The King James Version (KJV) and the New International Version (NIV) are two of the most widely read and respected translations of the Bible within the English-speaking world.
These two translations represent two of over 400 translations of the Bible into the English language. While most people have their favorites and not so favorites, these two are among the most popular. I grew up in church reading the KJV, and somewhere in my teens, I switched to the NIV. You might ask which one is better or which one you should choose.
I can’t answer that for you, but I can help you see how the KJV and NIV differ and their roles in shaping our understanding of God’s Word.
The translation work on the KJV began in 1604 and finished in 1611, which means this translation has been in print for over 400 years.
King James I of England commissioned a team of scholars and theologians who worked meticulously to create an English translation of the Bible. The desire was to create a Bible available to the English-speaking public, making the Bible available to everyone who could read.
Since its initial publication, the KJV Bible has been a source of authority and inspiration for many. It is renowned for its majestic language and historical significance. One downside the KJV presents for many is the challenge of reading seventeenth-century English. Many people work through it, while others find it too overwhelming for them.
The challenge of the language of the KJV opened the door for more modern twentieth-century translations. This need brings us to the NIV.
According to the NIV’s website, the motivation behind seeking to create this translation was an encounter a gentleman named Howard Long had. Howard loved the KJV and loved sharing his faith. In one instance, when he shared a verse from the KJV with an unbeliever, the seventeenth-century language did not resonate with that person. This sparked his idea to get a modern translation of scripture.
Translators commissioned by Long began translating the NIV in the late 1960s and completed it in 1978. It was a collaborative effort by a team of scholars and translators from various denominations and backgrounds.
Long’s team aimed to ensure the Bible was readable in contemporary English while ensuring translators stayed true to the original texts and manuscripts. This work was tedious and meticulous, yet they achieved their goal. When they were finished, they had a modern English translation that was accurate, clear, and accessible to contemporary readers while remaining faithful to the original languages of the Bible.
The NIV has since undergone revisions in 1984 and 2011 to ensure its continued relevance and accuracy. Even though it has only been around for decades, in that short time, it has become one of the most widely used and popular translations of the Bible worldwide.
Once you get past the language, the major difference between the KJV and NIV translations is between formal and dynamic equivalence.
Before I describe what that is, it is important to note that every English version of the Bible is a translation: the Bible was originally written in Hebrew and Greek. Therefore, one translation is not more anointed than the other. Every translation depends on the people who translated it. That’s why, when judging the differences, it is important to consider how that translation was done.
Though I believe KJV and NIV are respectable, viable translations, they were not translated in the same way. This goes back to the formal equivalence and dynamic equivalence mentioned earlier.
Formal equivalence is a fancy way of saying word-for-word translation. The aim is to translate each word from the original language into English. Because of this, reading a word-for-word translation may not always flow as easily for the reader.
Dynamic equivalence is a fancy way of saying thought-for-thought translation. This typically applies to more modern translations, which aim to capture and translate the text’s meaning. Typically thought-for-thought translations have a more natural reading flow, which is by design.
Here is a quick quiz for you. When you look at the KJV vs. NIV, which falls into each category?
Here is the correct answer. The KJV falls under formal equivalence or word-for-word. The NIV falls under dynamic equivalence or thought-for-thought. Here is a verse from each version to get a small feel for the difference.
Ecclesiastes 1:2 (KJV): Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 1:2 (NIV): “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”
In the KJV vs. NIV debate, Some hold the KJV in the highest regard. They will even declare the KJV 1611 is the only true Bible and all other translations have been corrupted in some fashion. While I will respect a person’s right to have that opinion, I will say I don’t agree with that position. In looking at the NIV, for example, they put extreme care and caution into ensuring they created a true translation of the scriptures. This is not just true of the NIV but also of other translations.
There are many wonderful translations of scripture, and I don’t believe you must limit yourself to the KJV only. I will add that every translation has not gone through the same level of care, so it is important to know how each translation was done. Granting those considerations, you can trust the KJV and the NIV unequivocally. Neither will steer you off the doctrinal cliff.
If you wonder which translation is right for you, the answer is, “It depends.” I know that may not be satisfying to some, but since both are reliable translations of scripture, you are fine to choose either. I know some KJV-only people will disagree with that statement, but I will stand by it completely. For most readers, it boils down to personal preference. If you love the KJV, then read that. One of my good friends teaches primarily from the KJV, and I can easily understand his teaching. If you love the NIV, then read that. I like the NIV and also use the New Living Translation (NLT) and the English Standard Version (ESV).
Whichever version you choose, here’s what is most important. Make sure you open it and read it. Take the time to discover the truth in it. However, applying it to your life is more important than learning the truth. Knowing the truth without applying it does nothing for you. Without application, there is no transformation. God wants to transform you, and his word will play a big role in that transformation process. If you don’t apply his word, it doesn’t matter which version you use. It won’t make a difference in your life.
Further Reading:
Why Are There So Many Bible Translations?
How Does the New World Translation Differ from the Bible? Part 1
How Does the New World Translation Differ from the Bible? Part 2
Story Behind the King James Bible: How Was It Created?
Are There Bible Translations Christians Should Avoid?
Why Are There So Many Different Versions of the Bible?
Why Are There So Many English Translations of the Bible?
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