scripture

The Greek that is translated “scripture” or “scriptures” in English is translated as “God’s word which people wrote” in Guerrero Amuzgo (source: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125) and “paper writings” in Copainalá Zoque (source: B. Moore / G. Turner in Notes on Translation 1967, p. 1ff.).

While the term “Bible,” often used as a synonym, does not appear in the Bible itself, there’s an interesting translation of that word in Dehu. Missionaries had translated “Bible” as “Container of the Word” until they realized that this was also used for “penis sheath.” (Source: Clifford 1992, p. 87)

For other translations of scripture see all scripture is inspired by God and examined the scriptures.

complete verse (Acts 18:24)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 18:24:

  • Uma: “When Priskila and Akwila were in Efesus, there also arrived a Yahudi person, his name Apolos. The town of his birth was Aleksandria. He was very smart in speaking, and he knew very well the contents of the Holy Book.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “At that time a certain Yahudi called Apollos arrived there in Epesus. He was born in the place Iskandal. He was eloquent/skilled-in-speaking and his learning/studies of the holy-book was deep.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “At that time a Jew from Alexandria whose name was Apollos arrived in Ephesus. He knew how to orate and he knew also how to explain the written word of God.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Meanwhile there was a Jew from-Alexandria who went to Efeso. His name, it was Apollos. He was skilled to teach, and he also knew much concerning what God had caused-to-be-written.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “At that time, there arrived in Efeso a Jew from Alejandria, named Apolos. He was praiseworthy in speech. He had studied well the writings which are the word of God and he really knew how to teach.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Acts 18:24

Born in Alexandria may be translated as “Alexandria was his home town” or “he came originally from Alexandria.” In many languages one does not translate literally born. It may be useful to have a marginal note at this point explaining that Alexandria was in Egypt and was one of the leading cities of the ancient world. It was particularly important as a center of learning.

The word translated eloquent occurs only here in the New Testament, and though most translators prefer this rendering (New American Bible, New English Bible, Revised Standard Version, Jerusalem Bible, Twentieth Century New Testament, An American Translation*; see also Zürcher Bibel and LUTHER Revised, as well as La Sainte Bible: Nouvelle version Segond révisée), Moffatt and Barclay choose “a man of culture,” and others have either “learned” or a “man of learning.” If the term translated eloquent is a reference to Apollos’ capacity as a speaker, one may translate “could speak very well,” “he was a great orator,” or “he spoke so that everyone wanted to listen.” If, on the other hand, one interprets this term as applying to the extent of Apollos’ knowledge, one may translate “he knew very much” or “he was a man who had studied very much.”

Had a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures is literally “powerful in the Scriptures,” but the meaning is that Apollos knew the Jewish Scriptures thoroughly. In some languages one does not speak of a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures but “knowing what is in the writings,” since the focus is upon the content, not upon the form.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 18:24

Paragraph 18:24–26

18:24a

Meanwhile: The Berean Standard Bible adds the word Meanwhile to indicate that 18:24–28 occurs while Paul was going from town to town in Galatia and Phrygia (18:23b). For example:

Now (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
At that time (Good News Translation)

a Jew named Apollos: Apollos believed in Jesus, so the word Jew only refers to his ethnic group. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate or imply that Apollos did not believe in Jesus. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain it in your translation. For example:

a Jewish ⌊believer⌋ named Apollos

a native of Alexandria: This phrase indicates that Apollos was born in the city of Alexandria. Alexandria was in the country of Egypt on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It was a very large city at that time.

18:24b

an eloquent man: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as eloquent can also mean “educated.” These two ideas went together in Paul’s time. A learned man had to be able to demonstrate his knowledge through eloquent speaking. Many English versions translate the Greek word as eloquent. For example:

a very good speaker (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
learned and eloquent
-or-
skilled in speaking

well versed in the Scriptures: This phrase in Greek is literally “powerful in the Scriptures.” It indicates that Apollos knew the Scriptures well and was able to use them effectively in preaching, teaching, and discussing. For example:

and he was mighty in the Scriptures (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
powerful in his use of the scriptures (Revised English Bible)
-or-
and he knew ⌊and discussed⌋ the Scriptures in powerful ways

Scriptures: This refers to the Hebrew Bible. Christians now call it the Old Testament. Christians then only referred to it as the Scriptures.

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