Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)
The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).
For this verse, translators typically select the inclusive form (including the writer and the readers of this letter).
Source: Velma Pickett and Florence Cowan in Notes on Translation January 1962, p. 1ff.
Following are a number of back-translations of Galatians 6:9:
Uma: “So, relatives, that’s the reason that we must not get tired/bored of doing good deeds, for if we keep on doing those good deeds, there will certainly come the time that we receive its fruit.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “Therefore we (incl.) ought not to get tired of doing good. Because if we (dual) continue to do good, there is a time in the future, (when) God will give us (incl.) good/blessing.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “That’s why we should not become tired in doing good, because if we keep on doing this, the time will come in the future when God will give us a good reward.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “Therefore we ought not to be/get discouraged in our doing what is good, because when the right time arrives, there is also that which we will harvest if we don’t lose-interest-and-give-up.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “Therefore let us not get-fed-up-with (doing) good deeds, because when the proper time arrives, we will of course have a harvest if we don’t quit (lit. get enoughed).” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Tenango Otomi: “Don’t rest, let’s do what is good. Because if we don’t rest from doing good there will come the day when we are rewarded.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
The introductory so connects this verse with the one immediately preceding. In the light of what Paul has just said, he now defines for his readers and for himself a corresponding course of action.
The verbs translated become tired and give up are similar in meaning, both containing the elements of fatigue and exhaustion. The first verb puts emphasis on losing interest (for example, “spiritless”) and the second on becoming discouraged or relaxing one’s efforts. These are reflected in some translations (Revised Standard Version “grow weary … lose heart”; New American Bible “grow weary … relax our efforts”).
The word translated good is literally “well-being”; a different word for good is used in verse 10. Perhaps we should not press the distinction between these two words, but if one is to be made, doing good in this verse would refer generally to any action done for others or for oneself that results in well-being. In verse 10 it would refer primarily to things done for the benefit of others.
The last part of verse 9 suggests that Paul is thinking eschatologically. It could be that the time will come refers to the expected return of the Lord or to the end of the world. In place of this expression one may say, in some languages, “there will be a day,” or “the day will happen.”
An expression for reaping the harvest must refer to something beneficial or good. This may be expressed in some languages as “we will have the benefit of a harvest,” or “we will have a good harvest.”
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 .
Living Water is produced for the Bible translation movement in association with Lutheran Bible Translators. Lyrics derived from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®).
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