The Greek terms that are translated into English as “preach” or “proclaim” are regularly rendered into Aari as “speaking the word of salvation.” (Source: Loren Bliese)
Other languages (back-) translate it in the following manner:
Tzeltal: “he explains, they hear” (“the goal of all preachers”)
Copainalá Zoque: “a preacher is ‘one who speaks-scatters'” (a figure based on the scattering of seed in the process of sowing) (source for this and above: Bratcher / Nida)
Shilluk: “declare the word of of God” (source: Nida 1964, p. 237)
In Luang it is translated with different shades of meaning:
For Acts 9:20, 10:42: nakotnohora: “talk about” (“The generic term for preaching.”)
For Acts 8:4, 8:5, 8:25: rodkiota-ralde’etnohora — “bring words, give news about.” (“This term is used when the preacher is moving from place to place to preach.”)
Source: Kathy Taber in Notes on Translation 1/1999, p. 9-16.
Following are a number of back-translations of 1 Timothy 4:13:
Uma: “Before I arrive, don’t you let-up reading the Holy Book to the one-faith relatives, you fire-up their hearts and teach them.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “As-long-as I am not yet able to go there, really persevere in reading from the holy-book and preach to and teach them every time you (pl.) and your (pl.) fellow trusters in Isa Almasi gather.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Until I arrive there, what you must do is: read the word of God to the people. Advise and teach them.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “What I want you (sing.) to do until I go there (near addressee), be thorough/careful to read-aloud the word of God when you gather-together while also you preach and teach.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “And then while I haven’t yet arrived, what is good for you to be attending-to/facing always is, reading the writings of the word of God to the people and keeping on teaching.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Tenango Otomi: “Until I come there, earnestly endeavor that you speak God’s word there where the believers gather. Open the road about the word. Teach well.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
In some languages the clause Till I come may be placed at the end of the verse, with the other clauses coming first.
The mention of Paul’s planned visit to Timothy does not mean that he is going to take over the duties that he is exhorting Timothy to fulfill. Rather the sense is that when he comes he will give Timothy new instructions and new duties to perform; in the meantime he should continue with those duties that are already assigned to him.
The word for attend to is found in verse 1, where it is translated as “give heed.” Other ways of rendering the word are “devote yourself to,” “occupy yourself with,” “give your time and effort to” (Good News Translation), or “keep on reading” (Contemporary English Version). The three duties mentioned seem to be regular parts of the activities of Christians when they gather together for worship. This is supported by the fact that each of these duties is preceded by the definite article, which suggests that the reference is to specific rather than to general activities. Public reading of scripture is literally “reading”; most commentators, however, are in agreement that this pertains to the reading of Scripture, and furthermore, that what is meant is not the private study of Scripture but Scripture being read aloud in the worship service. Scripture most certainly includes the Old Testament and perhaps parts of the New Testament, most certainly a collection of the teachings of Jesus, since, as 5.18 shows, Jesus’ teachings were already considered as Scripture by that time. Another way of expressing public reading of scripture is “reading the scriptures aloud for the believers (or, everyone) to hear.”
The word for preaching (New Revised Standard Version “exhortation”) is not derived from the same root as “preacher” in 2.7, but translates a Greek verb which is often translated “to encourage,” “to comfort,” or “to urge” (see, for example, 1 Tim 1.3), but which can also mean “to exhort.” In view of this, preaching here does not refer to the proclamation of the good news but to the explanation of the scripture passages that are read, making their meaning and relevance clear to the gathered congregation. So another way to say this is “explaining the meaning of the scriptures.” The word for teaching occurs elsewhere in the letter; it is the word that is usually translated “doctrine.” (See, for example, 1.10; 4.1.) Here the focus is not on the content of what is taught but on the act of teaching itself, particularly the nurturing of new Christians in catechetical classes.
Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to Timothy. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1995. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
Until I come: Paul mentioned in 3:14a that he planned to visit Timothy in Ephesus. Presumably, when he arrived, he would give Timothy further instructions.
4:13b
devote yourself to: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as devote yourself to means to occupy your time doing something or to work diligently at a task. In 4:13b–c, Paul told Timothy to devote himself to three things: reading, preaching, and teaching. In some languages, it may not be possible to use the same verb (devote yourself) with each of these tasks. Use what is appropriate in your language.
the public reading of Scripture: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as public reading of Scripture is simply the word that means “reading.” In some languages, as in many English versions, it may be helpful to supply the following information:
(a) Paul was talking about reading aloud in worship services.
(b) Paul was referring to reading from the Bible. At the time when he wrote this letter, he was referring only to the Old Testament.
4:13c
exhortation: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as exhortation refers to announcing an important message. In this context, the message is what the Scripture says.
teaching: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as teaching refers, in this context, to instructing and training people about Scripture.
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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.
Living Water is produced for the Bible translation movement in association with Lutheran Bible Translators. Lyrics derived from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®).
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