Updated October 20, 2026
Why I Value the New Living Translation
Many years ago, when I first started following Jesus, I would listen to Chuck Swindoll on Insight for Living almost every weeknight. Since there was no local church I could attend then, Chuck was most influential in my spiritual growth when I was a new Christian. I deeply respect Chuck’s teaching and opinions.
Many pastors who were primarily preaching from the 1984 edition of the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible started to look for another translation to use when that Bible edition was no longer being published. Many have switched to the English Standard Version, the New King James Version, or the Christian Standard Bible. There has been a lot of confusion among people who think the New Living Translation (NLT) is a paraphrase like the Living Bible was and therefore not suitable for preaching.
Over the last few years, I have heard that more and more pastors are choosing to preach from and distribute New Living Translation Bibles. At our church, we have been using it more often because we believe that people’s lives will be transformed as they read God’s Word, understand it, and apply it to their lives. I share this to show that pastors and Bible scholars do find the NLT a useful text.
I personally prefer the 2015 revision of the NLT and give New Believer’s NLT New Testaments away at our church and in our community.
The NLT is a translation from the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. Although the project began with the idea of revising the Living Bible, it developed into a new translation. Its goal is to communicate the meaning of the biblical text accurately in clear, natural English.
Why Chuck Swindoll Chose the NLT
Here’s how Chuck Swindoll’s ministry website explains his choice to preach from the New Living Translation:
What version of the Bible does Chuck use?
For many years of his ministry, especially since 1971 in Fullerton, California, Chuck exclusively used the New American Standard Version Ryrie Study Bible in his preaching. However, beginning in early 2013, after careful investigation, personal research, and discussions with those involved in the publishing of The New Living Translation, he has switched to that version of the Bible in his public ministry.
Approximately 90 biblical scholars went to the original texts during the foundational work of their translation to guarantee the accuracy of their efforts.
These devoted individuals then pursued the best and most helpful ways to express the meaning of the biblical text in our English language, which resulted in a much more readable translation.
Because Chuck’s threefold commitment remains the same (accuracy, clarity, and practicality), he desired to use a version of the Bible that did not require a seminary-trained scholar to understand it, and yet he wanted to make certain the version he used remained faithful and true to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts.
Chuck has come to realize that The New Living Translation best serves his purpose in helping others realize how reliable, relevant, timeless and true God’s Word remains to this day.
Insight for Living, “What version of the Bible does Chuck use?”
Chuck Swindoll Explains His Choice
Chuck Swindoll explains why he chose the New Living Translation for his public ministry. This video adds his personal explanation to the statement from Insight for Living above.
Interesting Facts About the NLT
Where to Buy NLT Bibles in Bulk
One of the best places to buy New Living Translation Bibles in large quantities is Bibles at Cost.
NLT Editions, Revisions, and How to Identify Them
The New Living Translation was first published in 1996, and a major revision was published in 2004. There were also minor revisions in 2007, 2013, and 2015. One way to distinguish older first- and second-edition copies is by looking at the Tyndale logo: a square-shaped logo identifies the first edition, and a baseball-diamond-shaped logo identifies the second edition. You can also check the copyright page for the translation’s copyright dates.
Eagle Brook Church Uses and Recommends the NLT
Eagle Brook, one of Minnesota’s largest multisite churches, uses and recommends the NLT on its website under “How do I read the Bible?” The church recommends an understandable translation and says of the NLT, “which we use most often here at Eagle Brook.”
Read Eagle Brook’s guidance on reading the Bible.
A Reformed Seminary Professor’s Perspective
Tommy Keene at Reformed Theological Seminary has written an article, “Why the NLT Is Good, Actually.”
Three Reasons a New Testament Professor Loves the NLT
Carl Hinderager, a longtime professor of New Testament at Briercrest College and Seminary, shares three reasons why he loves the NLT. Read: 3 Reasons This New Testament Professor Loves the NLT Bible Translation.
The NLT in Bible Distribution and Outreach
The Canadian Gideons, now named ShareWord Global, chose the New Living Translation for distribution and used the New Living Translation for their NewLife Bible app. Read about their use of the NLT and explore the NewLife Bible app.
Life Application Study Bibles Available in the NLT
The third edition of the bestselling and extremely useful Life Application Study Bible was released in October 2019 in the New Living Translation and New International Version. The NLT Chronological Life Application Study Bible, Second Edition has also been released.
Explore the NLT Life Application Study Bible, Third Edition.
Explore the NLT Chronological Life Application Study Bible, Second Edition.
More Videos on the NLT
Which Bible Translation Should I Read? | Bible Translation Review
By Alan Parr
Alan Parr reviews Bible translations and considers the question many readers ask: Which one should I read? This video provides a broader setting for considering the NLT alongside other English translations.
Should Christians Use the New Living Translation?
Todd Friel addresses this question in a video from Wretched. It offers another perspective to consider as you evaluate the NLT and choose a translation for Bible reading and study.
Real Men Read the New Living Translation
In this video from Keep Preaching, “REAL MEN read the New Living Translation,” the NLT takes center stage. It adds another voice to the discussion of reading and using this translation.
Why I Use the New Living Translation
In this video from Park Avenue Bible Church, the speaker explains his reasons for using the NLT. It adds a local church perspective to the discussion of choosing a Bible translation.
The Rise in Popularity of the NLT: An Interview with Tremper Longman III
Church Answers interviews biblical scholar Tremper Longman III about the growing popularity of the New Living Translation. This conversation adds a scholar’s perspective to the pastoral experiences and translation resources collected here.
More Resources on Preaching from the New Living Translation
Chuck Swindoll is not alone in recognizing the value of the New Living Translation for preaching and teaching. The following articles, interviews, and videos offer additional perspectives on its accuracy, readability, and usefulness in helping people understand and apply God’s Word.
Why Preachers Should Pick One Translation
In this October 2026 episode of Rainer on Leadership, Sam Rainer interviews New Testament scholar and NLT senior translator Nijay Gupta about choosing one primary translation for the pulpit. They discuss why they recommend the NLT for preaching.
Listen: Why Preachers Should Pick One Translation (And Which One Is Best)
A Pastor’s Review After Two Years of Preaching from the NLT
This firsthand review explains how the NLT can help a preacher spend less time explaining unfamiliar English expressions and more time communicating the meaning and application of Scripture. The author also discusses limitations and recommends consulting other translations during sermon preparation.
Read: Review: Two Years with the New Living Translation
Why One Pastor Switched from the ESV to the NLT
After fifteen years of using the English Standard Version, Pastor Allen Coleman began using the NLT in his public ministry. In this article, republished by Tyndale, he explains his decision in terms of comprehension, precision, inclusion, and mission. His concern is helping both mature believers and people unfamiliar with the Bible understand what Scripture says.
Read: Why I Switched to the New Living Translation
Daniel Block on Accuracy, Clarity, and Reading Scripture Aloud
In this August 2025 interview, Sam Rainer talks with NLT senior translator Daniel Block about the translation process, accuracy, cultural expressions, and the importance of how Scripture sounds when read aloud. Their conversation addresses several questions people ask about meaning-based Bible translation.
Listen: Why the NLT Might Be the Best Bible You’ve Never Considered
Watch the interview on YouTube
How Can We Know a Bible Translation Is Accurate?
In a video shared by Tyndale, Daniel Block speaks with Matt from The Ten Minute Bible Hour about the work behind Bible translation. This resource offers a helpful introduction to the care and scholarship involved in communicating the ancient biblical texts to modern readers.
Watch: How Can We Be Sure That the Bible Text We Are Reading Is Accurate?
Written to Be Spoken
A preaching Bible needs to communicate clearly when people hear it read aloud. Tyndale’s “Written to Be Spoken” page explains the attention given to public reading in the NLT and includes audio samples from several biblical passages.
Questions About the NLT’s Translation and Revisions
Tyndale’s frequently asked questions explain the NLT’s translation philosophy, original-language foundations, contributing scholars, and revisions. This is a useful reference for understanding how the NLT was produced and how the second edition refined its precision, consistency, and preservation of literary features.
Read: Frequently Asked Questions About the NLT
Some of these resources come from Tyndale, the NLT’s publisher, or feature scholars who worked on the translation. Others offer firsthand pastoral experience. Together, they provide helpful reasons to consider the NLT for preaching while continuing to study carefully, compare translations, and explain the biblical text in context.
