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 (Acts 22:1)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 22:1:

  • Uma: “He said: ‘Fathers and all relatives! Please listen to me, I will say my defense to you.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “‘Brothers and parents,’ Paul said, ‘listen to these words of mine to defend myself.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “He said, ‘Brethren, my brothers and my uncles, please listen to what I have to say to you in the way of explanation.'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “‘My companions and my fathers, kindly listen to what I will answer you.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Pablo said to that crowd, ‘You elders here and my brethren, if it’s okay with you, please listen to this defence of mine.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Acts 22:1

In a very formal fashion Paul addressed himself both to the men of his own age, brothers, and to his elders, fathers. In a number of languages the equivalent of men, brothers and fathers is simply “men of my own age and men who are older than I am” or “my elders and my companions.” In many societies there is a technical term for “age-mates” and this would be an appropriate equivalent at this point.

Listen to me as I make my defense before you is a somewhat ambiguous construction in Greek, though the ambiguity is not too important as far as translation is concerned, since most translations come out with essentially the same meaning. The problem is that the verb listen may have either a single object, my defense, or a dual object, me … my defense. However, the meaning is clear (see Jerusalem Bible “listen to what I have to say to you in my defense”). It is interesting, as well as valuable, to note that both me and defense are in the genitive case and are the objects of the verb listen (the same verb that is translated heard in 9.7). This is further evidence that Luke made no distinction between the use of this verb with the accusative or the genitive; in either case it means that people hear something clearly and distinctly. See the discussion at 9.7.

As I make my defense before you may be rendered as “as I explain to you that I am not guilty” or “as I point out to you that I should not be condemned.”

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 .