Here are some from Eph. 4 and 5.
Again, in comparing these two versions, we are not picking out every change in the text. We are concentrating on the major changes that create doctrinal problems for Christians. Keep in mind that even small changes can create big problems. But, we don’t have the space in these short answers to deal with the myriad changes.
| Verse | KJV | NIV | Problem |
| Eph. 3:9 | “fellowship” of this mystery | “administration” | The mystery is that Gentiles should be fellow heirs and of the same body as Jews. Paul preached so that all men could see the fellowship of this mystery. Fellowship is a friendly association of those having common interests. He did not preach the administration of this mystery. Administration is the act of administering something like medicine or aid. |
| Eph. 3:9 | “by Jesus Christ” | Removed | Jesus Christ is God and the creator of the universe and everything in it, Col. 1:15-16; Jn. 1:3. It’s strange that the NIV would remove Jesus Christ here. |
| Eph. 3:14 | “our Lord Jesus Christ” | Removed | According to Eph. 1:10, all things in heaven and earth are going to be gathered together in Christ, of whom they are named, Eph. 1:15. The words should not have been removed. This attacks the deity of Christ. |
| Eph. 3:18 |
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“is the love of Christ” | The words were added and don’t make sense. Christ’s love is dimensionless. The four dimensions given concern our joint inheritance (v.6), in Christ’s creation (v.9), containing the heaven and earth (v.15), and principalities and powers in heavenly places (v.10). |
| Eph. 4:7 | “is grace given” | “grace has been given” | Grace is continually given and grows, 2 Pet. 3:18; 2 Pet. 1:2; Jas. 4:6; 2 Cor. 9:8; etc. |
| Eph. 4:12 | “for the perfecting of the saints” | “to prepare God’s people” | To perfect something is to make it complete and lacking nothing essential. The gifts to the body in v.11 are to not just prepare God’s people they are to perfect them, Matt. 5:48; 1 Pet. 5:10; Heb. 13:21. |
| Eph. 4:13 | “unto a perfect man” | “become mature” | When we came to Christ, we were literally put into his body (Eph. 5:30). The ministers in v. 11 will continue to be given to the church until Christ’s body is a perfect man (Eph. 2:15). |
| Eph. 4:14 | “sleight of men” | Removed | Sleight is trickery or a trick. The magicians in Exodus used tricks to harden Pharaoh’s heart against God’s words. Likewise, we are warned against this “sleight of men” who are described in 2 Tim. 3:5-9. |
| Eph. 4:21 | “taught by him” | “taught in him” | Jesus Christ is the teacher because the truth is in him (Jn. 14:6; Jn. 1:17). He accomplishes this work today personally through the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:16-18; 14:26; 15:26; 16:13). Any man who is not teaching “by” Jesus Christ is teaching nothing (Jn. 15:5). |
| Eph. 4:22 Eph. 4:24 |
“old man” “new man” |
“old self” “new self” |
Self is defined as a complete and individual personality. When we get saved our personality is not dead or crucified, our “old man” is. Therefore, we become a new creature in Christ, a “new man,” 2 Cor. 5:17 |
Now, a careful study of the effect of these changes will reveal to you that men on this translating committee made subtle changes that did not add to the readability of the Bible, at all. In fact, they used the excuse of giving you a Bible in more up-to-date English to introduce changes that distort the doctrines of Christ. What you are seeing is “the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive,” (Eph. 4:14).
Hope this helps,
Pastor Bevans Welder