complete verse (2 Timothy 4:9)

Following are a number of back-translations of 2 Timothy 4:9:

  • Uma: “Timotius! I request that you quickly come visit me.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Really try hard so that you will soon be-able-to-come-here to me.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Do what you can so that you might soon come here,” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “If possible, hurry to come here,” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “I’m asking you please, if you have the opportunity I want you to come here soon/quickly.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Listen, Timothy, earnestly endeavor to come quickly here where I am so that we can speak together.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Japanese benefactives (kīte)

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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, kite (来て) or “come” 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 2 Timothy 4:9

It is assumed in the letter that Timothy was in Ephesus and that Paul was in Rome. So now Paul wants Timothy to make every effort to join him in Rome because, except for Luke, everyone had left Paul. For Do your best see 2 Tim 2.15. The verb means “to make every effort.” Soon is literally “quickly,” which in the present context means “in the shortest time possible.” See further on “hasty” in 1 Tim 5.22. In some languages this sentence will be best translated as “You must come to see me as soon as possible.”

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1995. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 4:9

Section 4:9–18

Paul asked Timothy to come to him soon

This section contains a variety of specific instructions that Paul gave Timothy in the hope that Timothy would be able to come to Rome soon and spend some time with him.

Paragraph 4:9–13

4:9

Make every effort to come to me quickly: Make every effort is an English phrase that translates one Greek verb. It means “to work/try hard” or “to put the most effort that you can into doing something.” This same verb occurs in 2:15a. Paul wanted Timothy to try to come from Ephesus to Rome as soon as possible, even if it was difficult for Timothy to do.

Paul then mentioned several reasons why he wanted Timothy to come to Rome soon:

(a) Demas had deserted him (Paul) (4:10a);

(b) Crescens and Titus each had traveled elsewhere to serve God (4:10b and 4:10c);

(c) Luke was the only person that had remained in Rome to help Paul (4:11a).

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Commentaire sur la traduction de 2 Timothée 4.9

Les dernières recommandations et salutation finale (4.9-22)

Bien que certains voient une unité ici, il semble y avoir deux conclusions, d’abord 2 Tim 4.19 et ensuite 2 Tim 4.19. La première se termine par une louange (A lui soit la gloire dans les siècles des siècles ! ) et le mot Amen. Ce dernier mot caractérise plusieurs fins de lettres pauliniennes (Rom 16.27 ; 1 Cor 14.16 ; Gal 6.18), mais pas exclusivement (voir aussi 2 Cor 1.20 ; Gal 1.5 ; 1 Tim 1.17). La deuxième est constituée des salutations habituelles et une bénédiction sans la particule Amen. Les traducteurs choisiront s’ils mettre les deux unités ensemble ou les séparer.

4.9-18

Ceci semble être la première de deux conclusions qui terminent la lettre. avec une sorte de bénédiction. La deuxième conclusion se présente en 2 Tim 4.19.Cette première section comprend :
• une recommandation à Timothée (2 Tim 4.9)
• des nouvelles personnelles ( 2 Tim 4.10)
• une confession de foi ou prière d’action de grâces, se terminant par le mot Amen ( 2 Tim 4.17).
Il peut être difficile de trouver un seul sous-titre pour couvrir ces trois éléments. On pourrait peut-être dire « Paul parle personnellement à Timothée ».

Il est sous-entendu que Timothée se trouve à Éphèse et Paul à Rome. Ainsi l’apôtre demande à son jeune collaborateur de le rejoindre .

Le verbe σπουδάζω spoudazô exprime l’idée de « faire un certain effort » : Efforce-toi, « fais de ton mieux » (2 Tim 2.15), ou « Tâche » (Parole de Vie).

venir me rejoindre est littéralement « venir vers moi » mais les traducteurs devraient utiliser une expression idiomatique dans leur langue.

au plus vite rend le grec « vite ». La Parole de Vie spécifie « très vite », et la Nouvelle Bible Segond, « au plus tôt ». On pourrait aussi dire « rapidement ».

Certaines versions font continuer la phrase en 2 Tim 4.10, car ce verset explique la raison de cette demande, mais dans la majorité des langues, il vaudrait mieux présenter une phrase complète ici.

Source: Zogbo, Lynell & Ellingworth, Paul La deuxième lettre à Timothée – Manuel de traduction – Commentaire linguistique et exégétique de la Bible. Alliance biblique universelle, 2021.