The Greek that is translated as “gift” or similar in English is transliterated in the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) as Charisma (instead of the commonly-used Gabe or “gift”) to differentiate it from regular human gifts. The translators explain (p. 94): “According to Paul, ‘Charisma’ is an extraordinary gift, that is humanly not explainable. Basically every Christian has such a gift and is supposed to use it in mission-oriented efforts for the one who gives this gift.”
Eastern Highland Otomi: “speaking strange languages” (source for his and two above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
IndonesianAlkitab Terjemahan Lama version (publ. 1958): “speak the language of the spirit” (bahasa roh) — “which leaves a strong impression that this is a mystical experience.” (Source: Ekaputra Tupamahu in: Journal for the Study of the New Testament 2018, 41/2, p. 223ff.)
In most Protestant Mandarin Chinese translations, the term fāngyán (方言) or “dialect / regional language” is used. The widely-used Catholic Sigao translation uses yǔyán 语言 (語言) or “language” instead. (See also W. Chong in Religions 2024, 15, p. 288ff. )
In the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) it is translated as in den Sprachen der Engel reden or “speaking in the language of angels.” The translators explain (p. 104): “According to Jewish understanding, angels primarily spoke Hebrew. The ‘languages’ of angels are specific texts (such as songs). This is not related to a formal knowledge of language.” Note that in the latter part of 1 Corinthians 14 (from verse 26 on) and in Acts 2:4, Berger / Nord use “foreign language” instead.
In the German translation by Fridolin Stier (1989) it is translated as “speaking with ecstatic tongues” (mit verzückten Zungen reden).
Following are a number of back-translations of 1 Corinthians 12:30:
Uma: “or heal people. Not all get the ability to speak in languages from the Holy Spirit or to translate [lit., move] those languages so that others can understand.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “or to heal the sick or to speak in languages not understood by the people or to explain what was spoken in those languages.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And in the same way also, it is not possible that all are given the power to heal the sick people; and also all are not given the skill to speak in languages that they do not know. And it’s also not possible who know how to talk in languages that they don’t understand.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “or remove sickness or speak various languages or interpret what those languages mean to say.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “And of course it’s not all who can heal the sick, speak in other languages they haven’t studied, or explain the meaning of what is being said in these languages.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Tenango Otomi: “Not all were given the work of being able to heal the sick people. Not all were given the work to speak different words they do not know. And not all were given the work of being able to tell the meaning of the different words which are spoken.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
Paul returns for the last time to the subject of diversity of gifts in the church. There are differences between these verses and the list given in verse 28, but it is not the translator’s task to smooth away these irregularities.
These are seven rhetorical questions that expect the answer “No.” Good News Bible translates them by negative statements. Many languages will need to use similar statements.
Are all…? may be expressed as “Is every person…?” or “Not every person is….”
Tongues: some languages may have to express this word as “strange sounds” or something similar. See also the discussion on verse 10.
In verse 30 the verb translated interpret is related to the word translated “interpretation” in verse 10 (see the comments on that verse). This appears to be interpretation of “strange sounds” or “ecstatic speech” rather than foreign languages. It will be helpful in many languages to expand interpret to “interpret what is said with these strange sounds” or “explain what is said….”
Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
Living Water is produced for the Bible translation movement in association with Lutheran Bible Translators. Lyrics derived from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®).
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