Excellent4.8 out of 5
A Heart-First Bible
The Passion Translation (TPT) is a modern, devotional rendering of Scripture created by pastor Brian Simmons. Rather than aiming for word-for-word accuracy, the TPT seeks to capture the emotion, poetry, and relational warmth of the original texts, making it particularly well suited to devotional reading, personal prayer, and charismatic and Pentecostal worship contexts.
The TPT is currently available as a complete New Testament edition - including Psalms, Proverbs, and Song of Songs - and as individual Old Testament books. Most readers use the TPT alongside a more literal translation such as the NIV or ESV for study and preaching, and reach for the TPT when they want to encounter a familiar passage with fresh devotional energy.
If you are not sure whether the TPT is the right translation for your needs, our Bible Finder can help you compare translations and find the right edition.
Q: Is the Passion Translation the whole Bible?
The Passion Translation is not yet available as a complete Old and New Testament Bible in a single volume. The full New Testament edition includes Psalms, Proverbs, and Song of Songs. Individual Old Testament books are available separately, and a five-volume Old Testament collection covers the major sections. Brian Simmons continues to work on completing the full project.
Q: Is the Passion Translation a good Bible?
The Passion Translation is a devotional paraphrase rather than a formal translation — it prioritises capturing the emotional and relational depth of Scripture over word-for-word accuracy. Many readers find it brings fresh life to familiar passages in devotional reading and personal prayer. For study, preaching, or academic use, most scholars recommend using it alongside a more literal translation such as the NIV or ESV.
Q: Who wrote the Passion Translation?
The Passion Translation was written by Brian Simmons, a former pastor, church planter, and Bible translator who worked with indigenous peoples in Central America. The project was published by BroadStreet Publishing and has been widely adopted in charismatic, Pentecostal, and Bethel-associated church circles.
Q: What churches use the Passion Translation?
The TPT is most widely used in charismatic and Pentecostal church settings, particularly those associated with the broader renewal movement. Bethel Church in Redding, California has been prominent in its adoption. It is also used widely in personal devotion and women's Bible study groups across many denominations.
Q: What is the difference between the Passion Translation and the NIV?
The NIV is a thought-for-thought translation that closely follows the meaning of the original Greek and Hebrew texts in natural contemporary English. The TPT goes further — it is an interpretive paraphrase that expands on the original text to convey emotional depth and devotional meaning, sometimes adding phrases not present in the source text. The NIV is the more widely used and widely accepted translation for general church use and study. The TPT is better described as a devotional companion to Scripture.
A Heart-First Bible
The Passion Translation (TPT) is a modern, devotional rendering of Scripture created by pastor Brian Simmons. Rather than aiming for word-for-word accuracy, the TPT seeks to capture the emotion, poetry, and relational warmth of the original texts, making it particularly well suited to devotional reading, personal prayer, and charismatic and Pentecostal worship contexts.
The TPT is currently available as a complete New Testament edition - including Psalms, Proverbs, and Song of Songs - and as individual Old Testament books. Most readers use the TPT alongside a more literal translation such as the NIV or ESV for study and preaching, and reach for the TPT when they want to encounter a familiar passage with fresh devotional energy.
If you are not sure whether the TPT is the right translation for your needs, our Bible Finder can help you compare translations and find the right edition.
Q: Is the Passion Translation the whole Bible?
The Passion Translation is not yet available as a complete Old and New Testament Bible in a single volume. The full New Testament edition includes Psalms, Proverbs, and Song of Songs. Individual Old Testament books are available separately, and a five-volume Old Testament collection covers the major sections. Brian Simmons continues to work on completing the full project.
Q: Is the Passion Translation a good Bible?
The Passion Translation is a devotional paraphrase rather than a formal translation — it prioritises capturing the emotional and relational depth of Scripture over word-for-word accuracy. Many readers find it brings fresh life to familiar passages in devotional reading and personal prayer. For study, preaching, or academic use, most scholars recommend using it alongside a more literal translation such as the NIV or ESV.
Q: Who wrote the Passion Translation?
The Passion Translation was written by Brian Simmons, a former pastor, church planter, and Bible translator who worked with indigenous peoples in Central America. The project was published by BroadStreet Publishing and has been widely adopted in charismatic, Pentecostal, and Bethel-associated church circles.
Q: What churches use the Passion Translation?
The TPT is most widely used in charismatic and Pentecostal church settings, particularly those associated with the broader renewal movement. Bethel Church in Redding, California has been prominent in its adoption. It is also used widely in personal devotion and women's Bible study groups across many denominations.
Q: What is the difference between the Passion Translation and the NIV?
The NIV is a thought-for-thought translation that closely follows the meaning of the original Greek and Hebrew texts in natural contemporary English. The TPT goes further — it is an interpretive paraphrase that expands on the original text to convey emotional depth and devotional meaning, sometimes adding phrases not present in the source text. The NIV is the more widely used and widely accepted translation for general church use and study. The TPT is better described as a devotional companion to Scripture.
Trustpilot
