Paul (icon)

Following is a Georgian Orthodox icon of Paul the Apostle from the 14th century (located in the Art Museum of Georgia, Tbilisi).

Orthodox Icons are not drawings or creations of imagination. They are in fact writings of things not of this world. Icons can represent our Lord Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the Saints. They can also represent the Holy Trinity, Angels, the Heavenly hosts, and even events. Orthodox icons, unlike Western pictures, change the perspective and form of the image so that it is not naturalistic. This is done so that we can look beyond appearances of the world, and instead look to the spiritual truth of the holy person or event. (Source )

See also Paul.

idol / idols

The Hebrew, Greek and Latin that is translated as “idol(s)” in English is translated in Central Subanen as ledawan or “images.” (Source: Robert Brichoux in OPTAT 1988/2, p. 80ff. )

In German, typically the term Götze is used. Originally this was used as a term of endearment for Gott (“God” — see here ), later for “icon” and “image, likeness.” Luther started to use it in the 16th century in the meaning of “false god, idol.”

Other terms that are used in German include Götzenbild(er) (“image[s] of idols”) or Bildnis (“image” — Protestant) / Kultbild (“cultish image” — Catholic) (used for instance in Exodus 20:4 and Deuteronomy 5:8). The latest revision of the Catholic Einheitsübersetzung (publ. 2016) also uses the neologism Nichtse (“nothings”) in 1 Chron. 16:26 and Psalm 96:5. (Source: Zetzsche)

See also worthless idols.

Paul

The term that is transliterated as “Paul” in English is translated in American Sign Language with a sign that signifies the many letters he wrote. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Paul” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with a sign depicting putting away a sword, referring to his conversion from a persecutor of Christians to a Christian leader. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Paul (and Saul)” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

Click or tap here to see a short video clip about Paul (source: Bible Lands 2012)

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

See also Paul (icon).

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Paul .

complete verse (Acts 17:16)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 17:16:

  • Uma: “While Paulus was waiting for Silas and Timotius in Atena, his heart was distressed/sad seeing many idols that were worshipped by the Atena people.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Then while Paul was there in Aten waiting for Silas and Timoteo, his liver was greatly troubled when he saw that there in that city there were very many images of gods.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And while Paul was waiting for Silas and Timothy there at Athens, he was very grieved because he saw that there were many idols that the villagers there worshipped.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “While Pablo was in Athens waiting for plural Silas, extreme was his sorrow (lit. pain of his thoughts) upon seeing their many idols (lit. pretend/false gods).” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “While Pablo was awaiting Silas-and-companion there in Atenas, his head was really troubled, for he saw that it’s like the city was full of statues which were images of their pretend gods.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Acts 17:16

In Paul’s day Athens was a relatively small city and lived in the glory of its past. In light of the contribution that Athens had made to the world, the Roman government permitted the city to be free and an allied city with Rome.

The introductory clause, while Paul was waiting in Athens for Silas and Timothy, forms an excellent transition from the preceding verse 15 and also provides a setting for what follows.

Greatly upset is rendered as “exasperated” in several translations (New English Bible, Phillips, An American Translation*). The Greek literally says “his spirit was stirred up within him,” and the reference may be either to Paul’s anger, to his grief, or to his desire to win the Athenians over to the Christian message. In the present context it would seem that “angered” (Barclay) is too strong a term, and that Paul’s reactions may best be described by saying either “he was upset” or “he was disturbed.” An expression such as greatly upset is often rendered in a highly idiomatic form: “his heart was eating him” or “his stomach was hot.” What is important about this expression is that it should indicate severe emotional concern without loss of temper, for Paul’s whole approach to the people of Athens is reasoned as well as full of positive concern.

In many languages one cannot speak of a city being full of idols. One may, of course, have a “box full of idols” or even “a room full of idols,” but a city simply is not capable of being “full of something.” Therefore one must translate as “there were many, many idols in the city.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 17:16

Section 17:16–34

Paul preached in Athens

In this section, Paul was in Athens. He became upset/distressed when he saw many idols and altars to pagan gods. So he talked about Jesus to many people in the synagogue and the marketplace. Some people who heard him speak invited him to address the city council members. He talked to them about the one true God and Jesus. Some of them became believers.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

Paul preached in Athens, and a few city leaders believed
-or-
People in Athens hear the message
-or-
In Athens (New International Version)

Paragraph 17:16–18

17:16a–b

he was deeply disturbed in his spirit: This clause in Greek is literally “the spirit of him was irritated/angry.” Paul was upset when he saw the many idols in Athens. They worshiped many gods but not the true God. Other ways to translate this clause are:

his spirit was provoked within him (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
he was greatly upset (Good News Translation)
-or-
he was deeply troubled (New Living Translation (2004))

to see that the city was full of idols: The phrase full of idols indicates that there were very many idols in the city. Other ways to translate this clause are:

by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
he saw that the city had statues of false gods everywhere (God’s Word)

idols: The idols are statues or other physical representations of a god. People bow down in front of the idol to worship that god. See how you translated this word in 15:20.

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