The Unexpected Adventure- UE 10- "Emerging from the Cocoon" Philippians 4:13 2010 NIV
I am once again side tracked from the UE daily reading. This time it is a translation of an oft quoted verse which the authors use in today's reading. Philippians is used quite often by laypeople and pastors alike. The most frequent version of the verse is, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens." (The "him" being Jesus Christ.) The 1984 edition of the NIV reads, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." However, the 2010 edition of the NIV reads, "I can do all this through him who strengthens me." Changing "everything" to "all this" makes the reader wonder, "What is the "all this" to which the verse refers?"
In verse 12, Paul has shared with fellow believers that he has learned to be content "whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." This life of contentment is the "all this" reference in verse 12.
The more common translation would lead us to believe that no matter what, as Christians, we are capable of anything, no matter how seemingly impossible. Which in theory is true, but in application, not likely to happen. Paul is referring to a specific area of his life in verse 13. We need to be careful not to read into the verse more than was intended.
Thoughts?
Very interesting observation. I guess it goes back to an old, but vital question.....when translations (versions) differ, how can we tell which is closest to the original.
ReplyDeleteSome people say we should adhere to the earliest (first written) ones. Other people say we should use the latest one, which at least in theory would use most recently unearthed material. Still others maintain that the motives, honesty, skill, and education of the translators should be the main consideration.
Whichever, you make a very valid point that taken in context (which we are taught to ALWAYS do), verse 13 has a much smaller scope than the way we have been taught to read it. But do you realize that such a limited reading would remove a very important promise from the minds of millioins of Christians?