Paul (icon)

Following is a Georgian Orthodox icon of Paul the Apostle from the 14th century (located in the Art Museum of Georgia, Tbilisi).

Orthodox Icons are not drawings or creations of imagination. They are in fact writings of things not of this world. Icons can represent our Lord Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the Saints. They can also represent the Holy Trinity, Angels, the Heavenly hosts, and even events. Orthodox icons, unlike Western pictures, change the perspective and form of the image so that it is not naturalistic. This is done so that we can look beyond appearances of the world, and instead look to the spiritual truth of the holy person or event. (Source )

See also Paul.

Paul

The term that is transliterated as “Paul” in English is translated in American Sign Language with a sign that signifies the many letters he wrote. (Source: RuthAnna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Paul” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with a sign depicting putting away a sword, referring to his conversion from a persecutor of Christians to a Christian leader. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Paul (and Saul)” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

Click or tap here to see a short video clip about Paul (source: Bible Lands 2012)

See also Paul (icon).

complete verse (Acts 17:22)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 17:22:

  • Uma: “From there, Paulus stood up in front of those gathered on Areopagus Mountain and he said: ‘Atena people! I see that in all your behavior you are very religious.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Then Paul stood up in front of the councilors and he said, ‘You men/people of Aten, I have observed that you are really very religious.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Paul stood up before the court of Areopagus and he said, ‘As for you Athenians, I understand that you are very faithful to your beliefs.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Then Pablo stood-up in-front-of them and said, ‘You from-Athens, I know (deference particle) that you are thorough/careful in worshipping your gods,” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Therefore Pablo stood up in the presence of that crowd gathered there at the Areopago and began to speak. He said, ‘You taga Atenas, I really am observing that you here are devoutly-worshipful people.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Acts 17:22

In some languages a transitional particle such as “so” or “hence” may be necessary at this point in the text so as to indicate that Paul, in response to those in the meeting of the Areopagus, was now addressing the group. Such a particle would be equivalent to the structure of the Greek sentence itself.

In front of the meeting of the Areopagus (see Jerusalem Bible “before the whole Council of the Areopagus,” New English Bible “before the Court of Areopagus”) is a much more natural expression in English than a literal rendering such as “standing in the middle of the Areopagus.” Luke intends to say that Paul stood before the group to speak to them, rather than that Paul stood up in the middle of the hill of Ares.

In a number of languages one cannot employ an expression of direct address such as Men of Athens! without implying the Paul is in some way ordering, or calling to, such persons. However, this expression may be incorporated as the goal of the verb said—for example, “and said to the men of Athens,” after which the direct discourse begins. In some languages there may be a contradiction in the use of the expression “men” when in verse 34 it is indicated that a woman by the name of Damaris responded positively to what Paul said. It may be necessary, therefore, to employ a term such as “people of Athens”; but in many languages an expression for “men” may, by implication, also include women.

Commentators are divided in their opinion as to whether Luke intended to say very religious (in a good sense) or “superstitious” (in a bad sense). However, the Good News Translation, New English Bible, Revised Standard Version, Jerusalem Bible, An American Translation*, Moffatt, Phillips, and Barclay all accept the former alternative. In some languages it is not easy to provide an appropriate equivalent for the expression very religious. In some cases one may simply translate “worship various gods very much,” “are very much interested in the gods,” or “have great respect for many gods.”

If one adopts the interpretation of “superstitious,” a rendering might be “you are very fearful of many gods.”

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 .