Many people love to use the NIV or New International Version Bible. However, most of them are ignorant to terrifying ways how the NIV corrupted the Word of God. Don’t believe me? Before sharing my reasons why the NIV has been corrupted, I want you take some minutes and watch these videos and you will understand where am coming from.
As I was going through my tweeter feeds this morning I came across this tweet:
The New International Version or simply, the NIV, is currently the second most popular translation of the Bible. However, this does not mean that you have to follow this trend. Before you reach for the NIV Bible, I want to warn you of its silent dismantle and corruption of the Bible! After reading this post and you still rely your salvation on this unholy Bible translation, then it is up to you to answer to God. I know this can be a big shock to many Christians and non-Christians alike, but the NIV Bible isn’t what it claims to be.
I know you’re shocked but I have few reasons that I believe NIV did an intentional change and even making it the most popular translation of the Bible so that majority of Christians and non-Christians who don’t bother to compare from different versions would easily fall for it. Here are my reasons:
Missing Verses
The most obvious reason you should not use the NIV is that a lot of Bible verses are missing! Let me just give you a few examples. Open your New King James Version to Luke 9:56 and you will read:
“For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village.
Now, compare that to NIV: Then he and his disciples went to another village.
That’s it! That’s all that you can read in the NIV. You won’t read the first part of the verse which I believe is a powerful and important message for all Christians. Now, if you are just reading Luke 9:56 in the NIV, you won’t know that Yahshua the Messiah or Jesus Christ did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them! Isn’t it sad?
Now, this is not just the only omission in the NIV. Let me give you another example. Compare Matthew 18:11: For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost (NKJV). Now, turn to Matthew 18:11 in your NIV Bible. What do you see? Nothing but a footnote – a footnote that says, “Some manuscripts include here the words of Luke 19:10.” This footnote confirms that NIV is missing a verse and rightly so. Again, the statement you read in Matthew 18:11 is an important aspect of Christ’s ministry. He came to the world to save the lost! However, this very word is denied to all NIV readers!
Let me give you another example of NIV’s deliberate shredding of God’s word. Read Matthew 9:13.
NKJV – But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
NIV – But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’[a] For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Did you see the subtle difference between the two translations? NKJV specifically mentioned that Jesus is calling the sinners TO REPENTANCE! You won’t read these words in the NIV translation. Now, these three verses are among the many passages that the NIV changed. According to one estimate I read, there are over 60,000 words deleted in the NIV translation!
Let me give you a list of some of the verses that NIV deleted:
Those are some of the verses that were eternally denied to all NIV users. Go, check it yourself and confirm how NIV molested the Bible by eliminating these important verses from your Bible. If you think this is something of minor importance, then think again. As the Apostle mentioned, a little leaven leavens the whole lump (Galatians 5:9). The compound effect of these missing verses surely leads to many deceptions and sadly, misunderstanding of the scripture.
NIV contradicts other Bible translations
Imagine this: you are having a discussion with your church members, friends, or family. Then suddenly, you noticed that your Bibles don’t agree! It is one thing when two people don’t agree and it is completely a different thing to see the Word of God clashing with each other! If you read the NIV and compare it to NKJV, you will see a glaring discrepancy. Let me give you some examples:
These are just some of the minor differences in wording between NKJV and NIV. Though minor, they can nevertheless change the meaning of a verse. This leads us to the next reason.
Meaning of the verse changed
If you change a word in a verse, it will affect the entire message or meaning of the verse. Notice how the NIV undermined the eternal existence of Yahshua or Jesus in Micah 5:2: Here’s what the NIV mentioned:
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
Compare this with what the NKJV mentioned: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.”
There’s a huge difference between everlasting and ancient times.
One of the greatest proofs of Christ’s divinity is His eternal existence. If you are to prove this, you can always go to Micah 5:2. However, if you are going to use the NIV, you will be disappointed to see that Christ is only mentioned to exist from “ancient times!” “From everlasting” denotes Christ’s eternal existence. “Ancient times” is only saying that Christ is very old or He has a beginning!
NIV denies Christ as the Creator
This might be a shock to many Christians, but Yahshua or Jesus Christ is the Creator of all things. Now, this is entirely a different topic that I won’t discuss today, but you may simply check out these verses as they prove that Christ is the Creator: Colossians 1:16; John 1:1-3; and Hebrews 11:3. There’s one particular verse that I want you to take a look at. It’s found in Ephesians 3:9: “And to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things” (NIV).
“And to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ” (NKJV). Did you see a big difference? NIV just denied Christ’s Creatorship! This is a direct assault to Christ’s divine nature and His role as our Creator, Savior, and Messiah. Now, if you are just using the NIV, how would you know this profound truth written in the pages of your Bible? Surely, NIV users are again eternally denied of this truth.
NIV suggests that Joseph is the father of Christ
Look into Luke 2:33 and compare NIV and NKJV. The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him (NIV). And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him (NKJV). Jesus does not have a human father. Replacing the name Joseph with “child’s father” directly goes against the teaching of the Bible that Christ was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18). If Christ has a human father, then the prophecy of the Messiah being born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14) has become a deception.
Underestimation of Christ’s Miracles
One insult in Christ’s divinity is enough to make your head spinning especially if you read it the Bible. How much more if the insult is done multiple times? This is exactly what the NIV has done! If it isn’t enough to insult Christ’s divine nature, NIV went on to undermine or downplay His miracles. Observe the following verses:
NKJV – For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.
NIV – MISSING.
NKJV – But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him. Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped.
NIV – As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.
Comment: NIV simply didn’t include “who had spent her livelihood on physicians.” This portion of the passage shows the seriousness of the woman’s illness. He had search far and wide to get healed but to no avail. Reading NIV won’t give you this precious insight into the impact of Christ’s miracle on the woman.
NIV – So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.
As always, NKJV gives us the clearer and more complete picture. John wants to emphasize the fact that Lazarus is indeed dead already. The NIV simply mentioned, “They took away the stone.” However, NKJV added, “From the place where the DEAD MAN was lying.”
NIV – So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.
NKJV – So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them.
Again, NKJV gives us how powerful the miracle of Christ. The NIV leaves the option for the reader to think when Peter’s mother-in-law was healed. It could have been a few minutes or hours later. But in the NKJV, the writer makes it very clear that the healing of Christ was fast, swift, and effective! Let me give other scriptures where the NIV simply falls short in showing the power of Christ’s miracle.
NIV – He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons.
NKJV – Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have the power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons.
NIV – Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.
NJKV –for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.
NIV – I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
NKJV – Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall BY ANY MEANS hurt you.
NIV eliminates Christ’s comfort
Isn’t it comforting to know that we can always run to God our heavenly Father and Yahshua/Jesus every time we are in need, when we are lonely and sad, and even during our darkest hours? But sad to say, NIV has also eliminated some of the most comforting words of Jesus Christ. Notice Luke 4:18-19:
NIV – The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
NKJV – “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” Jesus Christ was sent to heal the brokenhearted. If you are heartbroken and you only use the NIV, how would you be able to find this comforting verse?
Another verse the NIV altered is found in Luke 8:48:
NIV – Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”
NKJV – And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer [or be of good comfort, KJV]; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
Christ brings comfort and Luke 8:48 shows us this. Sadly, you won’t read this in the NIV version.
NIV deleted Christ’s teachings
The murder of NIV of Christ’s words didn’t stop. It also went on as far as changing and deleting the teachings of our Lord and Master. Consider Matthew 5:44:
NIV – But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
NKJV – But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
In the NIV, we can only read a portion of Christ’s instruction on how to love our enemies. However, the NKJV version goes on to say to bless those who curse us, do good to those who hate us, and pray for those who SPITEFULLY use you. If you study the Bible and use the NIV, I’m sure you will not have the same idea how to love your enemies compared to those who read the NKJV.
How about Mark 11:26? Let’s see the difference.
NIV – MISSING.
NKJV – But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses. Now, this is a HUGE difference that you can’t ignore! Jesus Christ taught that God the Father can forgive us of our sins, but there is one reason that He might not forgive us and that is written in Mark 11:26!
NIV – “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
NKJV – So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.”
This is a vital teaching of Christ that the NIV freely destroyed! Christ is teaching us that it is not enough to be called. There are Christians who are called by God and yet, they were not chosen. It means that they have disqualified themselves along the way of their Christian race.
Let’s consider another verse found in Mark 6:11:
NIV – And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.
NKJV – And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”
NIV took away the latter part of Mark 6:11. Again, Christ is teaching us here that the city of Sodom and Gomorrah, though they were wicked, would be given a chance for them to learn God’s way of life at the time of the second resurrection. This is a proof of God’s tremendous mercy and His willingness to extend salvation to as many people as possible. The Bible actually doesn’t teach that if you die without knowing God, you will immediately go to hell. Far be it! I’ll share with you other verses that alter Christ’s teaching. I won’t be discussing them anymore as they are self-explanatory. Read how the NIV molested and perverted Christ’s teaching by omitting and altering His words. You’ll be the judge!
NIV – MISSING
NKJV – Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.
NIV – The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!”
NKJV – And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those WHO TRUST IN RICHES to enter the kingdom of God!”
NIV – Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”
NKJV – But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’”
NIV – MISSING
NKJV – If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!”
NIV altered Christ’s Model Prayer
The Disciples asked Jesus Christ to teach them how to pray. Thus, we now have the Model Prayer written in our Bible. However, this did not escape NIV’s alteration of God’s word. We see the difference between the two translations.
NIV – He said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.’”
NKJV – So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
NIV – And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
NKJV – And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
NIV deleted Messianic prophecies
The Messianic prophecies are very important since they show us the divinity and veracity of Bible. Through the Messianic prophecies, we see how the prophecies concerning our Savior was fulfilled to the letter! Again, it is sad to see how NIV deleted some of these verses that could have boosted more the faith of Christians. Notice the following alterations:
NIV – MISSING
NKJV – So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with the transgressors.”
NIV – When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
NKJV – Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: “They divided My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.”
NIV added words to support unbiblical teachings
We have seen how NIV deleted words in the Bible. However, there are also instances that it added words or comments, implying as if it is part of the original text. One good example is Mark 7:19. We read:
NIV – For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.)
NKJV – because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?”
This is a favorite scripture of Christians who believe that the Food Law of God has already been done away with. They use this scripture to justify eating shrimp, pork, horse, rat, rabbit, snakes, and other meats that God considers unclean. The problem with NIV is that they added this commentary to Mark 7:19 to make it look like it is a part of the original text. But is this really the case?
If you read the whole context, Christ isn’t talking about clean and unclean meats but the purification rites of the Pharisees. If Christ is saying that we can already eat all manners of meat then He is contradicting other clear scriptures that prove the food law is still binding. Moreover, we don’t see Jesus, the Disciples, or early New Testament Christians eating pork or any unclean meat. The Bible has been consistent when it comes to designating meat which is fit for human consumption.
Confusing footnotes
If you are a new convert, how would you feel if the Bible you are reading has confusing footnotes? For example, in Acts 7:46, the footnote reads: “Some early manuscripts read the house of Jacob.” That’s the footnote for the word, “the God of Jacob.”
Now, that’s a substantial difference. This is not the only footnote that can sow the seed of doubt in the heart of a new convert. With so many footnotes that contradict each other, do you think that it promotes confidence and faith in the Holy Scripture? Being a Christian is hard enough, but adding the challenge of reconciling conflicting statements in the Bible makes the Christian race even TOUGHER!
Let me give you another example. Read Matthew 16:18, which reads, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.”
Obviously, the Rock here is Christ. He is the foundation of the Church. Peter means small rock or stone. Christ can’t possibly build His Church on Peter. However, we read the footnote of NIV, “Peter means rock.” Without any explanation, it is implying that Peter is that rock which Christ will build His Church upon!
This is a disgraceful footnote used to support the claim of the Universal Church that they have the only right of the Christian faith.
Please read the footnotes of Mark 1:1, John 10:29, Acts 20:28, I Corinthians 16:24, John 7:8, Luke 23:34, John 10:9, Romans 9:5, and Mark 15:39. All these footnotes will surely send your mind swirling in doubt and confusion.
This is just a summary of the reasons why you should not use NIV as your Bible. While it is true that NIV wants to make the Bible easy to read and understand, it is not an excuse to desecrate the Word of God! The New International Version or NIV is truly a poor translation. It takes away key truths from the Bible and casts doubts in the mind of readers.
It is of great concern to me how many Christians, church leaders, ministers, and pastors are INDIFFERENT to this issue. Some would even recommend NIV as their main Bible translation. At this point, let me just make it very clear. There’s no perfect Bible translation, but there’s only the perfect Word of God written in its original form. Even the King James and New King James Version aren’t 100% accurate. There are certain words that could have been translated in a better way. Nevertheless, it is a way better translation than the NIV.
Now that I have shown you the reasons (and I’m sure these are not the only reasons) why you should not use NIV, would you still choose to deliberately turn a blind eye and still promote NIV as a great Bible translation? It is up to you. But as for me, I made a choice to never use nor promote this blasphemous Bible translation. While you might have seen me using NIV in the past, it is with the biggest regret. So, if you see any NIV translations in this blog, let me know as I will swiftly change them.
The Word of God is pure. Man may pervert and corrupt it, but Yahshua or Jesus Christ, Himself said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away“ (Mark 13:31). With that being said, may we all have the courage, zeal, and motivation to seek the true, genuine, and unspotted Word of God!
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I agree with your point of view, your article has given me a lot of help and benefited me a lot. Thanks. Hope you continue to write such excellent articles.
Thank you