The Greek that is translated in English as “brother” or “brother and sister” (in the sense of fellow believers), is translated with a specifically coined word in Kachin: “There are two terms for brother in Kachin. One is used to refer to a Christian brother. This term combines ‘older and younger brother.’ The other term is used specifically for addressing siblings. When one uses this term, one must specify if the older or younger person is involved. A parallel system exists for ‘sister’ as well. In [these verses], the term for ‘a Christian brother’ is used.” (Source: Gam Seng Shae)
In Matumbi is is translated as alongo aumini or “relative-believer.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)
In Martu Wangka it is translated as “relative” (this is also the term that is used for “follower.”) (Source: Carl Gross)
In the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) it is often translated as Mitchristen or “fellow Christians.”
Following are a number of back-translations of 2 Thessalonians 3:15:
Uma: “But don’t hate them either. Admonish them, since after all they are your relatives in the Lord Yesus.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “Do not however, consider him as your enemy but/instead teach/exhort him as a brother of yours.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “however you must not consider him your enemy, but rather teach him as if he were your brother.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “But don’t however be-counting him as your enemy but rather as your brother who needs to be admonished.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “But don’t regard him as your opponent, but rather rebuke him like a brother.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Tenango Otomi: “But do not make him your enemy. Rather reprimand him because he is your brother.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
The Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic and Latin that is translated as “enemy” or “foe” in English is translated in the HausaCommon Language Bible as “friends of front,” i.e., the person standing opposite you in a battle. (Source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)
In North Alaskan Inupiatun it is translated with a term that implies that it’s not just someone who hates you, but one who wants to do you harm (Source: Robert Bascom), in Tarok as ukpa ìkum or “companion in war/fighting,” and in Ikwere as nye irno m or “person who hates me” (source for this and one above: Chuck and Karen Tessaro in this newsletter ).
The main problem in translating this verse is stylistic. It is caused by the fact that the verse contains a double contrast (1) between verses 14 and 15, (2) between 15a and 15b. The Greek avoids awkwardness by using one word for “but” at the beginning of verse 15, and another and stronger word in the middle. These correspond neatly to Good News Translation‘s but and instead, King James Version‘s “yet” and “but,” and Best’s “however” and “but.” The first “but” is expanded, legitimately but not very neatly, by New English Bible into “I do not mean” (cf. PhillipsJerusalem BibleBarclayTranslator’s New Testament). Verse 15b is a positive statement which holds the balance between the negative statement of verses 14b and 15a.
Do not treat him as an enemy may be rendered as “do not act toward him as you would act toward an enemy.” This may be treated idiomatically in some languages as “do not name him as an enemy,” or “do not call him your enemy.”
Warn (a different word from warn in verse 12) may also mean “teach” or “instruct.” The more specific idea of warning fits the context better here. The Greek suggests repeated warnings. Warn him as a brother must be rendered somewhat more explicitly in some languages, for example, “warn him about doing such things in the same way as you would warn your own brother.” On the other hand, the term brother in this context may refer specifically to a fellow believer, and therefore one must say “warn him not to do as he has done, as one who is a fellow believer,” or “… one who also believers in Christ.”
Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Second Letter to the Thessalonians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1976. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
Living Water is produced for the Bible translation movement in association with Lutheran Bible Translators. Lyrics derived from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®).
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