The Message (MSG) and J.B. Phillips’ New Testament are both free-flowing, idiomatic renderings of Scripture rather than strict word-for-word translations. The MSG is a contemporary American paraphrase that restates the biblical text in lively, conversational English, while Phillips is an earlier British paraphrase that aims to make the New Testament read like fresh letters written to modern readers. The MSG suits readers who want an energetic, plainspoken voice for devotional reading, and Phillips suits readers who want a gentler, more literary paraphrase with a strong sense of the original Greek letters.
Background
The Message was produced by Eugene Peterson, a pastor and professor, who worked on it over many years and published it in stages before completing the full Bible in 2002. Peterson wrote it as a personal paraphrase meant to be read aloud and to help people hear the text in their own daily language. It is published by NavPress and is widely used in small groups, family devotions and personal reading.
J.B. Phillips was an English clergyman and scholar who began translating the New Testament during the Second World War so that young people in his parish could understand the letters of Paul and the Gospels. His work, The New Testament in Modern English, appeared in stages and was later completed as a single volume. Phillips wrote from within the Church of England tradition, and his paraphrase remains known for its clear, crisp prose and its attention to the emotional force of the original writers.
Translation Method
Both works are paraphrases, which means they prioritize the sense of a passage over the exact order of its words. Peterson takes considerable liberty, often expanding a sentence into several contemporary sentences and using slang, idiom and vivid modern images to carry the meaning. Phillips also paraphrases, but his choices tend to stay closer to the sentence structure of the Greek while still reading naturally in English.
What this means in practice is that the MSG often feels like a conversation with a wise friend who has taken the text to heart, while Phillips feels more like a carefully rendered letter from a first-century author. Readers who want to see the flow of an argument in a way that is easy to absorb may find the MSG refreshing, while readers who want to stay nearer to the rhythm of the original prose may prefer Phillips.
Reading Level and Style
The MSG is written at a very accessible level, with short sentences, colloquial phrasing and frequent use of everyday American speech. Its tone is energetic and sometimes playful, which can make familiar passages feel newly surprising. Because it reads so easily, it is often recommended for younger readers and for people returning to Scripture after a long break.
Phillips reads at a comparatively formal but still approachable level, with the polish of mid-twentieth-century British English. Its sentences are full and balanced, and its vocabulary is richer than the MSG’s. Readers who enjoy literary prose and a more measured voice often find Phillips rewarding, especially in the letters of Paul.
A Verse to Compare
Romans 8:28
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.
(WEB)
Both paraphrases work hard to make this familiar promise land in everyday language. The MSG tends to restate the idea with warm, direct phrasing that emphasizes God’s active involvement in ordinary circumstances. Phillips keeps a more reflective cadence, with sentence shapes that feel closer to Paul’s argumentative style. Reading the two side by side shows how much a paraphrase can shift the emotional tone of a single verse while keeping its central claim intact.
Who Should Use It
Choose the MSG if you want a lively, plainspoken companion for daily devotions, group study with newcomers, or reading aloud with children and teenagers. Its strength is immediacy, but its freedom means it can drift from the wording of the original in places, so it works best alongside a more literal translation for detailed study.
Choose Phillips if you prefer a thoughtful, literary paraphrase that feels grounded in the New Testament letters themselves. Its strength is its clarity and warmth, and its limit is that its English is more dated, which may feel slower to readers used to modern speech. Many people use it as a second reading to refresh their sense of the New Testament’s voice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the MSG a Bible translation or a paraphrase?
The MSG is a paraphrase, meaning it restates the meaning of the text in contemporary language rather than translating word by word. It is valued for readability and devotional impact. Many readers pair it with a more literal version for close study.
Does Phillips cover the whole Bible?
Phillips’ work covers the New Testament only. It was completed as a single volume after being issued in parts. Readers who want the Old Testament in a similar style would need to look to other paraphrases.
Which one is better for a beginner?
Beginners often find the MSG easier to follow because its language is direct and conversational. Phillips may suit a beginner who enjoys a more literary tone. Either works well as an introduction, provided you also read a more literal translation over time.
