Translation commentary on Acts 4:12

Salvation, a word which can also mean “healing,” represents a play on words that is difficult to reproduce in English: (Christian) salvation and/or the healing (of the lame man) are possible only through the name of Jesus. The strong double negative expression in the Greek text (not … in no one) is represented in the Good News Translation by a positive (a completely legitimate equivalent), and one which forms a much more frequent basis for transfer into other languages. However, the use of a nominal construction such as salvation is to be found is difficult since normally salvation must be expressed by a verb, for example, “you can only be saved through him alone” or “he alone is able to save you.” (See also 2.21.)

As can be clearly seen, verse 12b is simply an elaboration of the statement in verse 12a, stated in a slightly different form.

In all the world literally translates “under the heaven.” For some languages there is a problem involved in two relative clauses being attributive to such an expression as no one else in all the world. Moreover, these two relative clauses are not coordinate. The first is restrictive before the second. In some languages it means that the first restriction must be stated as a preposed clause, with the second restriction coming in the next clause, for example, “God has given his name to men and there is no one else in all the world by whom we can be saved.”

Whose name God has given to men represents another one of the passive constructions in Greek in which God is the implicit subject, “name … which God has given to men.”

By whom we can be saved is the meaning of the Greek expression “by whom (i.e. by which name) it is necessary for us to be saved” (see Jerusalem Bible “by which we can be saved” and New English Bible “by which we may receive salvation”). The passive expression by whom we can be saved can be shifted to an active “who can save us.”

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 4:12

4:12a

Salvation exists in no one else: In Greek this clause is literally “and the salvation is not in no one else.” The word “the” implies the specific salvation by the Messiah that the Jews have been waiting for. Here the “not” and the “no” combine to indicate a strong “no.” Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

In no one else does salvation exist
-or-
there is salvation in no one else (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Only ⌊he⌋ can save us, no one else ⌊can⌋

Salvation: This word refers to someone rescuing others from something harmful or dangerous. Here it refers to being saved from spiritual dangers like sin and its punishment. In some languages a verb must be used for this meaning. For example:

saving/rescuing

4:12b

for: This conjunction introduces an explanation for what Peter said in 4:12a.

there is no other name under heaven given to men: The verb given is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ has given no other name under heaven to men/people

name: The word name here refers to the person of Jesus, rather than to just his name or his power. God saves people through Jesus (4:12c). Using his name like a word of magic or power does not save people. In some languages a literal translation would imply incorrect things. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain the meaning in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

The word “name” here refers to the person of Jesus. God gave him to us to save us.

• Refer to person of Jesus. For example:

person/man

under heaven: The phrase under heaven is an idiom that refers to everywhere in the world. In some languages a literal translation would have a different meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain its meaning in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

The words “under heaven” refers to everywhere in the world.

• Translate the meaning of the idiom. For example:

everywhere
-or-
in all the world (Good News Translation)

to men: Here this phrase indicates that the name was given in relationship to people. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

among people (NET Bible)
-or-
to us humans

4:12c

by which: This refers to “name” in 4:12b. For example:

by this name (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
by that name

we must be saved: In Greek this clause is literally “(it is) necessary for us to be saved.” It indicates that only Jesus can save us from God’s punishment for our sins. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

we can be saved only by the power of the one named Jesus (God’s Word)
-or-
It is only Jesus who can save us

This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

who can save us (Good News Translation)

saved: This word means “to rescue from danger or trouble.” Here it refers to being rescued from the spiritual dangers of sin and the punishment from God that results from sinning. It is the verb that means the same thing as “salvation” in 4:12a.

In some languages, it may be necessary to make explicit what people are saved from. If that is true in your language, explain what people are saved from but do not be too specific. For example:

rescued ⌊from hell⌋
-or-
rescued ⌊from God’s punishment for sin⌋

See how you translated saved in 2:21.

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