NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.
17 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Philippians 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
Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
15 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will.
13 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives.
19 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
It's true that some here preach Christ because with me out of the way, they think they'll step right into the spotlight. But the others do it with the best heart in the world.
34 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will;
18 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
17 words
KJV
15 words
ESV
13 words
NLT
19 words
MSG
34 words
NASB
18 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Philippians 1:15?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Philippians 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 Philippians 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.