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Acts 4:29 – NASB vs. HCSB vs. ESV
Acts 4:29-30 NASB “And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, (30) while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.”
Acts 4:29-30 HCSB And now, Lord, consider their threats, and grant that Your slaves may speak Your message with complete boldness, (30) while You stretch out Your hand for healing, signs, and wonders to be performed through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
Acts 4:29-30 ESV And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, (30) while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
One of the more notable translation decisions made by the HCSB is to translate doulos as slave instead of servant (ESV) or bond-servant (NASB). Some do not like this because of the associations with slavery. People do not choose to become slaves normally. And possibly because of the history of slavery such as in America, this translation is uncomfortable at best and distasteful. However, the word is best translated by slave because it means to give up totally one’s will to another. Servant is too weak. Acts 4:29-30 shows the necessity of translating doulos differently than servant. Jesus is a servant. We are slaves.
Actually, Jesus is called a “doulos” or “slave” in Philippians 2:7 while speaking of His humility in the incarnation:
7 Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form,
8 He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death — even to death on a cross. -Philippians 2:7-8 HCSB
Isn’t Christ awesome? What humility! Therefore it’s only fitting for the most humble, i.e. God becoming a slave, to be the most exalted (Philippians 2:9-11)!
I have learned that it’s a good idea to never use words like “never” or “always” unless I’ve carefully studied into it and am certain that it is the case. It’s good to be cautious and conservative when using these words when teaching the Word of God.
Thanks for the comparison studies between the three translations! I have found it both interesting and useful.
Mike, Thanks for the correction. I will correct it on the blog.