REGARDING TRANSLATION VERSUS MEANING OF THE WORD “PERFECT” IN MATTHEW 5:48
Quote:
Originally Posted by MysticPhD
As you probably know, Clear, the word translated as "perfect" did not carry the same meaning as it does today. It was more about "maturity" than perfection.
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Hi MysticPhD. I think your point is critical for improving our understanding of the text. Thanks for the reminding insight that the modern concept of “perfection” as a quality of having absolutely no faults (or moral imperfection) is not what was meant in the greek source text.
There is a jewish saying that means “
All translators are liars”.
It’s simply means that all translations are incorrect and do not tell the actual original story.
Having relayed the Jewish tradition about all translators being liars, let me take the translators side for a minute (at least enough to say that their job is very difficult and involves compromise).
Doug Moo, the leader of the NIV translation team relates significant compromises in wording had to be made in the NIV even between opinions of his group, not to mention specific compromises regarding what specific word should be used. Also, if they translate much differently than the expectations of bible readers, their translation may raise significant criticisms by individuals who are used to a different reading.
It’s easy for Greek and Hebrew readers to see the many errors, but most of them would do no better.
1) REGARDING THE WORD RENDERED “PERFECT” IN MATTHEW 5:48
MysticPhD, your observation was a great point. A wonderful point.
I even have a habit of ending my lectures with the slide “to telos” which is “the end” in Greek movies.
The concept of moral maturity is difficult for translators to render in a single word (or even two) and so we have to deal with their rendering of τελειος as “perfect”.
The early Greek papyri speak of reaching τελειος as “
coming of age” or when “
women who have attained ‘maturity”
are mistresses of their persons."
Papyri in BGU of 101 a.d. describes “
four full-grown [Roosters] and 8 laying hens” as τελειος simply meaning they are mature and able to bear “fruit” (eggs).
One early contract (Papyri Oxy Ii (a.d. 17) describes a Thelan mill “
in good working order or condition” using this word meaning that the Mill still accomplishes the purpose for which it was built.
Another papyri from 225 a.d. describes “
fourteen acacia trees in good condition” using the word τελειος meaning they are not only “mature” but are fruit bearing.
As you pointed out, the word τελειος does have the meanings of “perfect” in the sense of “maturity”. But I notice my background and bias has a hard time stopping there. Our individual contexts and imaginings vary depending on our background biases (which are many)
For example, for me, the sense in Matthew has a “base” sense of “maturing” as you pointed out.
However, (like adding an additional flavor at the soda fountain), for me, using τελιοσ in this context adds the flavor of a
process of “become completed” such as was used in Tebt papyri (a.d.132), that is, having reached it’s state of moral maturity and able to better accurately judge and interact.
In this sentence (and for me) τελειοσ also represents a certain type of ability that comes with maturity and fulfillment of ability.
2) ACCURATE TRANSLATIONS OF ANCIENT TEXTS ARE DIFFICULT TO RENDER
The point can be made that much of the translations of sacred text are difficult to render.
AN EXAMPLE OF HOW A SIMPLE TRANSLATION CAN BE DIFFICULT
Matt 9:13 as an example reads:
"But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice....’
The base word rendered "
go" in this case is "
πορεουμαι".
This is unusual since “πορεουμαι” rendered “go” in this case is typically used for a "
journey" one takes rather than to simply “go”. (Translators typically render "
υπαγο" as “
go”).
For example, in P Oxy 1219.8 (of iii a.d.) πορεουμαι describes a person "
on his way to the city of Nicias." (i.e. a process of taking a journey)
However, if a translator renders the sentence in matt 9:13 as “
But journey and learn what this means…”, it sounds strange to English ears since that is not how we typically speak and hear such concepts spoken.
“
Go” has one flavor and “
journey” another. However, putting the two meanings in a single word is difficult.
However, how does a single English word render this difference?
My point is that it is difficult.
IF we render Matt 9:13 as
“But, travel through life and (in the process of your life’s journey), learn what this means..”, is it more correct? This translation certainly is not the actual words in the greek source text.
So, just as the Jews say that “translators are all liars”, each translator must make difficult choices that they know do not really represent the full meaning of the original. It’s a difficult job.
Thanks so much for the insight and reminder MysticPhD.
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