 13:1 as, "At
that time . . ." This is correct for both
Luke 10:21 and 13:1.
----- Determined, wilful perversion
----- However, in Romans 8:16, even though
the word order (of the phrase) is identical
with the Luke passages, and even though the
context of Romans 8:16 is dealing with the
spirit of sonship which we have as God's
children, the NIV translators (and most
others) are determined that the readers
reach the doctrinal conclusions held by the
translators and revisers.
----- See how it looks with verses 15 and 16
together: "For you did not receive a spirit
of slavery again to fear, but you received a
spirit of sonship, in which we cry, 'Abba,
Father;' that same spirit bears witness with
our spirit that we are children of God."
----- Compare Romans 9:1: ". . . my
conscience bearing witness with me."
----- The "spirit of sonship"--the attitude
and sense of being a son of God--bears
witness with us (in the same manner the
conscience bears witness) that we are indeed
God's children.
----- Even the number of words is inspired
----- See Galatians 3:16
-----20. NIV Misleading as to "Number"
----- The NIV changes the number of words in
1 Timothy 3:12--plural to singular.
----- NIV: 12A deacon must be the husband of
but one wife and must manage his children
and his household well.
----- Here is 1 Tim.3:12 in the ESB:
----- 12. Deacons are to be husbands of one
wife; managing their children and their own
households well;
----- Note: Since the qualifications for
elders and deacons are so very important to
all who want to do the Lord's will, and to
abide in the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9),
we should flee from any translation or
version that cares so little for the word of
the Lord as to change it, even slightly. The
"number" is important.
----- Jesus' attitude toward the Law of
Moses, while it was still binding, was, "Not
one iota or one small part would pass from
the Law" until all was fulfilled. We should
respect God's word more than we do that of
men (1 Corinthians 4:6).
----- This may seem like a very small thing
to some, but to God, it is sin. See Deut.
4:2; Prov. 30:6; Rev.22:18,19.
----- 21. NIV Changes Words and Adds Words
----- The NIV adds words and changes words
in Titus 1:6. NIV: "An elder must be
blameless, the husband of but one wife, a
man whose children believe and are not open
to the charge of being wild and
disobedient." The NIV adds "but" and changes
"are faithful" to "believe." The ESB, with
subject & footnote: Specific Qualifications
(See 1 Timothy 3:1-7) 6. If any man is above
reproach; husband of one wife; having
faithful1 children, not accused of being
wild and disobedient. Note: The NIV changes
the adjective "faithful" (pista, plural
neuter) to the verb, "believe," and adds the
word "but." The Lord said, "Having faithful
children." God is true, regardless Why not
be satisfied with his word? This writer is
afraid of translators who presume that they
know more than the Lord himself about such
matters. 22. The NIV incorrectly says "The
Spirit makes you sons" Romans 8:14,15 in the
NIV: 14Those who are led by the Spirit of
God are sons of God. 15For you did not
receive a spirit that makes you a slave
again to fear, but you received the Spirit
who makes you sons. That is a grossly
incorrect rendering of the Greek. The ESB
with heading & note has: Children of God
Gal.3:26,27 14. For all who are led by the
Spirit2 of God are children of God. 15. For
you have not received a spirit of slavery to
be afraid; but you have received a spirit of
sonship in which we cry, Abba, Father. One
becomes God's child when he/she follows the
Spirit's teaching - when one obeys the
gospel. Galatians 3:26,27 shows that we
become children of God in Christ Jesus,
through the faith (the Spirit's teaching),
when we are immersed into Christ. 23. The
NIV is misleading, Undependable In Romans
12:6 the NIV has, 6We have different gifts,
according to the grace given us. If a man's
gift is prophesying, let him use it in
proportion to his faith. The NIV misses the
point entirely. The NIV substitutes "his
faith" (belief) for "the faith" (Christ's
word). ___________________________
1.FAITHFUL, from pistos, faithful,
trustworthy. The word may indicate
"believers" but at times it simply shows
faithfulness in a general sense. See 1 Cor.
4:2. Cf. Tim.3:4,5. 2.LED BY THE SPIRIT in
hearing, believing and obeying the
Spirit-given word (2 Tim. 3:16,17; 2 Pet.
1:20). Gal. 3:26,27 shows that we are
children of God in Christ Jesus, through the
faith. The ESB on Romans 12:6: 6. And we
have gifts differing according to the grace
given us. If it be prophecy, prophesy
according to the proportion of the faith.
They were to prophesy that portion of "the
faith" the Spirit made known to the prophet.
In 1 Corinthians 13:9 we read, "For we know
a portion and we prophesy a portion." In
Romans 12:6 Paul was telling the prophets to
prophesy that portion of the faith given
them, no more, no less. Special Gifts ceased
Those gifts ceased when the completed
revelation was available (1 Cor. 13:10;
Eph.4:13; 2 Tim.3:16,17): The perfect law of
liberty James 1:25; 2:12 24. The NIV
substitutes "whose faith" for "the faith"
The NIV grossly misses the point in Romans
14:1. The NIV has, "Accept him whose faith
is weak, without passing judgment on
disputable matters." That is not what the
Greek says. ESB, with heading & footnotes
has: One weak in "the faith" 1. You are to
receive one who is weak1 in the faith2, but
not to judge3 disputable matters.
__________________________ 1.WEAK, from
astheneo, to be weak; infirm; deficient.
Here: not well-informed in the faith. See
Jude 3. The Jewish Christians were the
"weak" members in this setting. It appears
that they made every effort to get Gentile
Christians to keep the works of the Law.
2.THE FAITH is the doctrine of Christ (Jude
3; 2 John 9). 3.JUDGE, from diakrisis, a
distinguishing (1 Cor. 12:10 - discerning of
spirits); therefore, a judging in certain
matters as eating certain foods; observing
days. One who is weak in "the faith" is weak
in the doctrine of Christ, for they are one
and the same. One who is weak in "the faith"
is not to be set up to be the judge about
the matter of keeping certain days, or not
observing them; about eating of certain
foods, or eating only herbs. The weak
brother or sister is not to be excluded over
indifferent matters. Such are to be
received, but are not to be placed in a
position of imposing their views on others.
25. The NIV has one baptized by the Holy
Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 12:13 the NIV
incorrectly states, 13For we were all
baptized by one Spirit into one body-- and
we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
That is not what the Greek says. Here is the
ESB, with topic & notes: Immersed into the
one body, the church 13. For in one spirit4
we all were immersed5 into the one body6;
whether Jews or Greeks; whether servants or
free; and of one spirit have we all been
made to drink. __________________________
4.IN ONE SPIRIT (& of one spirit; same
verse) - the spirit of faithful obedience
(Acts 8:37, "If you believe with all your
heart you may." Rom. 6:17,18, "...but have
obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine,
being then made free from sin." Heb. 5:9,
Christ became the author of eternal
salvation to all who obey him." 5.WE ALL
WERE IMMERSED - There is no unimmersed
Christian. Immersion is the point at which
we enter the body (the church, Eph.
1:22,23). 6.ONE BODY, the church (Eph.
1:22,23; 4:4). Every saved person is added
by the Lord to his church at immersion (Acts
2:47; 1 Cor. 12:13). 7.THE FAITH is Christ's
doctrine (Jude 3; 2 John 9). It is the law
of faith (Rom. 3:27) that "we establish"
(Rom. 3:31). It is the law of God, Christ's
law (1 Cor. 9:21). "The faith" is a
neglected phrase in the versions. Spirit of
faithful obedience In one spirit (of
faithful obedience) we were immersed into
Christ and into his body the church, and
have been made to drink. The passage has
nothing to do with the Holy Spirit, except
that the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write
it. Immersed into the one body An important
point made by inspiration in this verse is
that we get into Christ's one body, the
church, at the point of immersion. See
Romans 6:3-6,17,18. 26. The NIV changes "the
faith" into "faith" In 2 Corinthians 1:24
the NIV has, ...because it is by faith you
stand firm. Here is the ESB on verse 24,
with note: 24. Not that we are lording over
your faith, but we are working together for
your joy, for you stand in the faith1. NIV -
"You stand by faith" The NIV says that you
stand by faith (belief). God - "You stand in
the faith" God says that you stand in "the
faith" (Christ's doctrine - the gospel).
Which will you accept? Will you hear God, or
people? As for me and my house, we will
choose the Lord's word, and stand ready to
defend it earnestly (Jude 3). 27. NIV
substitutes "this faith" for "the faith" In
Galatians 3:23 NIV says: 23Before this faith
came, we were held prisoners by the law,
locked up until faith should be revealed.
__________________________ 1.THE FAITH is
presented as being that which replaces "The
Law of Moses." The Law was to guide until
"the faith" came. It came with Christ; and
with the death of Christ on the cross the
Law was "nailed to the cross" and taken out
of the way. "The faith" - Christ's law took
its place. See Rom. 3:27-31; 1 Cor. 9:21; 2
John 9; Jude 3). The ESB heading & notes
have: The Law led to Christ 23. But before
the faith came we were kept in restraint
under the Law, shut up unto the faith1 which
was to be revealed. There is a radical
difference between these two versions! The
latter is as nearly literal as it can be
made. Added words are put in italics to show
that they are not in the Greek. "The faith"
is in the Greek manuscripts twice in this
verse, as indicated in the ESB. The NIV
renders the first "the faith" by "this
faith" and the second by "faith." God said,
in the original Greek, "the faith." Will you
be satisfied with a per-version of God's
word? "The faith" came after the cross The
inspired word says: "Before the faith came."
"The faith" is the doctrine of Christ - the
gospel. It came after the Law was nailed to
the cross (Ephesians 2:15; Colossians 2:14).
28. NIV substitutes "faith" for "the faith"
(And does other violence to the passage) In
Galatians 3:25-27 the NIV has, 25Now that
faith has come, we are no longer under the
supervision of the law. Sons of God 26You
are all sons of God through faith in Christ
Jesus, 27for all of you who were united with
Christ in baptism have been clothed with
Christ. The English Study Bible headings and
note have: Children through The Faith 25.
But now that the faith has come we are no
longer under the guide. 26. For you are all
children of God in Christ Jesus through the
faith. Immersed into Christ (See Romans
6:3,4) 27. For as many as have been immersed
into Christ1 have put on Christ. The English
Study Bible renders it exactly as the
original Greek has it. Words that had to be
added to make the inspired message fit the
English idiom were put it with italics to
let the readers know that they were
supplied. The "faith Only" bias of the NIV
(as most denominations hold) is likely
behind that version's unwillingness to put
"the faith" in many passages. 29. NIV tries
to avoid any hint of "falling from grace"
NIV has, in Galatians 5:4, 4You who are
trying to be justified by law have been
alienated from Christ; you have fallen away
from grace." "Away from", to those who
believe that you can't fall from grace,
means that you were never quite there in the
grace of God. You almost attained it, but
you fell "away from" grace before you were
in it - you were never really a saved
person. The ESB text and note have: 4.
Whoever of you are seeking to be justified
in the Law; you are cut off from Christ. You
have fallen from grace2. Paul warns against
falling (1 Corinthians 10:11,12), and Peter
shows that if __________________________
1.IMMERSED INTO CHRIST - The Bible shows no
other way into Christ. One believes, repents
and confessunto life; salvation, but one is
immersed into Christ (Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:27).
one does fall, he/she is in worse condition
than he/she would have been in if never
saved (2 Peter 2:20-22). Peter also shows
that Christians are to give all diligence to
make their calling and election sure; if
they do these things they will never fall (2
Peter 1:5-11). 30. NIV Can't Stand doing
"Works" The NIV has Gal.5:5,6 like this:
5For by faith we eagerly await through the
Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.
6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision
nor uncircumcision has any value. The only
thing that counts is faith expressing itself
through love. The ESB heading, text and note
have: A working faith (See James 2:22-24) 5.
For we in a spirit of faith confidently wait
for that righteousness. 6. For in Christ
Jesus neither circumcision nor
uncircumcision3 has meaning, but faith
working through4 love. The Lord says, "Faith
working through love." The verse is showing
that circumcision is nothing -
uncircumcision is nothing, but faith working
through love [is something]. The doctrine of
the "faith only" group (of which the NIV is
an advocate) is of that "works" have no
place in one's salvation. According to them,
one is saved at the point faith, without any
kind of works. __________________________
2.FALLEN FROM GRACE, from ekpipto (ek, out
of; pipto, to fall, to fall out of the
grace. These have separated themselves from
the grace of God by spurning the sacrifice
of Christ and going back to the Law which
Christ had "taken out of the way, nailing it
to his cross" (Col. 2:14). 3.CIRCUMCISION/UNCIRCUMCISION
- Neither Jew nor Gentile is of value. In 1
Cor. 7:19 Paul shows that it is "keeping the
commandments of God that counts; and in Gal.
6:15 that it is a matter of being a new
creature that is of value. 4.FAITH WORKING
is the kind James writes about in James,
chapters 1 & 2. In James 2:24 James shows
that people are justified by "works," and
not by "faith only." It must be a working
faith, a visible faith (James 2:17,18). 31.
More "sinful nature" from Calvinism in the
NIV In Galatians 5:15,17 and 19 and 6:8 NIV
substitutes sinful nature for "flesh." This
agrees more with the doctrine of the total
depravity -- Calvinism. 32. NIV changes
God's word In Philippians 3:16 NIV has:
"Only let us live up to what we have already
attained." The ESB text and heading have:
Live by the same Rule "Wherefore let us live
by the same rule to which we have attained."
The same rule is the same doctrine. It is
"walking in the light of his word" (1 John
1:7); "abiding in the doctrine of Christ" (2
John 9). 33. More "faith" substituted for
"the faith" by the NIV In Ephesians 2:8 the
NIV has: 8For it is by grace you have been
saved, through faith--and this not from
yourselves, it is the gift of God-- The
text, heading, & note of the ESB: By grace
through "the faith" 8. For in grace you all
have been saved, through the faith1; and
that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God.
In this passage only the ESB correctly
renders it, "For in grace you all have been
saved, through the faith," but that is what
the major Greek manuscripts say. It is
through "the word of his grace" which is
able to build up and give an inheritance
with the saints (Acts 20:32). It is the
grace that has appeared to all people,
teaching us and helping us know and obey
(Titus 2:11,12). __________________________
1.THE FAITH - God's grace is revealed in the
gospel (the faith - Gal. 1:11,23). We are
saved by grace through the faith. The grace
of God teaches (Titus 2:11,2). When we hear
the word of his grace (Acts 20:32), and obey
it (Rom. 6:17,18), we are his children. We
have, at that point, been "saved by grace
through the faith." 34. NIV misses it
entirely on "works" in Eph.2:10 NIV, on
Ephesians 2:10: 10For we are God's
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do
good works, which God prepared in advance
for us to do. The English Study Bible, text,
headings, and notes have: Created in Christ
Jesus "upon" good works God foreordained 10.
For we are his workmanship; created in
Christ Jesus on the basis of2 good works3
which God foreordained that we should walk
in them. The Greek has, "Created in Christ
Jesus on the basis of good works which God
foreordained." The phrase, "on the basis
of," is from epi, the Greek
__________________________ 2.ON THE BASIS
OF, from epi, on, upon, on the basis of.
Translators have generally incorrectly
translated epi in this passage as, unto,
evidently because they understood that there
is no work, of any kind, to be done by a
person in order to be saved. Paul is here
showing that there are certain "good works"
that serve as the basis of his/her being in
Christ. 3.GOOD WORKS forming the basis of
one's being created in Christ include faith
(John 6:29 -"...this is the work of God,
that you believe on him whom he sent.");
repentance (Luke 24:47,48; 13:3,5; Acts
2:38; 11:18); confession (Mt. 10:32; Rom.
10:10); immersion (Mr. 16:15,16; Acts 2:38;
22:16; Rom. 6:3-5; 1 Pet. 3:21). When one
does these works of God's righteousness -
works of faith he/she is born again (John
3:3-8; Titus 3:5), and is raised to walk the
new life (Rom. 6:4,5, 17,18; 2 Cor. 5:17),
in Christ (Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:26,27).
preposition meaning "on," "upon," "on the
basis of." This is its basic meaning. It is
used in some other ways, but the context
must clearly indicate its use. Here the
context leaves no room to render it other
than "on," "upon," or "on the basis of." The
"good works" are: The "good works" upon
which one is created in Christ are: faith
(John 6:29), repentance (Luke 13:3,5);
confession (Rom.10:10); and immersion (Acts
2:38; 22:16). See footnotes 2 & 3 on page
13. God's power to save in this age is the
gospel (Romans 1:16). It is by the gospel
one is called (2 Thess. 2:14); made a
believer (Rom.10:17; John 20: 30,31); is
begotten (1 Cor.4:15; James 1:18; John 3:3-8
ESB). Jesus saves those who obey Heb.5:9 No
one can be saved who does not hear, believe,
and obey the gospel (Mk. 16:15,16;
Rom.10:10-17; 6:3-6,17,18). It is "the
faith" through which one becomes a child of
God in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:26,27). 35.
NIV - more "Faith only" In Ephesians 3:17
the NIV has Christ dwelling in our hearts by
faith: 17so that Christ may dwell in your
hearts through faith. The Greek has, "That
Christ may dwell with your hearts through
the faith." ESB text & notes have: 17. That
Christ may dwell with1 your hearts through
the faith2, that you all, being rooted and
grounded in love; The Lord, Jesus Christ,
promised to be with his disciples always
(Mt.28:20). __________________________
1.WITH, from en, in. When its object is
plural (as here); with, among, in the midst.
2.THE FAITH, Christ's doctrine, is the means
or the medium through which Christ dwells
with us (2 John 9 - we have both the Father
and the Son when we abide in his doctrine).
36. NIV - More biased and slanted doctrine
in Eph.4:13 NIV has: 13until we all reach
unity in the faith and in the knowledge of
the Son of God and become mature, attaining
the full measure of perfection found in
Christ. (Note: This has to do with the
purpose of the spiritual gifts. H.L.) On
Ephesians 4:13 ESB heading & note have:
Oneness of the faith, the completed
revelation 13. Until we all attain the
oneness of the faith3, unto a mature person,
unto the measure of the stature of the
fullness of Christ. The Greek has, "Until we
all attain the oneness of the faith." The
completed revelation of 1 Corinthians 13:10
is the thought here. The NIV would have the
spiritual gifts last until all who believe
in Christ have reached "unity in the faith"
and "in the full knowledge of the Son of
God." The inspired word is showing that the
gifts were to last until "the oneness of the
faith" - the completed revelation - became
available. 37. "Spirit" problems In
Ephesians 4:30 NIV has, 30And do not grieve
the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were
sealed for the day of redemption." The ESB
text & notes have: 30. Do not grieve the
Holy Spirit of God4, in whom you all were
sealed5 unto the day of redemption.
__________________________ 3.THE FAITH is
the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9; Jude 3).
4.HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD - God is used here of
the Godhead. "The Spirit of God" of the Old
Testament is from ruach elohim - Spirit of
the Godhead. Paul uses it this way. 5.WERE
SEALED - upon obeying the word of the Spirit
(John 3:3-8; James 1:18; Rom. 6:3-5,17,18).
38. NIV misses the mark NIV has, in
Ephesians 5:18, 18Do not get drunk on wine,
which leads to debauchery. Instead, be
filled with the Spirit. (Most versions have
this error). The ESB text & notes have: 18.
And do not get drunk with wine1, in which is
reckless dissipation, but fill yourselves in
spirit2; The Greek says, "Fill yourselves in
spirit," a perfect parallel with Colossians
3:16 - "Have the word of God dwell in you
richly." The NIV (and others) pervert the
last part of the verse to give support for
the "indwelling" of the Holy Spirit. The
passage is not dealing with the Holy Spirit,
but it is showing how we are to fill
ourselves spiritually - have the word of
Christ dwell in us richly. 39. NIV - more
"sinful nature" Colossians 2:11 has more
"sinful nature" instead of "flesh."
Calvinism is very prominent in the NIV. 40.
NIV has "Your faith" Substituted for "The
Faith" NIV has, in Colossians 2:12, 12In
baptism you were buried with him and raised
with him through your faith in the power of
God who raised him from the dead. The ESB,
text & notes have: 12. When you were buried3
with him in immersion; in whom also you were
raised through the faith4; the power of God
who raised him from the dead.
__________________________ 1.WITH WINE -
fill the spirit instead. 2.FILL SELVES - by
having the word dwell in you richly (Col.
3:16). 3.BURIED - "Baptism" (immersion,
baptismos) is a burial in water, for the
remission of sins (Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:4 -
"buried with him"). 4.THE FAITH - the
gospel, God's power to save the believers
(Rom. 1:16). The facts of the gospel are:
the death, burial and resurrection of Christ
(1 Cor. 15:1-4); and when one obeys a form
of that gospel in immersion, he/she is
raised a new creature, to walk a new life,
free from sin (Rom.6:3-5,17,18; 2 Cor.
5:17). The Greek states, "When you were
buried with him in immersion; in whom you
also were raised through the faith; the
power of God who raised him from the dead."
41. NIV Changes Colossians 3:16 NIV has, for
Colossians 3:16, 16Let the word of Christ
dwell in you richly as you teach and counsel
one another with all wisdom, and as you sing
psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with
gratitude in your hearts to God. The ESB and
the Greek have, "All of you are to have the
word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all
wisdom teaching and admonishing one another
in Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs;
singing with grace in your hearts to God."
NIV has "teach and counsel one another" as a
separate item, not related to singing. God
does not agree with the NIV where and when
it changes his word. 42. 1 Thessalonians
5:22 Poorly Rendered - Misleading NIV has
this: "Avoid every kind of evil." The Lord
is requiring more than that. He is saying
that we are to avoid everything that even
"looks" evil. The ESB and the Greek say:
"Keep yourselves from everything that looks
evil." 43. NIV - More "faith" substituted
for "the faith" 2 Thessalonians 3:2, in the
NIV, is, "And pray for us that we may be
delivered from wicked and evil men, for not
everyone has faith." The Lord is not talking
about "faith" - he is teaching (through
Paul) about "the faith" - his doctrine. Not
all have his doctrine. The English Study
Bible and the Greek have: ". . . for not all
have the faith." All do not have the gospel.
Some pervert it (Galatians 1:6-9). Some
wrest it to their own destruction (2 Peter
3:16). 44. NIV - "their faith" for "the
faith" "Their Faith" Instead of "The Faith"
In 1 Timothy 1:19 the NIV has, "Holding on
to faith and a good conscience. Some have
rejected these and so have shipwrecked their
faith." The Greek and the ESB have: "Keeping
[the] faith and a good conscience, which
some have rejected, and have made shipwreck
in regard to the faith." "The faith" is
disdained by the NIV (and most of the other
versions available). "Faith" (belief) is
much preferred, regardless of what the Greek
states. 45. NIV - Christ "became" better
than the angels? Christ Became Better Than
Angels? In Hebrews 1:4 the NIV has, "So he
became as much superion to the angels as the
name he has inherited is superior to
theirs." The ESB and the Greek have: "Being
so much greater . . ." The NIV's rendering
of this verse makes one uneasy about the
view of the translators as it relates to the
deity of Christ. 46. NIV - More "can't fall
The NIV, on Hebrews 6:6, has, "If they fall
away . . " The "faith only" - "can't fall"
view of the NIV requires the "if" here. It
is not in the Greek. The Greek has, "And
then have fallen . . ." NIV "alters" the
"altar" 47. NIV "adds" to God's word "Golden
altar of Incense" is in the NIV, but not in
the Greek. The inspired writer said, "golden
censer." 48. NIV adds - takes from, and
changes God's word The NIV has (Hebrews
11:1), "Now faith is being sure of what we
hope for and certain of what we do not see."
The ESB and the Greek have: "Now faith is
the foundation of hopes, the evidence of
things not seen." All our Christian hopes
and lives are built on faith. We are to add
to that faith the Christian graces (2 Peter
1:7-11), so that we may be fruitful, and
make our calling and election sure.
"Foundation" is from hupostasis, to stand
under. 49. NIV - "our faith" for "the faith"
(Did God make a mistake?) In Hebrews 12:2
the NIV has, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus,
the Pioneer and Perfecter of our faith."
That is not what the Greek has. It has,
"Looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter
of the faith." Jesus perfected his doctrine,
his law, the faith (2 John 9; Jude 3; 1
Corinthians 9:21). This is the perfect law
of liberty (James 1:25). Why shy away from
"the faith"? One would get the idea that the
New International Version dislikes "the
faith" very strongly! In fact, it does! The
NIV does not believe God. 50. NIV rewrites
God's word In many, many passages! James 2:1
is completely rewritten by the NIV. It has,
"My brothers, as believers in our glorious
Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism."
The ESB and the Greek have: "My brethren, do
not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Lord of glory, with partiality." Can you
believe anyone would do such a thing? NIV
changes "the faith" into "believers." The
faith (Christ's doctrine - the gospel) makes
or produces believers, but "believers" are
not the gospel; they are not "the faith";
they are not the doctrine of Christ! How
much (or how little) perversion is required
for us to say, "Enough!"? How much false
teaching will it take to make the version a
threat rather than a blessing? God warned
against adding to or taking from his word.
The NIV does both, and in so many passages.
51. NIV changes God's word James 5:15, as
rendered in the NIV, reads, "And the prayer
offered in faith will make the sick person
well; the Lord will raise him up." NIV
completely misses the point of "the faith"
as opposed to "faith" in this passage (even
as it does in practically every use of "the
faith"). James actually stated, "And the
prayer of the faith shall heal the sick, and
the Lord will raise him up." The prayer of
"the faith" is a specific kind of faith -
the "spiritual gift" kind. See 1 Corinthians
12:9; 13:2. A look at the NIV 52. NIV -
"yourselves" instead of "your souls" (and
other problems) In 1 Peter 1:22 the NIV
says, "Now that you have purified yourselves
by obeying the truth so that you have
sincere love for your brothers. . ." The
Greek says, "You have purified your souls in
obeying the truth, unto sincere brotherly
love . . ." Peter is showing that since they
have purified their souls by obeying the
gospel (Cf. Romans 6:17,18), now they are to
have sincere, fervent love for other
Christians. The "brotherly love" is to be
added - see 2 Peter 1:5-7. NIV has you with
"love for your brothers" already. 53. NIV
changes the word "He who does what is right
is righteous" is NIV's rendering in 1 John
3:7. The Lord states it quite differently:
"He who does righteousness is righteous."
Righteousness has to do with keeping God's
commandments (Psalm 119:172; Luke 1:6). NIV
follows this same thought in verse 10,
"Anyone who does not do what is right is not
a child of God." NIV substitutes "right" (a
rather vague term) for "righteousness." Just
scratched the surface In these few pages we
have listed some of the many problems the
New International Version of the Bible
poses. Every page of that version presents
problems of one kind or another. The
translators of the NIV were men with little
regard for the inspiration of the
Scriptures. Denominational thought was more
important to them than the Scriptures. "One
can learn what to do to be saved from any
version," is a statement frequently heard.
This statement seems to settle the matter
for them. If one can learn what to do to be
saved from the NIV, it must be a good
version. Can one learn what to do to be
saved from the NIV, unaided? Suppose that
you distribute 100,000 copies of the NIV in
a mission area, and then wait to see the
results of that many people learning what
God requires them to do to be saved. These
100,000 people are given no help or guidance
- just the NIV. Now suppose that 1,000
people become believers through reading and
studying the NIV. What will they have
learned? They will have been taught that
salvation is by faith from first to last -
from beginning to end (Romans 1:17; 5:2;
10:10; Ephesians 1:13; Philippians 3:9;
Galatians 3:26). Of those 1,000 new
believers, possibly 5 or 10 of them would be
classified as "New Testament" Christians.
All the rest would be liberal, "faith only"
believers - members of some denomination
that holds the liberal, faith only doctrine.
The five or 10 who could be called "just
Christians" would be liberal from start to
finish. Seed brings forth after its kind We
know this is true because the seed sown is
liberal, faith only oriented; and the seed
always brings forth after its kind. Give out
100,000 copies of the English Study Bible On
the other hand, if 100,000 copies of the ESB
were given out in a mission area - no help
or guidance rendered - just allow the same
conditions supposed relating to the NIV.
Again suppose that 1,000 people became
believers from studying the English Study
Bible. It is almost certain that 100% of
them would believe that the Bible is true
and understandable, and they would likely
all be members of the Lord's blood-bought
body. All of them who completed their
obedience to the gospel would be saved by
the Lord, and added by him to his church,
the church of Christ (Acts 2:38-47). They
would be Christians - only Christians -
nothing more or less than Christians. They
would not be some "kind" or "faith" of
Christians. Brethren, this illustration is
not far-fetched! Give people the truth, with
the helps provided in the notes of the ESB,
and it will produce Christians. No one,
after reading it carefully, can say that he
does no know that a believer must repent
(make up his/her mind to serve the Lord),
confess Christ as Lord, and be immersed into
Christ, for the forgiveness of sins.
However, one could read the NIV from now to
the coming of the Lord, and he/she would not
likely find those truths presented in such a
way as to be understood and obeyed. Instead
of 5 or 10, it is more likely that not even
one person, unaided would ever learn what to
do the be saved just by reading the NIV! 1.
Gross Mistranslation of Acts 2:27 and 2:31
NIV: 27because you will not abandon me to
the grave, nor will you let your Holy one
see decay. 31Seeing what was ahead, he spoke
of the resurrection of the Christ, that he
was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his
body see decay. "Me" is substituted for "my
soul," and "the grave" is substituted for
"Hades" by the NIV. Here are the two verses
as given in the English Study Bible, with
footnotes and references: 27. Because you
will not abandon my soul1 to Hades2, nor
allow your Holy One to see corruption. 31.
He foresaw the resurrection of Christ, and
spoke of it; that he was neither abandoned
to Hades, nor did his flesh decay. Psalm
132:11; see 2 Sam. 7:12,13 Hades is the
unseen abode of the departed soul or spirit,
not the grave where the dead body lies.
There is no Greek text available having what
NIV gives in this verse. The false wording
is deliberate; evil. God warns against
adding to, taking from, or changing his holy
word (Deut. 4:2; Proverbs 30:6;
Rev.22:18,19). 2. NIV Re-words and
Paraphrases Romans 10:10 to teach "faith
only," a favorite doctrine of the version.
The NIV has: 10"For it is with your heart
that you believe and are justified, and it
is with your mouth that you confess and are
saved." According to this false statement
from the NIV, when one believes he/she is
justified [made righteous]. When one
confesses he/she is saved.
___________________________ 1.The SOUL
(spirit, not the body) returns to God at
death (Eccl. 12:7; Luke 16:22,23; 23:43).
2.HADES, from hades, the abode of departed
spirits awaiting the judgment (Luke
16:22,23; Eccl. 12:7; Luke 23:43). Not "the
grave" as some have it (e.g. NIV). See 1
Pet.3:20,21. God does not say that. God
says," For with the heart one believes unto
righteousness, and with the mouth confession
is unto salvation." Here is the ESB on
Rom.10:10: 10. For with the heart one
believes unto righteousness, and with the
mouth confession is unto salvation. God says
that faith is unto righteousness, and
confession is unto salvation. Both faith
(belief) and confession are in "the
direction of" - "toward" righteousness and
salvation. There is no justification for the
"salvation at the point of faith" position
of the NIV in this passage (and elsewhere).
Beware! One can teach a lot of religious
error through the NIV. Will God hold us
accountable for it? This writer believes
that he will. 3. The NIV Mistranslates
Romans 1:17, Putting in "Faith Only" (See
Romans 10:10 above.) NIV: 17For in the
gospel a righteousness from God is revealed,
a righteousness that is by faith from first
to last, just as it is written, "The just
shall live by faith." A literal translation
of the Greek: For in it God's righteousness
is revealed out of faith unto faith, as it
is written, The just shall live by faith.
The ESB & note have: 17. For in it God's
righteousness1 is revealed out of faith unto
faith2, as it is written, The just shall
live by faith. Hab. 2:4 Note: The gospel
reveals God's righteousness--shows how he
can forgive __________________________
1.GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS is shown in his
forgiving past sins through the blood of
Christ (Rom. 3:25,26). 2.OUT OF FAITH UNTO
FAITH - out of "the faith," the gospel, unto
faith (belief) which comes by hearing the
word (Rom. 10:17). sin through Jesus Christ,
and at the same time remain just in
condemning sin in the unbelievers. Cf.
Romans 3:25,26. 4. Mistranslation of Romans
3:31 Holding to the Law of Moses The NIV
mistranslates and paraphrases Romans 3:31,
apparently to preserve the Law of Moses as
being valid and established and "upheld".
NIV: 31Do we, then, nullify the law by this
faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the
law. (The main thing wrong with that
rendering is that it is not what God said!)
The English Study Bible has: 31. Do we then
make law null and void by the faith? Let it
not be! Instead, we establish law3. The ESB
has it exactly as the Greek original -
nothing added or taken away - nothing
changed even slightly. This is precisely
what every version should have.
Denominational thought is in favor of
keeping the Law of Moses as still valid; and
that we are not really under any kind of law
now - just grace. The NIV makes it easy to
teach such denominational doctrines, with
apparent support from their "Bible." The
"law we establish" (verse 31) is the law of
Christ (1 Cor.9:21). There Paul states that
he was under that law. Note: The faith (see
Jude 3) is the system of doctrine, the body
of doctrine, that makes up God's law in this
age. It is obvious that we do not establish
the Law of Moses, for it was fulfilled by
the death of Christ. It was abolished "in
his flesh" on the cross (Ephesians 2:15ff;
Colossians 2:14). The law "we establish" is
the law of faith. __________________________
3.WE ESTABLISH LAW; the law of faith (verse
27). It is the law of liberty (James 1:25;
2:12); the law of God, Christ's law (1 Cor.
9:21). 5.NIV on Rom.3:27 NIV: 27Where, then,
is boasting? It is excluded. On what
principle? On that of observing the law? No,
but on that of faith." (The Greek has, pou
oun he kauchesis; exekleisthe. dia poiou
nomou; ton ergon; ouchi, alla dia nomon
pisteos.) The English Study Bible has: 27.
Where is boasting then? It is eliminated.
Through what law? The Law of works? No! But
through the law of faith1. Note: The law of
faith is Christ's doctrine (2 John 9). It is
"the faith" of Jude 3. It is the perfect law
of liberty of James 1:25. It is the law of
Christ (1 Corinthians 9:21). The law of
faith is the law "we establish" as indicated
in Rom.3:31. No excuse for the NIV The NIV
translators and revisers can not blame their
mishandling of this verse on the passage
being obscure or uncertain. There is no room
for misunderstanding what the Greek has.
They deliberately changed God's word to read
what they wanted it to say. 6. A favorite
NIV doctrine: Salvation at the Point of
Faith. The NIV mistranslates and changes
Ephesians 1:13 radically. NIV: 13And you
also were included in Christ when you heard
the word of truth, the gospel of your
salvation. In him, when you believed, you
were marked with a seal, the promised Holy
Spirit. The ESB has: 13. In whom also you
all, after you heard the word of truth, the
gospel of your salvation; in whom, after you
believed, you were sealed by2 the Holy
Spirit of promise. This is precisely what
the Greek has. Note: The NIV has a person
saved and sealed with the Holy Spirit at the
point of faith. This is their "faith only"
position in Romans 1:17 also: "a
righteousness that is by faith from first to
last." This passage, along with Romans 1:17,
should be enough for anyone who loves the
Lord and respects his word. The NIV is
unreliable at every turn. We should not
encourage false doctrine by using and/or
recommending the NIV. It is filled with such
gross errors. 7. The NIV Adds to God's Word
in many passages The NIV adds to the word of
God. (See Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:
18.) NIV on Galatians 4:6: 6Because you are
sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into
our hearts, the Spirit who cries out, "Abba,
Father." The NIV adds, "The Spirit who" to
the verse (without warning the reader that
it did). This was done, evidently, to be
sure that the reader would think that it is
the Holy Spirit doing the crying, "Abba,
Father." ("We cry Abba, Father" - Romans
8:15.) This same practice (of adding words
and capitalizing words), to direct the
readers to the same biased conclusions held
by the translators and revisers, is evident
in Romans 8 also. __________________________
1.THE LAW OF FAITH is Christ's law in this
age; even as the Law of Moses was God's Law
before the cross, but abolished "in his
flesh" (Eph. 2:15). See 1 Cor. 9:21 and
footnote. 2.BY, from the dative case of the
phrase. This is common idiom in the Greek of
the New Testament. The context usually
indicates the preposition to be used. Here
either "by" or "in" would do. The NIV's
misconduct in this verse should be enough to
make anyone stand in doubt about every part
of the version, and to shun it as if were a
plague - which it is. It does not serve
Christ (see Romans 16:17,18). See 2 John 10.
8. More "faith only" doctrine in the NIV In
Romans 5:2 NIV has, 2through whom we have
gained access by faith into this grace in
which we stand. The Greek and The English
Study Bible have: 2. Through whom also we
have access by the faith unto this grace1 in
which we stand and rejoice in the hope of
the glory of God. ("the faith" = "Christ's
doctrine"; "the gospel - see Gal.1:11,23)
This is what the Greek of the inspired word
says. It is the word of God. There is much
difference between "faith" (belief) and "the
faith" (Christ's doctrine); yet, the NIV
changes "the faith" (Christ's doctrine) into
"faith" (belief) regularly. You can be
certain that God is not well pleased with
such high-handed mis-use of his holy word.
One might as well play with a cage full of
rattle-snakes as to trust the NIV.
Liberalism is the fruit of using the NIV. It
destroys one's faith in the word of God if
believed and followed. 9. More "Faith Only"
in the NIV NIV has, in Philippians 3:9, 9and
be found in him, not having a righteousness
_ of my own that comes from the law, but
that which is through faith in Christ--the
righteousness that comes from God and is by
faith. Here is how it is in the ESB: 9. And
be found in him, not having my righteousness
which is of the Law, but that which is
through the faith of Christ, the
righteousness which is from God based upon
the faith2. This is precisely what the Greek
has. The righteousness from God is based on
the gospel, his power to save the believers
(Romans 1:16,17). It is based on (epi) "the
faith." _________________________ 1.BY THE
FAITH UNTO THIS GRACE - "The faith" is the
gospel, God's power to beget (1 Cor. 4:15;
James 1:18; Luke 8:11). It reveals God's
grace to all people (Mark 16:15,16; Rom.
1:16,17; Titus 2:11-14). It is "by grace
through the faith" (Eph. 2:8). Grace teaches
(Titus 2:11,12). It is "the word of his
grace" that is able to guide us (Acts
20:32). 10. The NIV Teaches Premillennialism
The NIV changes the text of Ephesians 1:10,
injecting the premillennial theory. (Acts
3:20,21 is perverted also.) See 2
Thess.2:13. Eph.3:10 in the NIV: 10to be put
into effect when the times will have reached
their fulfillment--to bring all things in
heaven and on earth together under one head,
even Christ. On Eph.1:10 the ESB has: 10.
Unto an administration of the fullness of
times, to bring together all things under
one head, in Christ, things in the heavens
and things upon the earth, in him. The NIV
"wrests" the word of God - perverts the word
of God - to teach that sometime in the
future all things shall be put under Christ.
That false doctrine is not taught anywhere
in the Bible. It is a figment of the
imagination of men.
__________________________ 2.BASED UPON THE
FAITH - The only way we can be righteous is
in Christ Jesus; and we get into Christ
where all spiritual blessings are (Eph. 1:3)
at the point of immersion into him (Rom.
6:3,4; Gal. 3:26,27). There is no other way
into Christ. 11. NIV's Paragraph Heading are
Misleading (Using this one to teach their
Premillennialism) The NIV is misleading in
the paragraph heading of Romans 11:25ff. The
NIV heads the paragraph with: "All Israel
Will Be Saved." This might be mistakenly
deduced from verse 26, "And so all Israel
will be saved . . ." - it might be thus
deduced by someone who does not know the
Greek. But the translators of the NIV
present themselves as masters of that
language - telling us just what it means.
The "so" of this verse is from houtos, "in
this manner," "thus." Israel shall be saved,
as indicated in v. 23, "If they do not abide
in unbelief." The premillennial theory has
Christ hindered from establishing his
kingdom while here on earth, but coming back
to Jerusalem - to gather all the Jews - and
reign on David's throne for 1,000 years. So,
they would rather pervert the word with such
paragraph headings, just to uphold their
religious beliefs. The gospel is God's power
to save both Jews and non-Jews (Romans
1:16). Everyone, both Jew and non-Jew, must
come to God by the same route--by the gospel
(Romans 1:16). It is God's power to save
every person who believes (the unbeliever is
condemned already, John 3:18 - see also John
8:24). God is no respecter of person (Acts
10:34). People are not saved as nations, but
as individuals. "He who believes and is
immersed shall be saved" (Mark 16:16). Every
Jew or non-Jew who believes and obeys the
gospel is among the saved. The Lord adds
him/her to his church (Acts 2:38-47). How
much is enough? Such misleading paragraph
headings should be enough to make one
distrust the NIV. 12. The NIV rewrites and
paraphrases God's word Acts 11:17 is
rewritten and paraphrased. The NIV has, 17So
if God gave them the same gift as he gave us
when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ,
who was I to think I could oppose God? The
ESB has: 17. Therefore if God gave them the
same gift1 as to us who believed on the Lord
Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder
God?" Not, "When we believed" Peter was not
talking about "when we believed," but "to us
who believed" (Acts 2:1-4; 5:32). The gift
the apostles received on Pentecost was that
of languages. The Gentiles, in the household
of Cornelius, were immersed in the Holy
Spirit, and they received the gift of
languages, which proved to the Jewish
brethren who were with Peter that God had
accepted the Gentiles into the kingdom.
__________________________ 1.THE SAME
GIFT-that of other languages (Acts
2:4,7,8;10: 10:45,46; See 1 Cor.12:10
"languages of nationalities" given by the
Spirit. NIV is filled with such perversions
The NIV is filled with perversions like
this. See Galatians 1:6-9. 13. NIV keeps one
saved - can't fall NIV has 1 Peter 2:2 like
this, 2Like newborn babies, crave pure
spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow
up in your salvation. The Greek & the ESB
have: 2. As newborn babies desire the pure
milk of the word that you may grow by it
unto salvation. The denominational view that
one has "salvation" and can't lose it is
NIV's position in this verse, and elsewhere.
_ "Growing up unto salvation" and "growing
up in your salvation" are two very different
concepts. 14. The NIV substitutes. "Sinful
Nature" for "flesh" is Calvin's Doctrine of
Total Depravity - Inherited Sin The NIV
substitutes in many passages. This strongly
indicates that the translators believed in
"inherited sin"--"Adamic sin." See Romans
7:18; 8:4, 5, 8, 9, 12, 13 . . . 13:14;
Galatians 5:13, 17, 18, 24. When will we
say, "Enough!" This one gross abuse of God's
holy word should forever bar the NIV from
the use by those who love the Lord and
respect his word. 15. Calvinism again Direct
Operation of the Holy Spirit The NIV
mistranslates 1 Cor. 2:14. NIV: 14The man
without the Spirit does not accept the
things that come from the Spirit of God, for
they are foolishness to him, and he cannot
under-stand them, because they are
spiritually discerned. The verse, heading, &
note in ESB: The uninspired Man (See 2 Peter
1:20,21) 14. But the uninspired1 man does
not receive the things of the Spirit of God;
indeed they are foolishness to him; and he
cannot know, for they are spiritually
judged. Note: The NIV teaches Calvin's
doctrine of man's inability to understand or
accept God's word without a direct operation
and influence of the Holy Spirit. The NIV
encourages and favors
__________________________ 1.UNINSPIRED,
from psuchikos, unspiritual; uninspired;
worldly. almost all the major denominational
doctrines. This makes is quite popular among
those who do not respect God's word. 16. NIV
"Adds To" God's Word The NIV adds to the
word of God without giving any indication
that words not in the original language are
being used in 1 Corinthians 7:36-38 (and in
many other passages). NIV: 36If anyone
thinks he is acting improperly toward the
virgin he is engaged to, and if she is
getting along in years and he feels he ought
to marry, he should do as he wants. He is
not sinning. They should get married. 37But
the man who has settled the matter in his
own mind, who is under no compulsion but has
control over his own will, and who has made
up his mind not to marry the virgin--this
man also does the right thing. 38So then, he
who marries the virgin does right, but he
who does not marry her does even better.
Here is the ESB, with footnotes: Such
Virgins are to Marry 36. If anyone considers
that he is acting in an unsuitable manner
toward his virginity2, and such a person is
passing the prime of life, and if thus it
should be; he is to do what he wishes; it is
not a sin; such are to marry. 37. But he who
stands firm in his own heart, having no
necessity, but having control of his own
will; and has decided in his own heart to
keep himself3 a virgin, does well. 38. So
then the one who is a virgin, who marries,
does well; and the one who does not marry
does better. __________________________
2.His or her state of being a virgin. If,
due to age or necessity one decides to
marry, such should. 3.HIMSELF, from heautou,
a reflexive pronoun of the third person;
himself, herself, itself. It is used with
all the genders. The masculine pronouns are
used in the generic sense in this passage.
The NIV changes, adds, and subtracts from
the sacred text--and that without giving the
reader the slightest hint that these things
have been done. Such ought not to be! They
inject their opinions and sectarian
doctrines into the text at will, and remove
or becloud words, phrases, and verses that
are objectionable to their doctrinal bias.
Note Mark 16:9-20 as an example. The NIV
inserts, in brackets, before verse 9: [The
most reliable early MSS omit Mark 16:9-20].
In fact only two manuscripts (of importance)
omit the verses--the Aleph and B (the
Vaticanus). All the other major manuscripts
and most of the minor manuscripts contain
the last 12 verses of Mark: A, C, D, K, X
Delta, Theta, Pi, f13, 28, 33, 274, 565,
etc. Other places where Aleph and B are
lacking a part of the text go unnoticed by
the NIV and others. For example, all of
Hebrews from 9:14 to the end is lacing in
the Vaticanus (B). Yet, not a word about it
in the NIV and others. It happens that Mark
16:9-20 is a "thorn in the flesh" to some
favorite sectarian doctrines. As a result,
we have this determined effort to remove it
from God's word. 17. "United With" Rather
Than "Immersed Into Christ." The NIV injects
"faith only" and paraphrases Galatians
3:26,27. NIV: 26You are all sons of God
through faith in Christ Jesus, 27for all of
you who were united with Christ in baptism
have been clothed with Christ. Here is the
ESB on Gal.3:26,27, with subject headings &
footnotes: Children of God in Christ,
through The Faith 26. For you are all
children of God in Christ Jesus through the
faith. Immersed into Christ (See Romans
6:3,4) 27. For as many as have been immersed
into Christ1 have put on Christ.
__________________________ 1.IMMERSED INTO
CHRIST - The Bible shows no other way into
Christ. One believes, repents and confesses
unto life; salvation, but one is immersed
into Christ (Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:27). A look at
the NIV The word "baptize" is capable of
being understood in more than one way. The
Greek does not say what the NIV gives as its
version. 18. NIV obscures - hides the true
meaning "Perfection" Rather Than "The
Completed Word" The NIV mistranslates and
changes the meaning in 1 Corinthians
13:9,10. NIV: 9For we know in part and we
prophesy in part, 10but when perfection
comes, the imperfect disappears. Here is the
ESB with notes: 9. For we know a portion and
prophesy a portion. 10. But when the
completed revelation comes, that which is by
portion will be done away2. Note: When "that
which is perfect" (the complete law of
faith--the "perfect law of liberty" James
1:25)--came, with the final words of
inspiration having been written; the partial
things, e.g. tongues, prophecies, knowledge
(as gifts of the Spirit, 1 Corinthians 12:8)
ceased. They were no longer needed after the
word of God had been confirmed. See Mark
16:20; Hebrews 2:1-4. The NIV so changes the
meaning of verse 10 that it has no bearing
on the gifts of the Spirit ending at the
coming of the completed word of inspiration.
19. NIV Misleads the Readers NIV adds
capitals and changes gender in Romans 8:16.
NIV: 16The Spirit himself testifies with our
spirit that we are God's children. A literal
translation of the Greek: "That same spirit
[or, "that spirit"] bears witness with our
spirit that we are children of God."
_________________________ 2.THE PARTIAL
GIFTS would (and did) cease when the
Scriptures were finished. The perfect law of
liberty (James 1:25) made the gifts
unnecessary. A look at the NIV ESB, text,
headings & notes have: As God's Children we
have a Spirit of Sonship, In Christ Jesus
Gal.4:5-7 16. The same spirit1 of sonship
bears witness with our spirit that we are
God's children. Note: In verse 15 we are
told that the Christian did not receive "a
spirit of slavery again unto fear, but you
received a spirit of sonship, in which we
cry, Abba, Father." Compare this with
Galatians 4:6. We cry, "Abba, Father,"
because we have a spirit of sonship. This is
the "spirit of God's son." We are not
slaves. We are God's children (Galatians
3:26,27). The NIV capitalized spirit and
changed the neuter gender of spirit to
masculine-from "it" to "him." This forces
the reader to the same conclusion as that
held by the translators, that it is the Holy
Spirit doing the testifying with our spirit.
The word that the NIV translated "himself,"
and that this writer translated "the same"
[or "that"] is auto. It may be translated
by: "the same," "that," or "itself,"
depending on the context. An example For
example, see Luke 10:21 and 13:1. These
verses have the same construction and word
order as Romans 8:16. The Greek of Romans
8:16 is "auto (neuter gender) pneuma." That
of Luke 10:21 is "aute (feminine gender) te
hora," and in Luke 13:1 it is "auto to kairo."
__________________________ 1.THE SAME
SPIRIT, from auto to pneuma, means
precisely, "the same spirit" here. The
phrase has been long mistranslated as,"The
Spirit itself" (KJV and many others) and,
"The Spirit himself" (ASV and some others).
Here it relates to our consciousness of
being a child of God rather than a slave.
That inner awareness (sense, spirit,
feeling) is what the writer is relating. See
Luke 2:38; 10:7,21; 12:12; 13:1; 20:19;
23:12; 24:13,33; Acts 16:18 and notes for
this use of auto. The NIV translates Luke
10:21 with, "At that time." The KJV has, "in
that hour," which is exactly what the Greek
says. The NIV translates Luke 13:1 as, "At
that time . . ." This is correct for both
Luke 10:21 and 13:1. Determined, wilful
perversion However, in Romans 8:16, even
though the word order (of the phrase) is
identical with the Luke passages, and even
though the context of Romans 8:16 is dealing
with the spirit of sonship which we have as
God's children, the NIV translators (and
most others) are determined that the readers
reach the doctrinal conclusions held by the
translators and revisers. See how it looks
with verses 15 and 16 together: "For you did
not receive a spirit of slavery again to
fear, but you received a spirit of sonship,
in which we cry, 'Abba, Father;' that same
spirit bears witness with our spirit that we
are children of God." Compare Romans 9:1: ".
. . my conscience bearing witness with me."
The "spirit of sonship"--the attitude and
sense of being a son of God--bears witness
with us (in the same manner the conscience
bears witness) that we are indeed God's
children. Even the number of words is
inspired See Galatians 3:16 20. NIV
Misleading as to "Number" The NIV changes
the number of words in 1 Timothy
3:12--plural to singular. NIV: 12A deacon
must be the husband of but one wife and must
manage his children and his household well.
Here is 1 Tim.3:12 in the ESB: 12. Deacons
are to be husbands of one wife; managing
their children and their own households
well; Note: Since the qualifications for
elders and deacons are so very important to
all who want to do the Lord's will, and to
abide in the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9),
we should flee from any translation or
version that cares so little for the word of
the Lord as to change it, even slightly. The
"number" is important. Jesus' attitude
toward the Law of Moses, while it was still
binding, was, "Not one iota or one small
part would pass from the Law" until all was
fulfilled. We should respect God's word more
than we do that of men (1 Corinthians 4:6).
This may seem like a very small thing to
some, but to God, it is sin. See Deut. 4:2;
Prov. 30:6; Rev.22:18,19. 21. NIV Changes
Words and Adds Words The NIV adds words and
changes words in Titus 1:6. NIV: "An elder
must be blameless, the husband of but one
wife, a man whose children believe and are
not open to the charge of being wild and
disobedient." The NIV adds "but" and changes
"are faithful" to "believe." The ESB, with
subject & footnote: Specific Qualifications
(See 1 Timothy 3:1-7) 6. If any man is above
reproach; husband of one wife; having
faithful1 children, not accused of being
wild and disobedient. Note: The NIV changes
the adjective "faithful" (pista, plural
neuter) to the verb, "believe," and adds the
word "but." The Lord said, "Having faithful
children." God is true, regardless Why not
be satisfied with his word? This writer is
afraid of translators who presume that they
know more than the Lord himself about such
matters. 22. The NIV incorrectly says "The
Spirit makes you sons" Romans 8:14,15 in the
NIV: 14Those who are led by the Spirit of
God are sons of God. 15For you did not
receive a spirit that makes you a slave
again to fear, but you received the Spirit
who makes you sons. That is a grossly
incorrect rendering of the Greek. The ESB
with heading & note has: Children of God
Gal.3:26,27 14. For all who are led by the
Spirit2 of God are children of God. 15. For
you have not received a spirit of slavery to
be afraid; but you have received a spirit of
sonship in which we cry, Abba, Father. One
becomes God's child when he/she follows the
Spirit's teaching - when one obeys the
gospel. Galatians 3:26,27 shows that we
become children of God in Christ Jesus,
through the faith (the Spirit's teaching),
when we are immersed into Christ. 23. The
NIV is misleading, Undependable In Romans
12:6 the NIV has, 6We have different gifts,
according to the grace given us. If a man's
gift is prophesying, let him use it in
proportion to his faith. The NIV misses the
point entirely. The NIV substitutes "his
faith" (belief) for "the faith" (Christ's
word). ___________________________
1.FAITHFUL, from pistos, faithful,
trustworthy. The word may indicate
"believers" but at times it simply shows
faithfulness in a general sense. See 1 Cor.
4:2. Cf. Tim.3:4,5. 2.LED BY THE SPIRIT in
hearing, believing and obeying the
Spirit-given word (2 Tim. 3:16,17; 2 Pet.
1:20). Gal. 3:26,27 shows that we are
children of God in Christ Jesus, through the
faith. The ESB on Romans 12:6: 6. And we
have gifts differing according to the grace
given us. If it be prophecy, prophesy
according to the proportion of the faith.
They were to prophesy that portion of "the
faith" the Spirit made known to the prophet.
In 1 Corinthians 13:9 we read, "For we know
a portion and we prophesy a portion." In
Romans 12:6 Paul was telling the prophets to
prophesy that portion of the faith given
them, no more, no less. Special Gifts ceased
Those gifts ceased when the completed
revelation was available (1 Cor. 13:10;
Eph.4:13; 2 Tim.3:16,17): The perfect law of
liberty James 1:25; 2:12 24. The NIV
substitutes "whose faith" for "the faith"
The NIV grossly misses the point in Romans
14:1. The NIV has, "Accept him whose faith
is weak, without passing judgment on
disputable matters." That is not what the
Greek says. ESB, with heading & footnotes
has: One weak in "the faith" 1. You are to
receive one who is weak1 in the faith2, but
not to judge3 disputable matters.
__________________________ 1.WEAK, from
astheneo, to be weak; infirm; deficient.
Here: not well-informed in the faith. See
Jude 3. The Jewish Christians were the
"weak" members in this setting. It appears
that they made every effort to get Gentile
Christians to keep the works of the Law.
2.THE FAITH is the doctrine of Christ (Jude
3; 2 John 9). 3.JUDGE, from diakrisis, a
distinguishing (1 Cor. 12:10 - discerning of
spirits); therefore, a judging in certain
matters as eating certain foods; observing
days. One who is weak in "the faith" is weak
in the doctrine of Christ, for they are one
and the same. One who is weak in "the faith"
is not to be set up to be the judge about
the matter of keeping certain days, or not
observing them; about eating of certain
foods, or eating only herbs. The weak
brother or sister is not to be excluded over
indifferent matters. Such are to be
received, but are not to be placed in a
position of imposing their views on others.
25. The NIV has one baptized by the Holy
Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 12:13 the NIV
incorrectly states, 13For we were all
baptized by one Spirit into one body-- and
we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
That is not what the Greek says. Here is the
ESB, with topic & notes: Immersed into the
one body, the church 13. For in one spirit4
we all were immersed5 into the one body6;
whether Jews or Greeks; whether servants or
free; and of one spirit have we all been
made to drink. __________________________
4.IN ONE SPIRIT (& of one spirit; same
verse) - the spirit of faithful obedience
(Acts 8:37, "If you believe with all your
heart you may." Rom. 6:17,18, "...but have
obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine,
being then made free from sin." Heb. 5:9,
Christ became the author of eternal
salvation to all who obey him." 5.WE ALL
WERE IMMERSED - There is no unimmersed
Christian. Immersion is the point at which
we enter the body (the church, Eph.
1:22,23). 6.ONE BODY, the church (Eph.
1:22,23; 4:4). Every saved person is added
by the Lord to his church at immersion (Acts
2:47; 1 Cor. 12:13). 7.THE FAITH is Christ's
doctrine (Jude 3; 2 John 9). It is the law
of faith (Rom. 3:27) that "we establish"
(Rom. 3:31). It is the law of God, Christ's
law (1 Cor. 9:21). "The faith" is a
neglected phrase in the versions. Spirit of
faithful obedience In one spirit (of
faithful obedience) we were immersed into
Christ and into his body the church, and
have been made to drink. The passage has
nothing to do with the Holy Spirit, except
that the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write
it. Immersed into the one body An important
point made by inspiration in this verse is
that we get into Christ's one body, the
church, at the point of immersion. See
Romans 6:3-6,17,18. 26. The NIV changes "the
faith" into "faith" In 2 Corinthians 1:24
the NIV has, ...because it is by faith you
stand firm. Here is the ESB on verse 24,
with note: 24. Not that we are lording over
your faith, but we are working together for
your joy, for you stand in the faith1. NIV -
"You stand by faith" The NIV says that you
stand by faith (belief). God - "You stand in
the faith" God says that you stand in "the
faith" (Christ's doctrine - the gospel).
Which will you accept? Will you hear God, or
people? As for me and my house, we will
choose the Lord's word, and stand ready to
defend it earnestly (Jude 3). 27. NIV
substitutes "this faith" for "the faith" In
Galatians 3:23 NIV says: 23Before this faith
came, we were held prisoners by the law,
locked up until faith should be revealed.
__________________________ 1.THE FAITH is
presented as being that which replaces "The
Law of Moses." The Law was to guide until
"the faith" came. It came with Christ; and
with the death of Christ on the cross the
Law was "nailed to the cross" and taken out
of the way. "The faith" - Christ's law took
its place. See Rom. 3:27-31; 1 Cor. 9:21; 2
John 9; Jude 3). The ESB heading & notes
have: The Law led to Christ 23. But before
the faith came we were kept in restraint
under the Law, shut up unto the faith1 which
was to be revealed. There is a radical
difference between these two versions! The
latter is as nearly literal as it can be
made. Added words are put in italics to show
that they are not in the Greek. "The faith"
is in the Greek manuscripts twice in this
verse, as indicated in the ESB. The NIV
renders the first "the faith" by "this
faith" and the second by "faith." God said,
in the original Greek, "the faith." Will you
be satisfied with a per-version of God's
word? "The faith" came after the cross The
inspired word says: "Before the faith came."
"The faith" is the doctrine of Christ - the
gospel. It came after the Law was nailed to
the cross (Ephesians 2:15; Colossians 2:14).
28. NIV substitutes "faith" for "the faith"
(And does other violence to the passage) In
Galatians 3:25-27 the NIV has, 25Now that
faith has come, we are no longer under the
supervision of the law. Sons of God 26You
are all sons of God through faith in Christ
Jesus, 27for all of you who were united with
Christ in baptism have been clothed with
Christ. The English Study Bible headings and
note have: Children through The Faith 25.
But now that the faith has come we are no
longer under the guide. 26. For you are all
children of God in Christ Jesus through the
faith. Immersed into Christ (See Romans
6:3,4) 27. For as many as have been immersed
into Christ1 have put on Christ. The English
Study Bible renders it exactly as the
original Greek has it. Words that had to be
added to make the inspired message fit the
English idiom were put it with italics to
let the readers know that they were
supplied. The "faith Only" bias of the NIV
(as most denominations hold) is likely
behind that version's unwillingness to put
"the faith" in many passages. 29. NIV tries
to avoid any hint of "falling from grace"
NIV has, in Galatians 5:4, 4You who are
trying to be justified by law have been
alienated from Christ; you have fallen away
from grace." "Away from", to those who
believe that you can't fall from grace,
means that you were never quite there in the
grace of God. You almost attained it, but
you fell "away from" grace before you were
in it - you were never really a saved
person. The ESB text and note have: 4.
Whoever of you are seeking to be justified
in the Law; you are cut off from Christ. You
have fallen from grace2. Paul warns against
falling (1 Corinthians 10:11,12), and Peter
shows that if __________________________
1.IMMERSED INTO CHRIST - The Bible shows no
other way into Christ. One believes, repents
and confessunto life; salvation, but one is
immersed into Christ (Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:27).
one does fall, he/she is in worse condition
than he/she would have been in if never
saved (2 Peter 2:20-22). Peter also shows
that Christians are to give all diligence to
make their calling and election sure; if
they do these things they will never fall (2
Peter 1:5-11). 30. NIV Can't Stand doing
"Works" The NIV has Gal.5:5,6 like this:
5For by faith we eagerly await through the
Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.
6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision
nor uncircumcision has any value. The only
thing that counts is faith expressing itself
through love. The ESB heading, text and note
have: A working faith (See James 2:22-24) 5.
For we in a spirit of faith confidently wait
for that righteousness. 6. For in Christ
Jesus neither circumcision nor
uncircumcision3 has meaning, but faith
working through4 love. The Lord says, "Faith
working through love." The verse is showing
that circumcision is nothing -
uncircumcision is nothing, but faith working
through love [is something]. The doctrine of
the "faith only" group (of which the NIV is
an advocate) is of that "works" have no
place in one's salvation. According to them,
one is saved at the point faith, without any
kind of works. __________________________
2.FALLEN FROM GRACE, from ekpipto (ek, out
of; pipto, to fall, to fall out of the
grace. These have separated themselves from
the grace of God by spurning the sacrifice
of Christ and going back to the Law which
Christ had "taken out of the way, nailing it
to his cross" (Col. 2:14). 3.CIRCUMCISION/UNCIRCUMCISION
- Neither Jew nor Gentile is of value. In 1
Cor. 7:19 Paul shows that it is "keeping the
commandments of God that counts; and in Gal.
6:15 that it is a matter of being a new
creature that is of value. 4.FAITH WORKING
is the kind James writes about in James,
chapters 1 & 2. In James 2:24 James shows
that people are justified by "works," and
not by "faith only." It must be a working
faith, a visible faith (James 2:17,18). 31.
More "sinful nature" from Calvinism in the
NIV In Galatians 5:15,17 and 19 and 6:8 NIV
substitutes sinful nature for "flesh." This
agrees more with the doctrine of the total
depravity -- Calvinism. 32. NIV changes
God's word In Philippians 3:16 NIV has:
"Only let us live up to what we have already
attained." The ESB text and heading have:
Live by the same Rule "Wherefore let us live
by the same rule to which we have attained."
The same rule is the same doctrine. It is
"walking in the light of his word" (1 John
1:7); "abiding in the doctrine of Christ" (2
John 9). 33. More "faith" substituted for
"the faith" by the NIV In Ephesians 2:8 the
NIV has: 8For it is by grace you have been
saved, through faith--and this not from
yourselves, it is the gift of God-- The
text, heading, & note of the ESB: By grace
through "the faith" 8. For in grace you all
have been saved, through the faith1; and
that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God.
In this passage only the ESB correctly
renders it, "For in grace you all have been
saved, through the faith," but that is what
the major Greek manuscripts say. It is
through "the word of his grace" which is
able to build up and give an inheritance
with the saints (Acts 20:32). It is the
grace that has appeared to all people,
teaching us and helping us know and obey
(Titus 2:11,12). __________________________
1.THE FAITH - God's grace is revealed in the
gospel (the faith - Gal. 1:11,23). We are
saved by grace through the faith. The grace
of God teaches (Titus 2:11,2). When we hear
the word of his grace (Acts 20:32), and obey
it (Rom. 6:17,18), we are his children. We
have, at that point, been "saved by grace
through the faith." 34. NIV misses it
entirely on "works" in Eph.2:10 NIV, on
Ephesians 2:10: 10For we are God's
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do
good works, which God prepared in advance
for us to do. The English Study Bible, text,
headings, and notes have: Created in Christ
Jesus "upon" good works God foreordained 10.
For we are his workmanship; created in
Christ Jesus on the basis of2 good works3
which God foreordained that we should walk
in them. The Greek has, "Created in Christ
Jesus on the basis of good works which God
foreordained." The phrase, "on the basis
of," is from epi, the Greek
__________________________ 2.ON THE BASIS
OF, from epi, on, upon, on the basis of.
Translators have generally incorrectly
translated epi in this passage as, unto,
evidently because they understood that there
is no work, of any kind, to be done by a
person in order to be saved. Paul is here
showing that there are certain "good works"
that serve as the basis of his/her being in
Christ. 3.GOOD WORKS forming the basis of
one's being created in Christ include faith
(John 6:29 -"...this is the work of God,
that you believe on him whom he sent.");
repentance (Luke 24:47,48; 13:3,5; Acts
2:38; 11:18); confession (Mt. 10:32; Rom.
10:10); immersion (Mr. 16:15,16; Acts 2:38;
22:16; Rom. 6:3-5; 1 Pet. 3:21). When one
does these works of God's righteousness -
works of faith he/she is born again (John
3:3-8; Titus 3:5), and is raised to walk the
new life (Rom. 6:4,5, 17,18; 2 Cor. 5:17),
in Christ (Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:26,27).
preposition meaning "on," "upon," "on the
basis of." This is its basic meaning. It is
used in some other ways, but the context
must clearly indicate its use. Here the
context leaves no room to render it other
than "on," "upon," or "on the basis of." The
"good works" are: The "good works" upon
which one is created in Christ are: faith
(John 6:29), repentance (Luke 13:3,5);
confession (Rom.10:10); and immersion (Acts
2:38; 22:16). See footnotes 2 & 3 on page
13. God's power to save in this age is the
gospel (Romans 1:16). It is by the gospel
one is called (2 Thess. 2:14); made a
believer (Rom.10:17; John 20: 30,31); is
begotten (1 Cor.4:15; James 1:18; John 3:3-8
ESB). Jesus saves those who obey Heb.5:9 No
one can be saved who does not hear, believe,
and obey the gospel (Mk. 16:15,16;
Rom.10:10-17; 6:3-6,17,18). It is "the
faith" through which one becomes a child of
God in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:26,27). 35.
NIV - more "Faith only" In Ephesians 3:17
the NIV has Christ dwelling in our hearts by
faith: 17so that Christ may dwell in your
hearts through faith. The Greek has, "That
Christ may dwell with your hearts through
the faith." ESB text & notes have: 17. That
Christ may dwell with1 your hearts through
the faith2, that you all, being rooted and
grounded in love; The Lord, Jesus Christ,
promised to be with his disciples always
(Mt.28:20). __________________________
1.WITH, from en, in. When its object is
plural (as here); with, among, in the midst.
2.THE FAITH, Christ's doctrine, is the means
or the medium through which Christ dwells
with us (2 John 9 - we have both the Father
and the Son when we abide in his doctrine).
36. NIV - More biased and slanted doctrine
in Eph.4:13 NIV has: 13until we all reach
unity in the faith and in the knowledge of
the Son of God and become mature, attaining
the full measure of perfection found in
Christ. (Note: This has to do with the
purpose of the spiritual gifts. H.L.) On
Ephesians 4:13 ESB heading & note have:
Oneness of the faith, the completed
revelation 13. Until we all attain the
oneness of the faith3, unto a mature person,
unto the measure of the stature of the
fullness of Christ. The Greek has, "Until we
all attain the oneness of the faith." The
completed revelation of 1 Corinthians 13:10
is the thought here. The NIV would have the
spiritual gifts last until all who believe
in Christ have reached "unity in the faith"
and "in the full knowledge of the Son of
God." The inspired word is showing that the
gifts were to last until "the oneness of the
faith" - the completed revelation - became
available. 37. "Spirit" problems In
Ephesians 4:30 NIV has, 30And do not grieve
the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were
sealed for the day of redemption." The ESB
text & notes have: 30. Do not grieve the
Holy Spirit of God4, in whom you all were
sealed5 unto the day of redemption.
__________________________ 3.THE FAITH is
the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9; Jude 3).
4.HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD - God is used here of
the Godhead. "The Spirit of God" of the Old
Testament is from ruach elohim - Spirit of
the Godhead. Paul uses it this way. 5.WERE
SEALED - upon obeying the word of the Spirit
(John 3:3-8; James 1:18; Rom. 6:3-5,17,18).
38. NIV misses the mark NIV has, in
Ephesians 5:18, 18Do not get drunk on wine,
which leads to debauchery. Instead, be
filled with the Spirit. (Most versions have
this error). The ESB text & notes have: 18.
And do not get drunk with wine1, in which is
reckless dissipation, but fill yourselves in
spirit2; The Greek says, "Fill yourselves in
spirit," a perfect parallel with Colossians
3:16 - "Have the word of God dwell in you
richly." The NIV (and others) pervert the
last part of the verse to give support for
the "indwelling" of the Holy Spirit. The
passage is not dealing with the Holy Spirit,
but it is showing how we are to fill
ourselves spiritually - have the word of
Christ dwell in us richly. 39. NIV - more
"sinful nature" Colossians 2:11 has more
"sinful nature" instead of "flesh."
Calvinism is very prominent in the NIV. 40.
NIV has "Your faith" Substituted for "The
Faith" NIV has, in Colossians 2:12, 12In
baptism you were buried with him and raised
with him through your faith in the power of
God who raised him from the dead. The ESB,
text & notes have: 12. When you were buried3
with him in immersion; in whom also you were
raised through the faith4; the power of God
who raised him from the dead.
__________________________ 1.WITH WINE -
fill the spirit instead. 2.FILL SELVES - by
having the word dwell in you richly (Col.
3:16). 3.BURIED - "Baptism" (immersion,
baptismos) is a burial in water, for the
remission of sins (Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:4 -
"buried with him"). 4.THE FAITH - the
gospel, God's power to save the believers
(Rom. 1:16). The facts of the gospel are:
the death, burial and resurrection of Christ
(1 Cor. 15:1-4); and when one obeys a form
of that gospel in immersion, he/she is
raised a new creature, to walk a new life,
free from sin (Rom.6:3-5,17,18; 2 Cor.
5:17). The Greek states, "When you were
buried with him in immersion; in whom you
also were raised through the faith; the
power of God who raised him from the dead."
41. NIV Changes Colossians 3:16 NIV has, for
Colossians 3:16, 16Let the word of Christ
dwell in you richly as you teach and counsel
one another with all wisdom, and as you sing
psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with
gratitude in your hearts to God. The ESB and
the Greek have, "All of you are to have the
word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all
wisdom teaching and admonishing one another
in Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs;
singing with grace in your hearts to God."
NIV has "teach and counsel one another" as a
separate item, not related to singing. God
does not agree with the NIV where and when
it changes his word. 42. 1 Thessalonians
5:22 Poorly Rendered - Misleading NIV has
this: "Avoid every kind of evil." The Lord
is requiring more than that. He is saying
that we are to avoid everything that even
"looks" evil. The ESB and the Greek say:
"Keep yourselves from everything that looks
evil." 43. NIV - More "faith" substituted
for "the faith" 2 Thessalonians 3:2, in the
NIV, is, "And pray for us that we may be
delivered from wicked and evil men, for not
everyone has faith." The Lord is not talking
about "faith" - he is teaching (through
Paul) about "the faith" - his doctrine. Not
all have his doctrine. The English Study
Bible and the Greek have: ". . . for not all
have the faith." All do not have the gospel.
Some pervert it (Galatians 1:6-9). Some
wrest it to their own destruction (2 Peter
3:16). 44. NIV - "their faith" for "the
faith" "Their Faith" Instead of "The Faith"
In 1 Timothy 1:19 the NIV has, "Holding on
to faith and a good conscience. Some have
rejected these and so have shipwrecked their
faith." The Greek and the ESB have: "Keeping
[the] faith and a good conscience, which
some have rejected, and have made shipwreck
in regard to the faith." "The faith" is
disdained by the NIV (and most of the other
versions available). "Faith" (belief) is
much preferred, regardless of what the Greek
states. 45. NIV - Christ "became" better
than the angels? Christ Became Better Than
Angels? In Hebrews 1:4 the NIV has, "So he
became as much superion to the angels as the
name he has inherited is superior to
theirs." The ESB and the Greek have: "Being
so much greater . . ." The NIV's rendering
of this verse makes one uneasy about the
view of the translators as it relates to the
deity of Christ. 46. NIV - More "can't fall
The NIV, on Hebrews 6:6, has, "If they fall
away . . " The "faith only" - "can't fall"
view of the NIV requires the "if" here. It
is not in the Greek. The Greek has, "And
then have fallen . . ." NIV "alters" the
"altar" 47. NIV "adds" to God's word "Golden
altar of Incense" is in the NIV, but not in
the Greek. The inspired writer said, "golden
censer." 48. NIV adds - takes from, and
changes God's word The NIV has (Hebrews
11:1), "Now faith is being sure of what we
hope for and certain of what we do not see."
The ESB and the Greek have: "Now faith is
the foundation of hopes, the evidence of
things not seen." All our Christian hopes
and lives are built on faith. We are to add
to that faith the Christian graces (2 Peter
1:7-11), so that we may be fruitful, and
make our calling and election sure.
"Foundation" is from hupostasis, to stand
under. 49. NIV - "our faith" for "the faith"
(Did God make a mistake?) In Hebrews 12:2
the NIV has, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus,
the Pioneer and Perfecter of our faith."
That is not what the Greek has. It has,
"Looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter
of the faith." Jesus perfected his doctrine,
his law, the faith (2 John 9; Jude 3; 1
Corinthians 9:21). This is the perfect law
of liberty (James 1:25). Why shy away from
"the faith"? One would get the idea that the
New International Version dislikes "the
faith" very strongly! In fact, it does! The
NIV does not believe God. 50. NIV rewrites
God's word In many, many passages! James 2:1
is completely rewritten by the NIV. It has,
"My brothers, as believers in our glorious
Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism."
The ESB and the Greek have: "My brethren, do
not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Lord of glory, with partiality." Can you
believe anyone would do such a thing? NIV
changes "the faith" into "believers." The
faith (Christ's doctrine - the gospel) makes
or produces believers, but "believers" are
not the gospel; they are not "the faith";
they are not the doctrine of Christ! How
much (or how little) perversion is required
for us to say, "Enough!"? How much false
teaching will it take to make the version a
threat rather than a blessing? God warned
against adding to or taking from his word.
The NIV does both, and in so many passages.
51. NIV changes God's word James 5:15, as
rendered in the NIV, reads, "And the prayer
offered in faith will make the sick person
well; the Lord will raise him up." NIV
completely misses the point of "the faith"
as opposed to "faith" in this passage (even
as it does in practically every use of "the
faith"). James actually stated, "And the
prayer of the faith shall heal the sick, and
the Lord will raise him up." The prayer of
"the faith" is a specific kind of faith -
the "spiritual gift" kind. See 1 Corinthians
12:9; 13:2. A look at the NIV 52. NIV -
"yourselves" instead of "your souls" (and
other problems) In 1 Peter 1:22 the NIV
says, "Now that you have purified yourselves
by obeying the truth so that you have
sincere love for your brothers. . ." The
Greek says, "You have purified your souls in
obeying the truth, unto sincere brotherly
love . . ." Peter is showing that since they
have purified their souls by obeying the
gospel (Cf. Romans 6:17,18), now they are to
have sincere, fervent love for other
Christians. The "brotherly love" is to be
added - see 2 Peter 1:5-7. NIV has you with
"love for your brothers" already. 53. NIV
changes the word "He who does what is right
is righteous" is NIV's rendering in 1 John
3:7. The Lord states it quite differently:
"He who does righteousness is righteous."
Righteousness has to do with keeping God's
commandments (Psalm 119:172; Luke 1:6). NIV
follows this same thought in verse 10,
"Anyone who does not do what is right is not
a child of God." NIV substitutes "right" (a
rather vague term) for "righteousness." Just
scratched the surface In these few pages we
have listed some of the many problems the
New International Version of the Bible
poses. Every page of that version presents
problems of one kind or another. The
translators of the NIV were men with little
regard for the inspiration of the
Scriptures. Denominational thought was more
important to them than the Scriptures. "One
can learn what to do to be saved from any
version," is a statement frequently heard.
This statement seems to settle the matter
for them. If one can learn what to do to be
saved from the NIV, it must be a good
version. Can one learn what to do to be
saved from the NIV, unaided? Suppose that
you distribute 100,000 copies of the NIV in
a mission area, and then wait to see the
results of that many people learning what
God requires them to do to be saved. These
100,000 people are given no help or guidance
- just the NIV. Now suppose that 1,000
people become believers through reading and
studying the NIV. What will they have
learned? They will have been taught that
salvation is by faith from first to last -
from beginning to end (Romans 1:17; 5:2;
10:10; Ephesians 1:13; Philippians 3:9;
Galatians 3:26). Of those 1,000 new
believers, possibly 5 or 10 of them would be
classified as "New Testament" Christians.
All the rest would be liberal, "faith only"
believers - members of some denomination
that holds the liberal, faith only doctrine.
The five or 10 who could be called "just
Christians" would be liberal from start to
finish. Seed brings forth after its kind We
know this is true because the seed sown is
liberal, faith only oriented; and the seed
always brings forth after its kind. Give out
100,000 copies of the English Study Bible On
the other hand, if 100,000 copies of the ESB
were given out in a mission area - no help
or guidance rendered - just allow the same
conditions supposed relating to the NIV.
Again suppose that 1,000 people became
believers from studying the English Study
Bible. It is almost certain that 100% of
them would believe that the Bible is true
and understandable, and they would likely
all be members of the Lord's blood-bought
body. All of them who completed their
obedience to the gospel would be saved by
the Lord, and added by him to his church,
the church of Christ (Acts 2:38-47). They
would be Christians - only Christians -
nothing more or less than Christians. They
would not be some "kind" or "faith" of
Christians. Brethren, this illustration is
not far-fetched! Give people the truth, with
the helps provided in the notes of the ESB,
and it will produce Christians. No one,
after reading it carefully, can say that he
does no know that a believer must repent
(make up his/her mind to serve the Lord),
confess Christ as Lord, and be immersed into
Christ, for the forgiveness of sins.
However, one could read the NIV from now to
the coming of the Lord, and he/she would not
likely find those truths presented in such a
way as to be understood and obeyed. Instead
of 5 or 10, it is more likely that not even
one person, unaided would ever learn what to
do the be saved just by reading the NIV!
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