inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (Col. 4:14)

Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)

The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).

For this verse, translators typically select the exclusive form (only including Paul or Paul and Timothy).

Source: SIL International Translation Department (1999)

complete verse (Colossians 4:14)

Following are a number of back-translations of Colossians 4:14:

  • Uma: “Greetings also from Dokter Lukas whom we love, and from Demas.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Lukas our (incl.) beloved doctor and including Demas send word also that they remember you.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “As for Luke, our dear doctor, he also along with Deams, sends greetings to you.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Our (excl.) friend Doktor Lucas and Demas also, they send-you -greetings.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Others who are greeting you are, our held-dear doctor Lucas, and also Demas.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Also our dear brother Luke, the doctor, greets you. And our brother Demas also greets you.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Colossians 4:14

Both Luke and Demas also appear in the letter to Philemon (verse 24). Luke is affectionately called dear doctor. Ancient tradition associates him with the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, but his name appears only here, Philemon 24, and 2 Tim 4.11. Demas appears again in 2 Tim 4.10.

The appositional construction Luke, our dear doctor, must often be expressed by a relative clause, for example, “Luke who is our dear doctor,” or “Luke, our doctor, who is dear to us,” or “… who is so much appreciated by us.” Our in this context is obviously exclusive since Luke here functions as a doctor for Paul and his colleagues.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Colossians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1977. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .