In the previous chapters of Romans, say 3 through 11, Paul just got done describing everything God has done for us. Then there is a call to action for the Christian to present himself as a living sacrifice. What kind of emphasis does Paul put on this action? Let's look at some translations.
Romans 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brethren [KJV]
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters [NIV]
Therefore, I urge you, brethren [NASB]
I beseech you therefore, brethren [NKJV]
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you [NET]
So, the key words are ”beseech”, "urge”, ”plead”. Could also call it begging or imploring.
Here's the ESV:
I appeal to you therefore, brothers
Appeal? Really, that's all?
Seems to me the urgency and importance of presenting our bodies a living sacrifice is lessened by the ESV.
Comments?
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Another Verse Where I Think the ESV Fails
Discussion in 'Bible Versions & Translations' started by InTheLight, Apr 10, 2016.
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InTheLight Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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This is rather easy to check - no magic - you don't even need to know Greek
appeal verb
1 synonyms BEG, beseech, brace, crave, entreat, implore, importune, plead, pray, supplicate
2 synonyms PETITION, sue (for or to)
3 synonyms INTEREST, attract, excite, fascinate, intrigue
Merriam-Webster, I. (1996). Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Thesaurus. Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster.
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Greek helps
παρακαλέω
1. to ask to come and be present where the speaker is, call to one’s side
2. to urge strongly, appeal to, urge, exhort, encourage
3. to make a strong request for something, request, implore, entreat
4. to instill someone with courage or cheer, comfort, encourage, cheer up
5. In several places παρ. appears to mean simply treat someone in an inviting or congenial manner,
Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., & Bauer, W. (2000). A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature (3rd ed., p. 765). Chicago: University of Chicago Press
The ESV uses 'exhort' in verse 8.
Rob -
InTheLight Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Yes, the English dictionary meaning of the word "appeal" is defined in your post.
However, the context of Romans is how we are not justified by the law but by we are justified by faith. When I think of the word "appeal" in the context of the law, I get an image of a lawyer politely asking a higher authority to please listen to me. That's why I think the word "appeal" fails the context of this verse. Beseech, urge, plead, are all better words, IMO. -
Even if I agreed with you, does that mean the ESV "fails"??? Overstatement much?
The meaning is the same. You may not like the lack of urgency in your mind, but this is hardly room for throwing around the word "fail". -
InTheLight Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Among the major translations, why does the ESV stand alone in using the word "appeal"? -
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
The use of the word appeal by itself is a weaker version of that passage. While not entirely incorrect it lacks sufficient emphasis. Had it been interpreted "I appeal to you brothers with all I have" or anything similar to that. A better translation would be implore.
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2) Other than the many translations you cited, do you have evidence to stake your claim that there should be a great urgency here? And I don't simply mean context. I mean, does the Greek word demand or even connote a strong urgency???
3) Even if I granted that "appeal" is not a good word choice, the sense is still true. What it lacks is urgency. However, in some parts of the English speaking world, "appeal" may be extremely urgent. You see, word choice in the receptor language is very subjective. What is urgent to you may be nothing to me.
4) All that said, I think your language of failure is quite overstated. Even if I were to grant that "appeal" is not as good a word choice as possible, it still conveys the idea. But this is making a mountain our of the grain of sand that makes the mole hill. -
I also noticed that the NET online doesn't say "plead" but "exhort". I'm not sure if you used an older edition, but even they use a word that is not as urgent as you are arguing for.
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Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Yes the question at hand is "Does the word appeal make a strong enough urgency?"
I know of no where in the English language where "appeal" is used in a strong sense of the word all by itself. -
InTheLight Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Exhort conveys a stronger urgency than appeal, IMO. -
As for your last statement, that just shows the subjectivity. I can use the word appeal in a very urgent tone. And the word through the history of English was a very urgent word.
I think the question at hand should be, what does the word παρακαλω mean in this context rather than how strong of a sense do we need to give it. -
But you ended with "IMO" which makes my case all the more. This is simply opinion! This is subjective. To stake the word "fails" on such an opinion is the height of pride. You must believe your opinion is by far the best and brightest in the land.
Now I'm sure you don't believe that. But that is what you are conveying in this entire thread. -
Rev... you are as childish as anyone around here. I gig your post for being dumb since you treat me as a child. So what do you do? You go ahead and rate mine as dumb.
Quite mature, sir.
Since I was actually making an appeal through reason whereas yours was more on the name calling side, I'll leave it to the readers to decide who is being dumb here. -
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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(Would "beg" or "appeal with all I have" be amplifying what was actually written or does "appeal" alone weaken the actual text?) -
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Further, your accusation is false. I have no where called you any names. -
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Thanks got it. -
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InTheLight Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Why is the ESV the only major translation that uses appeal? Why do the eminent scholars behind multiple other translations not use the word appeal?
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