In the article Examining The Passion Translation Bible, I examined some of the many alterations of the biblical text that occur in TPT. In this article, I focus on two words: apostles and prophets. The reason is that in the New Apostolic Reformation, apostles and prophets are present-day offices that hold revelatory and authoritative power in the church. I wanted to know how the so-called Passion Translation rendered certain verses.

It should be the goal of any translation to accurately represent the original text. But that is not always the case with TPT. It blatantly alters the original Greek New Testament in favor of NAR theology. Consider The Passion Translation website which says.

“The Passion Translation, however, is not rooted in any one tradition or denomination, but desires to help the wider body of Christ encounter the heart of God anew in the language of today. It is broadly used across denominations although it resonates most with Charismatic and Pentecostal believers.” (https://www.thepassiontranslation.com/faqs)

The wording in TPT is biased towards the terms ‘apostolic,’ especially in the introduction material to many of the N.T. books. By reading through it, a person is gently moved to affirm apostolic authority for today.

As regards the terms ‘prophet’ and ‘prophetic’ the bias continues. We find many scriptures that are modified.

• prophetic expectations, (intro to Matthew)
• prophetic promise, (Acts 7:17)
• prophetic writings, (Acts 7:42)
• prophetic word, (Acts 19:10)
• prophetic gesture, (Acts 21:11)
• prophetic promises, (Rom. 3:2; Eph. 2:12)
• prophetic revelation, (1 Cor. 14:5)
• prophetic shadow, (Col. 2:17)
• prophetic songs, (Col. 3:16)
• prophetic insight, (intro to 2 Thessalonians)
• prophetic dream, (intro to 2 Thessalonians)
• prophetically illustrates, (Heb. 3:5)
• prophetic oracles, (Heb. 5:12)
• prophetic destinies, (Heb. 11:20)
• prophetic blessing, (Heb. 11:21)
• prophetic picture, (1 Peter 3:21)
• prophetic words, (Rev. 22:10, 18, 19)

In light of the above bias in the “translation” that seeks to render it accurately, please consider the following table.

 

Term	Address	The Passion Translation	NASB	ESV
Apostle Apostolic	Luke 11:4	“That accounts for the wisdom of God, saying, ‘I will send to them apostles and prophets though some they will murder and others they will chase away.’	“For this reason also the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and some they will persecute.”	“Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute.”
		Note on Luke 11:4   The order of the words “prophets and apostles” is how the original Greek is written. But, in TPT it is changed to “apostles and prophets.” This is probably because in the NAR apostles are in authority over the prophets. Therefore, “apostles” was changed to the primary position.
	Acts 16:4	They went out together as missionaries, traveling to different cities where they preached and informed the churches of the decrees of the apostolic council of Jerusalem for the non-Jewish converts to observe.	Now while they were passing through the cities, they were delivering the decrees which had been decided upon by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem, for them to observe.	As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem
		Note on Acts 16:4   The NAR affirms present-day apostles over present-day prophets which are over elders/pastors. But, Acts 16:4 is “translated” in favor of NAR bias when it excludes the word “elders”- which is in the Greek text as πρεσβύτερος presbúteros. “Elders” is omitted in their English version probably because it would lessen the authority of the apostles for today since elders in the NAR are under the authority of the apostles.
	1 Cor. 9:3	“So to those who want to continually criticize my apostolic ministry, here’s my statement of defense.”	My defense to those who examine me is this:	This is my defense to those who would examine me.
		Note on 1 Cor. 9:3   The words “apostolic ministry” are inserted into the English. But, the Greek does not have it there. This shows the NAR bias woven into the text.  In fact, the word “apostles” is added to the English in TPT many times even though the Greek does not have it. Disciples changed to apostles in Luke 17:22; The word “apostle” added when not in the Greek:  Luke 17:37; Luke 18:1; Mark 3:14; 14:10; Luke 6:17; Acts 1:3; 1 Cor. 9:4, Gal. 1:18, etc.
	In light of the NAR’s position that apostles are primary in the present-day church, I provide notes from TPT that demonstrate that bias. “In many ways, this letter serves as an apostolic manual for the body of Christ” (Notes regarding 2 Corinthians) “By the apostolic mandate given to Jesus’ disciples, they were sent into every nation.” (Notes regarding Galatians) “After leaving Philippi, during his second apostolic journey…” (Notes regarding 1 Thessalonians) “Timothy was an apostolic apprentice to Paul…Perhaps we should view these two letters more as “Apostolic Epistles” instead of Pastoral Epistles.” (Notes regarding 1 Timothy) He [Titus] was a Greek convert from Antioch and an apostolic church planter.” (Notes regarding Titus) “Eusebius (AD 260–339) refers to an even earlier apostolic father, Clement of Alexandria (AD 150–211).” (Notes regarding Hebrews)
Prophet Prophetic	Matt. 10:14	“And if anyone doesn’t listen to you and rejects your message, when you leave that house or town, shake the dust off your feet as a prophetic act that you will not take their defilement with you.”	“Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet” [added ‘as a prophetic act’]	“And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet added [‘aded a prophetic act’] when you leave that house or town.”
		Note on Matt. 10:14   The words “as a prophetic act” are added to the text. The Greek does not have those words there. Why the insertion of these words? Is it because the idea of present-day ‘prophetic acts’ is supported in the NAR and this is a form of conditioning to prepare the reader to be more receptive to it?
	Luke 1:17	“He will go before the Lord as a forerunner, with the same power and anointing as Elijah the prophet…”	“It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah [added ‘the prophet’]…”	“and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah [added ‘the prophet’]…”
		Note on Luke 1:17   This is another example of adding the word “prophet” into the text when it is not there in Greek.
	1 Cor. 14:29	“And the same with prophecy. Let two or three prophets prophesy and let the other prophets carefully evaluate and discern what is being said.”	“Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment.”	“Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.”
		Note on 1 Cor. 14:29   The Passion Translation adds “prophecy” and “prophets” to the text. The implication is that for today, prophets are those who judge prophecies. Of course, this is in the context of affirming present-day apostles and prophets. Therefore, the text is altered to suit the NAR bias.
	Col. 3:16	“Let the word of Christ live in you richly, flooding you with all wisdom. Apply the Scriptures as you teach and instruct one another with the Psalms, and with festive praises, and with prophetic songs given to you spontaneously by the Spirit, so sing to God with all your hearts!”	“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”	“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
		Note on Col. 3:16   The Passion Translation adds “prophetic songs.” But that is not what the Greek says. “Prophetic” is προφητεία prophēteía. “Spiritual” is πνευματικός pneumatikós. Why the change? Again, it must be due to the NAR bias.
	James 5:10	“My brothers and sisters, take the prophets as your mentors. They have prophesied in the name of the Lord..”	“As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.	“As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.”
		Note on James 5:10   Again, the NAR bias comes through. This is another wording that they can use to bring followers in line with submitting to present-day prophets.
	Other examples of where the word “prophet” or “prophetic” is added to the text when it is not in Greek. can be found in the following Luke 4:25-26; 5:33; Rom. 3:2; Eph. 2:12; Col. 2:17; Heb. 3:5; 5:12; 2 Peter 2:15, etc.

 

I suggest you do your own study to verify and even expand on the issues related to The Passion Translation. In my opinion, I don’t consider it a faithful rendering into the English. It contains a great deal of reinterpretation in harmony with the new apostolic Reformation theological perspective. I recommend people avoid it.