NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
The Supremacy of Christ He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
17 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Colossians 1:15 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
13 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
13 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,
20 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God's original purpose in everything created.
26 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
13 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
17 words
KJV
13 words
ESV
13 words
NLT
20 words
MSG
26 words
NASB
13 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Colossians 1:15?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Colossians 1:15 in 6 translations: New International Version, King James Version, English Standard Version, New Living Translation, The Message, New American Standard Bible. Each uses a different translation philosophy — from word-for-word (KJV, ESV, NASB) to thought-for-thought (NIV, NLT) to paraphrase (MSG).
Which translation of Colossians 1:15 is best?
No single translation is "best" — it depends on your purpose. For deep study, use the ESV or NASB (word-for-word). For devotional reading, the NIV balances accuracy and readability. The NLT and MSG are excellent for understanding the general meaning in modern English. Comparing multiple translations helps grasp the full richness of the text.
What is the difference between literal and dynamic Bible translations?
Literal (formal equivalence) translations like KJV, ESV, and NASB translate word-for-word from the original Hebrew/Greek. Dynamic equivalence translations like NIV and NLT translate thought-for-thought for clarity. The MSG is a paraphrase that captures the spirit in contemporary language. Each approach has strengths — that's why comparing translations is valuable.