The difference you've pointed out here has nothing to do with textual variants. Again, the differences in the ancient texts are minor and no doctrinal dispute hangs on them.
Well, from what I see, that is a huge difference considering that NIV pulls from the Alexandrian (Westscott and Hort) and KJV pull from the received text. The NIV slighted some words (considering that scripture I put down) to conform to Calvinist, etc, belief systems.
Huge differences are made with the slighting of words and can change the whole meaning. The serpent just put in one simple word to change the whole meaning when speaking to Eve. The NIV did the same in that verse placed before you. And the NIV takes its information from the Alexandrian (Westscott and Hort)
If one isnt careful reading the NIV, they can slump into false doctrines. More evidence below (Quoted from Jeffery W. Hamilton). These prove doctrinal dispute. But as I continue to say, its not that the KJV is perfect, which it is not, but it is better than the NIV. That is what I have been maintaining this entire time with evidence.
Total Depravity
“It mistranslated
Psalms 51:5 to teach the false theory of Total Depravity.”
KJV:
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
NAS:
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.
NKJ:
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.
NIV:
Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
It doesn’t take a biblical scholar to tell that there is a major difference in meaning between the NIV and the other cited passages. Why did the translators of the NIV change the meaning so much? I believe they were trying to justify their strongly held belief that people are born guilty of the sin of Adam. They attempted to provide proof where none existed.
Original Sin
“It changes ‘flesh’ in Romans 8 to ‘sinful nature’ teaching the false theory of original sin.”
The word being debated is the Greek word
sarx which means “flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul [or spirit], or as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred), or (by implication) human nature (with its frailties [physical or mortal] and passions), or (specifically) a human being.”
The English word “flesh” carries a similar meaning as it too can refer to the edible parts of an animal or to the physical being of a man. However, “nature” means the inherent character or basic constitution of a person or thing. By changing the wording from “flesh” to “nature” the translators shifted the meaning from an emphasis on the physical make up of man to the character or spiritual make up of man.
In addition, the word “sinful” is adjoined to “nature” even when the original Greek does not mention sinfulness.
The Deity of Christ
“It denies the deity of Christ by removing ‘begotten’ from every text referring to Jesus Christ (cf.,
John 3:16)”
The NIV refuses to reflect the Greek New Testament statements that Jesus was born of God. Instead they use phrases such as “the One and Only” or “I have made you my son.” Consider the difference in translation shown in
John 1:14.
ASV:
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth.
NKJ:
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
NIV:
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
The Greek word being translated is
monogenes. It is a compound word meaning “the only one of a race” or “the only born.” In literature it is used to refer an only child and it can be seen translated as such in
Luke 7:12;
8:42;
9:38; and
Hebrews 11:17. In the Septuagint translation of the Old Testament it is used in describing Isaac (
Genesis 22:2,
12,
16) and Jephthah’s daughter (
Judges 11:34). Isaac was technically not an only child, but he was the unique child of promise to Abraham. Just as an only child is treasured by his parents, the Greek word
monogenes also carries the connotation of someone beloved.
The NIV emphasizes the uniqueness of Christ while de-emphasizing the kinship of Christ to God the Father.
A more clear altering is seen in
Psalms 2:7,
Acts 13:33, and
Hebrews 1:5. Consider the following:
NKJ:
God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.'
NAS:
that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, 'You are My son; today I have begotten You.'
NIV:
he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: "'You are my Son; today I have become your Father. '
The Greek word
gennao and the Hebrew word
yalad refers to conceiving and giving birth to a child. The argument for de-emphasizing the birth is that some have argued that these verses mean Jesus had a beginning. The NIV’s wording avoids that conclusion, but at the expense of changing what the text actually says. While there are plenty of verses which demonstrate that Jesus is eternal, these verses carry the idea that Jesus is of the lineage of God – in other words, his deity, which is the point of
Hebrews 1:5. That point is softened by the NIV’s translation which leaves the impression that anyone could have become God’s Son, God just happened to select Jesus. The literal reading fits well with the virgin birth of Jesus and that God was literally his father.
The Eunuch’s Baptism
“It deletes both the statement of Philip on the condition of baptism and the eunuch’s answer (cf.
Acts 8:37).”
This is due to the manipulated Greek text that the translation was based upon. If it is any consolation, most copies of the NIV do include verse 37 in the footnotes.
Salvation at the Point of Hearing
“It falsely teaches that sinners are ‘included in Christ’ at the point of hearing (
Ephesians 1:13).”
NKJ:
In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
ASV:
in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation,-- in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
NIV:
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,
Nothing in the Greek indicates the idea of being included in Christ, especially at the point of hearing the Gospel.
Salvation at the Point of Faith
“It tampers with the plan of salvation in
Romans 10:10, teaching that justification is reached at the point of faith. The same verse teaches that salvation is reached at the point of confession (
Romans 10:10).”
NKJ:
For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
ASV:
for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
NIV:
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
The Greek behind the phrase “unto righteousness” indicates a leading up to the point of the justification of character or leading up to the point of righteousness. However, the NIV leads the reader to believe the justification has already taken place, which contradicts other verses that teach that salvation is based on more than just belief. See
Acts 11:18 and
Mark 16:16.
A similar alteration is made in
John 3:16.
NKJ:
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
ASV:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.
NIV:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Notice the subtle change from the idea that a believer should not perish to the idea that a believer shall not perish. “Should” indicates that the believer has no excuse in perishing. “Shall” indicates that a believer cannot perish.
Testimony
“It changes
I Corinthians 1:6 from ‘the testimony of Christ’ (the gospel) to ‘our testimony of Christ’ (testimonialist).”
The Greek word
marturion is a neuter word meaning something evidential, in other words in the general sense, evidence given or in the specific sense something like the Decalogue (in the sacred Tabernacle). Changing the “the” or “our” removes the neuter sense of the testimony, making it something that was personally done. While the Apostles did testify of Christ, Paul is not speaking of just his personal testimony in this verse, but of all the evidence that God has delivered concerning Christ.
Salvation Before Baptism
“It makes Peter teach that baptism is ‘the pledge of a good conscience toward God’ advancing the false theory of faith alone (
I Peter 3:21).”
The Greek word
eperotema, means “an inquiry.” However, the word “pledge” used in the NIV means a promise made to God and not a response to God’s request.
As you can see, the New International Version is not the best version to use if you are interested in accuracy of translation. I still like it for easy reading, but for serious study I prefer to use more precise translations, such as the New King James Version, the American Standard Version, or the New American Standard Version.