NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
16 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Philippians 1:8 — 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 God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
18 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
17 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.
18 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
He knows how much I love and miss you these days. Sometimes I think I feel as strongly about you as Christ does!
23 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
17 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
16 words
KJV
18 words
ESV
17 words
NLT
18 words
MSG
23 words
NASB
17 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Philippians 1:8?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Philippians 1:8 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 1:8 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.