one untimely born

The Greek in 1 Corinthians 15:8 that is translated as “one untimely born” or similar in English is translated in the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) with Pfuschwerk or “botched work / patch-work.”

complete verse (1 Corinthians 15:8)

Following are a number of back-translations of 1 Corinthians 15:8:

  • Uma: “Last of all, he appeared also to me. I am not like his other apostles. I became an apostle of the Lord Yesus suddenly at a time that was not expected, like a baby that is born on a day that is not-yet its month.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “As to the last he appeared also to me, even though I am/was not worthy to see him.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And as for me also, I am the last one whom He appeared to– and when I believed, I was like a child whose birth was forced, because even though I did not want to believe at that time, I had to believe just the same.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “The last one to whom he appeared was I who am like a prematurely-born fetus who is not counted as a child.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “The very last one he went-to-see/meet, it was I, even though I am as-might-be-said like a premature baby who is not expected to live.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “After all those who saw him had seen him, then at the last I myself met him. But I am the most unworthy of all.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Japanese benefactives (arawarete)

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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.

One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a benefactive construction as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. Here, arawarete (現れて) or “appear” is used in combination with kudasaru (くださる), a respectful form of the benefactive kureru (くれる). A benefactive reflects the good will of the giver or the gratitude of a recipient of the favor. To convey this connotation, English translation needs to employ a phrase such as “for me (my sake)” or “for you (your sake).”

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on 1 Corinthians 15:8

Last of all: Last means “last in time.”

As to one untimely born: this phrase and the rest of the verse present serious problems for the translator, as Good News Bible‘s text and footnote suggest. The difficulties do not lie on the surface. The phrase may be literally translated “like” or “as if to the miscarriage.” The word for “miscarriage” is not found elsewhere in the New Testament, but its meaning is clear from other literature.

The use of the article in the phrase “the miscarriage” may be understood in various ways: (1) as generic, meaning “any”; (2) as referring to an insult made against Paul by people in Corinth; or (3) as referring to some previous or widely known use of the expression, as one might refer, for example, to “the fiery furnace,” with Daniel 3 in mind. This would explain why Paul, immediately after placing himself Last of all in the list of apostles and others who saw the risen Christ, should apply to himself the image of a baby born not too late, but untimely born or “too soon.” Paul’s figurative language is often unclear, but a translator should make every reasonable effort to resolve so direct a contradiction. New International Version has “abnormally born” (similarly New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible).

If this explanation is correct, the basis of comparison is not that of the time at which Paul became an apostle, but the “abnormal” (Good News Bible footnote) or even “monstrous” fact of a persecutor becoming an apostle. This interpretation fits in with verse 9.

The translation as to one untimely born is not very meaningful in English. A possible translation is “I am like someone who was born at the wrong time.” In many languages the word for “miscarriage” will be preferable here.

To me is heavily emphatic and should be emphasized by translators if possible.

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 .