NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
18 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Philippians 1:16 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
15 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
19 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News.
18 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
One group is motivated by pure love, knowing that I am here defending the Message, wanting to help.
18 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
the latter [do it] out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;
18 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
18 words
KJV
15 words
ESV
19 words
NLT
18 words
MSG
18 words
NASB
18 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Philippians 1:16?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Philippians 1:16 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 1:16 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.