I find this a peculiar translation:
"So now the righteous requirements necessary for life are met for everyone through the righteous act of one person, just as judgment fell on everyone through the failure of one person."
Here is a wooden translation:
"Therefore, as through one transgression to all people into condemnation, so also through one righteous act to all people to the justification of life."
I smell someone's theology tweaking the translation...
Showing posts with label CEB. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CEB. Show all posts
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Saturday, May 07, 2011
Hebrews 1:5-14 (CEB, Wesley Study Bible)
In a previous post, I looked at the CEB translation of Hebrews 1:1-4 and the Wesley Study Bible notes of the NRSV of the same. Today, Hebrews 1:5-14.
CEB
1:4 But then, when he brought his firstborn into the world...
This rendering gives a common impression of Hebrews 1:7, namely, that we are now talking about Jesus' birth. It discourages me. The words are not "but then" but "and again." It is a feature of Hebrews' citation style elsewhere (chap. 2) to give two supporting quotes for the same idea with this intro, "and again." This is not the birth but it still talking about the exaltation, as in 1:5. The only other place where this word for "world" is used is in 2:5, where it clearly means the world to come.
The rest of the chapter is translated just fine and, like the Greek, can be interpreted variously.
There are two basic approaches to this section among interpreters, off the top of my head. The one is to see the entire chain of quotes in relation to the exalted Christ, which is the position I take. The other is more popular, namely, to see this chain as a celebration of Christ throughout his existence--pre-existence, creation, birth, exaltation, maybe even judgment. You can see how the latter would be popular... just not correct ;-)
Wesley Study Bible (NRSV)
The study notes steer the reader away from thinking the audience is worshiping angels and I strongly suspect this is correct. There could be some angel thing going on, but insufficient evidence to know what that might look like. There's a nice text box on John Wesley's understanding of revelation.
CEB
1:4 But then, when he brought his firstborn into the world...
This rendering gives a common impression of Hebrews 1:7, namely, that we are now talking about Jesus' birth. It discourages me. The words are not "but then" but "and again." It is a feature of Hebrews' citation style elsewhere (chap. 2) to give two supporting quotes for the same idea with this intro, "and again." This is not the birth but it still talking about the exaltation, as in 1:5. The only other place where this word for "world" is used is in 2:5, where it clearly means the world to come.
The rest of the chapter is translated just fine and, like the Greek, can be interpreted variously.
There are two basic approaches to this section among interpreters, off the top of my head. The one is to see the entire chain of quotes in relation to the exalted Christ, which is the position I take. The other is more popular, namely, to see this chain as a celebration of Christ throughout his existence--pre-existence, creation, birth, exaltation, maybe even judgment. You can see how the latter would be popular... just not correct ;-)
Wesley Study Bible (NRSV)
The study notes steer the reader away from thinking the audience is worshiping angels and I strongly suspect this is correct. There could be some angel thing going on, but insufficient evidence to know what that might look like. There's a nice text box on John Wesley's understanding of revelation.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Hebrews 1:1-4 (CEB, Wesley Study Bible)
Over the course of the summer, I hope to work through the new Common English Bible (CEB) translation of Hebrews, as well as the notes for the NRSV Wesley Study Bible on Hebrews. So since I didn't have any juicy comments to say about politics or Rob Bell today, I thought I would post on the much less popular topic of the Bible (I've been surprised at the massive spike in readership to my blog these last couple days ;-)
CEB
1:2--"in these final days"
This is a fairly good equivalent to the literal expression, "in these last days" which echoes Jeremiah 31.
1:3--"The Son is the light of God's glory"
I suppose most interpreters go with "radiance" as the connotation of the word here. The interesting thing, though, is that the parallel, "imprint," fits much better with another possible translation of the word, namely, "reflection."
1:3--"He maintains everything with his powerful message"
Interesting choice. Some sort of spoken word seems to be pictured. I'll have to think if I like "message" as a translation.
1:4--Christ became greater than other messengers, such as angels.
Very interesting. I'm not sure that the author at this point of the sermon had any messengers other than angels in view. It is an interesting take, though, that fits with an introduction that speaks of various ways God has spoken in the past. But I often think that interpreters see more profundity in passages than the original author's meant. This quote of Udo Schnelle pointed out by Nijay Gupta struck me that way.
I feel that way sometimes about interpretations by people like N. T. Wright and Richard Hays. I used to think, man they see so much depth that I didn't see. I'm so stupid. Now I think. That's deep and you are really smart, guys. But Paul wouldn't know what you were talking about. Be honest that you're playing a theological descant that transcends the original meaning.
Wesley Study Bible
Very nice and succinct words on this opening to the sermon. deSilva (I think) gives the main point--the accomplishment of purification. He gives the clear contrast between the many revelations before and the unique revelation now in Christ. He mentions the intriguing allusion to Christ as Wisdom. Perhaps it is wise that he does not try to explore what that allusion might mean. I certainly have ideas, but one will not find any consensus here.
CEB
1:2--"in these final days"
This is a fairly good equivalent to the literal expression, "in these last days" which echoes Jeremiah 31.
1:3--"The Son is the light of God's glory"
I suppose most interpreters go with "radiance" as the connotation of the word here. The interesting thing, though, is that the parallel, "imprint," fits much better with another possible translation of the word, namely, "reflection."
1:3--"He maintains everything with his powerful message"
Interesting choice. Some sort of spoken word seems to be pictured. I'll have to think if I like "message" as a translation.
1:4--Christ became greater than other messengers, such as angels.
Very interesting. I'm not sure that the author at this point of the sermon had any messengers other than angels in view. It is an interesting take, though, that fits with an introduction that speaks of various ways God has spoken in the past. But I often think that interpreters see more profundity in passages than the original author's meant. This quote of Udo Schnelle pointed out by Nijay Gupta struck me that way.
I feel that way sometimes about interpretations by people like N. T. Wright and Richard Hays. I used to think, man they see so much depth that I didn't see. I'm so stupid. Now I think. That's deep and you are really smart, guys. But Paul wouldn't know what you were talking about. Be honest that you're playing a theological descant that transcends the original meaning.
Wesley Study Bible
Very nice and succinct words on this opening to the sermon. deSilva (I think) gives the main point--the accomplishment of purification. He gives the clear contrast between the many revelations before and the unique revelation now in Christ. He mentions the intriguing allusion to Christ as Wisdom. Perhaps it is wise that he does not try to explore what that allusion might mean. I certainly have ideas, but one will not find any consensus here.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
CEB gets it right! (1 Timothy 2:11-12)
I continue to enjoy the Common English Bible's translation choices. Why do the same old thing every other translation does, not to mention that I generally agree with it.
Here is 1 Timothy 2:11-12:
"A wife should learn quietly with complete submission. I don’t allow a wife to teach or to control her husband. Instead, she should be a quiet listener. Adam was formed first, and then Eve."
I disagree with where it goes from there, trying to gloss over what is just a very difficult passage. I would translate the remaining verses as:
"And Adam was not deceived, but the wife, having been deceived, has come to be in a state of transgression, but she will be saved through childbearing, if they remain in faith and love and holiness with modesty."
The CEB has, "Adam wasn’t deceived, but rather his wife became the one who stepped over the line because she was completely deceived. But a wife will be brought safely through giving birth to their children, if they both continue in faith, love, and holiness, together with self-control."
Here is 1 Timothy 2:11-12:
"A wife should learn quietly with complete submission. I don’t allow a wife to teach or to control her husband. Instead, she should be a quiet listener. Adam was formed first, and then Eve."
I disagree with where it goes from there, trying to gloss over what is just a very difficult passage. I would translate the remaining verses as:
"And Adam was not deceived, but the wife, having been deceived, has come to be in a state of transgression, but she will be saved through childbearing, if they remain in faith and love and holiness with modesty."
The CEB has, "Adam wasn’t deceived, but rather his wife became the one who stepped over the line because she was completely deceived. But a wife will be brought safely through giving birth to their children, if they both continue in faith, love, and holiness, together with self-control."
Sunday, November 07, 2010
CEB of Romans 3:25
The Common English Bible (CEB) continues on its quotable course with Romans 3:25: "Through his faithfulness, God displayed Jesus as the place of sacrifice where mercy is found by means of his blood.” Fun! I agree with most (I think) that "through faith" refers to God's rather than our faith. More controversial is the rendering of hilasterion as "place of sacrifice." I have never crossed over to this interpretation but I feel its force. In the OT, hilasterion regularly refers to the cover on the Ark of the Covenant.
Saturday, November 06, 2010
Some ongoing CEB scuttlebutt...
Found this round-up of some web CEB reaction from a year ago on John Hobbins' blog: http://ancienthebrewpoetry.typepad.com/ancient_hebrew_poetry/2009/11/the-common-english-bible-a-roundup-of-posts-and-some-critical-notes.html.
It will be interesting to see where the CEB goes. I noticed this morning that while it goes with the "faithfulness of Jesus Christ" in Romans 3:22 it sticks with the traditional "faith in Jesus" in Galatians 2:16. Oops--must have been two different translation teams.
Other things I have mixed feelings about. While it's hard to hear "Son of Man" rendered as "the Human One" or "abomination that causes desolation" as "disgusting and destructive thing," I have to admit it is only because I have a doctorate in New Testament and I have no question but that the CEB's version would be more understandable to just about anyone.
It will be interesting to see where the CEB goes. I noticed this morning that while it goes with the "faithfulness of Jesus Christ" in Romans 3:22 it sticks with the traditional "faith in Jesus" in Galatians 2:16. Oops--must have been two different translation teams.
Other things I have mixed feelings about. While it's hard to hear "Son of Man" rendered as "the Human One" or "abomination that causes desolation" as "disgusting and destructive thing," I have to admit it is only because I have a doctorate in New Testament and I have no question but that the CEB's version would be more understandable to just about anyone.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Common English Bible
I received a free copy of the New Testament of the CEB yesterday, the Common English Bible. You can see more about the project at http://www.commonenglishbible.com/. It's very readable, so somewhat dynamic. I haven't looked at it in too much detail yet, but I did enjoy Romans 3:21-26, the only translation as yet I know to have the courage to translate this way:
"But now God’s righteousness has been revealed apart from the Law, which is confirmed by the Law and the prophets. 22 God’s righteousness comes through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who have faith in him. There’s no distinction. 23 All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory, 24 but all are treated as righteous freely by his grace because of a ransom that was paid by Christ Jesus. 25 Through his faithfulness, God displayed Jesus as the place of sacrifice where mercy is found by means of his blood. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness in passing over sins that happened before, 26 during the time of God’s patient tolerance. He also did this to demonstrate that he is righteous in the present time, and to treat the one who has faith in Jesus as righteous."
I don't like 3:23 but I think this has to be the best English translation of the passage ever... other than, of course, mine ;-)
"But now God’s righteousness has been revealed apart from the Law, which is confirmed by the Law and the prophets. 22 God’s righteousness comes through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who have faith in him. There’s no distinction. 23 All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory, 24 but all are treated as righteous freely by his grace because of a ransom that was paid by Christ Jesus. 25 Through his faithfulness, God displayed Jesus as the place of sacrifice where mercy is found by means of his blood. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness in passing over sins that happened before, 26 during the time of God’s patient tolerance. He also did this to demonstrate that he is righteous in the present time, and to treat the one who has faith in Jesus as righteous."
I don't like 3:23 but I think this has to be the best English translation of the passage ever... other than, of course, mine ;-)
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