Translation commentary on John 8:34

Some Greek manuscripts omit the words of sin, but the UBS Committee on the Greek text judges that these words are a part of the original text, though rating their decision a “C” choice. The phrase was perhaps omitted from some ancient manuscripts in an attempt by a scribe to make a stylistic improvement, since the omission would place the two mentions of a slave closer together. Moffatt, Phillips, and New English Bible omit of sin. Whether or not this phrase was an original part of the text, its meaning is implied. In some translations it may have to be necessary to say explicitly that the slavery to which Christ refers is slavery to sin.

It may be difficult in some languages to speak of “a slave of sin.” If so, such an expression as “just like a slave obeying sin” may be employed. However, to do so requires personification of “sin.” It is more likely that one can translate “a slave to his desire to sin” or “a slave controlled by his desires to sin.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on John 8:34

Paragraph 8:34–38

Jesus spoke about freedom and slavery (being slaves). He said that as the Son he could give people true freedom.

8:34a

Truly, truly, I tell you: Jesus often used this phrase to emphasize what he said next. See, for example, 3:3, 3:5, and 6:53. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

I tell you the truth (NIV93)
-or-
I assure you (New Living Translation (2004))

8:34b

everyone who sins is a slave to sin: There is a textual problem here:

(1) Many Greek manuscripts include the words to sin or “of sin.”

(Berean Standard Bible, English Standard Version, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, New International Version, Revised Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, Contemporary English Version, God’s Word, NET Bible Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Good News Translation, New Century Version)

(2) Some Greek manuscripts do not include the words to sin. For example:

everyone who commits sin is a slave (New Jerusalem Bible)

(Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) because most English translations follow it. The UBS Handbook Handbook Committee gave this reading a C rating, which indicates much doubt about the correct text. However, even if the words were not included, they were implied. You may want to follow the reading of your national or major-language Bible translation

In some languages it may be natural to use plural forms here:

all who commit sin are slaves

who sins: This phrase refers to a person who continues to sin regularly and as a habit.

a slave to sin: This phrase is a metaphor. It indicates that this person is forced to obey something (here, forced to obey sin). He or she cannot stop sinning. It is good to keep this figure of speech, but in some languages it may be necessary to do one of the following:

• Translate it as a simile. For example:

Everyone who continues to sin is like a slave of sin

• Explain something of the meaning of the figure of speech. For example:

all people who continue to sin are slaves, ⌊controlled by their desire to⌋ sin

a slave: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as slave can refer to either a slave or a servant. A slave is forced to work and may receive little or no pay, while a servant usually works freely and receives pay. Here, use a word that means slave, a person who is not free to choose whether to obey the master.

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