ORIGINAL RESEARCH

 

Some more translation headaches in Romans

 

 

Andrie B. du Toit

Department of New Testament, University of Pretoria

Correspondence

 

 

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ABSTRACT

Following on a previous article, three more problematic lexical items which occur repeatedly in Romans are discussed:σνμμαρτνρεω and λογίζομαι. Typical of the old, etymological approach, translators are often inclined to attach too much weight to the preposition sVn in σνμμαςτνρέω. In Romans 8:16, for instance, it would be more appropriate to translate σνμμαρτνρέω in the sense of 'affirm': '[t]he Spirit of God affirms to our spirit that we are God's children'. Despite all objections, rendering τά έ'θηη 'Gentiles/Gentile nations' still remains the best option. In certain contexts in Romans, it would be advisable to translate λογίζομαι as 'I realise/am convinced'. Thereafter some ad hoc problems in Romans 12:6-8; 14:4 and 15:17 are discussed.

Keywords: Bible translations; charismata; commentaries; etymological fallacy; gentiles; translation equivalents; witnessing

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REFERENCES

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Van der Watt, J. 2009, 'Reading New Testament Imagery', in A.B. du Toit (ed.), Focusing on the Message: New TestamentHermeneutics, Exegesis and Methods, pp. 305-340, Protea, Pretoria.         [ Links ]

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Correspondence:
Andrie du Toit
PO Box 92345
Mooikloof
Pretoria 0059
South Africa
Email: andriedt@icon.co.za

Received: 06 Apr. 2010
Accepted: 08 June 2010
Published: 21 Sept. 2010