NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you,
17 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Ephesians 3:2 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
18 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you,
18 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
assuming, by the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles.
20 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
I take it that you're familiar with the part I was given in God's plan for including everybody.
18 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace which was given to me for you;
18 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
17 words
KJV
18 words
ESV
18 words
NLT
20 words
MSG
18 words
NASB
18 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Ephesians 3:2?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Ephesians 3:2 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 3:2 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.