In Highland Puebla Nahuatl there is no immediate equivalent for the Greek that is translated with the English term “heir.” So here an expression is used that means “someone who will receive the property (or: things).” (Source: Nida 1947, p. 200f.) Likewise, in Chimborazo Highland Quichua the translation is “those who receive what belongs to their father” (source: Julia Woodward in The Bible Translator 1950, p. 140ff. ) and in Sayula Popoluca “will receive all that God has for us” (source: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.).
complete verse (Galatians 4:1)
Following are a number of back-translations of Galatians 4:1:
- Uma: “Like this, relatives: for instance there is a nobleman’s child. All his fathers stuff, he will own it all. But when he is still small, he is still treated like a slave.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
- Yakan: “What I said can also be exampled like this. For example there is a child, an only child and his father dies. He is now the owner of the wealth left-behind by his father. But while he is yet a child it is as if he were just a slave/servant.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
- Western Bukidnon Manobo: “For example, there is a child of a chief and his father died while he was still a child. And even though he is the one who will inherit all of the possessions of his dead father, while he is still a child he is only like a servant, because there is still someone who is in charge of him. There is someone who takes care of him who also cares for his possessions until the time comes, set by his father, then he at last will receive the authority to be in charge of his possessions.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
- Kankanaey: “Here is yet another illustration about what I’ve been saying. If there is a child who will inherit his father’s possessions, but his years are still lacking, it’s as if he has no distinction-from/advantage-over a slave, even though he is the owner of all his father’s wealth.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
- Tagbanwa: “Here’s something else I will draw an illustration from. Supposing there is a certain rich person who dies prematurely when his only child is still small. This child of his, the day will come when he will own everything in the household. But even though it’s like that, as long as he is not yet old enough, there is no difference in his situation and the situation of the slaves in that household.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
- Tenango Otomi: “You know that when a boy who is to receive an inheritance is just a child, he is like one of the workers even though he is the owner of all.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
Translation commentary on Galatians 4:1
But now to continue is literally “but I say” (Jerusalem Bible “Let me put this another way”), a type of expression which Paul frequently uses to introduce an expansion or explanation of a previous argument (compare 3.17; 5.16; Rom 15.8; 1 Cor 1.12). One may also say “I would also like to say,” or “But I will continue what I was just saying.”
The son who will receive his father’s property translates the one word “heir.” The main problem in retaining this word in translation is the implication that the father is dead. While it can be proved from Roman law that property was transferred to a son only on the death of the father, this understanding cannot be applied here. It would create serious difficulties, particularly with the application of the illustration later in this section, for it would imply that God had died. It is more likely that Paul has in mind a situation where the father, for some reason, establishes a guardianship while he is still alive. In such a case, the word “heir” would simply refer to the son who would eventually receive his father’s property. It is also possible to translate “heir” as “the son who has received what his father has promised to give him,” or “… the property which his father has promised to give him.”
The phrase while he is young involves a Greek word which literally means “infant” or “babe.” It includes components of intellectual and moral immaturity. Many commentators suggest that Paul is using the word here in much the same way as in 1 Corinthians 3.1. However, in view of the context, it is more likely that what Paul has in mind here is the child’s characteristic as a “minor” (as in New English Bible), that is, the child is not old enough to assume legal responsibilities (compare New American Bible “not of age”; Moffatt “under age”). In a number of languages one may use “while he is still a small child.” However, in other instances it is preferable to use a designation which indicates clearly his being literally “before maturity,” expressed in some languages as “before he can act as a man,” “before he sits with the men,” or “before he takes his place among men.”
The phrase is treated just like a slave refers primarily to legal status. The child, being a minor, cannot perform any act except through his legal representatives. However, he differs from a slave in that even though he has no freedom of action, he still owns everything. Potentially, he is the owner of his property, but in actual practice others make decisions for him.
A literal translation of is treated just like a slave, would imply in some languages that the son is ordered about, beaten, and forced to endure privations, even as slaves are generally treated. It may be necessary to say, therefore, “he has no legal rights; he is just like a slave,” or, idiomatically, “he cannot speak in the council of elders; he is just like a slave.”
Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Galatians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1976. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 4:1
Paragraph 4:1–7
In this paragraph, Paul further explained that the period of the law was temporary. He compared the period under the law to a period of slavery. When Christ came, he redeemed the people who were in slavery. They are no longer slaves. Instead, they are now adopted as God’s sons and are his heirs. The time of the law is over.
4:1a
What I am saying is that: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as What I am saying is that introduces an explanation of what it means to be an heir of God (in 3:29b).
Some other ways to translate this clause are:
Let me explain further. (God’s Word)
-or-
Think of it this way. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
My point is this: (New Revised Standard Version)
In 3:17a and 5:16a, Paul used a similar expression to introduce an explanation of a previous statement.
4:1b
as long as the heir is a child: The word child refers to a young person who is not yet an adult. This entire clause refers to the time when a child is too young to receive the inheritance.
Some other ways to translate this clause are:
when the heir is a young child
-or-
during the time when the son who will receive his father’s possessions is very young
-or-
before the boy who will one day own his father’s possessions becomes an adult
the heir: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as heir refers to the son who will eventually receive his father’s possessions. In this case, it probably does not mean that the father has already died. This is perhaps a situation where the father has decided to give some of his possessions to his son when the son becomes an adult. The father will do this even if he is still alive.
Some other ways to translate this word are:
the son who will later inherit/get his father’s possessions
-or-
the son who will receive his father’s property (Good News Translation)
-or-
the son who will one day own his father’s possessions
This same word occurs in 3:29c.
4:1c
he is no different from a slave: The clause he is no different from a slave is a figure of speech called a hyperbole. Paul exaggerated to make a point. In one sense, a boy who will inherit possessions is very different from a slave. But they are similar in that both are under rules and regulations. While the heir is a child, he has no control over what will one day be his.
Some other ways to translate this clause are:
is like a slave
-or-
it is as if he were just a servant/worker
-or-
he is under authority like a slave ?who is under authority?
-or-
is no better than a slave (Revised Standard Version)
4:1d
although he is the owner of everything: This clause refers to the fact that the child will one day become the owner of his father’s property. This will happen when the father chooses to give it to him. The son’s status of being like a slave is only temporary. In some languages, it may be more natural to use the future tense here.
Some other ways to translate this clause are:
even though he owns everything (God’s Word)
-or-
even though everything the father owns/has will someday be his
General Comment on 4:1b–d
In some languages, it is more natural to reorder the clauses of 4:1b–d. For example:
d The heir will eventually get all his father’s possessions. b ?But? while he is a child, c he is no different than a slave.
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