The Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek that is typically translated in English as “joy” or “happiness” is translated in the HausaCommon Language Bible idiomatically as farin ciki or “white stomach.” In some cases, such as in Genesis 29:11, it is also added for emphatic purposes.
Other languages that use the same expression include Southern Birifor (pʋpɛl), Dera (popolok awo), Reshe (ɾipo ɾipuhã). (Source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)
Following are a number of back-translations of Galatians 4:15:
Uma: “Your hearts were very glad at that time, relatives. But why have your hearts changed now? At that time, I really know, relatives, if there was anything I needed, you were not stingy with it; probably if it just could be done, even your own eyes you would have gouged out and given to me, you wouldn’t have been stingy with them.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “You were really glad that time because I was there with you. I can really say that if it had been only possible, you would even have dug-out/taken-out your eyes and given them to me to show how much you regarded/loved me. But why has your regard/love for me now changed?” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “You welcomed me very much long ago, for if it had been possible you would have dug out your own eyes and given them to me. I myself can say this about you, and now, why has your breath changed?” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “What happened to that happiness of yours with me? I confirm that back then, if it would have been possible, you would have extracted your eyes in order to give them to me.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “I really testify that at that time, even your eyes, if it were only possible for you to pluck them out for my benefit, you would have plucked them out to give to me. You were so happy then, what has happened to change things?” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Tenango Otomi: “Where have you thrown that pleasure you had the time I spoke to you? I know very well that in order to help me you would have even taken out your eyes if it could help me.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
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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 formal plural suffix to the second person pronoun (“you” and its various forms) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. In these verses, anata-gata (あなたがた) is used, combining the second person pronoun anata and the plural suffix -gata to create a formal plural pronoun (“you” [plural] in English).
You were so happy! What has happened? is literally “Where is your happiness?” or “… your blessedness?” The question is rhetorical and implies that when Paul was asking the question the Galatians no longer felt the same way they did when he was with them. This is made clear in Good News Translation and other modern translations (Revised Standard Version “what has become of the satisfaction you felt?”; Jerusalem Bible “what has become of this enthusiasm you had?”; New American Bible “what has happened to your openhearted spirit?”).
It is possible to interpret the happiness of the Galatians as related either to Paul’s presence with them (New English Bible “have you forgotten how happy you thought yourselves in having me with you?”) or to his teaching. However, it may be enough to take the question as a general statement describing the condition of the Galatians at that time.
A literal translation of You were so happy! might be interpreted as merely a description of the Galatians’ normal personality, that is, that they were essentially happy people. Obviously, however, Paul is referring to the particular experience which made them happy, for example, “What happened to you made you so happy,” “Because of your experience, you were so happy,” or “As a result of what had happened, you were so happy.” Thus it may be necessary to render What has happened? as “What has happened now?” or even “What has happened to change all this?”
I myself can say that is literally “I bear you witness that,” and what follows is an illustration of the happiness and satisfaction of the readers (Phillips “I guarantee”; Jerusalem Bible “I swear”; New American Bible “I can testify on your behalf”). One may also translate this introductory statement as “I am absolutely sure that,” “there is not the slightest doubt that,” or “I would say to anyone that.”
As already noted, the statement you would have taken out your own eyes, if you could, and given them to me has led some commentators to conclude that Paul’s sickness was connected with poor eyesight. However, in view of the fact that the eye is a symbol of one’s most precious possessions and is considered the most important part of the body (Deut 32.10; Matt 18.9), it is better to interpret this statement in a metaphorical sense and render it as “you would have given me even that which you valued most,” or “you would have sacrificed everything for me, even your very eyes.” One might even render this expression as “you would have done anything for me; why, you would even have taken out your eyes and given them to me if you could,” or “there is nothing you wouldn’t have done for me if you could; you would even have taken out your own eyes and given them to me.”
Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Galatians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1976. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
What then has become of your blessing?: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as then introduces a conclusion in the form of a rhetorical question. This conclusion is based on some implied information. The following chart shows the implied information:
4:14c–d
You ?joyfully? received me
implied
? but now you would not do that
?
4:15a
So, you have lost your joy. What has become of it?
Some English versions do not translate this conjunction. For example:
What has happened to all your joy? (New International Version)
In some languages, it will not be necessary to translate this conjunction either. Connect 4:15a to 4:14d in a way that is natural in your language.
What…has become of your blessing?: This is a rhetorical question. Paul used this rhetorical question to encourage the Galatians to think about their present situation. They had been joyful when they first heard the gospel, but their joy had disappeared.
Some ways to translate this question are:
• As a rhetorical question. For example:
What has happened to all your joy? (New International Version)
• As a statement, followed by a question. For example:
You were very happy then, but where is that joy now? (New Century Version) -or-
You were so happy! What has happened? (Good News Translation)
• As a statement. For example:
Consider this: you have lost the joy that you once had.
In some languages, it is more natural to put this rhetorical question after 4:15c. See the General Comment below under 4:15c for examples.
blessing: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as blessing refers to the state of well-being that results from having a right relationship with God.
Some other ways to translate this word are:
joy (New International Version) -or-
happiness (NET Bible)
See bless, Meaning 2 in the Glossary for more information.
4:15b
For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For introduces some more information. It is background information about the joy/blessedness that the Galatians felt when Paul first preached to them.
Another way to show what 4:15b is talking about is to put it before 4:15a. See the General Comment below under 4:15c for an example.
I can testify that: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as I can testify means “I am a witness.” Paul used it to introduce a statement that demonstrates the joy and love that the Galatians had for him.
Some other ways to translate this verb are:
I am a witness that -or-
I know (New Living Translation (1996)) -or-
I am sure that (Contemporary English Version)
4:15c
you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me: The clause torn out your eyes means “removed your eyes” or “taken out your eyes.” Paul used this expression to refer to the extreme acts that the Galatians would have done to provide for his needs. They would have sacrificed anything, even giving him their own eyes, if it could have helped him. Paul used this expression to remind the Galatians of the deep love they had for him.
Some other ways to translate this clause are:
you would have pulled out your eyes and given them to me (NET Bible) -or-
you would have taken out your own eyes and given them to me ?to show how much you loved me?
General Comment on 4:14–15
In some languages, 4:15 will better connect to 4:14 if 4:15a is put after 4:15b–c. For example:
14b you did not scorn or despise me, 14c but you received me as ?if I were? an angel of God, 14d ?You received me? as ?if I were? Christ Jesus. 15b I testify to you that, if possible, 15c you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. 15a What then has become of the joy you felt?
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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