NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David,
14 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Romans 1:3 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
19 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh
12 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line,
19 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
on God's Son. His descent from David roots him in history;
11 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh,
15 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
14 words
KJV
19 words
ESV
12 words
NLT
19 words
MSG
11 words
NASB
15 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Romans 1:3?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Romans 1:3 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 Romans 1:3 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.