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 )

Down below you’ll see an ivory carving that is located in the Musée national du Moyen-âge in Paris from the Byzantine empire of the 6th or early 7th century:

Source: Wikimedia

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 26:1)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 26:1:

  • Uma: “After that, Agripa said to Paulus: ‘You (sing.) are given an opportunity speak, to say your (sing.) defense.’ Paulus raised his hand(s) and said his defense. His words were like this:” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Agarippa said to Paul, ‘You can now talk on your behalf/for yourself.’ Then Paul made a sign/motioned because he was about to speak. And he spoke defending himself.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘It is possible now that you present to us your reasons.’ And Paul raised his hand as a sign that he would talk, and he said,” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Then King Agrippa said to Pablo, ‘You (sing.) may speak.’ Pablo stretched-out his hand, then he said,” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “When that which Festo said was ended, Agripa said to Pablo, ‘You are now permitted to speak concerning yourself.’ Therefore Pablo raised his arm/hand as a sign that he would speak/tell-the-story. And then he spoke making his defence of himself.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Acts 26:1

As in 25.22, the verb said is missing from the Greek sentence and must be supplied in translation.

You have permission to speak may simply be translated as “you may now speak” or “you are allowed to speak.”

Paul stretched out his hand and defended himself must be translated in such a way as to indicate that the stretching out of his hand was a gesture, and not a means by which he was defending himself from physical injury.

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 26:1

Paragraph 26:1–3

26:1a

You have permission to speak for yourself: This phrase in Greek is literally “to speak concerning yourself is permitted.” King Agrippa allowed Paul to speak on anything that would relate to him being a prisoner.

This clause is passive. King Agrippa permitted Paul to speak. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊I⌋ allow you to speak for yourself.

26:1b

Paul stretched out his hand: This clause refers to a polite gesture that shows the person is about to speak. It was a common thing to do to begin a speech at that time. It may have also been a gesture to thank King Agrippa for allowing him to speak. It may have been arm forward and an open hand with palm up or to the side. It was not a gesture asking for silence. In some languages a literal translation will indicate a different meaning. If so, you may want to:

• Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:

Paul motioned with his hand ⌊to begin his speech⌋
-or-
Paul put his hand out ⌊in thanks⌋

• Use a common gesture in your area for beginning a speech here. For example:

Paul bowed

You may then want to indicate the literal words in a footnote and possibly explain it. Some example footnotes are:

Literally “motioned with his hand.”
-or-
Literally “motioned with his hand.” It was a common thing to do to begin a speech at that time. It may have also been a gesture to thank King Agrippa for allowing him to speak.

began his defense: This phrase refers to responding to accusations. The person would explain that he had not done as accused, or that his actions were the right thing to do. See how you translated a similar phrase in 25:8 (“made his defense”).

began: Paul began talking in 26:2 and continued talking until 26:23. The Greek word probably indicates began here.

But in some languages it is more natural to translate without the word began. For example:

made his defense: (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
defended himself as follows: (Good News Translation)

General Comment on 26:1b

The colon (:) at the end of 26:1b and the quote marks at the beginning of 26:2a indicate that 26:2–23 are what Paul said to defend himself. In some languages it is more natural to introduce the speech with the verb “say.” For example:

began his defense, ⌊saying⌋

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