NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
16 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Colossians 3:4 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
17 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
16 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
20 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you'll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.
28 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
18 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
16 words
KJV
17 words
ESV
16 words
NLT
20 words
MSG
28 words
NASB
18 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Colossians 3:4?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Colossians 3:4 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 3:4 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.