The New World Translation

Evaluating Their Bible

When engaging Jehovah's Witnesses, you'll quickly encounter their own Bible translation: the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (NWT). Produced by the Watchtower organization between 1950 and 1961 (with revisions since), the NWT is the translation used exclusively in Witness study and worship.

Evaluating the NWT requires fairness and precision. Not every translation choice is problematic, and some criticisms of the NWT are overblown. However, at key theological points, the NWT renders the text in ways that support Watchtower doctrine—often against the consensus of biblical scholarship.

The Translation Committee

The NWT was produced by an anonymous committee whose members were not publicly identified during their lifetimes. The Watchtower claimed anonymity was to avoid glorifying individuals and to credit Jehovah as the true author.

Former Governing Body member Raymond Franz later identified the committee members: Nathan Knorr, Fred Franz, Albert Schroeder, George Gangas, and Milton Henschel. Of these, only Fred Franz had any formal training in biblical languages—and even his credentials were limited (some college-level Greek; self-taught Hebrew).

This matters because translation work at this level requires deep expertise in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, as well as familiarity with textual criticism, ancient manuscripts, and translation methodology. The committee's limited qualifications raise questions about their ability to make independent translation decisions versus simply rendering the text to match existing Watchtower theology.

Key Issue: John 1:1

Perhaps the most controversial NWT rendering is John 1:1:

Compare with standard translations:

The Watchtower's Argument

The NWT justifies "a god" by noting that the Greek word theos (God) in the phrase "the Word was God" lacks the definite article. They argue this indicates an indefinite sense: not "the God" but "a god"—a divine being of lesser status.

Why This Argument Fails

Greek grammar doesn't work this way. In Greek, predicate nominatives (like theos in "the Word was theos") often lack the article without becoming indefinite. The absence of the article emphasizes nature or quality rather than indicating "a" of something.

The context demands "God." John uses theos without the article for the Father elsewhere (John 1:6, 12, 13, 18) where no one suggests translating "a god." The NWT itself translates anarthrous theos as "God" in these verses—only rendering it "a god" when it refers to Jesus.

Expert consensus is overwhelming. Virtually every recognized Greek scholar rejects the NWT's rendering. Dr. Julius Mantey, whose grammar the Watchtower cited in support, wrote to the organization demanding they stop misrepresenting his work, calling the NWT's rendering "a shocking mistranslation."

Key Issue: Colossians 1:15-17

In Colossians 1, Paul describes Christ's role in creation:

The word "other" appears in brackets four times in the NWT. This word is not in the Greek text. The Watchtower added it to make the passage teach that Jesus is part of creation ("all other things" implies Jesus is one of the created things).

Why This Insertion Is Problematic

The Greek is unambiguous. Paul wrote ta panta—"all things" or "the all things." There is no word for "other" in any Greek manuscript. The NWT adds to Scripture to change its meaning.

The context argues against it. Paul's point is Christ's supremacy over all creation. Adding "other" undermines this by making Christ merely the first of many created beings rather than the uncreated Creator.

"Firstborn" doesn't mean "first created." The term prōtotokos (firstborn) denotes preeminence and inheritance rights, not temporal sequence. Israel was called God's "firstborn" (Exodus 4:22) though not the first nation created. David was called "firstborn" (Psalm 89:27) though he was Jesse's youngest son.

Key Issue: "Jehovah" in the New Testament

The NWT inserts the name "Jehovah" 237 times in the New Testament where the Greek manuscripts have kyrios (Lord) or theos (God). For example:

Compare with standard translations: "Prepare the way of the Lord."

The Problem

No Greek manuscript support. Not a single Greek New Testament manuscript contains the Tetragrammaton (YHWH/Jehovah). Every manuscript uses kyrios (Lord) in these passages. The NWT inserts "Jehovah" based on the committee's judgment about what the original authors "must have" written—not on textual evidence.

It obscures applications to Christ. Many of these passages in the New Testament apply Old Testament "Jehovah" texts to Jesus. Matthew 3:3 quotes Isaiah 40:3 ("Prepare the way of YHWH"), applying it to preparing for Jesus' ministry. By inserting "Jehovah," the NWT obscures this significant christological connection.

Other Notable Issues

Philippians 2:6

NWT: "who, although he was existing in God's form, gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal to God."

Standard translations: "who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped."

The NWT's rendering suggests Jesus never considered trying to be equal to God—denying his deity. Standard translations indicate Jesus didn't exploit his existing equality with God but humbled himself.

Hebrews 1:8

NWT: "But about the Son, he says: 'God is your throne forever and ever.'"

Standard translations: "But of the Son he says, 'Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.'"

The standard translation has the Father calling the Son "God." The NWT's alternate rendering avoids this by making "God" the subject rather than a vocative address to Christ.

Acts 20:28

NWT: "the congregation of God, which he purchased with the blood of his own Son."

Standard translations: "the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood."

The Greek literally says "through the blood of his own" (tou haimatos tou idiou). Standard translations understand this as referring to God's own blood (through Christ). The NWT adds "Son" (not in the Greek) to avoid implying that God has blood—which would affirm the deity of Christ.

Using the NWT in Conversation

Despite its problems, the NWT can be useful in witnessing to Jehovah's Witnesses:

It removes the "different Bible" objection. When you can make your case from their own translation, they can't dismiss your argument by claiming your Bible is corrupted.

Many passages still teach biblical truth. The NWT couldn't change everything without becoming obviously distorted. Passages about salvation by faith, Christ's divine attributes, and the Spirit's personhood often remain intact.

Inconsistencies reveal bias. When you can show that the NWT translates the same Greek word differently depending on whether it refers to Jesus or the Father, it raises questions about the committee's objectivity.

Conclusion: Testing the Translation

The NWT is not simply another translation among many—it was produced by an unqualified committee to support Watchtower theology. At key points, it adds to Scripture (Colossians 1:16-17), alters clear statements about Christ's deity (John 1:1), and inserts "Jehovah" without manuscript support to obscure passages identifying Jesus as YHWH.

Yet rather than simply attacking the NWT, we can use it as a tool. Many passages still proclaim biblical truth, and pointing out internal inconsistencies can open a Witness's eyes to the translation's theological bias.

Above all, we trust that God's Word is powerful. Even through an imperfect translation, the Holy Spirit can illuminate truth and draw people to Christ. Our confidence is not in our arguments but in the living Word that "will not return to me empty" (Isaiah 55:11).