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 (Romans 15:14)

Following are a number of back-translations of Romans 15:14:

  • Uma: “All my relatives! I know how many are your good behavior, you know the teaching from the Word of the Lord, and you can teach strengthen each other hearts. I really believe this, relatives.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “My brothers who trust in Is Almasi, I am assured that you are really good people and you already really know the teachings about God and it is possible for you to (you can already) teach/instruct each other.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Brethren, I know that your behavior is always good; and I know also that you thoroughly understand the word of God, and it’s possible now for you to teach it to other people.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “My brothers, I have no doubts that your behavior is extremely-good. I also know that you correctly understand concerning our faith and are able to teach-one-another and advise-one-another.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Listen my brothers, I am assured that you know well what good you must do (and do it). You have now understood well about this word. You now are able to teach one another about this word.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Romans 15:14

As in so many contexts, my brothers may perhaps be best rendered as “my fellow believers,” “you who also believe,” or “you who are also followers of Christ.”

As the Good News Translation indicates, I myself is emphatic in the Greek sentence, as is also the pronoun you (New English Bible “you yourselves”).

All knowledge is the same phrase that occurs in 1 Corinthians 13.2. It may be that the terms goodness and knowledge should be taken in specific relation to the problem that Paul has been discussing. Goodness is then the love which Paul has emphasized in the previous discussion as the only rule of Christian conduct, and knowledge is the understanding of the Christian faith that lies behind this rule of conduct. In a number of languages one cannot speak of being full of such qualities as goodness or knowledge. One may “be very good” or “know completely what should be done,” but to be “filled with” these qualities is simply not possible. Therefore one may translate the first clause of verse 14 as “I myself am certain that you yourselves are very good.” It may be that a verb such as “to know” or “to have knowledge” must have a goal. In this context the knowledge would be concerning what one should do, and therefore one may say: “you know completely what you should do.”

To teach (An American Translation* “to instruct”) is rendered “to give advice to” in a number of translations (New English Bible, New American Bible, Moffatt; see Jerusalem Bible). Paul is not referring to teaching in a formal situation, but in a general sense. He uses this word in a similar way in 1 Corinthians 4.14 (to instruct); Colossians 1.28 (warn); 3.16 (instruct); 1 Thessalonians 5.12 (instruct), 14 (encourage); and 2 Thessalonians 3.15 (warn).

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Romans. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1973. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .