reveal

The Greek that is translated as “reveal” in English is translated in Maan with the expression “take the leaf from it.” (Source: Don Slager)

complete verse (1 Corinthians 14:30)

Following are a number of back-translations of 1 Corinthians 14:30:

  • Uma: “If for example words from God come suddenly to one who is sitting, the person who is speaking should stop, so his companion has opportunity to speak.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “But if for example one of those listening suddenly receives word from God, the one speaking should stop and the other one should take his turn speaking.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And if there’s someone sitting there listening, and God causes him to understand what He wants him to say, then it’s necessary that that first one who is speaking must stop so that his companion might also speak.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “And if for-example one is speaking and there is something that God makes-known to his companion who is seated, the one who is speaking should be-quiet in order that his companion can take-his-place.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “And if there is someone sitting (there) who is suddenly/unexpectedly inspired (lit.has-put-into-his-mind) by the Espiritu Santo with something else that God is making known to everyone, that first one speaking should stop now so that that one who was newly inspired can speak.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “If there be someone else there whom God puts in their mind the words they should speak, then the one who is speaking should stop and let that other one speak.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:30

The Greek text has the word “But” (see Good News Bible) to introduce the second half of the contrast. Translators should probably include this word even though Revised Standard Version omits it. The situation is probably not exactly the same as that in verse 28. That is why the same verb is translated “keep silence” in verse 28 and be silent in verse 30. In the present verse “stop (speaking)” as in Good News Bible is a better translation.

The phrase another sitting by may be expressed as “another person who is sitting nearby.”

The first can be expanded to “the first speaker.” Good News Bible‘s “the one who is speaking” is clearer English. This means one of those who are referred to in verse 29a.

This verse suggests that, as in Acts 2.14, people stood up in order to take a leading part in Christian meetings.

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .