NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
12 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Philippians 1:21 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
12 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
12 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.
13 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Alive, I'm Christ's messenger; dead, I'm his bounty. Life versus even more life! I can't lose.
16 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
12 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
12 words
KJV
12 words
ESV
12 words
NLT
13 words
MSG
16 words
NASB
12 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Philippians 1:21?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Philippians 1:21 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 1:21 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.