NIV NT Preface (1973)

THIS NEW TESTAMENT is the first portion of The New International Version of the Holy Bible. It is a completely new translation made by many scholars working directly from the Greek.

The New International Version had its beginning in 1965, when, after many years of exploratory study, a group of biblical scholars met in Chicago and concurred in the need for a new translation of the Holy Scriptures. This group, though not made up of official church representatives, was nevertheless transdenominational in character. Their conclusion was subsequently endorsed by a large gathering of Christian leaders from many denominations in North America. Final responsibility for the new version was delegated to a body of fifteen, the Committee on Bible Translation, composed for the most part of biblical specialists from universities, colleges and theological seminaries. In 1967 the New York Bible Society International generously undertook financial sponsorship of the project — a sponsorship that has made it possible to enlist the. help of many distinguished scholars. The fact that participants from the United States, Canada, England, Australia and New Zealand are working together gives the project its international scope. That they come from various denominations, including Baptist, Brethren, Church of Christ, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Mennonite, Methodist, Nazarene, Presbyterian, and Reformed churches, safeguards it from sectarian bias.

Because the distinctive nature of the New International Version is derived so largely from the working procedures, an explanation of these is in order. The translation of each book was assigned to a team of scholars. Next, an Intermediate Editorial Committee revised the initial translation, with constant reference to the Greek. Their work then went to General Editorial Committee, which rechecked it in relation to the Greek and made another thorough revision. This revision in turn was carefully reviewed by the Committee on Bible Translation, which made further changes and then issued the final version. In this way the entire New Testament underwent three revisions, during each of which the translation was examined for its faithfulness to the original Greek and for its English style.

A sensitive feeling for style does not always go with scholarship in biblical languages. Accordingly the Committee on Bible Translation submitted the developing version to a number of literary consultants. Two of them read every word of the completed New Testament twice-once before the last major revision and once afterward- making invaluable suggestions. During the process, it was also tested for clarity and idiom by various kinds of people — young and old, educated and uneducated, ministers and laymen.

The Greek text used in the work of translation was an eclectic one. No other piece of ancient literature has so much manuscript support as does the New Testament. Where existing texts differ, the translators made their choice of readings in accord with sound principles of textual criticism. Footnotes call attention to places where there is uncertainty about what constitutes the original text. These have been introduced by the phrase “Some MSS add (or omit or read).”

As in all translations of the Scriptures, the precise meaning of the original text could not in every case be determined. In important instances of this kind, footnotes introduced by “Or” suggest an alternate rendering of the text. In the translation itself, brackets are occasionally used to indicate words or phrases supplied for clarification.

Certain convictions and aims have guided the translators. They are all committed to the full authority and complete trustworthiness of the Scriptures, which they believe to be God’s Word in written form. They are agreed that the Bible contains the answer to man’s deepest needs and sets forth the way to his eternal well-being. Therefore their first concern has been the accuracy of the translation and its fidelity to the thought of the New Testament writers. While they have weighed the significance of the lexical and grammatical details of the Greek text, they have striven for more than a word-for-word translation. Because thought patterns and syntax differ from language to language, faithful communication of the meaning of the writers of the New Testament demands frequent modifications in sentence structure and constant regard for the contextual meanings of words.

Concern for clarity of style — that it should be idiomatic without being idiosyncratic, contemporary without being dated — has also motivated the translators and their consultants. They have consistently aimed at simplicity of expression, with sensitive attention to the connotation and sound of the chosen word. At the same time, they have endeavored to avoid a sameness of style in order to reflect the varied styles and moods of the New Testament writers. These aims the translators and consultants have tried to embody in language that will speak not only to people today but also to those of future decades. And they trust that the wide use of the New International Version will encourage the wholesome practice of memorizing Scripture.

Among the languages of the world, English stands first in international use. The translators of this version, coming as they do from major English-speaking nations, have sought to recognize the world-wide character of the language by avoiding overt Americanisms on the one hand and overt Anglicisms on the other hand.

As for the omission of the pronouns “thou,” “thee,” and “thine” in reference to the Deity, the translators remind the reader that to retain these archaisms (along with the strange verb forms, such as doest, wouldest and hadst) would have violated their aim of faithful translation. The Greek text uses no special pronouns to express reverence for God and Christ. Scripture is not enhanced by keeping, as a special mode of addressing Deity, forms that in the days of the King James Bible were simply the regular pronouns and verbs used in everyday speech, whether referring to God or to man.

Like all translations of the Bible, made as they are by imperfect men, this one undoubtedly falls short of its aims. Yet we are grateful to God for the extent to which he has enabled us· to realize our aims and for the strength he has given us to complete this part of our task. We offer, this version of the New Testament to him in whose name and for whose glory it has been made. We pray that it will lead many into a better understanding of the Holy Scriptures and a fuller knowledge of Jesus Christ the Incarnate Word, of whom the Scriptures so faithfully testify.