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. )

Translation commentary on 1 John 4:13

This verse is identical with 3.24b, with the exception of three minor points: (1) The process “to abide in” is described here as reciprocal (we abide in him and he in us) but in 3.24b as one-directional. The latter may nevertheless imply reciprocity, since it continues the reciprocal expression found in 3.24a. (2) The verb “to give” is in the perfect tense rather than in the aorist in the other verse. (3) The phrase because he has given us of his own Spirit corresponds with “by the Spirit which he has given us.” These differences seem to be a matter of form rather than of contents.

In the next verses the author comes to speak of another theme, namely, the right confession based on the true Christian witness. This witness is to be found in the Church, which hands on to others the message of the eyewitnesses of Jesus’ life (see Introduction pages 6 and following).

The reason for this shift to the theme of witness is that the false teachers claim to have a testimony inspired by God’s Spirit. Therefore one must test each man’s testimony to see whether it is truly Christian (see verse 15, and compare verses 1-6). This is the case when it says that Jesus is the Christ or, in other words, that the one who has become man to save the world is God’s Son.

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 4:13

Paragraph 4:13–16

Read 4:13–16 in both Berean Standard Bible and Good News Translation. Compare the two versions.

4:13

this: (Pronoun Reference) The word this points forward, referring to God’s gift of the Holy Spirit. The sentence may be restructured, but the emphasis of the sentence must be kept on God giving the Holy Spirit to us.

in Him: (Pronoun Reference) This refers to God, and since this verse starts a new paragraph it may be necessary to make the name explicit here. See Good News Translation.

given us of His Spirit: (Meaning) This just means that God has put his Holy Spirit in us. Be careful in your translation that it does not sound as if God has simply handed over the Holy Spirit into our possession.

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