Improvement of the NIV

AMPC
Jesus replied, This is the work (service) that God asks of you: that you believe in the One Whom He has sent [that you cleave to, trust, rely on, and have faith in His Messenger].

CEB
Jesus replied, “This is what God requires, that you believe in him whom God sent.”
ERV
Jesus answered, “The work God wants you to do is this: to believe in the one he sent.”
GNT
Jesus answered, “What God wants you to do is to believe in the one he sent.”
ICB
Jesus answered, “The work God wants you to do is this: to believe in the One that God sent.”
MOUNCE
Jesus answered, · · saying to them, “This is the work that God requires, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
NCV
Jesus answered, “The work God wants you to do is this: Believe the One he sent.”
NET
Jesus replied, “This is the deed God requires—to believe in the one whom he sent.”
NLT
Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”
NTE
‘This is the work God wants of you,’ replied Jesus, ‘that you believe in the one he sent.’
TPT
Jesus answered, “The work you can do for God starts with believing in the One he has sent.”
WE
Jesus answered them, `The work that God asks you to do is to believe in the one whom he has sent.'

Thus many scholars translate the ambiguous phrase "work of God" to mean the work God requires of us, include Dr. Dan Wallace, NT editor of the NET.

Therefore John 6:29 should read in the NIV, "the work God requires of us."

 

Flaws found in the NIV

1) 1 Thessalonians 4:9, love for one another should read "sibling love."
2) Mark 1:41 Jesus was indignant should read, "moved with anger."
3) John 1:16 should read, "...grace after grace."
4) John 21:5 friends should read, "children."
5) Acts of the Apostles 13:50 "leaders" should be italicized to indicate an addition to the text.
6) Romans 3:25 sacrifice of atonement should read, "propitiatory shelter."
7) 1 Corinthians 16:13 "be courageous" should read, "act like men."
8) Ephesians 2:3 deserving of wrath should read, "children of wrath."
9) Colossians 1:28 the omission of "every man" (or every person) reduces the force of the teaching that the gospel is understandable to every person.
10) 2 Thessalonians 2:13 to be saved should read, "for salvation."
11) 2 Thessalonians 3:6 who is idle should read, "who leads an undisciplined life"
12) 1 Timothy 3:16 appeared in the flesh should read, "revealed in the flesh."
13) Titus 3:4 love should read, "love for mankind."
14) Hebrews 10:14 sacrifice should read, "offering."
15) James 2:5 to be rich in faith should read, "yet rich in faith."
16) 1 Peter 4:6 those who are now dead should read, "those who are dead."
17) 1 John 2:2 atoning sacrifice should read, "propitiation."
18) 1 John 4:10 atoning sacrifice should read, "propitiation."
19) Revelation 13:8; 17:8 from the creation should read, "since the foundation." And Matthew 25:34 and Hebrews 4:3 since the creation should read "since the foundation."
20) Revelation 22:21 be with God's people should read, "be with all."
21) 1 Samuel 15:19 the Lord should read "the voice of the Lord."
22) 1 Samuel 15:20 the Lord should read "the voice of the Lord."
23) 1 Samuel 15:22 the Lord should read "the voice of the Lord."
24) Philemon 1:6 the verse should read as follows: "I pray that your participation in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every blessing that belongs to all of you in Christ Jesus."
25) 1 Corinthians 14:29 should read "Let two or three prophets speak, and the others evaluate." The NIV added "carefully" and "what is said."
26) 1 Corinthians 6:19 "your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you" should read "your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit in all of you.
27) Matthew 3:11 should read, ""As for me, I baptize all of you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize some of you with the Holy Spirit and others with fire.
28) Matthew 11:12 should read, ""Since the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of the heavens has been forcefully sought, and forceful people are laying hold of it."
29) 1 Corinthians 2:14 does not say all things that come from the Spirit, therefore the verse should read: The person without the Spirit does not accept some of the things of the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit,
30) Titus 2:11 "Offer" has been added which alters the message, the verse should read: For the grace of God, who provides salvation, has appeared to all people.
31) 1 Corinthians 3:1: Siblings I could not speak to you as people with the Spirit, but as to people without the Spirit, as babes in Christ who have yet to learn from the Spirit.
32) Acts of the Apostles 13:48: When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord and as many as accepted direction to eternal life believed.
33) Revelation 14:3, redeemed should read purchased.
34) 2 Peter 2:4, "hell" should be translated "Tartarus."
35) Romans 12:10, "love" should be translated "sibling love"
36) Acts of the Apostles 28:2, unusual kindness should be "love for humankind."
37) 1 Peter 2:3 should read "kindness of the Lord."
38) Luke 6:4 should read "lawful for Priests alone."
39) Luke 9:18 "praying in private" should read "praying alone"
40) Luke 10:40 "doing the work by myself" should read "doing the work alone."
41) Matthew 11:30 should read "My yoke is beneficial."
42) 1 Corinthians 15:33 should read "beneficial character."
43) John 6:29 should read "the work God requires of you."



Examples 1, 9, 13, 21, 22, 23, and 35 document omission of words or parts of words.
Examples 5, 15, 16, 25, 29 and 30 document addition of words.
Examples 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 33, 34, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, and 42 document replacement of the inspired historical meaning with a different meaning.
Example 24 and 28 documents a translation devoid of meaning, just an array of disconnected phrases.
Example 27 clarifies the confusion produced by the Greek plural "you."
Examples 31, 32 and 43 present an unambiguous correction to the NIV translations.

When translators "add" words or phrases, "omit" words or phrases, or translate words or phrases outside of the historical-grammatical meaning unnecessarily, in order to make doctrine driven choices, they are presenting a flawed translation in my opinion. All translations have flaws, the product of fallible people, but the NIV flaws seem abundant to me.

 

Now let us consider Romans 3:22: (NIV)

This righteousness is given through faith in [fn] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,

The footnote [fn] says: "Or through the faithfulness of."

Notice how the verse is made redundant "through faith in Jesus" then "to all who believe" in that same Jesus. However the alternate interpretation of the genitive (pistis jesous) provides remarkable clarity, this righteousness is given through or by means of the faithfulness of Jesus Christ to all who believe.

 

Updated Flaws in the NIV NT

1) Matthew 3:11 should read, ""As for me, I baptize all of you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize some of you with the Holy Spirit and others with fire.

2) Matthew 11:12 should read, ""Since the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of the heavens has been forcefully sought, and forceful people are laying hold of it."

3) Matthew 11:30 should read "My yoke is beneficial."

4) Matthew 25:34 “since the creation” should read "since the foundation."

5) Mark 1:41 Jesus was indignant should read, "moved with anger."

6) Luke 6:4 should read "lawful for Priests alone."

7) Luke 9:18 "praying in private" should read "praying alone"

8) Luke 10:40 "doing the work by myself" should read "doing the work alone."

9) John 1:16 should read, "...grace after grace."

10) John 6:29 should read "the work God requires of you."

11) John 21:5 friends should read, "children."

12) Acts of the Apostles 13:48: When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord and as many as accepted direction to eternal life believed.

13) Acts of the Apostles 13:50 "leaders" should be italicized to indicate an addition to the text.

14) Acts of the Apostles 28:2, unusual kindness should be "love for humankind."

15) Romans 3:22 “through faith in Jesus” should read “through the faithfulness of Jesus”

16) Romans 3:25 sacrifice of atonement should read, "propitiatory shelter."

17) Romans 12:10, "love" should be translated "sibling love"

18) 1 Corinthians 2:14 does not say all things that come from the Spirit, therefore the verse should read: The person without the Spirit does not accept some of the things of the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit,

19) 1 Corinthians 3:1: Siblings I could not speak to you as people with the Spirit, but as to people without the Spirit, as babes in Christ who have yet to learn from the Spirit.

20) 1 Corinthians 6:19 "your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you" should read "your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit in all of you.

21) 1 Corinthians 14:29 should read "Let two or three prophets speak, and the others evaluate." The NIV added "carefully" and "what is said."

22) 1 Corinthians 15:33 should read "beneficial character."

23) 1 Corinthians 16:13 "be courageous" should read, "act like men."

24) Ephesians 2:3 “deserving of wrath” should read, "children of wrath."

25) Colossians 1:28 the omission of "every man" (or every person) reduces the force of the teaching that the gospel is understandable to every person.

26) 1 Thessalonians 4:9, love for one another should read "sibling love."

27) 2 Thessalonians 2:13 to be saved should read, "for salvation."

28) 2 Thessalonians 3:6 who is idle should read, "who leads an undisciplined life"

29) 1 Timothy 3:16 appeared in the flesh should read, "revealed in the flesh."

30) Titus 2:11 "Offer" has been added which alters the message, the verse should read: For the grace of God, who provides salvation, has appeared to all people.

31) Titus 3:4 ”love” should read, "love for mankind."

32) Philemon 1:6 the verse should read as follows: "I pray that your participation in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every blessing that belongs to all of you in Christ Jesus."

33) Hebrews 4:3 “since the creation should read “since the foundation”

34) Hebrews 10:14 “sacrifice” should read, "offering."

35) James 2:5 to be rich in faith should read, "yet rich in faith."

36) 1 Peter 2:3 should read "kindness of the Lord."

37) 1 Peter 4:6 those who are now dead should read, "those who are dead."

38) 2 Peter 2:4, "hell" should be translated "Tartarus."

39) 1 John 2:2 atoning sacrifice should read, "propitiation."

40) 1 John 4:10 atoning sacrifice should read, "propitiation."

42) Revelation 13:8 and 17:8 "from the creation" should read, "since the foundation

 

While the NIV translates Hades as Hades, it fails to translate Gehenna as Gehenna (the NIV goes with Hell) or Tartarus as Tartarus (again going with Hell).

Thus the following verses should read Gehenna instead of Hell:
Matthew 5:22, 5:29, 5:30, 10:28, 18:9, 23:15 and 23:33;
Mark 9:43, 9:45, and 9:47
Luke 12:5;
James 3:6

And 2 Peter 2:4 should read Tartarus instead of Hell. (item # 38)

 

Usually the NIV translates "from the foundation of the world" as "from or since the creation of the world. However at Luke 11:50, the NIV introduces another way to alter the text, going with "since the beginning of the world. Again, the same Greek phrase has the same meaning and should be consistently translated to provide transparency and correspondence. Thus the verse should read "since the foundation of the world."

 

Consistency in usage of words to translate the same meaning is a consistent failure of the NIV.

In Acts 2:4 we get "other tongues" but in Acts 2:6 we get languages. Acts 2:4 should be translated as "foreign languages" to provide the same idea as Acts 2:6.

Misleading translation choices, or poor translation choices provide an opening for false teachers to present false doctrine, such as speaking in an angelic language as a gift.

 

Updated Flaws in the NIV NT

1) Matthew 3:11 should read, ""As for me, I baptize all of you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize some of you with the Holy Spirit and others with fire.

2) Matthew 11:12 should read, ""Since the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of the heavens has been forcefully sought, and forceful people are laying hold of it."

3) Matthew 11:30 should read "My yoke is beneficial."

4) Matthew 25:34 “since the creation” should read "since the foundation."

5) Mark 1:41 Jesus was indignant should read, "moved with anger."

6) Luke 6:4 should read "lawful for Priests alone."

7) Luke 9:18 "praying in private" should read "praying alone"

8) Luke 10:40 "doing the work by myself" should read "doing the work alone."

9) John 1:16 should read, "...grace after grace."

10) John 6:29 should read "the work God requires of you."

11) John 21:5 friends should read, "children."

12) Acts of the Apostles 13:48: When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord and as many as accepted direction to eternal life believed.

13) Acts of the Apostles 13:50 "leaders" should be italicized to indicate an addition to the text.

14) Acts of the Apostles 28:2, unusual kindness should be "love for humankind."

15) Romans 3:22 “through faith in Jesus” should read “through the faithfulness of Jesus”

16) Romans 3:25 sacrifice of atonement should read, "propitiatory shelter."

17) Romans 12:10, "love" should be translated "sibling love"

18) 1 Corinthians 2:14 does not say all things that come from the Spirit, therefore the verse should read: The person without the Spirit does not accept some of the things of the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit,

19) 1 Corinthians 3:1: Siblings I could not speak to you as people with the Spirit, but as to people without the Spirit, as babes in Christ who have yet to learn from the Spirit.

20) 1 Corinthians 6:19 "your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you" should read "your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit in all of you.

21) 1 Corinthians 14:29 should read "Let two or three prophets speak, and the others evaluate." The NIV added "carefully" and "what is said."

22) 1 Corinthians 15:33 should read "beneficial character."

23) 1 Corinthians 16:13 "be courageous" should read, "act like men."

24) Ephesians 2:3 “deserving of wrath” should read, "children of wrath."

25) Colossians 1:28 the omission of "every man" (or every person) reduces the force of the teaching that the gospel is understandable to every person.

26) 1 Thessalonians 4:9, love for one another should read "sibling love."

27) 2 Thessalonians 2:13 to be saved should read, "for salvation."

28) 2 Thessalonians 3:6 who is idle should read, "who leads an undisciplined life"

29) 1 Timothy 3:16 appeared in the flesh should read, "revealed in the flesh."

30) Titus 2:11 "Offer" has been added which alters the message, the verse should read: For the grace of God, who provides salvation, has appeared to all people.

31) Titus 3:4 ”love” should read, "love for mankind."

32) Philemon 1:6 the verse should read as follows: "I pray that your participation in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every blessing that belongs to all of you in Christ Jesus."

33) Hebrews 4:3 “since the creation should read “since the foundation”

34) Hebrews 10:14 “sacrifice” should read, "offering."

35) James 2:5 to be rich in faith should read, "yet rich in faith."

36) 1 Peter 2:3 should read "kindness of the Lord."

37) 1 Peter 4:6 those who are now dead should read, "those who are dead."

38) 2 Peter 2:4, "hell" should be translated "Tartarus."

39) 1 John 2:2 atoning sacrifice should read, "propitiation."

40) 1 John 4:10 atoning sacrifice should read, "propitiation."

42) Revelation 13:8 and 17:8 "from the creation" should read, "since the foundation [/QUOTE]

43) Luke 11:50 should read "since the foundation..."

 

Updated Flaws in the NIV NT

1) Matthew 3:11 should read, ""As for me, I baptize all of you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize some of you with the Holy Spirit and others with fire.

2) Matthew 11:12 should read, ""Since the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of the heavens has been forcefully sought, and forceful people are laying hold of it."

3) Matthew 11:30 should read "My yoke is beneficial."

4) Matthew 25:34 “since the creation” should read "since the foundation."

5) Mark 1:41 Jesus was indignant should read, "moved with anger."

6) Luke 6:4 should read "lawful for Priests alone."

7) Luke 9:18 "praying in private" should read "praying alone"

8) Luke 10:40 "doing the work by myself" should read "doing the work alone."

9) John 1:16 should read, "...grace after grace."

10) John 6:29 should read "the work God requires of you."

11) John 21:5 friends should read, "children."

12) Acts of the Apostles 13:48: When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord and as many as accepted direction to eternal life believed.

13) Acts of the Apostles 13:50 "leaders" should be italicized to indicate an addition to the text.

14) Acts of the Apostles 28:2, unusual kindness should be "love for humankind."

15) Romans 3:22 “through faith in Jesus” should read “through the faithfulness of Jesus”

16) Romans 3:25 sacrifice of atonement should read, "propitiatory shelter."

17) Romans 12:10, "love" should be translated "sibling love"

18) 1 Corinthians 2:14 does not say all things that come from the Spirit, therefore the verse should read: The person without the Spirit does not accept some of the things of the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit,

19) 1 Corinthians 3:1: Siblings I could not speak to you as people with the Spirit, but as to people without the Spirit, as babes in Christ who have yet to learn from the Spirit.

20) 1 Corinthians 6:19 "your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you" should read "your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit in all of you.

21) 1 Corinthians 14:29 should read "Let two or three prophets speak, and the others evaluate." The NIV added "carefully" and "what is said."

22) 1 Corinthians 15:33 should read "beneficial character."

23) 1 Corinthians 16:13 "be courageous" should read, "act like men."

24) Ephesians 2:3 “deserving of wrath” should read, "children of wrath."

25) Colossians 1:28 the omission of "every man" (or every person) reduces the force of the teaching that the gospel is understandable to every person.

26) 1 Thessalonians 4:9, love for one another should read "sibling love."

27) 2 Thessalonians 2:13 to be saved should read, "for salvation."

28) 2 Thessalonians 3:6 who is idle should read, "who leads an undisciplined life"

29) 1 Timothy 3:16 appeared in the flesh should read, "revealed in the flesh."

30) Titus 2:11 "Offer" has been added which alters the message, the verse should read: For the grace of God, who provides salvation, has appeared to all people.

31) Titus 3:4 ”love” should read, "love for mankind."

32) Philemon 1:6 the verse should read as follows: "I pray that your participation in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every blessing that belongs to all of you in Christ Jesus."

33) Hebrews 4:3 “since the creation should read “since the foundation”

34) Hebrews 10:14 “sacrifice” should read, "offering."

35) James 2:5 to be rich in faith should read, "yet rich in faith."

36) 1 Peter 2:3 should read "kindness of the Lord."

37) 1 Peter 4:6 those who are now dead should read, "those who are dead."

38) 2 Peter 2:4, "hell" should be translated "Tartarus."

39) 1 John 2:2 atoning sacrifice should read, "propitiation."

40) 1 John 4:10 atoning sacrifice should read, "propitiation."

42) Revelation 13:8 and 17:8 "from the creation" should read, "since the foundation [/QUOTE]

43) Luke 11:50 should read "since the foundation..."

44) Acts of the Apostles 2:4, tongues should read foreign languages.

 

Luke 6:36 be merciful, just as your Father is merciful should read be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate to be consistent with the NIV translation of mercy and compassion at Romans 9:15.

Luke 18:13, "be merciful" should read "be propitious" to be consistent with the translation choice of Romans 9:15.

Romans 12:1, "...in view of God's mercies should read "in view of God's compassions..." to be consistent with the translation choice at Romans 9:15.

Hebrews 10:28, "without mercy should read "without compassion" to be consistent with the translation choice at Romans 9:15.

Janes 5:11, "... The Lord is full of compassion and mercy" should read "The Lord is tenderhearted and full of compassion" to be consistent with the translation of compassion and mercy at Romans 9:15.

 

Another Greek word, "metanoia" a noun is usually translated as "repentance" by the NIV, but sadly, failed the consistency and transparency test on two occasions:

Luke 15:7 reads do not need to repent (turning the noun into a verb) rather than who needs no repentance.

Hebrews 12:17 "he could not change what he had done" should read "he could not find the occasion for repentance."

 

50 Updated Flaws in the NIV NT


1) Matthew 3:11 should read, ""As for me, I baptize all of you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize some of you with the Holy Spirit and others with fire.

2) Matthew 11:12 should read, ""Since the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of the heavens has been forcefully sought, and forceful people are laying hold of it."

3) Matthew 11:30 should read "My yoke is beneficial."

4) Matthew 25:34 “since the creation” should read "since the foundation."

5) Mark 1:41 Jesus was indignant should read, "moved with anger."

6) Luke 6:4 should read "lawful for Priests alone."

7) Luke 6:36 be merciful, just as your Father is merciful should read be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate

8) Luke 9:18 "praying in private" should read "praying alone"

9) Luke 10:40 "doing the work by myself" should read "doing the work alone."

10) Luke 11:50 should read "since the foundation..."

11) Luke 15:7 reads do not need to repent (turning the noun into a verb) rather than who needs no repentance.

12) Luke 18:13, "be merciful" should read "be propitious"

13) John 1:16 should read, "...grace after grace."

14) John 6:29 should read "the work God requires of you."

15) John 21:5 friends should read, "children."

16) Acts of the Apostles 2:4, tongues should read foreign languages.

17) Acts of the Apostles 13:48: When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord and as many as accepted direction to eternal life believed.

18) Acts of the Apostles 13:50 "leaders" should be italicized to indicate an addition to the text.

19) Acts of the Apostles 28:2, unusual kindness should be "love for humankind."

20) Romans 3:22 “through faith in Jesus” should read “through the faithfulness of Jesus”

21) Romans 3:25 sacrifice of atonement should read, "propitiatory shelter."

22) Romans 12:1, "...in view of God's mercies should read "in view of God's compassions..

23) Romans 12:10, "love" should be translated "sibling love"

24) 1 Corinthians 2:14 does not say all things that come from the Spirit, therefore the verse should read: The person without the Spirit does not accept some of the things of the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit,

25) 1 Corinthians 3:1: Siblings I could not speak to you as people with the Spirit, but as to people without the Spirit, as babes in Christ who have yet to learn from the Spirit.

26) 1 Corinthians 6:19 "your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you" should read "your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit in all of you.

27) 1 Corinthians 14:29 should read "Let two or three prophets speak, and the others evaluate." The NIV added "carefully" and "what is said."

28) 1 Corinthians 15:33 should read "beneficial character."

29) 1 Corinthians 16:13 "be courageous" should read, "act like men."

30) Ephesians 2:3 “deserving of wrath” should read, "children of wrath."

31) Colossians 1:28 the omission of "every man" (or every person) reduces the force of the teaching that the gospel is understandable to every person.

32) 1 Thessalonians 4:9, love for one another should read "sibling love."

33) 2 Thessalonians 2:13 to be saved should read, "for salvation."

34) 2 Thessalonians 3:6 who is idle should read, "who leads an undisciplined life"

35) 1 Timothy 3:16 appeared in the flesh should read, "revealed in the flesh."

36) Titus 2:11 "Offer" has been added which alters the message, the verse should read: For the grace of God, who provides salvation, has appeared to all people.

37) Titus 3:4 ”love” should read, "love for mankind."

38) Philemon 1:6 the verse should read as follows: "I pray that your participation in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every blessing that belongs to all of you in Christ Jesus."

39) Hebrews 4:3 “since the creation should read “since the foundation”

40) Hebrews 10:14 “sacrifice” should read, "offering."

41) Hebrews 10:28, "without mercy should read "without compassion"

42) Hebrews 12:17 "he could not change what he had done" should read "he could not find the occasion for repentance."

43) James 2:5 to be rich in faith should read, "yet rich in faith."

44) James 5:11, "... The Lord is full of compassion and mercy" should read "The Lord is tenderhearted and full of compassion"

45) 1 Peter 2:3 should read "kindness of the Lord."

46) 1 Peter 4:6 those who are now dead should read, "those who are dead."

47) 2 Peter 2:4, "hell" should be translated "Tartarus."

48) 1 John 2:2 atoning sacrifice should read, "propitiation."

49) 1 John 4:10 atoning sacrifice should read, "propitiation."

50) Revelation 13:8 and 17:8 "from the creation" should read, "since the foundation

 

Thanks for your input. Post #2 had about 33 examples of NIV flaws, many related to inconsistent translation of the same word or phrase meaning, the last update had about 50 examples. Thus many NIV translation choices seem "without direction or planning," i.e. willy nilly.

 

Romans 8:15, (NIV) "The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

Using the correct meaning for yhiothesia, a more accurate translation choice would be "... the Spirit you received brought God's pledge to your promised benefits as children of God. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."

Romans 8:23, (NIV) Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.

Here a better translation would be "... as we wait eagerly for our promised future benefit as children of God, the redemption of our bodies.

Ephesians 1:5 (NIV)
he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—

A better translation might be "He predestined us to our promised bodily redemption as children of God, through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will.

Galatians 4:5 (NIV)
to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.

Here again a better translation might be "so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the promised benefits of being children of God.

 

Here is how the NIV translates Galatians 2:16:
Gal 2:16
know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in [fn] Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.

And here is the associated footnote: Or but through the faithfulness of ? justified on the basis of the faithfulness of

In this verse we find a slew of poorly done translation efforts:

1) First, we are justified by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ, who laid down His life as a ransom for all.

2) And second, even we have believed in Christ Jesus so that we might be justified by Christ's faithfulness.

A far more accurate translation would read, "knowing that a person is not justified by the works of the Law, but by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ, we have put our faith in Christ Jesus so that we may be justified by the faithfulness of Christ, and not by the works of the Law, because by the works of the Law no one will be justified."

 

Since the word translated as "the called" has different and unrelated meanings, when the meaning is to be transferred into Christ, a better translation than "the called" would be positionally sanctified. Here are five verses where the NIV translation would be improved:
Romans 1:6 - rather than "called to belong to" should read "positionally sanctified in."
Romans 1:7 called to be his holy people should read "positionally sanctified as saints."
Romans 8:28 called according to his purpose should read "positionally sanctified according to His purpose."
1 Corinthians 1:2 "to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people," should read "to those positionally sanctified in Christ Jesus and set apart as His holy people.
1 Corinthians 1"24 "to those who are the called" should read "to those positionally sanctified"
Jude 1:1 "To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ" should read "To those who have been positionally sanctified, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ.

 

Consolidated Potential Improvements in the NIV's Translation of the New Testament

1) Matthew 3:11 should read, ""As for me, I baptize all of you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize some of you with the Holy Spirit and others with fire.

2) Matthew 522, 5:29, 5:30, 10:28 "hell" should be translated as "Gehenna."

3) Matthew 11:12 should read, ""Since the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of the heavens has been forcefully sought, and forceful people are laying hold of it."

4) Matthew 11:30 should read "My yoke is beneficial."

5) Matthew 18:19, 23:15, 23:33 "hell" should be translated as "Gehenna."

6) Matthew 25:34 “since the creation” should read "since the foundation."

7) Mark 1:41 Jesus was indignant should read, "moved with anger."

8) Mark 9:43, 9:45, 9:47 "hell" should be translated as "Gehenna."

9) Luke 6:4 should read "lawful for Priests alone."

10) Luke 6:36 be merciful, just as your Father is merciful should read be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate

11) Luke 9:18 "praying in private" should read "praying alone"

12) Luke 10:40 "doing the work by myself" should read "doing the work alone."

13) Luke 11:50 should read "since the foundation..."

14) Luke 12:5, hell should read Gehenna

15) Luke 15:7 reads do not need to repent (turning the noun into a verb) rather than who needs no repentance.

16) Luke 18:13, "be merciful" should read "be propitious"

17) John 1:16 should read, "...grace after grace."

18) John 6:29 should read "the work God requires of you."

19) John 21:5 friends should read, "children."

20) Acts of the Apostles 2:4, tongues should read foreign languages.

21) Acts of the Apostles 13:48: When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord and as many as accepted direction to eternal life believed.

22) Acts of the Apostles 13:50 "leaders" should be italicized to indicate an addition to the text.

23) Acts of the Apostles 28:2, unusual kindness should be "love for humankind."

24) Romans 1:6 - rather than "called to belong to" should read "positionally sanctified in."

25) Romans 1:7 called to be his holy people should read "positionally sanctified as saints."

26) Romans 3:22 “through faith in Jesus” should read “through the faithfulness of Jesus”

27) Romans 3:25 sacrifice of atonement should read, "propitiatory shelter."

28) Romans 8:15, "brought your adoption to sonship should read "brought God's pledge to your promised benefits as children of God.

29) Romans 8:28 called according to his purpose should read "positionally sanctified according to His purpose."

30) Romans 12:1, "...in view of God's mercies should read "in view of God's compassions..

31) Romans 12:10, "love" should be translated "sibling love"

32) 1 Corinthians 1:2 "to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people," should read "to those positionally sanctified in Christ Jesus and set apart as His holy people.

33) 1 Corinthians 1:24 "to those who are the called" should read "to those positionally sanctified"

34) 1 Corinthians 2:14 does not say all things that come from the Spirit, therefore the verse should read: The person without the Spirit does not accept some of the things of the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit,

35) 1 Corinthians 3:1: Siblings I could not speak to you as people with the Spirit, but as to people without the Spirit, as babes in Christ who have yet to learn from the Spirit.

36) 1 Corinthians 6:19 "your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you" should read "your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit in all of you.

37) 1 Corinthians 14:29 should read "Let two or three prophets speak, and the others evaluate." The NIV added "carefully" and "what is said."

38) 1 Corinthians 15:33 should read "beneficial character."

39) 1 Corinthians 16:13 "be courageous" should read, "act like men."

 

Improvements continued:

40) Galatians 2:16 should read, ""knowing that a person is not justified by the works of the Law, but by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ, we have put our faith in Christ Jesus so that we may be justified by the faithfulness of Christ, and not by the works of the Law, because by the works of the Law no one will be justified."

41) Ephesians 2:3 “deserving of wrath” should read, "children of wrath."

42) Colossians 1:28 the omission of "every man" (or every person) reduces the force of the teaching that the gospel is understandable to every person.

43) 1 Thessalonians 4:9, love for one another should read "sibling love."

44) 2 Thessalonians 2:13 to be saved should read, "for salvation."

45) 2 Thessalonians 3:6 who is idle should read, "who leads an undisciplined life"

46) 1 Timothy 3:16 appeared in the flesh should read, "revealed in the flesh."

47) Titus 2:11 "Offer" has been added which alters the message, the verse should read: For the grace of God, who provides salvation, has appeared to all people.

48) Titus 3:4 ”love” should read, "love for mankind."

49) Philemon 1:6 the verse should read as follows: "I pray that your participation in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every blessing that belongs to all of you in Christ Jesus."

50) Hebrews 4:3 “since the creation should read “since the foundation”

51) Hebrews 10:14 “sacrifice” should read, "offering."

52) Hebrews 10:28, "without mercy should read "without compassion"

53) Hebrews 12:17 "he could not change what he had done" should read "he could not find the occasion for repentance."

54) James 2:5 to be rich in faith should read, "yet rich in faith."

55) James 3:6, "hell" should be translated as "Gehenna."

56) James 5:11, "... The Lord is full of compassion and mercy" should read "The Lord is tenderhearted and full of compassion"

57) 1 Peter 2:3 should read "kindness of the Lord."

58) 1 Peter 4:6 those who are now dead should read, "those who are dead."

59) 2 Peter 2:4, "hell" should be translated "Tartarus."

60) 1 John 2:2 atoning sacrifice should read, "propitiation."

61) 1 John 4:10 atoning sacrifice should read, "propitiation."

62) Jude 1:1 "To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ" should read "To those who have been "positionally sanctified," who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ.

63) Revelation 13:8 and 17:8 "from the creation" should read, "since the foundation