brother (fellow believer)

The Greek that is translated in English as “brother” (in the sense of a fellow believer), is translated with a specifically coined word in Kachin: “There are two terms for brother in Kachin. One is used to refer to a Christian brother. This term combines ‘older and younger brother.’ The other term is used specifically for addressing siblings. When one uses this term, one must specify if the older or younger person is involved. A parallel system exists for ‘sister’ as well. In [these verses], the term for ‘a Christian brother’ is used.” (Source: Gam Seng Shae)

In Martu Wangka it is translated as “relative” (this is also the term that is used for “follower.”) (Source: Carl Gross)

See also brothers.

complete verse (1 Corinthians 1:11)

Following are a number of back-translations of 1 Corinthians 1:11:

  • Uma: “My relatives, the reason I say like this is that there are some of our relatives from Kloe’s household who confided to me that there are arguments among you.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “The reason that I mention this, my brothers, is because I have been told by the companions of Kaloya that you are opposing/quarreling-with each other there.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “The reason I say this, brothers, is because there are some companions of Chloe who told me that you are quarreling with each other there.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “I advise/command this to you because there are those in the family of Kloe who have reported-negatively to me that you are arguing.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “I am saying this because it has been newsed to me here by the people/employees of Cloe that you are now quarreling among yourselves there.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “I tell you this word, my brothers, because the relatives of Chloe told me that you are quarreling.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on 1 Corinthians 1:11

Reported: the verb that Good News Bible translates as “have told … quite plainly” does not necessarily have this strong sense. It more probably means only “report,” “inform,” or “tell” (compare New English Bible; “it has been brought to my notice,” Revised English Bible). Paul is trying to approach this delicate subject very gently, so he uses great tact. The phrase is literally “for it has been reported to me concerning you, my brothers.”

The word it in the clause it has been reported is a “dummy subject.” This is a device used in English to create a grammatical subject so that there will be a complete sentence. In many languages translators can change the passive sentence to active and say, for example, “Some people from Chloe’s family have informed me….”

Chloe’s people: no one knows whether Chloe’s people were relatives, or other dependents such as slaves or former slaves. Good News Bible renders this phrase as “Chloe’s family,” but other common language translations are divided on this matter. “Chloe’s group” is a possible translation.

Quarrels here refers to strong arguments between church members as to who their spiritual leader and teacher was (see verse 12). Such quarreling involved only words, not physical violence. If a language requires that one state what the quarreling was about, one may say “that you are quarreling among yourselves as to who your leader is.”

For my brethren, see the discussion on this expression at verse 10. Please note the great affection that is expressed by the word “my” before “brothers” (Good News Bible).

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .