Is The TNIV Faithful in Its Treatment of Gender? Yes
The TNIV does not eliminate gender distinctions but rather clarifies them
Mark Strauss | posted 10/07/2002 12:00AM
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The gender-accurate language of the TNIV is nothing new. In the last 20 years, almost every English Bible produced or revised has used gender-accurate language. These include the New Revised Standard Version, the Good News Bible, The Message, the Contemporary English Version, and the New Living Translation among many others.
Even versions that arose in opposition to inclusive language—like the English Standard Version—recognize these language changes and so utilize much inclusive language. In hundreds of passages the ESV revises the RSV with gender-inclusive language (see my article on the ESV's gender language at http://biblepacesetter.org/ bibletranslation/files/list.htm).
Consider Matthew 5:11-12:
RSV: "Blessed are you when men revile you … "
ESV: "Blessed are you when others revile you … "
The ESV is certainly far more gender inclusive than the NIV, which leads to the next point.
Scholars on both sides of this debate recognize the legitimacy of many—even most—of the changes introduced in the TNIV. Though you could hardly tell this from the sensationalistic news coverage, opponents acknowledge that the TNIV often improves the accuracy of the NIV (see my article on TNIV improvements at http://biblepacesetter.org/bibletranslation/files/list.htm).
We have already noted that anthropos usually means "person," not "man." The plural anthropoi usually means "people," not "men." For example, Matthew 12:36:
NIV: "But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment."
TNIV: "But I tell you that people will have to give account on the day of judgment."
The Greek plural noun adelphoi often means "siblings" or "brothers and sisters." When used figuratively in the New Testament, it means "fellow believers" or "brothers and sisters" in Christ. For example, Philippians 3:1:
NIV: "Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord!"
TNIV: "Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord!"
Scholars agree that hundreds of generic terms translated "man" in the NIV are more accurately rendered in the TNIV. For example, John 13:35:
NIV: "By this all men (Greek: pantes) will know that you are my disciples … "
TNIV: "By this all people will know that you are my disciples … "
Scholars agree that Greek pateres can mean "fathers," "parents," or "ancestors," depending on the context. When former generations are in view, pateres is best rendered either as "ancestors" (for both men and women) or "forefathers" (for male ancestors). For instance, Hebrews 3:9:
NIV: "where your fathers tested and tried me … "
TNIV: "where your ancestors tested and tried me … "
Long before the TNIV debate, the King James Version recognized that Greek huioi often meant "children" rather than "sons."
For example, in Matthew 5:9:
KJV: "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
NIV: " … for they will be called sons of God."
TNIV: " … for they will be called children of God."
These examples represent the tip of the iceberg. Scholars on both sides acknowledge that in hundreds of verses the TNIV improves the accuracy of the NIV.
But what about the claims of "inaccuracies" and "distortions" of God's Word?
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