Laodicea

The name that is transliterated as “Laodicea” in English is translated in Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) with a combinations of depictions of architectural structures left over from the church of Laodicea (see here ) and of “people of justice” (the meaning of the name). (Source: Missão Kophós )


“Laodicea” in Libras (source )

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Laodicea .

complete verse (Colossians 2:1)

Following are a number of back-translations of Colossians 2:1:

  • Uma: “So, I want to tell you [about] how heavy my work is/was for all the people who have not yet seen me, both for you in Kolose and for them in Laodikia.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “What I want is for you to know that I really worry/am concerned for you and I really pray to God for you and for the ones trusting Isa there in the place of Laodikea and for the others who have not seen me.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “The reason I say this is because I want you to know why I continue working hard because of you, and also because of the believers there in the town of Laodicea, and every believer there who like yourselves, does not yet know me.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “I have told you this because I want you to know that I am putting-forth my efforts (lit. ability) for you who are from-Colosas and from-Laodicea and all the others who haven’t seen me.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Brethren, I want you to know how big is my perseverance on your behalf and (on behalf of) those from Laodicea and all the other people who have not seen me personally (lit.seen my own body).” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “I want you to know that I very earnestly pray to God concerning you. And I pray to God concerning the believers who live in the city of Laodicea. And I pray for all the other believers who have never seen me.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

formal 2nd person plural pronoun (Japanese)

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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 formal plural suffix to the second person pronoun (“you” and its various forms) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. In these verses, anata-gata (あなたがた) is used, combining the second person pronoun anata and the plural suffix -gata to create a formal plural pronoun (“you” [plural] in English).

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on Colossians 2:1

Let me tell you represents the Greek “I want you to know.” Though the expression let me tell you is a more idiomatic equivalent in English, it may be quite inadequate as a basis for adaptation into another language, since it might suggest “permit me to tell you” or “allow me to tell you.” Paul is obviously not asking for any permission; he is only introducing his statement in a relatively polite way. In many languages, a dynamic equivalent of the Greek is actually a closer literal rendering such as “I wish to tell you” or “I wish for you to know.”

How hard I have worked translates “the great struggle,” the cognate noun of the verb “to struggle” in the preceding verse. Paul’s hard work has been for the benefit of the Christians in Colossae, Laodicea, and in other places where he was not known personally. Since it appears that Paul was not personally known by the Colossians and Laodiceans, it is probable that “and all those” means and … all others (so Lightfoot, Abbott, Moule; see Jerusalem Bible). The words could be translated, “indeed, for all who….”

A literal rendering of I have worked for you and for the people of Laodicea might suggest that he had engaged in physical labor as an employee of the people in Laodicea. This is, of course, not what is intended. Therefore, it may be better to say “how hard I have worked in order to help you and the people in Laodicea” or “… in order to be of benefit to you and to the people in Laodicea.” The phrase the people in Laodicea must be expanded in some languages to read “the people who dwell in Laodicea” or “the inhabitants of Laodicea.” On the other hand, Paul is referring specifically to believers in Laodicea, and therefore, in order to avoid a misinterpretation of Paul having labored for all those living in Laodicea, one may better translate “for the believers in Laodicea.”

Laodicea (see also 4.13, 15-16) was about 17 kilometers west of Colossae.

All others who do not know me personally may be rendered in some languages as “all others who have never seen me” or “all others whom I have not visited.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Colossians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1977. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .