comfort, encourage

The Greek that is translated in English as “encourage” or “comfort” is translated in Enlhet as “become calm of the innermost.” “Innermost” or valhoc is a term that is frequently used in Enlhet to describe a large variety of emotions or states of mind (for other examples see here). (Source: Jacob Loewen in The Bible Translator 1969, p. 24ff. )

In Bacama it is translated as “(to) cool stomach” (source: David Frank in this blog post ), in Yatzachi Zapotec as “cause hearts to mature,” and in Isthmus Zapotec “hearts may lie quiet” (source: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.).

See also Seat of the Mind / Seat of Emotions and encourage.

complete verse (1 Thessalonians 4:18)

Following are a number of back-translations of 1 Thessalonians 4:18:

  • Uma: “So because of that, relatives, comfort one another with these words.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Therefore tell these words one to the other so that your livers will be encouraged.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “So these things which I am saying, you should use to encourage each other.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “This then is what we should remind our companions of to comfort them.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “That’s why you are to remind one another of this teaching so that the mind/inner-being of one another can be made happy.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Therefore now, with these words I tell you, encourage each other.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on 1 Thessalonians 4:18

This concluding sentence recalls verse 13, where Paul first stated his desire to meet his readers’ anxieties. Encourage is the word which is translated “help” in 3.2, and “encourage” in 2.12 and in the exact parallel 5.11. The word can also mean “comfort” or “console.” However it is translated, it should relate to be sad (literally “be pained”) of verse 13. That is, now that the Thessalonians have been given a new understanding of one aspect of the Christian faith, they need no longer grieve over the final outcome of those who have died. What Paul tells them and assures them can change their sadness into confident hope; they can be comforted and encouraged by this teaching of the Lord’s, and they are to comfort, encourage, and give hope to one another.

In choosing a translation for encourage, it is important to select a term which will be in contrast with sad in verse 13. In some cases one may wish simply to translate “remove the sadness from one another with these words,” or “with these words cause your hearts no longer to tremble.”

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1976. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .