1st person pronoun referring to God (Japanese)

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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.

One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a first person singular and plural pronoun (“I” and “we” and its various forms) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. The most commonly used watashi/watakushi (私) is typically used when the speaker is humble and asking for help. In these verses, where God / Jesus is referring to himself, watashi is also used but instead of the kanji writing system (私) the syllabary hiragana (わたし) is used to distinguish God from others.

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

See also pronoun for “God”.

Translation commentary on Acts 26:18

As pointed out above, verses 16-18 are actually one sentence in the Greek, and you are to open is, in the Greek sentence structure, an infinitive. The idea of “opening their eyes” in many languages is simply “cause them to see” or even “to remove their blindness.”

To open their eyes reflects Isaiah 42.7, while to turn them from the darkness to the light is an allusion to Isaiah 42.16. In some languages it is relatively meaningless to speak of “turning people from darkness to the light.” One can of course, say “turn them around from looking into the darkness so they will look into the light,” but in a number of languages the equivalent expression is “cause them to come out of the darkness and into the light.”

The remainder of the verse has parallels in Colossians 1.12-13. The expression from the power of Satan to God is translated in some languages as “to cause them to come away from being under Satan’s power and to enter into being under God’s power” or “to cause them to leave the place where Satan rules and to come to the place where God rules.”

Through their faith in me may be equivalent to “because they believe in me.” They will have their sins forgiven may be rendered as “God will forgive their sins.”

Their place among God’s chosen people, though expressed differently in various translations, is without doubt the meaning of the Greek expression here. This final expression in verse 18 may be rendered as “they will occupy the place which they should have among the people whom God has selected.”

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 26:18

26:18a

to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light: There are two ways to interpret the connection of the two clauses here:

(1) Opening the eyes is the purpose of sending Paul (26:17b), and turning the people from darkness to light is the purpose of opening their eyes. For example:

to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light (Revised Standard Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, English Standard Version, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New American Standard Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, New Century Version)

(2) Both opening the eyes and turning the people from darkness to light are purposes for sending Paul. For example:

to open their eyes and turn them from the darkness to the light (Good News Translation)

(New International Version, Good News Translation, King James Version, God’s Word, Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because there is no “and” in the Greek here.

to open their eyes: This is a metaphor. Someone who has not believed in God is like someone with closed eyes. Paul would explain God’s plan to save people through Jesus. Giving them that knowledge is like opening their eyes. Many languages can use the same metaphor for this meaning here. However, in some languages the meaning of a literal translation of the metaphor would not be clear. If so, you may want to:

• Explain all or part of the meaning in your translation. For example:

to open their eyes ⌊by knowing/hearing God’s plan to save people⌋
-or-
to remove their blindness ⌊concerning me⌋

• Translate literally and explain the meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Someone who does not believe in God is like someone with closed eyes. Paul would explain God’s plan to save people though Jesus. Teaching them that is like opening their eyes.

• Translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:

to explain God’s plan to save people though me

You then may want to indicate the literal words in a footnote: An example footnote is:

Literally: “to open their eyes.”

so that they may turn from darkness to light: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as so that they may turn is literally “to turn.” There are two ways to interpret the Greek word:

(1) Paul was to turn them from darkness to light. This would be similar to bringing them out of prison in the second and third parts of Isaiah 42:7 (the first part refers to opening their eyes). For example:

turn them from the darkness to the light (Good News Translation)

(New International Version, Good News Translation, God’s Word, Revised English Bible, King James Version)

(2) The people themselves turn from darkness to light. They do this based on their new understanding about God’s plan to save them. For example, the Revised Standard Version says

that they may turn from darkness to light

(Berean Standard Bible; Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, New Century Version, English Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the Greek phrase does not have the word that means so that (or “that” as in the Revised Standard Version example above). Interpretation (1) is also more similar to Isaiah 42:7.

turn from darkness to light: This is a metaphor. Living apart from God is like being in the dark. Following God is like being in the light, because God guides and teaches. Many languages can use the same metaphor for this meaning here. However, in some languages the meaning of a literal translation of the metaphor would not be clear. If so, you may want to:

• Explain all or part of the meaning in your translation. For example:

change from ⌊living in⌋ darkness to ⌊living in⌋ light
-or-
leave the darkness and enter the light ⌊of God⌋

• Translate literally and explain the meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Living apart from God is like being in the dark. Following God is like being in the light, because God guides and teaches.

• Translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:

turn their backs on evil and their minds will be illumined
-or-
turn away from evil and allow God to guide them

You then may want to indicate the literal words in a footnote: An example footnote is:

Literally: “to turn from darkness to light.”

26:18b

and from the power of Satan to God: This is the second thing they are to turn from and the second thing they are to turn to. In some languages it is more natural to repeat the verb here. For example:

and ⌊turn⌋ from the power of Satan to God

This phrase refers to believing in God. In some languages it is more natural to indicate the implied information. For example:

and ⌊turn⌋ from the power of Satan to God ⌊and believe⌋
-or-
and ⌊turn⌋ from the power of Satan ⌊and believe in⌋ God

the power of Satan: This phrase in Greek can also be translated “the authority of Satan.” Satan is like a leader over those in the darkness. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the dominion of Satan (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Satan leading them

Satan: The word Satan is the Hebrew name of the leader of all the evil spirits. See how you translated this word in 5:3.

26:18c

26:18c–d describe two results for those who turn to God.

that they may receive forgiveness of sins: This clause in Greek is literally “so that they receive forgiveness of sins.” This is a result of turning to God. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

and receive…forgiveness of their sins (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
and God will forgive them for sinning

they may receive forgiveness of sins: In English, the word receive implies someone else willingly gave what was received. The word “take” does not imply that someone else willingly gave it. It is implied here that God willingly gave the forgiveness.

Many languages have the same word for both “receive” and “take.” In some of those languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that the believers took the forgiveness without God giving it willingly. If that is true in your language, you may want to use a different word than receive. For example:

⌊God⌋ may give them forgiveness of sins
-or-

⌊God⌋ may forgive their sins

forgiveness of sins: This phrase refers to God not punishing the person for his sins. He also does not hold those sins against the person for punishment later. See how you translated this phrase in 5:31 or 13:38.

26:18d

and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me: This is the second thing that believers will receive. In some languages, it is more natural to repeat “receive” here. For example:

and ⌊receive⌋ an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me
-or-
and ⌊he may give to them⌋ a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me

an inheritance: The Greek word is literally “(a) portion.” All believers share in what God has promised for them. For example:

a share in the inheritance (New Jerusalem Bible)

those sanctified by faith in Me: The clause is passive. God has sanctified them by means of they believing in Jesus. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

those whom ⌊God⌋ has sanctified by faith/believing in me

sanctified: This refers to God making believers holy. He has changed them from being sinners to being holy. For example:

have been made holy (New Century Version)

by faith in Me: This phrase probably connects to “sanctified.” It indicates that when people believe in Jesus, God sanctifies them. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

by means of their believing in me
-or-
because of their belief in Me

faith in Me: The word faith means “a strong and sincere belief in something or someone.” Faith in Jesus includes:

(a) accepting His message as true,

(b) acting on the basis of His message,

(c) being confident in His message,

(d) trusting in Him.

The word faith describes an event. In some languages a verb must be used. For example:

believing in me
-or-
believing that I ⌊am the Christ⌋

General Comment on 26:15b–18d

26:18d is the end of Paul’s telling King Agrippa what Jesus said to him. In some languages it is more natural to clearly indicate the end with an added sentence. For example:

18dand a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ ⌊That is what the Lord Jesus said to me.⌋
-or-

18dand a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’” 19⌊Then Paul continued speaking to King Agrippa,⌋ “So then…

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