In Kilivila culture, “boxing” is not associated with sport, so to translate the Greek term that is rendered with “boxing” in English in the Kilivila translation, a more generic statement was made: “If I play sport, I should prepare and practice my body so it will be matched for that sport . . ..”
complete verse (1 Corinthians 9:26)
Following are a number of back-translations of 1 Corinthians 9:26:
- Uma: “People who run in a race, they don’t run haphazardly, it’s clear what they are aiming-at. People who reciprocally-punch, their punches don’t just land any-old-where. So also I, I can be compared to a person who races or punches, for I don’t just behave any-old-way. Whatever I do, I do to aim at my winning prize there [out of sight] in the future.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
- Yakan: “Therefore I, I am like a person who is running. I am (going) straight towards (it) because I am striving/aiming at something. And when I preach to the people I am also like an expert boxer, each time he boxes he also hits. And I, each time I speak my speech always hits (the mark).” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
- Western Bukidnon Manobo: “That’s why I imitate a person who races, who heads straight for the goal, because I never get out of the true path. And in my teaching people, I’m like a boxer whose blows always hit the mark so that what I have to say will always hit the mark. (In Manobo idiom, words which are very appropriate, hit the mark just like blows hit the mark).” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
- Kankanaey: “Therefore as for me, I follow-the-example-of a runner-in-a-race who runs directly toward the end of the race-course without swerving/being-sidetracked. I am also like a boxer (boksinero) whose punches don’t miss.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
- Tagbanwa: “That’s indeed what I myself do, striving-hard-at my serving. I am like a strong runner and I am running straight for a sure/certain destination. What I am also like is a boxer who can always hit his enemy, not one who just punches the air.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
- Tenango Otomi: “This word by which I walk, I take the road that I must walk, I do not deviate from how I must walk. I set my heart on how I will do the will of God because I do not want nothing will come from the work I do for God.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
Translation commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:26
The word translated Well (Good News Bible‘s “That is why”) introduces a conclusion that is based on a previous statement.
I is emphasized, not in contrast with anyone else, but to show that Paul is about to apply to himself the illustrations used in verses 24-25.
In some languages it will be good to render I do not run aimlessly as a positive statement, “I run straight for the finish line,” as Good News Bible has done.
The second half of the verse introduces a new sport, boxing. Inexperienced boxers were said to “beat the air.” Good News Bible‘s restructuring, “does not waste his punches,” is a good modern English equivalent of the Greek. Translators need to use an expression that boxers in their own cultures employ.
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 .