3:3
Before you translate 3:3a–c, there are three issues to consider:
Issue 1: The number of sentences
In Greek, 3:3a–c is one sentence. This whole sentence is a rhetorical question. In some languages, it may be possible to translate this Greek sentence as one sentence. For example:
a Are you foolish enough to think that b after you began by the Spirit, c you can finish by the flesh?
All English versions translate 3:3a as a separate rhetorical question. These versions then translate 3:3b–c as one or two additional sentences. (Examples are given in the Notes on 3:3a–c below.) In many languages, it will probably be natural to also translate 3:3a–c as two or three sentences.
Issue 2: The contrasting parallels
Notice that there are two parallels in this verse. These parallels contrast. The first contrasting parallels are “starting” and “finishing.” They are underlined below:
After starting in the Spirit, are you now finishing in the flesh?
The second contrasting parallels are “with the Spirit” and “with the flesh.” They are underlined below.
After starting in the Spirit, are you now finishing in the flesh ?
It is good to recognize these contrasting parallels even if you cannot translate them literally in your language.
Issue 3: The order of the clauses
In some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of these clauses. For example:
3b After starting with the Spirit, 3a it’s foolish 3c to attempt to finish by human effort.
-or-
3b You began your life in Christ by the Spirit. 3c Now are you trying to make it complete by your own power? 3a That is foolish. (New Century Version)
3:3a
Are you so foolish?: This is a rhetorical question. Paul used this rhetorical question to rebuke the Galatians for being foolish.
Some ways to translate this rebuke are:
• As a rhetorical question. For example:
Why are you so foolish?
-or-
Are you mad/crazy?
• As a tag question. For example:
You are not that foolish, are you?
• As an exclamation. For example:
You should not be so foolish!
• As a command. For example:
Do not be so foolish!
Use whichever form is most natural in your language to express a rebuke.
foolish: This is the same word that Paul used in 3:1a. You should translate it in the same way.
3:3b
Verse 3:3b is the beginning of a rhetorical question that ends in 3:3c.
After starting in the Spirit: The phrase in the Spirit is another way of saying “receive the Spirit” in 3:2b. Paul reminded the Galatians that their lives in Christ began when they received the Holy Spirit.
Some ways to translate this clause are:
• As the first part of the sentence that continues in 3:3c. For example:
After beginning with the Spirit (New International Version)
-or-
After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit (New Living Translation (2004))
• As a separate sentence. For example:
You began your life in Christ by the Spirit. (New Century Version)
-or-
You received the ?Holy? Spirit when you started ?to follow Jesus? .
• As a separate rhetorical question. In this part of the rhetorical question of 3:3b–c, Paul emphasized that the Galatians had begun their Christian lives with the Holy Spirit. For example:
You began ?your life as Christians? with the Spirit, did you not?
the Spirit: As in 3:2b, the word Spirit here means the “Holy Spirit.”
3:3c
are you now finishing in the flesh?: Before you translate 3:3c, there are two issues to consider:
Issue 1: The interpretation issue
There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as finishing :
(1) It means the finish or end of their lives either by death or Christ’s return. The idea of finishing here contrasts with the idea of “starting” in 3:3b. According to this interpretation, Paul asked the Galatians, “Are you now going to ?change from the way you began your Christian life and? use your own efforts to continue until the end?” For example:
are you now trying to finish by human effort? (NET Bible)
(2) It means to perfect and refers to the Galatians adding something to their spiritual lives to become perfect. For example:
why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? (New Living Translation (2004))
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The thought here is similar to Philippians 1:6, which says, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Berean Standard Bible)
Issue 2: The rhetorical question
Paul again used a rhetorical question to rebuke the Galatians. He wanted them to realize that it made no sense to begin by/with the Spirit and then change to their own strength. They were foolish to try to live their Christian life in the flesh.
Some ways to translate this rebuke are:
• As a rhetorical question. For example:
do you now want to finish by your own power? (Good News Translation)
-or-
Do you think that you can finish with your own strength?
• As a statement. For example:
Now you are foolishly trying to finish/end by your own effort.
• As a command. For example:
Do not be so foolish as to try to finish by your own strength.
Use whichever form is most natural in your language to express a rebuke.
in the flesh: The phrase in the flesh is another way of saying “by obeying the law.” It refers to people trying to save themselves by their own human effort. This phrase contrasts with “by the Spirit” (in 3:3b).
Some other ways to translate this phrase are:
by your own actions
-or-
because of your own efforts
-or-
using your own strength/power
For more information, see flesh, Meaning 5 in the Glossary.
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