complete verse (Romans 2:19)

Following are a number of back-translations of Romans 2:19:

  • Uma: “We say/think that we are the ones who are smart to lead-by-the-hand people who don’t know God, we are the ones who can enlighten [lit., make clear] those who are still in the darkness and who do not yet know the true teaching. For it is with us Jews that there is the main knowledge and true teaching that is written in the Lord’s Law.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “You say that you are figuratively the ones who lead the blind. That means you know how to teach about God. You say/think also that it is as if you were a light illuminating the people in darkness, its meaning you know how to carry/influence people towards God.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “You think mistakenly that you are the ones who will be able to lead by the hand people whose thinking is blinded. And you suppose also mistakenly that you are the light to illuminate their way going to God.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “You have no doubts moreover that you are the right-ones to teach people who are blind concerning God so that their dark minds will be illuminated.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “They say that they are very wise so that they can teach people who might be said to be blind, walking in darkness.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Romans 2:19

In a number of languages an expression such as you are sure that you are a guide for the blind must be rendered as “you confidently say, I am a guide for the blind.” It is possible, however, that the metaphorical expressions guide for the blind and light for those who are in darkness may be wrongly construed by some readers. Accordingly, such phrases can be rendered as similes—for example, “that you can, as it were, serve as a guide for the blind”; and similarly, “to cause light for those whose hearts are in darkness” or “a light for those whose hearts cannot see because of the darkness.” In some instances sure may be rendered idiomatically—for example, “your heart is very strong because you think you are a guide for the blind.” In certain cases an appropriate equivalent is “you tell everyone that you are a guide for the blind.” On the statement you are sure that you are a guide for the blind see Matthew 15.14 and Luke 18.9.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Romans. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1973. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2:19

2:19a

if you are convinced: The Greek is literally “having confidence.” The Berean Standard Bible supplies the phrase if you to make the connection to the “if” in 2:17 clear. Consider how to make that connection clear in your language.

a guide for the blind: This is a metaphor. A person who does not know about God and his ways is like a blind person. The Jews thought of non-Jews in that way. And they thought of themselves as those who could show non-Jews how to live in God’s ways.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer only to actual blind people. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. You may want to:

• Make the point of reference of the metaphor explicit in the text. For example:

⌊a religious teacher who is like⌋ a guide for the blind

• Translate the meaning of the metaphor in the text. For example:

a religious teacher to those who know nothing of God

• Translate the literal meaning and explain it in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

This is a metaphor. A person who does not know about God and his ways is like a blind person. Jews teaching Gentiles about God would help them “see” who God is.

2:19b

a light for those in darkness: This is also a metaphor. The meaning is similar to the “guide for the blind.” Here the phrase addresses the Jews. And they thought of themselves as those who could show non-Jews how to live in God’s ways.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer only to people walking in actual darkness. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. You may want to:

• Make the point of reference of the metaphor explicit in the text. For example:

⌊a religious teacher who is like⌋ a light to those who are in darkness

• Translate the meaning of the metaphor in the text. For example:

and shows God’s ways to them

• Translate the literal meaning and explain it in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

This is a metaphor. Jews considered Gentiles like people walking in darkness. Jews teaching them about God would help them “see” who God is.

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Commentaire sur la traduction de la lettre aux Romains 2.19

Paul continue sa série de descriptions du peuple juif, toutes exprimées sur un ton ironique.

toi qui es convaincu d’être le guide des aveugles : la Traduction œcuménique de la Bible commence par toi qui mais en grec le texte est une affirmation, litt. « tu es sûr et toi-même guide des aveugles ». Le premier verbe pourrait être rendu de plusieurs manières : « tu crois être un guide pour les aveugles » (Bible en français courant), « …es persuadé d’être le guide des aveugles » (Bible de Jérusalem). En grec, le pronom indépendant « toi-même » met en exergue l’interlocuteur, insistant sur l’arrogance de ce peuple : « Toi-même, tu es tellement sûr que tu es… » Dans certaines langues, on exprimera cette nuance en utilisant le discours direct : « tu dis avec assurance : Je suis un guide pour les aveugles ».

le guide des aveugles, la lumière de ceux qui sont dans les ténèbres : cette double image montre l’arrogance que Paul perçoit chez ses frères juifs. Dans l’Ancien Testament, Dieu envisage que son peuple joue ce rôle auprès des non-Juifs, mais ici, Paul semble insinuer qu’ils n’ont pas pu répondre à cette responsabilité.

le guide des aveugles : la même image et les mêmes propos sont utilisés par Jésus en Matt 15.14 et Luc 6.39. Dans ce langage figuré, le guide représente le peuple juif et les aveugles, les non-Juifs. Il sera facile de rendre cette expression dans la langue cible sous forme nominale ou verbale, par exemple, « c’est toi qui te dis guide des aveugles » ou « tu dis que c’est toi qui guide les aveugles ». L’ironie de ces mots sera comprise dans la majorité des langues et cultures sans explication.

la lumière de ceux qui sont dans l’obscurité : comme souvent dans les écrits de l’Ancien Testament, la deuxième expression est plus forte que la première. Dans les Écritures, le peuple juif est souvent appelé à être la lumière de ceux qui sont dans l’obscurité, mais ils n’assument pas leur responsabilité. En grec, cette expression est courte et frappante, litt. « la lumière dans l’obscurité ». Ici la lumière représente le peuple juif et l’obscurité, le peuple non-juif. Le mot obscurité renvoie ici au noir, aux ténèbres, compris dans le sens spirituel. Si possible, il vaut mieux garder le langage concis et poétique. La Parole de Vie dit « Tu es… la lumière de ceux qui sont dans la nuit ».

Source: Margot, Jean-Claude & Zogbo, Lynell. La lettre aux Romains – Manuel de traduction – Commentaire linguistique et exégétique de la Bible. Alliance biblique universelle, 2021.