In the instances where the Greek New Testament says Christos Iēsous (Χριστὸς Ἰησοῦς) rather than the more common Iēsous Christos and English translations typically translate as “Christ Jesus,” the Bokyi translation says Jisos Karâs or “Jesus Christ.”
“Bokyi is a rather small language in the Cross River State of Nigeria. In one Bokyi village named Bansan the oldest man’s name is Otu Obyi. There is another man in another Bokyi village named Obyi Otu. Even though these two men share the same names every Bokyi person knows that they are two different people because of the order in which their names are used.
“If you are a translator and your language uses this same method of naming people, you can not sometimes write Jesus Christ in your translation and sometimes write Christ Jesus, and still refer to the same person. It will refer to two different people. You should always write Jesus Christ or Christ Jesus, but not both. You will have to decide which order is the most natural in your language.”
The Greek that is transliterated as “Ephesus” in English is translated in Swiss-German Sign Language with a sign that depicts the large amphitheater in Ephesus (see Acts 19:29 and here ).
The Greek that is translated as “saint” in English is rendered into Highland Puebla Nahuatl as “one with a clean hearts,” into Northwestern Dinka as “one with a white hearts,” and into Western Kanjobal as “person of prayer.” (Source: Nida 1952, p. 146)
Chichewa “(person with a) white heart” since “white” is the word that is used in Chichewa for the translation of “holy.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
All the letters by Paul start with the same expression in Wichí Lhamtés Güisnay with the same expression: Amtena ipuhfwas or “It has been time but now it is.”
Bill Mitchell (in Omanson 2001, p. 437) explains: “Languages have their own ways of marking different genres. When the Wichí of Argentina send a message by way of a third person it begins with a particular expression, which, if taken literally, would say: ‘it has been time but now it is.’ It may not communicate a whole lot in English, but it is indispensable in Wichí. In the Wichí New Testament the letters of Paul begin with this word.”
The Greek that is typically translated as “will” in English is translated in Warao as obojona, a term that “includes the concepts of consciousness, will, attitude, attention and a few other miscellaneous notions.” (Source: Henry Osborn in The Bible Translator 1969, p. 74ff. .) See other occurrences of Obojona in the Warao New Testament.
In Mairasi, it is translated with “throat.” (Source: Enggavoter 2004)
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)
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 )
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.
“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)
1:1-2 I am Paul. God chose me as his apostle under Jesus Christ who is God’s anointed.
I write this letter to the people of the church of Ephesus, who are Christians — believers and followers of Jesus Christ.
Peace and grace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1:3-4 Ah, look — long before the heavens and the earth were created God already knew us and chose us to be united with Christ. He chose us to be holy and without fault in his eyes. He embraces us with love as His holy people. Look — all the spiritual blessings that He has given us [love, peace, grace, patience] freely in abundance. Come, let us give praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1:5-8 This is all according to His plan — for us to be united with Jesus Christ, His beloved Son, through whom He has adopted us as His children, His sons and daughters. So we praise God for the wonderful grace that He has given us because we are united with Jesus Christ.
Long ago we were detached from Jesus Christ but He forgave us and united us. As Christians were saved by the blood of Jesus Christ. Amazing! His grace overflows, He has showered us with His kindness.
1:9-11 God’s plan is for everything in heaven and on earth to be united under Jesus Christ. He has revealed to us his mysterious plan in order that we may understand how everything connects to Jesus Christ. God is wise and everything is just according to His plan. When we are united to Jesus Christ He will reward us with His inheritance.
1:12-14 We Jews were the first to hope in Jesus Christ and we were chosen to bring praise and glory to God. Now you people of the church of Ephesus have been taught the truth of Jesus Christ which is salvation through unity with Christ. In Christ, God has given you the Holy Spirit which is His guarantee that we will get the things God promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. We will bring praise and glory to Him.
1:15-18 I have heard of your faith in Jesus and your love for all Christians which has moved me to give God thanks for you. I pray for you constantly, I ask God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you spiritual wisdom so that you may grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that you will have greater understanding in your heart, then you will know the hope that God has chosen us to have. You will know that the blessings God has promised His holy people are rich and glorious.
1:19-20 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe in Him. This is the same power that God used to raise Jesus from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at His right hand in heaven.
1:21-23 God has made Jesus more powerful than all rulers, authorities, powers and kings. He is more powerful than anything in this world or in the next world. God has put everything under Jesus’ authority and has made him ruler over all things for the church. The church is the body and Jesus is the head; he counsels us Christians and we are made full and complete by him, he makes everything complete in every way.
Back-translation by Amakedia Wallen, coordinated by Tashi Widmer
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