NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
13 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Ephesians 3:11 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
13 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,
16 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.
14 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
All this is proceeding along lines planned all along by God and then executed in Christ Jesus.
17 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
[This was] in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord,
17 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
13 words
KJV
13 words
ESV
16 words
NLT
14 words
MSG
17 words
NASB
17 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Ephesians 3:11?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Ephesians 3:11 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 Ephesians 3:11 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.