NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him,
23 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Philippians 1:29 — 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 unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake ;
25 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,
26 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.
21 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
There's far more to this life than trusting in Christ. There's also suffering for him. And the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting.
26 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
23 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
23 words
KJV
25 words
ESV
26 words
NLT
21 words
MSG
26 words
NASB
23 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Philippians 1:29?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Philippians 1:29 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 1:29 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.