HCSB Compared With TNIV

Philippians And Colossians

H=HCSB ; T=TNIV

Philippians

1:4 "H" in my every prayer
T : In all my prayers

3:21 "H" He will transform the body of our humble condition in the likeness of His glorious body
T : will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

4:8 "H" Finally brothers,
T : Finally,brothers and sisters
[ Why can't the text simply read as "brothers and sisters"?That's what it means.Even conservative pastors acknowledge this.]

Colossians

1:6 "H" recognized God's grace in the truth
T : truly understood God's grace

2:18 "H" claiming access to a visionary realm and inflated without cause by his fleshly mind.
T : Such people also go into great detail about what they have seen,and their unspiritual minds puff them up with idle notions.

2:19 "H" He doesn't hold on to the head
T : They have lost connection with the head
[ First of all,shouldn't "on to" be one word?Secondly,the HCSB's wording is a bit awkward.]

3:9 "H" the old man
T : your old self
[The "old man" phraselogy is dated.So is the "new man" in the following verse in which TNIV has "New self"]

4:5 "H" Walk in wisdom
T : Be wise
[ The rendering "walk in wisdom" reminds me of Tonto-like speech.]

 

First,1 Thessalonians

H = HCSB :T = TNIV

1:5 "H" with much assurance
T : deep conviction
[Same as the NET Bible]

1:6 "H" with the joy from the Holy Spirit
T : with the joy given by the Holy Spirit

2:6 "H" we didn't seek glory from people
T : We were not looking for praise from any human being

3:5 "H" our labor might be for nothing
T our labors might have been in vain

3:8
H : For now we live,if you stand firm in the Lord.
T : For now we really live,since you are standing firm in the Lord.

4:1
H : you have received from us how you must walk and please God -- as you are doing
T : we instructed you how to live in order to please God,as in fact you are living.
[The NET Bible is very much the same as TNIV here.]

4:12
H : so that you may walk properly in the presence of outsiders
T : so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders
[ Gr. : that you may live."Walk properly isn't being literal.A natural way of speaking is called for.]

4:13
H : those who sleep
T : those who sleep in death
[ "Those who have died" would have been fine.But TNIV tries to incorporate the best of both worlds.It gives the literal "sleep" -- but it also combines "in death" to fully convey the message.I like that.]

5:8
H : we are of the day
T : we belong to the day
[The T's wording is the same as the NRSV.]

5:19
H : Don't stifle the Spirit.
T : Do not put out the Spirit's fire.
[The H's wording is memorable -- but guess what? I prefer T here.]

 

Secondarily,2 Thessalonians

1:4
H : we ourselves boast
T : we boast
[ The H has an affection for "we ourselves" and "I myself"]

1:6
H : to repay with affliction those who afflict you
T : He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you
[The NET Bible and the NRSV ( haven't checked others)have the same wording.But doncha' just love the way TNIV has it?]

1:7
H : at the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ
T : when the Lord Jesus Christ is revealed
[The HCSB is literal here.But is it understandable?]

1:10
H : admired [The Net Bible has the same word.]
T : marveled [I think this word is more suitable."Admired" is kind of weak.]

2:4
H : publicizing that he himself is God.["Publicizing"?]
T : proclaiming himself to be God.

3:6
H : walks irresponsibly [Also see verse 11.]
T : is idle and disruptive
[ The NET text has "an undisciplined life".]

3:8
H : bread (See verse 12 too.)
T : food
[ Can't we be free to say "food"?It's very natural.]

 

In case some of you might think otherwise -- I have given some folks some HCS Bibles recently.Both have been strong KJVP's.One older Korean woman who I have known for eight years accepted my gift last month.I had not asked her what she thought of it.Today she told me thanks and said it is very clear.

She has led a Bible Study for women for years as well as a Childerns' Bible Study.She has used the KJV text and Korean text side-by-side.I was actually kind of timid to present her with a HCSB.Now she says that she will not use the KJV with the kids -- the HCSB is better suited!For now she's keeping the KJV in her Womens' Bible Study.

The other person is a young American woman who has only been coming to our Church for less than a month.She gave me her reaction today.She said that she placed the KJV side-by-side with the HCSB and was very surprised at how much more understandable things were.She was radiant!She had never heard of the HCSB before.

Perhaps some are wondering why I didn't give away any ESV's.Well,the ESV is closer to the KJV style.But I wanted them to have an English Bible which is really more contemporary in its language yet still faithful.The HCSB is a much better product than the ESV.Of course I'd be happy if someone was using the ESV and loving it.

Why didn't I give them TNIV's? A TNIV is very similiar to a HCSB.But,with the baggage that has been attached to TNIV (unfairly so)-- I didn't want to get involved with all the controversy at this point with them.

Why didn't I give them each a NLTse?Logically the Korean woman would have benefited by that translation.But there is just too much of a gap with her KJVP stance all these years.The same thing would apply to the case of the young American woman.

 

In both cases giving them a translation which is plainer yet faithful is a good thing -- not a bad thing.The "great lengths" to which I went? I merely gave them free copies of the HCSB.They could have compared it with the KJV and decided in favor of the KJV.It was their choice.

Would you try to persuade others to give up their TNIV,NLTse or HCSB Tom?

 

First of all I haven't been comparing the KJV with any other translation on this thread.

Yes,I believe that the KJV is an inferior version compared with many fine modern versions we now have.Of course the KJV is the Word of God.It's a treasure -- as much as the HCSB or NLTse.

Something which is written in English from several centuries ago is in need of being phased-out.Many folks can still enjoy it.It should still be made available -- but there are much better translations in the market place these days.

The goal is to have a readable translation so that understanding can result.It should be faithful to the original.But preserving antiquated phraseology does not make a good translation -- that's just traditionalism.

 

Now We're In 1 Timothy

H = HCSB : T = TNIV

1:3
H : not to teach other doctrine
T : not to teach false doctrines
[The word "doctrine" can mean more than one teaching.But wouldn't "doctrines"be a better word choice?]

2:12
H : she is to be silent
T : she must be quiet
[Gk : but to be in quietness]

2:15
H : if she continues
T : if they continue
[TNIV is more literal.]

4:16
H : Be conscientious about yourself and your teaching;
T : Watch your life and doctrine closely.
[ I think the wording of the HCSB is unnecessarily complicated here.]

5:1
H : Do not rebuke an older man
T : Do not rebuke an older man harshly
[I think the important word "harshly" is missing here.]

5:16
H : If any believing woman has widows
T : If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care
[ The wording "has widows"is too nebulous.]

5:17
H : should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium
T : are worthy of double honor
[ The words "of double honor" are literal.Besides,"ample honorarium" sounds too stuffy.]

6:19
H : take hold of life that is real
T : take hold of the life that is truly life [The NET text has "truly life also.]
NRSV : take hold of of the life that really is life
REB : grasp the life that is life indeed

 

2 Timothy

H = HCSB ;T = TNIV

1:2
H : my dearly loved child
T : my dear son
[Oh that wicked TNIV with all its gender-neutral language! Wait a minute...]

1:18
H : And you know how much he ministered at Ephesus.
T : You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.
NLTse : And you know very well how helpful he was in Ephesus.
REB : You know as well as anyone the many services he rendered at Ephesus.
NRSV : And you know very well how much service he rendered in Ephesus.
NET text: ...all the ways he served me in Ephesus
Gk. all the ways he served in Ephesus
I think "ministered at" is archaic.It connotes primarily preaching to the modern mind.

2:1
H : my child
T : my son
[Oh that wicked TNIV ...]

2:2
H : faithful men
T : reliable people
NET text: faithful people
The NET note says it's generic here.

3:6
H : capture idle women [What are we talking about here?Kidnapping?!]
T : gain control over gullible women
NET text : captivate weak women
NLTse : win the confidence of vulnerable women
NRSV : captivate silly women
REB : get silly women into their clutches

3:8
H : men who are corrupt in mind
T : They are men of depraved minds
NET text : people who have warped minds
NLTse : They have depraved minds
REB : their warped minds

3:16
H : All Scripture is inspired by God
T : All Scripture is God-breathed
[I think that the TNIV wording reflects a more accurate understanding of the text.]

3:17
H : the man of God
T : all God's people
NET text: the person dedicated to God
NRSV : everyone who belongs to God
The NET note for this says it is generic in nature.

4:3
H : will accumulate teachers for themselves
T : they will gather around them a great number of teachers
REB : and gather a crowd of teachers
NLTse : look for teachers

4:21
H : and all the brothers
T : and all the brothers and sisters
NET text : brothers and sisters
NLTse :and all the brothers and sisters
NRSV : and all the brothers and sisters
The NET notes say this is generic.I have to agree.Priscilla is even mentioned in verse 19.It means fellow Christians -- both men and women in the faith.

 

Titus

1:4
H : my true child
T : my true son
NET Bible : genuine son
NLTse : my true son
REB : my true-born son

1:7
H : an overseer as God's manager
T : an overseer manages God's household
[I think the wording of TNIV is plainer.]

1:10
H : especially those from Judaism
T : especially those of the circumcision group
NET Bible : with Jewish connections [ LOL --Rip]
NLTse : this is especially true of those who insist on circumcision for salvation

2:8
H : the opponent [Why the definite article? --Rip]
T : those who oppose you
NET Bible : any opponent
NLTse : Then those who oppose us
NRSV : then any opponent
Reb : any opponent

3:4
H : But when the goodness and love for man appeared from God our Savior
T : But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared
NLTse : But when God our Savior revealed his kindnes and love
REB : But when the kindness and generosity of God our Saviour dawned upon the world
NRSV :But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared

 

Philemon And Hebrews 2:5 -3:14

Philemon is a very short book.Therefore I will cite only one thing of interest to me.In the 6th verse the HCSB has : that your participation in the faith
T : that your partnership with us in the faith
[I prefer TNIV here.The HSCB's wording is not so clear.]

Hebrews

2:5
H : For He has not subjected to angels the world to come that we are talking about.
T : It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come,about which we are speaking.
[I think the TNIV makes it a bit more understandable.What do you think?]

2:10
H : source
T : pioneer ( Same as the Net text.)

2:11
H : He is not ashamed to call them brothers
T : So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters ( Same as the Net text.)

2:12
H : I will proclaim Your name to My brothers
T : I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters
[ We are speaking about all members od the household of faith;are we not?The word "brothers" in this sense is antiquated.]

2:13
H : children
T : childrern
[ The same word is used to refer to the very same people referenced in verses 10-12.]

2:17
H : He had to be like His brothers in every way
T : he had to be made like his brothers and sisters
in every way
[The Net text is about the same as the wording in TNIV.I'm sorry for banging the drum here.But the issue keeps coming up in the way the HCSB sticks with "brothers" much of the time like the ESV.]

3:1
H : holy brothers
T : holy brothers and sisters ( Net is the same.]
[ See what I told you earlier.]

3:6
H : whose household we are
T : And we are his house
[The HCSB usually uses longer sentences.The TNIV breaks the sentences up into more understandable units.]

3:12
H : Watch out,brothers
T : See to it,brothers and sisters ( Net is the same.)

3:14
H : For we have become companions of the Messiah if we hold firmly until the end of the reality that we had at the start.

T : We have come to share in Christ,if indeed we hold firmly till the end our original conviction.

Net text :For we have become partners with Christ,if in fact we hold our initial confidence firm unto the end.

[ The HCSB uses 24 words.The TNIV uses 18 words.And the Net Bible uses 19 words.The HCSB is a little awkward in its sentence structure at times.And what's with "the end of the reality"?]

 

Hebrews 4:1 --6:14

4:1
H : let us fear so that none of you should miss it

T : let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it

Net :...none of you may seem to have come short of it

4:2
H : but the message they heard did not benefit them,since they were not united with those who heard it in faith

T : but the message they heard was of no value to them,because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed

Net : But the message they heard did them no good,since they did not join in with those who heard it in faith.

4:14
H : let us hold fast to the confession (sim.to Net)

T : let us hold firmly to the faith we profess

[I don't know.Does "hold fast" sound old-fashioned to you?)

4:16
H : find grace to help us at the proper time

T : find grace to help us in our time of need

NLTse : we will find grace to help us when we need it most

5:13
H : is inexperienced with the message about righteousness (sim.to Net)

T : is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness

5:14
H : whose senses have been trained

T : who by constant use have trained themselves

Net : whose perceptions are trained to practice

6:7
H : For ground that has drunk the rain

T : Land that drinks in the rain

Net : For the ground that has soaked up the rain

6:11
H : for the final realization of your hope

T : to the very end,in order to make your hope sure

Net : for the fulfillment of your hope until the end

6:14
H : I will greatly multiply you

T : I ...give you many descendants

Net : multiply your descendants

NLTse : I will multiply your descendants

 

Hebrew 7:5 --9:17

7:5
H : that is,from their brothers

T : that is,from their kindred

7:10
H : for he was still within his forefather

T : Levi was still in the body of his ancestor

NLTse : the seed from which he came was in Abraham's body

[I like the NLTse's rendering best here."Within his forefather"?No.]

7:25
H : He is always able to save

T : he is able to save completely

Net : save completely

8:2
H : not man ( same as Net)

T : not by a mere human being

8:9
H : did not continue in my covenant ( Net is the same)

T : did not remain faithful to my covenant ( NLTse is the same)

8:13
H : And what is old and aging

T : and what is obsolete and outdated

Net : what is obsolete and aging

9:10
H : until the time of restoration

T : until the time of the new order ( sim.to Net)

9:17
H : while the testator is living

T : while the one who made it is living

Net : the one who made it

NLTse : while the one who made it is still alive

[ Isn't "testator" kind of unnecessary?]

 

Hebrews 10:7 --13:1

10;7
H : in the volume of the scroll

T : in the scroll

Net : in the scroll of the book

10:19
H : Therefore,brothers

T : Therefore,brothers and sisters ( same as Net)

NLTse : And so, dear brothers and sisters

10:23
H : Let us hold on to the confession of our hope

T : Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess

Net : And let us hold unwaveringly to the hope we confess

NLTse : Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm

[ I think "confession of our hope" sounds archaic.]

10:24
H : And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works.

T : And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Net : And let us take thought of how to spur one another on to love and good works.

NLTse : Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

["Be concerned for one another" just doesn't pack the same punch as "spur" or even "motivate".]

11:5
H : For prior to his transformation

T : For before he was taken

Net : For before his removal

NLTse : For before he was taken up

12:2
H : the source and perfecter of our faith

T : the pioneer and perfecter of our faith (same as Net)

12:2
H : a cross

T : the cross (same as Net and NLTse and many other translations)

12:22
H : in festive gathering

T : in joyful assembly

NLTse : in a joyful gathering

13:1
H : Let brotherly love continue ( same as Net)

T : Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters ( same as NLTse)

 

James

Most of the time my main issue with the HCSB is that it stubbornly retains the ancient "brother(s)".There is no legitimate reason for this except traditionalism.

1:2
H : my brothers
T : my brothers and sisters (same as Net)

1:9
H : brother
T : believers (Net has "believer")

1:11
H : rich man
T : the rich ( Net has "rich person")

1:12
H : a man
T : those ( Net has "the one".)

1:16
H : dearly loved brothers
T : dear brothers and sisters (same as Net)

1:19
H : dearly loved brothers
T : dear brothers and sisters (same as Net)

1:20
H : man's anger
T : our anger
N : human anger

2:1
H : brothers
T : brothers and sisters (same as Net)

2:5
H : brothers
T : brothers and sisters (same as Net)

2:14
H : brothers
T : brothers and sisters (same as Net)

2:20
H : Foolish man!
T : You foolish person!
N : It has "fellow"in the text.However,in the Net Notes it says it means "person".

2:24
H : a man
T : people
N : person

3:1
H : brothers
T : brothers and sisters (same as Net)

3:2
H : man
T : they
N : individual

3:10
H : brothers
T : brothers and sisters (same as Net)

3:12
H : brothers
T : brothers and sisters (same as Net)

5:6
H : man
T : one
N : person

5:9
H : Brothers
T : brothers and sisters (same as Net)

5:10
H : Brothers
T : Brothers and sisters (same as Net)

5:12
H : brothers
T : brothers and sisters (same as Net)

5:19
H : brothers
T : brothers and sisters (same as Net)

You can see for yourself how much TNIV agreed with the Net Bible.There is no liberal feminist agenda going on -- just an effort to be faithful to the text.Conservative Bible commentators regularly point out that "brothers" means "brothers and sisters" when the context demands it.Does anyone appreciate D.Edmond Hiebert? Specifically in 1:8,12 he says the text means "anyone".

Now on to other matters.

1:8
H : indecisive
T : double-minded ( same as Net)
[It's interesting that in 4:8 the HCSB uses "double-minded".I believe its's the same Greek word in 1:8.)

2:19
H : you do well
T : Good!
NLTse : Good for you!
["You do well" sounds a bit old.]

4:4
H : Adulteresses
T : Adulterers (same as Net)

1:12
H : trials
T : trial (Lit.)

 

First Peter

1:13
H :minds ready for action (same as Net)
T : minds that are alert and fully sober
REB : minds ...stripped for action and fully alert

2:2
H : unadulterated spiritual milk
T : pure spiritual milk (same as Net,NLTse,NRSV,REB etc. )
[Isn't "unadulterated" a little unnecessary when "pure" will do?]

2:4
H : rejected by men (same as Net)
T : rejected by human beings
NLTse : rejected by people
NRSV : rejected by mortals

2:8
H : causes men to stumble
T : causes people to stumble
NLTse : that makes people stumble

2:17
H : Love the brotherhood
T : love your fellow believers
NET : family of believers (same as NRSV)
REB : love your fellow-Christians

3:6
H : aren't frightened by anything alarming
T : do not give way to fear
NRSV : never let fears alarm you
Net : and have no fear in doing so
[The HCSB is too wordy here.]

3:18
H : put to death in the fleshly realm
T : put to death in the body
[The HCSB is too wordy here.]

4:4
H : the same flood of dissipation
T : their reckless,wild living
Net : into the same flood of wickedness
NLTse : into the flood of wild and destructive things they do

4:6
H : they might be judged by men in the fleshly realm
T : they might be judged according to human standards
Net : judged in the flesh by human standards

4:11
H : the oracles of God
T : the very words of God (same as NRSV)
Net : with God's words
[Isn't the "oracles" a bit dated?]

4:13
H : at the revelation of His glory
T : when his glory is revealed (same as Net,REB, NRSV)

4:18
H : And if the righteous is saved with difficulty
T : If it is hard for the righteous to be saved (same as NRSV)
NLTse : If the righteous are barely saved
REB : It is hard enough for the righteous to be saved
[The HCSB's wording is poor grammar.)

5:9
H : your brothers in the world
T : your fellow believers throughout the world
Net : your brothers and sisters throughout the world
NLTse : your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world
REB : your fellow-Christians this world
NRSV : your brothers and sisters in all the world

5:10
According to a HCSB footnote "himself" is literal.The TNIV gas it in the text.

 

Second Peter

1:1
H : who have obtained a faith of equal privilege with ours
T : who... have received a faith as precious as ours (same as NRSV)
Net : have been granted a faith just as precious as ours
[The faith received is of equal value;not of equal privilege.]

1:2
H : be multiplied to you ( It's literal)
T : be yours in abundance (same as NRSV)
Net : be lavished on you
REB : be yours in fullest measure
[The words "be multiplied to you" sounds old.]

1:7
H : brotherly affection (same as Net,NLTse,REB)
T : mutual affection (same as NRSV)

1:10
H : brothers
T : brothers and sisters ( same as Net,NLTse,NRSV)

1:11
H : entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly supplied to you.

T : a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Net : an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior,Jesus Christ,will be richly provided for you.

NLTse : a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

REB : rich provision for your entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

The NRSV rendering is a combo of the first 15 words of the HCSB --and the last three words of the Net Bible.

1:17
H : This is my beloved Son
T : This is my Son,whom I love
NET : This is my dear Son
NLTse : This is my dearly loved Son

1:19
H : dismal place
T : dark place (same in NLTse,NRSV)
NET : murky place (same as REB)
[Isn't "dark" good enough?]

1:21
H : by the will of man
T : in the human will
NET : borne of human impulse ( kind of quaint sounding)
REB : on any human initiative (sim.to NLTse)
NRSV : by human will

2:13
H : delighting in their deceptions
T : reveling in their pleasures
Net : indulging in their deceitful pleasures
NLTse : indulge in evil pleasures

2:19
H : people are enslaved to whatever defeats them
T : people are slaves to whatever has mastered them (sim. to REB,NRSV)
NLTse : you are a slave to whatever controls you
Net : For whatever a person succumbs to,to that he is enslaved.
Gk.as per Net Note : for by what someone is overcome,to this he is enslaved.

3:1
H : I awaken your pure understanding with a reminder
T : as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking
Net : I am trying to stir up your pure mind by way of reminder
NLTse : I have tried to stimulate your wholesome thinking and refresh your memory
NRSV : I am trying to arouse your sincere intention by reminding you
["I awaken..."?I prefer the TNIV and NLTse here.]

3:4
H : Where is the promise of His coming?(same as NRSV)
T : Where is this 'coming' he promised?
Net : Where is his promised return?
NLTse :What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again?
REB : What has happened to his promised coming?

[Some come close,but I prefer the TNIV rendering.It makes the old phrase "the promise of his coming" plainer.]

3:10
H : the earth and the works in it will be disclosed
T : the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare
Net : the earth and every deed done on it will be laid bare
NLTse : the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment
REB : the earth with all that is in it will be brought to judgment
NRSV : the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed

 

First John

My opener here will be like the one I did for the book of James.There are eleven verses in this book which retain the antiquated "brother(s)" in the HCSB translation.It is not necessary when the context is clearly referencing male and female believers.

2:9
H : brother
T : fellow believer
Net : fellow Christian

2:11
H : brother
T : fellow believer
Net : fellow Christian

3:10
H : his brother
T : their brothers and sisters
Net : fellow Christian

3:13
H : brothers
T : brothers and sisters (same as Net)

3:14
H : love our brothers
T : love each other
Net : fellow Christians

3:15
H : brother
T : fellow believer
Net : fellow Christian

3:16
H : for our brothers
T : for one another
Net : fellow Christians

3:17
H : his brother
T : a brother or sister
Net : fellow Christian

4:20
H : brother (2x)
T : fellow believer
Net : fellow Christian

4:21
H : brother
T : one another
Net : fellow Christian

I'm sorry that this seems so tedious.I just have to point these things out specifically.

On an unrelated matter :

2:19
H : However,they went out so that it might be made clear that none of them belongs to us.

T : For if they had belonged to us,they would have remained with us;but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.

[Again,this is a grammatical problem.The HCSB should have used the past tense : ...that none of them belonged to us.]

 

Third John

This will be brief.There was nothing of note in 2 John for me to comment upon.

3 John

Verse 5

H : brothers
T : brothers and sisters

Verse 6
H : they have testified to your love before the church

T : They have told the church about your love.

NLTse : They have told the church here of your loving friendship.

[I think the HCSB's wording is a little awkward.]