© 2010 by William D. Roberts
The betraying Judas and the mocking soldiers remind us that the same word may be used to harm as well as to heal, to savage as well as to salve.
But because one of our vocations as Christians is to redeem words from uncharitable use and reclaim them for the Gospel, we will give St. Paul the last word― twice!
One of Paul’s loveliest letters is the one he sent to the Christians in Philippi. Here’s how he concluded his letter: “Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord” (Philippians 3:1). There are two problems with this verse. The first problem is one we’ve already encountered― essentially. The imperative of the Greek verb cairw [chairō] can be translated either as “greetings” (and similar meanings) or as “rejoice.” The translators of the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible have opted for “rejoice,” and yet it could also mean, because it’s at the end of Paul’s letter, “farewell.” “Finally, my brothers and sisters, farewell in the Lord” works as well as rejoice.
Second problem: the letter didn’t end with chapter 3, verse 1. In fact, chapter 3 goes on for another 20 verses, and then we come to Philippians 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.”
And once again we’re confronted with the puzzle of which is the better translation. Is it “rejoice” or “farewell”? Having already― perhaps― wished the Philippians “farewell” in 3:1, perhaps this time Paul wants to signal that he really means it this time! “Farewell in the Lord always; again I will say, Farewell!” Maybe. Or maybe not, because Paul goes on for another 19 verses!
Have you ever meant to stop at some point. . . and then found yourself inexorably drawn to say or do one thing more? And then another? And, oh yes, this, too?
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