THE

INSPIRATION-TRANSMISSION-TRANSLATION

OF THE

WORD OF GOD

 

The New International Version (2)

Lesson #25

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    In 1955, Howard Long was attempting to study the Bible with someone and saw that the wording of the KJV was difficult for the individual.

 

B.      Because of this, Mr. Long went on a 10 year campaign in an attempt to bring into existence a Bible in modern English.

 

C.     After 10 years, his denomination, the Christian Reformed Church (CRC) and the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) embraced his vision for a new version, the New International Version.

 

D.    It is this version that we will review in this lesson.

 

I.                   THE BACKGROUND OF THE NIV

 

II.                THE ARCHAISMS IN THE NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION

 

III.             THEOLOGICAL TERMS CHANGED IN THE NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION

 

IV.             THE DEITY OF CHRIST IN THE NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION

 

V.                A CONTRADICTION IN THE ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION

 

VI.             COMPLETE VERSES OMITTED FROM THE NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION

 

VII.          THE WORD “HELL” IN THE NIV

 

VIII.       INCONSISTENCY OF TRANSLATION

 

IX.              WEAKNESS AND PROBLEMS IN THE NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION

 

A.    Psalm 51:5 teaches the doctrine of Original Sin.

 

Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

 

B.      Matthew 1:25

1.      KJV:  and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son:  and he called his name JESUS.

2.      NIV:  But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son.  And he gave him the name Jesus.  (NOTE:  The word “firstborn” is not found in the text.  The verse was intended to reveal Mary’s virginity, but the NIV does not include it).

 

 

C.     Matthew 19:28

1.      KJV:  And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

2.      NIV:  Jesus said to them, I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  (NOTE:  The regeneration is the Christian dispensation.  The “renewal of all things” involves the Premillennial teaching that Jesus will come and establish His kingdom on earth and reign for a 1000 years).

 

D.    Mark 1:1

1.      KJV:  The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2.      NIV:  The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  (NOTE:  The gospel is not just “about” Jesus; it belongs to Him.  It is His).

 

E.      Mark 1:2

1.      KJV:  As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

2.      NIV:  It is written in Isaiah the prophet:  I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way.  (NOTE:  The NIV replaces prophets with the name Isaiah.  However, Isaiah is not the one who made the statement.  Malachi was the prophet who spoke these words).

 

 

F.      Luke 1:3

1.      KJV:  It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus.

2.      NIV:  Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seem good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus.  (NOTE:  “Perfect understanding” refers to divine inspiration.  Carefully investigated involves the efforts of a man to ascertain the facts).

 

G.     Acts 3:21

1.      KJV:  Whom the heaven must receive until the times of the restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

2.      NIV:  For he must remain in heaven unto the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago though his holy prophets.  (NOTE:  The word “times” is changed to “time.”  “The times of restitution” is the gospel dispensation.  The heavens will hold Jesus unto the gospel dispensation has come to an end.  “…unto the time comes for God to restore everthing…” is a Premillennial teaching.  It involves Jesus coming to establish His earthly kingdom.

 

H.    Acts 11:17

1.      KJV:  forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, what was I, that I could withstand God?

2.      NIV:  so if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?  (NOTE:  Cornelius’ house was baptized with the Holy Spirit, but it was not the “same” gift.  They did not receive all of the power of the Holy Spirit that the apostles did when they were baptized with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost).

 

I.        Acts 16:14

1.      KJV:  And a certain woman name Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us:  whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

2.      NIV:  One of those listening was a woman name Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God.  The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.  (NOTE:  Calvinism teaches that one must have a direct operation of the Spirit to come upon one’s heart before he/she can understand the truth because of total depravity.  The NIV accommodates this teaching.  The Lord did open her heart, but it was through the teaching that Paul set forth, then she attended (obeyed) the things Paul spoke).

 

J.        Acts 26:28

1.      KJV:  Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadeth me to be a Christian.

2.      NIV:  Then Agrippa said to Paul, Do you think that in such short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?

 

K.     Romans 1:3

1.      KJV:  Concerning his son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh.

2.      NIV:  Regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David.  (NOTE:  They do not emphasize the seed line of the Christ by removing the word seed.  Too, they do not want to include the word “flesh” in the text).

 

L.      Romans 1:17

1.       KJV:  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith:  as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

2.      NIV:  For 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 righteous will live by faith.  (NOTE:  Instead of a righteousness that is revealed from faith, the system of faith or the gospel, to faith, personal faith within man, the NIV says that righteousness is by faith from first to last, teaching the doctrine of faith only).

 

M.   Romans 3:27

1.      KJV:  Where is boasting then?  It is excluded.  By what law?  Of works?  Nay; but by the law of faith.

2.      NIV:  Where, then, is boasting?  It is excluded.  On what principle?  On that of observing the law?  No, but on that of faith.  (NOTE:  The leave out the word “law” before faith.  Those who adhere to faith only often believe that we are not under law, but we are.  We are under “the law of faith”).

 

N.    Romans 7:18

1.      KJV:  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing…

2.      NIV:  I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature…  (NOTE:  The words “sinful nature” are found many times in Romans and Galatians.  Saying that man has a sinful nature supports the teachings of Original Sin and Total Hereditary Depravity).

 

 

 

 

 

O.    Romans 16:25 (weak)

1.      KJV:  Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began.

2.      NIV:  Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past.

 

P.      I Corinthians 13:7

1.      KJV:  Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

2.      NIV:  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves.  (NOTE:  The word “protect” is a new element of love.  It differs from the word “beareth”).

 

Q.    I Corinthians 13:10

1.      KJV:  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

2.      NIV:  But when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.  (NOTE:  “that which is perfect” refers to an object, the revelation of God in its completed form.  “Perfection” indicates a state of being, a time when all is perfect).

 

R.     Ephesians 4:13

1.      KJV:  till we call come in the unity of the faith…

2.      NIV:  Until we all reach unity in the faith…  (NOTE:  Unity of “the faith” is the complete, written revelation of the New Testament.  Unity “in the faith” involves a time that all men are unified in belief).

 

S.      Ephesians 5:19

1.      KJV:  Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.

2.      NIV:  Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.  Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.

 

T.      Philippians 2:17*

1.      One February, 1974 edition of the NIV says:  “who work in you to will and do what he pleases.”

2.      Another February, 1974 edition of the NIV says:  “to will and to act according to his good purpose.”

 

U.    James 5:16

1.      KJV:  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.  The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

2.      NIV:  Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.  (NOTE:  The NIV takes away the qualities needed by the one doing the praying and transfers them to the effects of the prayer).

 

V.     I Peter 2:2

1.      KJV:  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.

2.      NIV:  Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.

 

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    The NIV is one of the most dangerous modern versions on the market because it teaches false doctrines within the text of the Bible such as Original Sin, Total Hereditary Depravity, Faith Only, and Premillenialism.

 

B.      “A commentary is one thing but changing the text is another, the former is permissible, the latter is reprehensible.  The writers of the various assignments of the committee abandon the scriptural forms and nomenclature and arbitrarily substitute their own sentence arrangement and rearrangement, construction and reconstruction, together with multiplied addition, omission and interpolation, resulting in the destruction of the scriptural text, the purity of which requires the word translation… (A Review of the Versions Foy E. Wallace, Jr., “The New International Version, p. 756).