What is the Passion Translation of the Bible?

Answer

The most important problem with The Passion Translation of the Bible (TPT) is found in its name—specifically, the term translation. In truth, The Passion Translation is a paraphrase, apparently intended to support a particular strain of theology. If the same material was marketed as a “commentary” or as a “study guide,” it would still be concerning. As it is, The Passion Translation cannot honestly be called a translation. The TPT goes beyond the idea of “translation” and rewords the Bible as one human author thinks it ought to be written.

The Passion Translation is primarily the work of Brian Simmons. Simmons has a long track record as a passionate and successful missionary and evangelist. However, any translation completed by a single person raises questions of accountability. Such efforts are far more prone to personal preferences. As it turns out, The Passion Translation of the Bible not only reflects Simmons’ Charismatic theology, but it appears to be deliberately written in order to promote it.

The Passion Translation website includes these remarks about the translation process:

To transfer the meaning of the biblical narrative from one language to another requires interpretation.

A passage was adjusted if required for grammar, meaning, clarity, and readability.

So, the publishers of The Passion Translation of the Bible admit to an interpretive bias. Further, they say that “a passage was adjusted if required for . . . meaning.” What necessitated the adjustment? What is the new meaning?

Some passages in The Passion Translation of the Bible do show evidence of tampering with the text. For example, here is Luke 1:37 in several mainstream versions:

ESV: “For nothing will be impossible with God.”

NIV: “For no word from God will ever fail.”

NASB: “For nothing will be impossible with God.”

KJV: “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”

TPT: “Not one promise from God is empty of power. Nothing is impossible with God!”

Clearly, there is an idea being added to the original wording of the text—the verse in the TPT contains an additional sentence. Comparing Mark 1:15 in various translations reveals an apostolic, NAR-friendly addition to the text of the TPT:

ESV: “and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’”

NIV: “‘The time has come,’ he said. ‘The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!’”

KJV: “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”

TPT: “At last the fulfillment of the age has come! It is time for the realm of God’s kingdom to be experienced in fullness! Turn your lives back to God and put your trust in the hope-filled gospel!”

What did John actually say in Mark 1:15? There is a difference between saying the kingdom of God “has come near” and saying the kingdom can be “experienced in fulness.” The Passion Translation’s insertion of a promise to fully experience the kingdom is an example of Charismatic bias.

Other places in The Passion Translation show a similar bias, as words that affect meaning are added without any support from the text. For example, the TPT adds two phrases to 1 Timothy 2:11–12 (italics in the original): Let the women who are new converts be willing to learn with all submission to their leaders and not speak out of turn. I don’t advocate that the newly converted women be the teachers in the church, assuming authority over the men, but to live in peace. The phrases who are new converts and newly converted are not found in the Greek, which is why the TPT italicizes them. But the idea that Paul is not speaking of all women—only the newly converted—happens to correspond with Pentecostal teaching and Simmons’ own belief in egalitiarianism.

Endorsements of The Passion Translation include Bill Johnson, pastor of Bethel Church in Redding, California, and a leader of the New Apostolic Reformation; Bobbie Houston, co-founder of Hillsong Church and another NAR leader; and self-described “apostle” Ché Ahn. The fact that the TPT is the Bible of choice for modern-day prophets and apostles and is promoted by the New Apostolic Reformation should be enough to mark it as a “translation” not to be trusted.