Japanese benefactives (ataete)

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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, ataete (与えて) or “give” 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. )

Honorary "rare" construct denoting God ("staying")

Click or tap here to see the rest of this insight.

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 usage of an honorific construction where the morpheme rare (られ) is affixed on the verb as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. This is particularly done with verbs that have God as the agent to show a deep sense of reverence. Here, todomatteo-rare-ru (とどまっておられる) or “staying” is used.

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

Translation commentary on 1 John 3:24

All who keep his commandments: here his undoubtedly refers to God.

Abide in him, or ‘are and remain in God,’ compare comments on 2.6, group (a).

And he in them, that is, ‘and God abides in them’; for this expression see the next entry. The same elliptical construction is found in 4.13.

By this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit which he has given us: the introductory words by this point forward to the phrase by the Spirit which he has given us. They are used in order to place full emphasis upon that phrase; compare comments on “by this we may be sure” in 2.3. The clause/ structure may have to be changed; for example, ‘How do we know that he abides in us? (We know it) by the Spirit he has given us,’ ‘He has given us the Spirit. Thereby we know that he abides in us,’ ‘The Spirit, his gift to us, proves to us (or causes us to know) that he abides in us.’

For he abides in us compare comments on 2.6, group (b). The clause is a strong assertion of God’s continuous fellowship and presence with the believer. The verb may be rendered by ‘to be continually in/with,’ ‘to stay (and work) in/with.’ The assertion is stated here for the first time in the Letter, and again in 4.12 and 15-16. It must probably be viewed against the background of 3.1, where the believers are called children of God.

By the Spirit, literally “out of the Spirit,” marks the Spirit as the source of the knowledge. And the source of knowledge is at the same time its cause; hence causative renderings of the clause are sometimes given; see one of the examples given above.

The Spirit which he has given us: this closing clause of Part Two forms a transition to 4.1-6, which speaks of the Spirit. Several versions prefer to change the clause structure into ‘the fact that he has given us the Spirit,’ making it almost identical to what is said in 4.13. This is a defensible adjustment of the phrase. The noun is often better specified, for example, by ‘his Spirit’ or ‘the Holy Spirit.’ For its rendering see comments on 4.1f.

Quoted with permission from Haas, C., de Jonge, M. and Swellengrebel, J.L. A Handbook on The First Letter of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator's Notes on 1 John 3:24

3:24a

Whoever: (Meaning) This means “anyone/everyone who.” It includes John and his readers.

His commandments: (Pronoun Reference) This refers to God’s commands. But since the last person mentioned in the previous sentence was Christ, it may be necessary to make “God” explicit here. See Good News Translation, The Jerusalem Bible, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, Living Bible.

in God: (Collocation) As in 2:5, this refers to being in union with God. See the note on 2:5.

3:24b

and God in him: (Ellipsis) The full meaning here is that God lives in them, just as they live in God. In your language it may not be natural to use the same expression for both of these, so you may need to say something like “they are constantly united with God and God is in their hearts.”

3:24c

And by this: (Pronoun Reference) This phrase refers forward to 3:24d.

3:24c-d

we know…by the Spirit: (Meaning) John means that the presence of the Holy Spirit in us proves that God is living in us.

3:24d

the Spirit: (Biblical Term) This means the Holy Spirit.

(1) Probably Christ is part of the name. (Berean Standard Bible, Good News Translation, New International Version (2011 Revision), New English Bible, Revised Standard Version, King James Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

(2) Some think that Christ is the title, and that the sentence therefore means, “Jesus is the Messiah and he came as a human being.” (The Jerusalem Bible)

has come: (Meaning) This refers to when Jesus came into the world.

in the flesh: (Biblical Term) The phrase in the flesh is used here with the meaning “as a human being.” See Good News Translation, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, Living Bible.

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