Paul

The term that is transliterated as “Paul” in English means “little.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

In American Sign Language it is translated with a sign that signifies the many letters he wrote. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Paul” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with a sign depicting putting away a sword, referring to his conversion from a persecutor of Christians to a Christian leader. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Paul (and Saul)” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

In Hungarian Sign Language it is translated with a sign that is based on contemporary depictions and refers to the presumed baldness of the top of his head. The description originates from the 2nd-century apocryphal text titled Acts of Paul and Thecla , which represents the earliest and most detailed physical characterization of the apostle in Christian tradition (see also the icon below). (Source: Jenjelvi Biblia and HSL Bible Translation Group)


“Paul” in Hungarian Sign Language — note that only the first part refers to “Paul,” the second part refers to “apostle” (source )

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

Following is a Georgian Orthodox icon of Paul the Apostle from the 14th century (located in the Art Museum of Georgia, Tbilisi).

Orthodox Icons are not drawings or creations of imagination. They are in fact writings of things not of this world. Icons can represent our Lord Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the Saints. They can also represent the Holy Trinity, Angels, the Heavenly hosts, and even events. Orthodox icons, unlike Western pictures, change the perspective and form of the image so that it is not naturalistic. This is done so that we can look beyond appearances of the world, and instead look to the spiritual truth of the holy person or event. (Source )

The following is a contemporary stained glass window from the Messiah Episcopal Church in St. Paul, Minnesota by Peter Dohmen. Individual glass pieces were made in Germany in accordance with Dohmen’s design, using a technique first developed by Irish monks in the 9th and 10th centuries.

Source for the image and description below: The Stained Glass Windows of Messiah Episcopal Church

“This window is dedicated to St. Paul, the great apostle and missionary, for whom our city is named. At the top of the window is a ship which symbolizes the many missionary journeys of Paul — the Church is our ship, which carries us over the way of life. In the lower section we see Paul on the road to Damascus when he saw a great light and heard our Lord’s voice, which called him to discipleship.”

Stained glass is not just highly decorative, it’s a medium which has been used to express important religious messages for centuries. Literacy was not widespread in the medieval and Renaissance periods and the Church used stained glass and other artworks to teach the central beliefs of Christianity. In Gothic churches, the windows were filled with extensive narrative scenes in stained glass — like huge and colorful picture storybooks — in which worshipers could ‘read’ the stories of Christ and the saints and learn what was required for their religious salvation. (Source: Victoria and Albert Museum )

Click or tap here to see a short video clip about Paul (source: Bible Lands 2012)

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Paul .

complete verse (Acts 20:10)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 20:10:

  • Uma: “From there, Paulus also went-down from the house, and lay-prostrate embracing the young man, he said to his friends: ‘Don’t be afraid, he indeed lives.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “But Paul went down and lay on top of him embracing him. Then Paul said, ‘Don’t worry. He is alive already.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And Paul went to him and he stretched out on him face down and put his arms around him. ‘Don’t be sorrowful,’ said Paul, ‘because he has come back to life.'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Whereupon Pablo also went-down, and he went and held-him-in-his-arms, then he said, ‘Don’t be worried, because he is alive.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “But Pablo went down at once and embraced that one who had died. And then he said to those companions of his, ‘Don’t be troubled about this person, for look at this, he is alive again.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Acts 20:10

Commentators have long since seen a parallel between this account and that of Elijah in 1 Kings 17.17 ff. and of Elisha in 2 Kings 4.34 ff. Threw himself on him must not, of course, be translated literally in most languages. Rather, one may employ an expression such as “stretched himself out over him.”

In the use of terms to describe this action and the subsequent action of “hugging him,” it is most important to avoid any expression which would suggest sexual behavior or interest.

Don’t worry translates a present imperative, which normally means for one to stop doing the action that he is already in the process of doing (see New English Bible “stop this commotion”). The reference that Paul is making is either to the mental anxiety of worry (see Jerusalem Bible “there is no need to worry” and Phillips “don’t be alarmed”) or to the Oriental custom of showing grief by loud noises.

He is still alive does not contradict what was said in the preceding verse; Luke intends the readers to understand that the boy regained his life when Paul threw himself on him and hugged him.

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 20:10

20:10a–b

threw himself on the young man, and embraced him: Here the phrase threw himself refers to Paul hurriedly placing himself on top of the body of Eutychus.

The Greek words indicate that the purpose of Paul throwing himself was to put his arms around the body. But it is implied that Paul actually did put his arms around the body. So the Berean Standard Bible translates the second clause as actually happening at this time.

Other ways to translate these Greek words are:

hurriedly lay down on the young man to put his arms around him. ⌊He put his arms around him and⌋
-or-
hurriedly placed himself down on the young man and put his arms around him
-or-
lay-prostrate embracing the young man

20:10c

Do not be alarmed: The Greek grammar probably indicates that the people were already alarmed. It probably implies that they were already grieving. For example:

Stop being alarmed

But many English versions translate this command as “do not…”

alarmed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as alarmed refers to being troubled or distressed. Other ways to translate this word are:

distressed (NET Bible)
-or-
sorrowful

he said: The Berean Standard Bible placed the phrase he said in the middle of the spoken words. Place it where it would be most natural in your language.

He is still alive: This clause in Greek is literally “for his life is in him.” The context implies that God enabled Paul to cause Eutychus to live again. It does not imply that Paul thought that Eutychus remained alive after he fell. In some languages a literal translation would not imply the correct information. If that is true in your language, you may want to indicate the correct meaning in your translation. For example:

He is alive now (New Century Version)
-or-
because he has come back to life
-or-
because he has become alive again

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