About: Today's New International Version

The Today's New International Version (TNIV) is a thoroughly accurate, fully trustworthy Bible text built on the rich heritage of the New International Version (NIV). In fact, this contemporary language version incorporates the continuing work of the Committee on Bible Translation (CBT), the translators of the NIV, since the NIV's last update in 1984.

In translating the NIV, the CBT held to certain goals: that it be an Accurate, Beautiful, Clear, and Dignified translation suitable for public and private reading, teaching, preaching, memorizing, and liturgical use. The translators were united in their commitment to the authority and infallibility of the Bible as God's Word in written form. They agreed that faithful communication of the meaning of the original writers demands frequent modifications in sentence structure (resulting in a "thought-for-thought" translation) and constant regard for the contextual meanings of words.

The uniqueness of the TNIV rests in its ability to speak God's Word clearly and accurately in English that has evolved and changed. The result is a Bible text that reflects the NIV, but also clarifies and updates passages and words to provide a more timely, contemporary English rendition for a new generation of Bible readers.

Increased Clarity

• Word updates: Some of the improvements in the TNIV text are simple word changes that reflect contemporary English terms. For example, the "sixth hour" is accurately translated as "noon" in the modern understanding of time (Mark 15:33).
• Gender: Without exception, the TNIV retains gender-accurate, masculine terminology for references to God. This is a theological understanding and commitment that the CBT, standing in concert with the Church throughout the ages, considers inviolable.
  
  There are passages in the TNIV, however, in which the contemporary English rendition used to refer to men and women has been translated to accurately reflect the original language, context, and understanding. Where the NIV previously used "he," "man," or "men" in indicate all people, the TNIV, in many cases, renders these passages as "person," "people," or other terminology that reflects the meaning of the original language. In no cases do these updates impose upon or change the doctrinal impact of Scripture.
  
  So, for example, in Paul's letter to Titus, referring to God's saving grace, the TNIV renders 2:11 this way: "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all people."

Increased Understanding

• Christ and Messiah: Two terms that declare Jesus as the "anointed one" are employed in the New Testament. The Greek Cristos and the Hebrew Messiah received careful evaluation. When used as the Messianic title for Jesus, the translators used the title of "Messiah." In other passages, where the title does not reflect a particularly Messianic overtone, translators utilized the Greek "Christ."
• Jews versus Jewish Leaders: The Greek word loudaioi, based on context, can be used to refer to a more precisely identifiable group within the whole of Judaism. So the TNIV translates the term loudaios in John 5:16 to read ". . . the Jewish leaders began to persecute [Jesus]" in order to accurately indicate those directly responsible.
• Saints: The TNIV presents an updated translation of the Greek term for hagios, traditionally translated as "saints." The TNIV translations were concerned to reflect the original sense of the term and avoid confusion with the process of canonization within religious tradition. Therefore, the TNIV replaces the word "saint" with terms such as "God's people," "people of God" and "believers."

Other textual updates in the TNIV reflect simple revisions in punctuation, copy editing details, and treatment of footnotes.

For a more thorough review and information about the TNIV translation, please visit TNIV.info.

Watch a video about Bible translation and Today's New International Version.