NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Final Greetings Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.
25 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Colossians 4:7 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:
22 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.
22 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Tychicus will give you a full report about how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper who serves with me in the Lord’s work.
29 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
My good friend Tychicus will tell you all about me. He's a trusted minister and companion in the service of the Master.
22 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
As to all my affairs, Tychicus, [our] beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information.
22 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
25 words
KJV
22 words
ESV
22 words
NLT
29 words
MSG
22 words
NASB
22 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Colossians 4:7?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Colossians 4:7 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 4:7 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.