『새한글성경 신약과 시편』의 πίστις 번역에 대한 분석과 제언 — 갈라디아서를 중심으로 —

Abstract

In this paper, we are exploring how the New Korean Translation The New Testament and Psalms (hereinafter NKT NT&Ps) interpreted the controversial word πίστις in the key passages of Galatians. It is reasonably clear that an interpreter is not free from his or her own historical setting, including modern theological issues and debates. So, in this paper, we first examine theological debates regarding the Greek word πίστις and some key expressions with it in Galatians. Then, we critically examine NKT NT&Ps’ interpretation of them and its theological position behind those interpretations. Finally, we want to make some critical suggestions for future amending of the translation or revisions.BR The Greek word πίστις is a very dynamic word. In the past, it used to be translated as faith in English without any particular nuances added, but now with its various implications. The semantic field of the Greek word πίστις is very dynamic. It includes faithfulness to covenants, cognitive acknowledgement of the proclaimed Gospel message and positive attitude toward it, mutual trust as a foundation for faithful relationship, and obedient life. Therefore, this word tends to include various implications depending upon its grammatical position, literary contexts, and theological orientation of the passages where it is found. On the basis of our examination of the NKT NT&Ps, it seems to be in fond of the objective genitive view and translate πίστις as faith without adding any further implication of it. Furthermore, the NKT NT&Ps emphasizes the verbal action of human faith toward the proclaimed Gospel message. In general, the author agrees with the NKT NT&Ps in its translation of πίστις and theological position toward its multiple implications. Nevertheless, in order to emphasize the dynamic semantic field of the word the NKT NT&Ps may have to add some more words in its translation rather than simply rendering of it as faith. Also, the NKT NT&Ps tend to translate key Greek expressions with πίστις in a rather rigid way. For example, in case of ἐκ πίστεως, it could be rendered as “on the basis of faith” as the NKT NT&Ps does, but sometimes, as “from/out of faith.” For the Greek preposition ἐκ mostly functions as source or origin. And in some places, the NKT NT&Ps changes the word order of the Greek expressions with πίστις to express the translators’ understanding of particular meaning of πίστις. In these cases, the NKT NT&Ps may add footnotes where it explains why it made those translating decisions. However, regardless of some controversial translations, it provides us with a very readable, reader friendly version of a Korean translation of the Bible. This makes us expect that the NKT NT&Ps will be especially welcomed by young generations of readers.