The Passion Translation (TPT) is a modern, interpretive paraphrase of the Bible created primarily by former missionary and linguist Brian Simmons (2013 & 2020). Rather than providing a strict word-for-word translation, it aims to "re-introduce the passion and fire of the Bible" by merging the emotion and meaning of the original Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic texts into contemporary, expressive English.

The Passion Translation (TPT) is a highly controversial Bible paraphrase created primarily by one author, Brian Simmons. While it aims to make the scriptures emotionally engaging, biblical scholars, theologians, and major platforms like Bible Gateway have widely rejected or removed it.

The above descriptions of The Passion Translation (TPT) call it a "paraphrase", while its author/translator calls it a dynamic equivalence translation. Is it a Translation or Paraphrase?

Key People

• Brian Simmons
• Victor Alexander (web site created in 1995 that Simmons plagiarized from and 'referenced' by saying "some Aramaic manuscripts")
• David Bauscher
• Andrew Roth
• Dr. Jeffrey Fish (literary papyrologist, Baylor University, Dept of Classics)
• Dr. Mark Strauss
• Mike Winger (YouTube channel)
• Minor Prophets (YouTube Channel)
• Andrew Chapman

Translation Source References

• Syriac-Aramaic Peshitta
• The Roth Text
• Numerous English paraphrases of Aramaic texts

Core Philosophy

• Heart-Level Focus: It is explicitly designed as a devotional Bible to help readers connect emotionally with the scriptures.
• Expanded Wording: The TPT often expands upon the original verses to bring out supposed nuances, making the text significantly longer than traditional translations.
• Theological Slant: The translation strongly reflects Charismatic and New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) theology, with an emphasis on present-day apostles, prophecies, and miraculous experiences.

The Controversy

The TPT is highly polarizing within the broader Christian community. While many readers find it deeply inspirational, it is widely criticized by biblical scholars, theologians, and pastors:

• Not a Strict Translation: Critics argue that because it was primarily done by one man (rather than a diverse committee of scholars) and significantly alters and adds to the text, it functions more as a commentary or paraphrase than an actual translation.
• Adding to Scripture: Scholars warn that the TPT takes massive liberties with the text, sometimes adding entire concepts and words that do not appear in the original ancient manuscripts.
• Theological Bias: Critics point out that the alterations often deliberately align with the translator's specific Charismatic background rather than what the original authors wrote

How It Is Used

• Devotional Reading: Many believers enjoy using the TPT alongside traditional translations for personal devotions, daily reading, or finding fresh, poetic inspiration.
• Preaching and Study: Most scholars and pastors advise against using the TPT as a primary study Bible or for in-depth theological teaching, recommending more literal translations instead.

If you are curious to evaluate it for yourself, you can access excerpts and read it online through the The Passion Translation Reading Platform.

To better understand the academic criticisms, you can also read the GotQuestions Analysis of TPT. [1, 2]

The Passion Translation (TPT) is widely considered by biblical scholars and theologians to be a paraphrase or interpretive devotional work, rather than an accurate, direct translation of the Bible. It is primarily a solo project by Dr. Brian Simmons, who claims to have received divine revelation to "re-translate" the text

The text differs from standard Bibles in several significant ways:

• Embellished Language: It significantly alters and expands on the original text, often inserting personal theological biases and adding large amounts of words not found in the original Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek manuscripts.
• Lack of Accountability: It is the work of a single author rather than a diverse translation committee, which is the standard for historically reliable Bibles.
• Theological Bias: The text is frequently criticized for reflecting the teachings of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and charismatic theology, rather than the original context of the scripture.
• Removal from Platforms: Because of its significant interpretive liberties, the text was removed from Bible Gateway and is not approved for use by major Christian denominations

While some Christians use it for personal devotions or poetic reading, it is not recommended by experts for serious theological study, doctrinal teaching, or historical context.
If you are looking for more accurate translations for study, I can provide comparisons between standard scholarly translations (such as the ESV, NIV, or CSB) to help you decide which is best for you. Let me know what your goal is for reading!

Also See:

Andrew Chapman on TPT:
https://theriveroflife.com/2017/11/29/is-the-passion-translation-actually-a-translation-at-all/
https://theriveroflife.com/2020/06/19/the-passion-anti-translation-did-brian-simmons-really-translate-from-the-syriac-peshitta/

Victor Alexander's "Aramaic New Testament"
https://web.archive.org/web/20080423005121
http://www.v-a.com/bible/index.html

Mike Winger & Minor Prophets Video:
https://youtu.be/k9--owgBjtA

Mike Winger's TPT Petition to YouVersion