flesh (human nature)

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The Greek that is often translated as “flesh” in English (when referring to the lower human nature) can, according to Nida (1947, p. 153) “very rarely be literally translated into another language. ‘My meat’ or ‘my muscle’ does not make sense in most languages.” He then gives a catalog of almost 30 questions to determine a correct translation for that term.

Accordingly, the translations are very varied:

The Toraja-Sa’dan translation uses a variety of terms for the translation of the same Greek term (click or tap here to see the rest of this insight)

  • A form of kale tolinona or “corporeal” is for instance used in Romans 9:5 or Colossians 1:22 (and also in Genesis 6:3 and Exodus 30:32)
  • A form of mentolinona or “the human” is for instance used in Matthew 16:17 or John 1:14
  • Phrases that include pa’kalean or “bodiliness” (also: “human shape”) are for instance used in Romans 6:6 or 1 Peter 2:11 (as well as in Isa 52:14, Isa 53:2, and Lamentations 4:7

(Source: H. van der Veen in The Bible Translator 1952, p. 207ff. )

See also spirit / flesh, old self, and flesh (John 1:14).

complete verse (Galatians 4:29)

Following are a number of back-translations of Galatians 4:29:

  • Uma: “At that time, Abraham’s child who was born like an ordinary child persecuted his younger brother who was born according to God’s promise. So also it happens at this time: people who want to force us to follow the Law of Musa persecute us who follow the will of the Holy Spirit.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “At that time also, the child born as is done in the world/on the earth, Isma’el, he caused difficulty to the child born because of the power of God’s Spirit. Likewise we (incl.) now are really caused difficulty by the ones who are enslaved to the law written by Musa.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And at that time long ago, as for that child of Abraham that was born only by means of the world-type way of having children, he caused difficulty for his younger brother who was born by means of the help of the Holy Spirit. And in the same way also, we (incl.) are given a hard time by those people who are enslaved by observing the Law.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Back then also, the child whose birth was not amazing, he hardshipped Isaac who was born by-means-of the power of the Spirit of God. Likewise also now, because those who are enslaved by the law, they hardship us.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “However just like in that former time when, that one who had been born by the supernatural-power of the Espiritu Santo, he was hardshipped by that one who had been born because of the plan of people, it’s just like that now. For those who have been adopted by God because of their belief in Cristo, they are being opposed by the ones who are still enslaved by their obedience to the laws of Moises.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “When it happened according to the word promised by God, the Holy Spirit caused Isaac to be born. But the son of Hagar was angry at him and persecuted Isaac. It is like that with us, those who say that they do what is written in the law persecute us.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Galatians 4:29

In the relationship between the two sons of Abraham, Paul finds an allegorical reference to the relationship between the Jews, particularly the false teachers, and the Christians, particularly the Galatian believers.

The son who was born in the usual way (literally, “the one born according to the flesh,” as in verse 23) refers to Ishmael, and the one who was born because of God’s Spirit refers to Isaac. For God’s Spirit, the Greek simply has “spirit,” and while some translations take this in the sense of “spiritual” (New English Bible, Phillips, Knox, New American Bible), it is in accordance with Pauline usage to take this as referring to the Holy Spirit (Good News Translation, Jerusalem Bible). The switch from “promise” (verses 23,28) to “spirit” reminds us of the language of chapter 3.

As in the case of verse 23, it is important to render the son who was born in the usual way in a manner which will not suggest some physical aspect of birth. In this context it may be necessary in some languages simply to say “At that time Abraham’s son by means of Hagar persecuted the son who was born because of what God’s Spirit had said,” or “… because of what God’s Spirit had done.” The Greek text simply says “according to spirit,” but since the focus has been upon the birth of Isaac resulting from the promise of God, it is quite legitimate to fill out the semantic ellipsis by indicating that the birth took place as “the result of what God’s Spirit had promised,” or “… caused to happen.”

The final clause and it is the same now refers either to the persecution or to the type of personalities involved. One may therefore say “and the same kind of persecution takes place now,” or “there are the corresponding kinds of persons even now.”

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