The Greek that is often translated as “deacon” in English is translated as kavumbi in Chokwe, someone “who serves another, not from compulsion or for a wage, but because of vumbi or grace.”
(Source: D. B. Long in The Bible Translator 1952, p. 87ff.)
blameless (anegklétos)
The Greek that is translated as “blameless” or “guiltless” or similar in English is translated in Huautla Mazatec as ni̱jme jìn kjoa̱ xi chꞌao tjín koansjaitꞌain or “do not find any ugly / bad matter for them.” Jean Paul Gotopo Maldonado who is participating in the work on a new translation explains: “In Huautla Mazatec there is no term to indicate the irreproachable character of a person, therefore this concept is described with a phrase.”
See also blameless (amemptos).
complete verse (1 Timothy 3:10)
Following are a number of back-translations of 1 Timothy 3:10:
- Uma: “If there are people who want to be helpers in the Lord’s work, test their character first, and if they are above reproach [lit., not accuse-able], only then can they be appointed to do that work.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
- Yakan: “And before they are titled to help the leader in the prayer-house their custom ought to be observed first. If it is observed that their custom is really good they can be titled to help the leader.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
- Western Bukidnon Manobo: “If there is a person whom you choose as deacon, his behavior must be investigated first. Then if there is no bad behavior of his that you know about, he may be chosen as a deacon.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
- Kankanaey: “Those whom you choose to be-helping, they must first be verified/confirmed so that if no sin of their becomes-known, then it-can-be that they will serve.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
- Tagbanwa: “Therefore make sure first of their nature/ways. And then provided nothing can be observed in their nature/ways which would make them unacceptable, well they will be acceptable to hold the responsibility/job of helper to the overseer.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
- Tenango Otomi: “These men must first have the way they walk be seen. Then if no evil is found they can receive the position to help at the church.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)