As we continue with our study of the NIV translation we need to know that much controversy surrounds this translation. When the NIV was published in 1984 some people saw how the word of God had been perverted. Criticisms were given over particular scriptures, which I will get to at a later date that revisions were done in 2011. Why is it important to some people that scripture is changed to make it gender-neutral? The word of God was not trying to be politically correct as many people are today.
Question, if the NIV is an accurate translation of the Hebrew and Greek scriptures why the need for revisions? The King James Version is word for word literal translation, not an interpretation of what someone thought it should say. Whenever the KJV could not render a good translation they added words which are ITALIZED in the Bible.
Let us look at a few more verses:
King James Bible Luke 2:33
And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things which were spoken of him.
New International Version Luke 2:33
The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him.
Looking at this on the surface you may think they say the same thing, NOT SO? Was Joseph the father of Jesus? NO, he was not.
He was the step-father. The Father of Jesus was God, the Holy Spirit. Luke chapter 1: 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Matthew chapter 1: 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
This is important because looking at this verse in the NIV you would never know the deity of Christ. You would never know that Jesus was not born from man, he had a heavenly Father. This is important because Jesus had to be without sin to save us from sin. Looking at this verse in the NIV on would believe that Joseph, a human man was the natural father of our savior, Jesus.
You may question, what does it matter if this verse says, father? The word of God says in Isaiah 28:10, For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little. We must be able to line up every word of God. Saying the child’s father can bring confusion, Joseph was not Jesus’s father we must stay with the truth. Now in the NIV Luke 1:35 does say that the Holy Spirit will come upon Mary and the child would be the Son of God. Why change Luke 2:33 since God (the Holy Spirit) is the Father of Jesus?
King James Bible Luke 2:43
And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
New International Version Luke 2:43
After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.
The word “parents” is used in the NIV translation. The KJV says “Joseph.” This is important because Luke wanted to make sure his readers understood the natural lineage of Jesus and the spiritual lineage of Jesus. The natural lineage of Jesus is given in the book of Matthew. Sure looking at this on the surface it seems appropriate because in the natural Joseph was the parent of Jesus, but in the spiritual, he was not the Father and this is why it says Joseph instead of (parent or father). We must understand who Jesus is.
Here is a link to a website I found to be very informative: What’s Wrong With ‘NEW’ Bible Translations?
Prophetess Nadine Richmond
The Church Readiness Ministries
