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Is The Passion Translation (TPT) Accurate? An Honest Guide

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Short answer: The Passion Translation (TPT) is accurate to its goal — expressive, heart-level devotional reading — but it is not a precise, word-for-word translation. Many Bible scholars describe it as an interpretive paraphrase because it frequently adds words and ideas to bring out what the translator sees as the passage’s emotional meaning. The healthiest way to read TPT is alongside a more literal translation (such as the ESV, NASB, or NKJV) when you study, and on its own for devotional reading.

Below is a fair look at what TPT is, what critics say, and how to use it well.

What Is The Passion Translation?

TPT is a modern English Bible led by translator Brian Simmons and published by BroadStreet Publishing. Portions appeared from 2011, the Psalms in 2014, and the full New Testament in 2017, with a revised New Testament edition later. Old Testament books continue to be released, and the full Bible is projected for completion later this decade.

Its stated aim is a “heart-level” Bible: language that conveys the passion, poetry, and emotional force of Scripture, not just its literal wording. Footnotes often explain alternative readings and the translator’s choices.

Where TPT Sits on the Translation Spectrum

Every Bible translation balances accuracy to the words against clarity of meaning:

ApproachGoalExamples
Formal (word-for-word)Mirror the original wording closelyKJV, NKJV, ESV, NASB
Functional (thought-for-thought)Convey the meaning in natural languageNIV, CSB, NLT
Paraphrase / interpretiveRe-express the message freelyThe Message, The Living Bible, TPT

TPT sits at the most interpretive end. That is not automatically bad — paraphrases have helped many people engage with Scripture — but it changes how you should use it.

What Critics Say

The main criticisms come from biblical scholars and pastors:

  • Added material. A widely cited review of TPT’s Psalms in the journal Themelios argued that the text is substantially longer than the Hebrew original because of additions, and that some additions change the meaning rather than clarify it.
  • “Not really a translation.” Critics such as Andrew Wilson have pointed to verses where TPT includes phrases with no basis in the Greek, calling these interpolations.
  • A single primary translator. Most major translations are produced by large committees of scholars who check each other’s work. TPT is primarily the work of one translator; it says a small group of scholars reviews his work, but there is no translation committee comparable to those behind the NIV, ESV, or CSB.
  • Reliance on Aramaic sources. TPT’s New Testament draws on Aramaic texts in addition to the Greek; most New Testament scholars treat the Greek manuscripts as primary.

In January 2022, Bible Gateway removed TPT from its platform amid this criticism. TPT’s translator and publisher have defended the work, and it remains available elsewhere, including in dedicated apps.

In 2026, TPT came under new scrutiny. Critics alleged that parts of the text and footnotes were copied from earlier translations without attribution and questioned the translator’s stated credentials; the coverage we found reported no public response from the translator or publisher to those specific allegations. Several ministries and Bible apps have distanced themselves from TPT, and YouVersion now lists it as “In Review” while it undergoes an expanded review process.

What Readers Appreciate About TPT

The reason TPT stays popular is real: many readers find that it makes familiar passages feel fresh and personal. People commonly use it for:

  • Morning devotionals and prayer, where the goal is connection rather than technical study.
  • Re-reading familiar books like Psalms and the Gospels with new eyes.
  • Encouragement — the expressive language lands emotionally.

How to Read TPT Well

If you enjoy TPT, a few habits keep you grounded:

  1. Pair it with a more literal translation. Read the same passage in the ESV, NASB, or NKJV. When TPT says more than the other versions, read the footnote to see why.
  2. Don’t build doctrine on a single TPT phrase. If a teaching depends on wording that only appears in TPT, check it against other translations first.
  3. Use it for devotion, not debate. Let TPT stir your heart; use word-for-word translations for study, teaching, and quoting.
  4. Read the footnotes. They often show the more literal reading TPT expanded on.

Reading TPT on Your Phone

If you want TPT for daily devotional reading, Bible TPT is a free Android app with offline reading, Audio Bible, daily devotionals, and AI reading plans. Our guide to the TPT Bible app walks through setup, and if you are comparing apps for study, see the best Bible apps for Android in 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Passion Translation accurate?

It depends on what you need. TPT is written for devotional, heart-level reading and often expands the text to bring out emotion and meaning. Many scholars consider it closer to an interpretive paraphrase than a word-for-word translation, so it is not recommended as your only Bible for detailed study. Many readers use it alongside a more literal translation such as the ESV, NASB, or NKJV.

Is TPT a translation or a paraphrase?

The publisher calls it a translation. Critics argue it behaves more like a paraphrase because it adds words and phrases not found in the source texts. In practice, it sits at the most interpretive end of the translation spectrum, near paraphrases like The Message.

Why did Bible Gateway remove The Passion Translation?

Bible Gateway removed TPT from its site in January 2022 amid ongoing criticism of its accuracy. It did not publish a detailed explanation. TPT remains available in other apps and through its publisher, BroadStreet Publishing.

Is the whole Bible available in TPT?

Not yet. The New Testament, Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Songs, and a growing number of Old Testament books are available, with the full Bible projected for completion later this decade.

Is there a free TPT Bible app?

Yes. Bible TPT is a free Android app for reading The Passion Translation offline, with Audio Bible, daily devotionals, and reading plans.

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