brother (fellow believer)

The Greek that is translated in English as “brother” or “brother and sister” (in the sense of fellow believers), 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 Matumbi is is translated as alongo aumini or “relative-believer” (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext), in Martu Wangka as “relative” (this is also the term that is used for “follower”) (source: Carl Gross), and in Mairasi as “in-law” (source: Enggavoter 2004).

In the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) it is often translated as Mitchristen or “fellow Christians.” The German translation by Roland Werner (publ. 2009-2022) alternates between “brothers and sisters,” “sisters and brothers,” and “siblings” (Geschwister).

See also brothers.

complete verse (1 Corinthians 7:29)

Following are a number of back-translations of 1 Corinthians 7:29:

  • Uma: “Relatives, my purpose is like this: we Kristen people, we must remember that we no longer have much time/opportunity in this world. That’s why I say, from this time on people who are already married must behave like those who are not married.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “My brothers, this is the meaning of what I said there, that we (incl.) are not long here in this world. Therefore from now on the ones who have wives, that is what they should put first in their thinking their work for our (incl.) Lord Isa Almasi. His doings for Almasi should be like the doings of a person who has no wife.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Because I want you to understand, brothers, that we only have a short time. And because of this, starting from now, the person who has a spouse should do what the Lord wants him to do as if he didn’t have a spouse.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “I want you to understand this brothers. There are already few days remaining in which we can serve the Lord Jesus. So starting from now, the one who has a spouse should consider it as if he/she has no spouse.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “This is what I mean, my siblings in believing. The time for us to be able to serve God has now been shortened. Therefore, starting now, let not the one who has a spouse make (these circumstances) a hindrance whereby he can’t perform well his serving of the Lord.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Listen brothers, what this word I tell you means that only a short time is left. Therefore it is necessary you do God’s work. Now there isn’t time to live pleasantly at home.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:29

Brethren: see comment on verse 24 and elsewhere.

I mean, brethren gives the impression in English that Paul is about to explain what he has just said. However, there are reasons to believe that Paul is introducing a new thought here: (1) The word brethren generally introduces a new paragraph. (2) Paul uses exactly the same expression I mean, brethren in 15.50 at the beginning of a new paragraph. (3) In both this verse and in 15.50 there is good reason to think that Paul is repeating a common Christian teaching, not anything new or peculiar to himself. The impact of the phrase I mean, brethren is therefore probably similar to Jesus’ saying, “Truly, I tell you” (see Matt 5.18 and elsewhere). If this is so, An American Translation‘s rendering “but this I do say, brothers,” or Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch‘s “For this you must know, brothers,” gives the right effect. One may also say “I am sure that you know this, my fellow Christians.”

The appointed time has grown very short: or “the end time will come soon.”

The meaning of the phrase translated from now on and its relation to the rest of the sentence are uncertain (see the footnote on punctuation in the UBS Greek text). However, in Greek this phrase usually starts a new sentence and rarely ends one. Most translations and commentaries, therefore, agree with Revised Standard Version and Good News Bible‘s punctuation. Paul has just announced a general principle that the Corinthian Christians already know. Now he goes on to draw conclusions for readers in different situations. With this interpretation in mind, there are various ways to translate this phrase: “so,” “since that is so,” and “therefore.” We could also link the two parts of the verse closely together: “The time we live in will not last long. While it lasts….” (Revised English Bible).

The sentence let those who have wives live as though they had none does not mean that married men should abandon their wives and lead a celibate life (see verse 27), or feel free to marry someone else. Good News Bible‘s “married people” is incorrect; Good News Bible first edition “married men” is correct. The words as though show that Paul feels that married men should carry on their married lives under the realization that they live in the end times, and that they have much more important things to deal with than the fact that they are married. The present world will soon end. Good News Bible‘s translation “live as though they were not married” is clearer than Revised Standard Version‘s.

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 .

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Corinthians 7:29

7:29a What I am saying, brothers, is that the time is short.

My fellow believers, I will explain what I mean. Our (incl.) time here is brief/limited.
-or-
And furthermore, my friends, consider this: This time we live in will not last much longer.

7:29b From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none;

So from this time on, Christian/believing men who are married should live as if they were not married.
-or-
So for the rest of the time we are living in this world, do not be ⌊overly/too⌋ concerned/worried about your wife/marriage.
-or-
So during the time we have left in this world, remember that having a wife or not is not the most important thing in our life.

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