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 22:27)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 22:27:

  • Uma: “After that, the head of the soldiers went to Paulus and asked him: ‘Tell me, is it really true that you (sing.) are a citizen of the Roma Government?’ Paulus answered: ‘It is indeed true.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Then the colonel went to Paul and asked him. He said, ‘Tell me the truth, are you a man of Roma?’ ‘Yes,’ Paul said.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And the captain went there to Paul, and he said, ‘So you are a subject of the town of Rome?’ And Paul said, ‘Yes.'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “So the commander went to go inquire of Pablo whether it was true. ‘Please tell, are you (sing.) reportedly a Romano?’ he said. ‘Yes,’ Pablo said.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “That highest-ranking-officer went at once to Pablo and asked him, ‘Do you truly have Romanoship?’ ‘Yes,’ said Pablo.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 22:27

22:27a

Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?: The first clause is a command. The last clause is the question. In some languages it is more natural to make the two clauses into two sentences. For example:

Tell me. Are you a Roman citizen?

Tell me: This command demands that Paul reply. Other ways to translate this clause are:

You must answer me.
-or-
Answer me.

The commander was not being rude here. In some languages a literal translation would be rude. If that is true in your language, you may want to make the command a polite request. For example:

Please answer me.

are you a Roman citizen?: This is a real question. The commander wanted to hear for himself what Paul said.

22:27b

“Yes,” he answered: The Berean Standard Bible placed the phrase he answered after the spoken word Yes. Place it where it would be most natural in your language.

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