But What Does It Say in the Greek?

by Terry Wane Benton

I find it interesting that people sometimes think they can somehow over-rule the English translation of a verse by saying, "But what does it say in the Greek?"

What? Do you want me to say it in Greek? How would that help? I speak English! You understand only English. The translators presented what the Greek text said if they were to say it in English. If I merely read it in Greek (I can because I took brother Srygley's Greek class years ago. So I can read the words without understanding what I read.) I do not impart any understanding to English-speaking people.

If I translated it into English, the scholars already did that in the English translations.

So, when a person over-rules all English translations or calls them into question by saying, "But what does it say in the Greek?" you know you are probably about to receive a snow job. They want you to think they learned something all the other real Greek scholars failed to grasp. Don't get in a hurry to be impressed! Ask this person if he can read and understand Greek better than the scholars who did understand Greek and translated it into English for us. Usually, they will quieten down, and that will end the conflict. Try it next time!