Japanese benefactives (tsukawashite)

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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, tsukawashite (遣わして) or “send” 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 Acts 3:20

Both the background and the exact meaning of the expression times of spiritual strength are difficult to define. The word translated spiritual strength occurs only here in the New Testament and in the Septuagint (Exodus 8.15). Its meaning is given as “breathing space, relaxation, relief.” This expression does not appear in rabbinic literature, and as it stands is evidently not a Semitic idiom. However, most commentaries believe the phrase to mean those periods of refreshment during which God strengthens the human spirit.

In a number of languages times do not come. Rather, one can have “it will happen that” or as in this context, “so that you will have a time of rest” or “so that you will rest in your spirits.”

A literal translation of “rest” can be badly misunderstood. Obviously this passage does not refer to physical rest but to “rest for your spirits.” It is for that reason that an expression such as spiritual strength may be translated as “rest for your spirits” or “recuperation for your spirits.”

Not only is it difficult to speak of “times coming” in some languages, but they certainly would not come from the Lord’s presence. This is semantically almost impossible in most languages. Obviously the agent of this “coming” is the Lord himself. Therefore in some languages the structure must be altered so as to read “so that the Lord will send to you a time of renewing for your spirits.”

Where it is necessary to make a distinction in the use of Lord when it refers to God or Jesus, it is certainly possible in verse 20a to employ “Lord God.”

The second purpose to be accomplished through the repentance and turning to God is God’s sending of Jesus. This may be made very clear in some languages by saying “Do this so that the Lord will send a time of renewal for your spirits and so that he will also send Jesus.” The introduction of “also” is simply a way of indicating that there is a dual purpose.

It is possible to understand Messiah either as a title in apposition with the proper name Jesus (Jesus, who is the Messiah) or as a part of a proper name, Jesus Christ. Most translations have the former.

He has already chosen for you in the Greek is also a positive construction; but again it is obvious that God is the intended subject of the passive voice. Although the verb translated has already chosen may in itself mean “to choose” or “to appoint” without the idea of “beforehand” or “ahead of time” connected with it (see 22.14; 26.16, the only other places where this verb occurs in the New Testament), both the context and the tense of the verb suggest that here the idea is that of “choosing beforehand.”

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 3:20

3:20a

Some English versions like the New International Version include 3:20a as part of 3:19. However, the UBS Handbook Greek New Testament (UBS5) puts this clause at the beginning of 3:20 as does the Berean Standard Bible. Put this text in the same place that the major language version in your area puts it.

that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as refreshing also means “rest.” This phrase probably refers to times when God will do things for them that will give them joy and encouragement. It may also refer to times when God will relieve believers from being persecuted. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

times of comfort may come from the Lord
-or-
the Lord God will strengthen your hearts
-or-
times of encouraging your livers will be coming/arriving from God

the Lord: Here this word refers to God. Some languages must say who this refers to. For example:

Lord ⌊God⌋

3:20b

He may send Jesus, the Christ: This clause refers to the second coming of Jesus. Some languages must clearly indicate that. For example:

he may send the Christ ⌊again⌋

Some languages must say where the Christ will be sent. If that is true in your language, refer generally to believers. For example:

he may send the Christ ⌊to his people⌋

Jesus, the Christ: This phrase indicates that Jesus is the Christ. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

that is, Jesus (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
even Jesus (New International Version)

3:20c

who has been appointed for you: This clause further describes the Christ. It does not separate Christ from other Christs. For the correct meaning in some languages, translators must avoid the word who. For example:

He has been appointed for you.

This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

whom ⌊God⌋ has appointed for you

has been appointed: The Greek indicates that God chose Jesus before this time. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

has already been chosen
-or-
was ordained

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