Problems

Master of the Mixed Metaphor | You are Paul's 7 th grade language arts teacher, and it's time to grade his paper. The paper you are grading is 1 Corinthians 3:1-17. How many metaphors are at work in Paul's paper? Document them by looking at the Greek (if you work with Greek), at two translations and one paraphrase. Sort all this out, and let Paul know how his writing seems to you.

Pistis Christou | In Greek, each of the texts listed here contains the phrase, pistis Christou, or something similar. Pistis is the word for faith or faithfulness. Christos is the word for Christ.

Using any three of the five texts listed below, compare (1) the NET Bible to (2) any other English translation you choose. You may look at as many English translations as you like, but you have to compare NET to at least one other English version. Look for differences in the translation of the Greek phrase, pistis Christou (or a similar phrase). If you work with Greek, compare your chosen English translations to the Greek text.

The NET Bible translates the following texts this way:

Romans 3:22 namely, the righteousness of God through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction,

Romans 3:26 This was also to demonstrate his righteousness in the present time, so that he would be just and the justifier of the one who lives because of Jesus' faithfulness.

Galatians 2:16 yet we know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by the faithfulness of Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So the life I now live in the body, I live because of the faithfulness of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 3:22 But the scripture imprisoned everything and everyone under sin so that the promise could be given--because of the faithfulness of Jesus Christ--to those who believe.

Philippians 3:9 and be found in him, not because I have my own righteousness derived from the law, but because I have the righteousness that comes by way of Christ's faithfulness--a righteousness from God that is in fact based on Christ's faithfulness.

To people who work with Greek: What's going on? How could the translations vary so much?

To everyone: Put the meanings of (1) the NET Bible and (2) any other English translation into your own words. That is, explain what the translations are saying in such a way that the differences between them are clear to you (and to someone who reads your paper). After you do that, answer this question: If you were on a translation committee, how would you choose to translate the phrase(s) and why?

Your final product should include:

1. the names of the translations and the text of the verses you're comparing,
2. the translations' meaning in your own words,
3. your choice of a translation (this can be your own or one already published) for the phrase(s) in question, and
4. a rationale for your choice.

Again, you should include these four things for any three of the texts listed above.