Question about Romans 3:28 and manuscripts

[simspt]

Can someone please educate me on the controversey over Luther adding the word alone to this verse. Is it absent in the oldest manuascripts or all manuscripts?? If so what argument did he use to justify the addition?

 

[Spencerian]

Can someone please educate me on the controversey over Luther adding the word alone to this verse. Is it absent in the oldest manuascripts or all manuscripts?? If so what argument did he use to justify the addition?

Hi.

magazine goes into great detail in a point-counterpoint “discussion” on this very topic and the verse you asked about.This Rock

In short, Martin Luther added the word “alone” in his translation of Romans 3:28, where the word is nowhere to be found from the Greek translation of the text from where that Scripture was compiled.

 

[simspt]

Hi.

This article from Catholic Answers’s This Rock magazine goes into great detail in a point-counterpoint “discussion” on this very topic and the verse you asked about.

In short, Martin Luther added the word “alone” in his translation of Romans 3:28, where the word is nowhere to be found from the Greek translation of the text from where that Scripture was compiled.

Thanks for the info. Im curious about the manuscripts and if indeed there arent any that contain the word alone.

 

[RedBert]

au.christiantoday.com/article/luther-rome-and-the-bible/5255.htm

According to this report,** Benedict affirmed that Luther had correctly translated Paul’s words as ‘justified by faith alone**’ – the well known sola fide.

It was disagreement over the doctrine of salvation by faith that sparked the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, splitting Christianity in Western Europe. “Yet, said the Pope, it was indeed biblical to say, as did Luther, that it was the faith of a Christian, not his works that saved him.”

 

[RedBert]

"The place where Luther deals extensively with the justification for his
translation “by faith alone” is his Sendbrief von Dolmetschen, or Open
Letter on Translation. It’s worth reading as a major contribution on the
theory of translation. In this little treatise he argues for taking the
ideas of the original, and expressing them in the natural speech of the
target audience. He anticipates many of the discussions which take place on
this list from time to time about literal and dynamic equivalent
translation. He argues that though the word “alone” is not in Greek or
Latin, it is necessary to speak good German, that in German when one thing
is denied, one must say “allein” in the contrast. “When translating”, he
says, “you must not ask how the Latin literally expresses it, to find out
how to say it in German, but you must ask the mother in the home, the
children in the street, the common man in the marketplace how they say it,
and translate it that way, then they will understand and recognize that you
want to speak German with them.”

David Haeuser
MSELP
Lima, Peru

 

[RedBert]

Luther approached the work of a translator honestly. If Luther was attempting to radically distort the New Testament, his “doctored” work failed in many ways. Luther did not add the word “alone” to Galatians 2:16, nor did he remove “alone” from James 2. Even in his revision of the Latin Vulgate, Luther left the Latin of Romans 3:28 as it was, because the contrast was apparent.

If Luther was attempting to introduce a radical mistranslation into church history he likewise failed. Luther mentions others before him translated Romans 3:28 as he did (for example, Ambrose and Augustine). The Roman Catholic writer Joseph Fitzmyer verified Luther’s claim, and also presented quite an extensive list of those previous to Luther doing likewise. Even some Catholic versions of the New Testament also translated Romans 3:28 as did Luther. The Nuremberg Bible (1483), “Nur durch den glauben” and the Italian Bibles of Geneva (1476) and of Venice (1538) say “per sola fede.” It is entirely possible Luther’s understanding of “faith alone” differs from those before him, but that is not the issue. The issue is whether or not the thrust of Romans 3:28 implies “alone.” Others previous to Luther may have differed in theological interpretation, yet saw the thrust of the words implied “alone.” Hence, as a translator, Luther holds company with others, and cannot be charged with a mistranslation. If he’s guilty of such a charge, so are many before him.

 

[Nita]

au.christiantoday.com/article/luther-rome-and-the-bible/5255.htm

According to this report,** Benedict affirmed that Luther had correctly translated Paul’s words as ‘justified by faith alone**’ – the well known sola fide.

It was disagreement over the doctrine of salvation by faith that sparked the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, splitting Christianity in Western Europe. “Yet, said the Pope, it was indeed biblical to say, as did Luther, that it was the faith of a Christian, not his works that saved him.”

The text of Pope Benedict’s talk: vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2008/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20081119_en.html
…
With Christ, the God of Israel, the one true God, became the God of all peoples. The wall as he says in his Letter to the Ephesians between Israel and the Gentiles, was no longer necessary: it is Christ who protects us from polytheism and all of its deviations; it is Christ who unites us with and in the one God; it is Christ who guarantees our true identity within the diversity of cultures. The wall is no longer necessary; our common identity within the diversity of cultures is Christ, and it is he who makes us just. Being just simply means being with Christ and in Christ. And this suffices. Further observances are no longer necessary. For this reason Luther’s phrase: “faith alone” is true, if it is not opposed to faith in charity, in love. Faith is looking at Christ, entrusting oneself to Christ, being united to Christ, conformed to Christ, to his life. And the form, the life of Christ, is love; hence to believe is to conform to Christ and to enter into his love. So it is that in the Letter to the Galatians in which he primarily developed his teaching on justification St Paul speaks of faith that works through love (cf. Gal 5: 14).
Paul knows that in the twofold love of God and neighbour the whole of the Law is present and carried out. Thus in communion with Christ, in a faith that creates charity, the entire Law is fulfilled. We become just by entering into communion with Christ who is Love … Best to read the whole text to get a complete understanding.

 

[Mark77]

au.christiantoday.com/article/luther-rome-and-the-bible/5255.htm

According to this report,** Benedict affirmed that Luther had correctly translated Paul’s words as ‘justified by faith alone**’ – the well known sola fide.

It was disagreement over the doctrine of salvation by faith that sparked the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, splitting Christianity in Western Europe. “Yet, said the Pope, it was indeed biblical to say, as did Luther, that it was the faith of a Christian, not his works that saved him.”

**The article you quote is a prime example of why we need a Pope to rebuke false claims!

The author starts his article with “Luther would have been amazed at the efforts of the Vatican today to put the Bible back into the heart of the Roman Catholic Church.”
**
**This statement is so ludicrous that the author has immediately lost all credibility!
**
**Without the Catholic Church, all of the “Bible alone” Christians would not even have the incomplete Bible they read today.

The Bible never says “The Bible alone!” Jesus didn’t have the Apostles transcribe a Bible & then start a Church, He founded the Catholic Church which defined the canon of the Bible and provides guidance to this day concerning matters of Faith & Morals.

It was exactly to guard against the misinterpretations of well meaning, but severely misguided men like Martin Luther, that Jesus said;
**
**“And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (MT 16:18)

“And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.” (Mt 16:19)

“Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them: and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.” (Jn 20:23)**

**Without an authority to guide us to the Fullness of Truth, we end up with 20,000+ Protestant denominations diluting the Truth of Jesus Christ!

The Catholic Church has always revered Sacred Scripture! We read from Scripture each day in Holy Mass & the Liturgy of the Hours & in our individual daily readings, but Sacred Scripture is not enough!**
**
John says in his Gospel; “But there are also many other things which Jesus did which, if they were written every one, the world itself. I think, would not be able to contain the books that should be written.” (Jn 21:25)
**

Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, Ora Pro Nobis Peccatoribus!

mark

 

[RedBert]

the article was about Faith alone : not Bible alone:

Please try to follow the context of that article and this thread: and stop same old tired off- topic points in every post. 20 gazillion protestant denominations. Peter is the rock ; the Catholics gave you the Bible , bla bla bla

re read the OP: it is about “Faith alone”

are you denying that the Pope said this

“According to this report, Benedict affirmed that Luther had correctly translated Paul’s words as ‘justified by faith alone’ – the well known sola fide.”

but near the end of the article ,was a discussion about Bible illiteracy in Italy

but if you want more info on** that** subject:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=6411688

 

[RedBert]

oh and BTW:

Cardinal Kasper said: “We have much to learn from Luther, beginning with the importance he attached to the word of God.” It was time for a “more positive” view of Luther, whose reforms had aroused papal ire at the time but could now be seen as having “anticipated aspects of reform which the Church has adopted over time”.

 

[NotWorthy]

oh and BTW:

Cardinal Kasper said: “We have much to learn from Luther, beginning with the importance he attached to the word of God.” It was time for a “more positive” view of Luther, whose reforms had aroused papal ire at the time but could now be seen as having “anticipated aspects of reform which the Church has adopted over time”.

Bert, at least let a few people post before you contradict your own chastisements! Give us a chance to let our minds wander before you talk out of both sides of your mouth.

the article was about Faith alone : not Bible alone:

Please try to follow the context of that article and this thread: and stop same old tired off- topic points in every post. 20 gazillion protestant denominations. Peter is the rock ; the Catholics gave you the Bible , bla bla bla

God Bless, Brother!

 

[peary]

Can someone please educate me on the controversey over Luther adding the word alone to this verse. Is it absent in the oldest manuascripts or all manuscripts?? If so what argument did he use to justify the addition?

Martin Luther did indeed add words to the Bible to help support his beliefs about justification.

Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J., explains:

Luther added the words ‘alone’ and ‘only’ to Paul’s writings when he said people are justified “by faith alone” or they are justified “only by faith.” The only place where the Bible actually mentions being justified by faith alone is James 2:24: “You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.” The Bible explicitly says that we are not justified by faith alone but by works, too. Therefore, the Catholic Church has always taught what the Scripture teaches on this and on other things.

The Catholic Encyclopedia article on justification states: “It is well known that Luther in his German translation of the Bible falsified Rom. 3:28 by interpolating the word alone (by faith alone)” (www.newadvent.org/cathen/08573a.htm).

In the book The God Who Justifies, James White goes to great lengths to *defend *Luther’s distortion of the word of God.

 

[RedBert]

consider this: Luke 23:42
drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=49&ch=23&l=42&f=s#x

Is the word “Lord” in the Greek manuscripts?

**No **> see biblos.com/luke/23-42.htm

Then why is the word ‘lord’ added?

Because the Greek grammar and sentence construction implies a servant asking a master.

In the same away: the word ‘alone’ works in GERMAN grammar like this:

"… it is necessary to speak good German,** that in German when one thing
is denied, one must say “allein” in the contrast.** “When translating”, he
says, “you must not ask how the Latin literally expresses it, to find out
how to say it in German, but you must ask the mother in the home, the
children in the street, the common man in the marketplace how they say it,
and translate it that way, then they will understand and recognize that you
want to speak German with them.”​

Luke 23:42 > look or the word “lord”

New International Version (©1984)
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

New Living Translation (©2007)
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

English Standard Version (©2001)
And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!”

International Standard Version (©2008)
Then he went on to plead, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom!”

GOD’S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you enter your kingdom.”

King James Bible
And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

American King James Version
And he said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

American Standard Version
And he said, Jesus, remember me when thou comest in thy kingdom.

Bible in Basic English
And he said, Jesus, keep me in mind when you come in your kingdom.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said to Jesus: Lord, remember me when thou shalt come into thy kingdom.

Darby Bible Translation
And he said to Jesus, Remember me, Lord, when thou comest in thy kingdom.

English Revised Version
And he said, Jesus, remember me when thou comest in thy kingdom.

Webster’s Bible Translation
And he said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

Weymouth New Testament
And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your Kingdom.”

World English Bible
He said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

Young’s Literal Translation
and he said to Jesus, 'Remember me, lord, when thou mayest come in thy reign

 

[peary]

consider this: Luke 23:42
drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=49&ch=23&l=42&f=s#x

Is the word “Lord” in the Greek manuscripts?

**No **> see biblos.com/luke/23-42.htm

Then why is the word ‘lord’ added?

Because the Greek grammar and sentence construction implies a servant asking a master.

In the same away: the word ‘alone’ works in GERMAN grammar like this:

"… it is necessary to speak good German,** that in German when one thing
is denied, one must say “allein” in the contrast.** “When translating”, he
says, “you must not ask how the Latin literally expresses it, to find out
how to say it in German, but you must ask the mother in the home, the
children in the street, the common man in the marketplace how they say it,
and translate it that way, then they will understand and recognize that you
want to speak German with them.”​

Luke 23:42 > look or the word “lord”

New International Version (©1984)
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

New Living Translation (©2007)
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

English Standard Version (©2001)
And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!”

International Standard Version (©2008)
Then he went on to plead, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom!”

GOD’S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you enter your kingdom.”

King James Bible
And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

American King James Version
And he said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

American Standard Version
And he said, Jesus, remember me when thou comest in thy kingdom.

Bible in Basic English
And he said, Jesus, keep me in mind when you come in your kingdom.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said to Jesus: Lord, remember me when thou shalt come into thy kingdom.

Darby Bible Translation
And he said to Jesus, Remember me, Lord, when thou comest in thy kingdom.

English Revised Version
And he said, Jesus, remember me when thou comest in thy kingdom.

Webster’s Bible Translation
And he said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

Weymouth New Testament
And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your Kingdom.”

World English Bible
He said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

Young’s Literal Translation
and he said to Jesus, 'Remember me, lord, when thou mayest come in thy reign

Uh, so your point is…?

 

[RedBert]

Uh, so your point is…?

Did you read the original post?

Can someone please educate me on the controversey over Luther adding the word alone to this verse. Is it absent in the oldest manuascripts or all manuscripts?? If so what argument did he use to justify the addition?

My post directly answered the question and provide a similar situation for comparison.

How the " severely misguided men like Martin Luther" added a word to the scripture that was not in the original text.

comparing how it was acceptable in the Catholic Bibles to add the word “Lord” in Luke 23:42 to how Luther added the word “alone” in Rom 3:38.

“what argument did he use to justify the addition?”

Both additions were done for grammatical reasons.

And that was the point.

*"… it is necessary to speak good German, that in German when one thing
is denied, one must say “allein” in the contrast. “When translating”, he
says, “you must not ask how the Latin literally expresses it, to find out
how to say it in German, but you must ask the mother in the home, the
children in the street, the common man in the marketplace how they say it,
and translate it that way, then they will understand and recognize that you
want to speak German with them.”
*

 

[peary]

Did you read the original post?

My post directly answered the question and provide a similar situation for comparison.

How the " severely misguided men like Martin Luther" added a word to the scripture that was not in the original text.

comparing how it was acceptable in the Catholic Bibles to add the word “Lord” in Luke 23:42 to how Luther added the word “alone” in Rom 3:38.

“what argument did he use to justify the addition?”

Are you saying, then, that Luther’s addition is the result of normal everyday German?

Both additions were done for grammatical reasons.

And that was the point.

*"… it is necessary to speak good German, that in German when one thing
is denied, one must say “allein” in the contrast. “When translating”, he
says, “you must not ask how the Latin literally expresses it, to find out
how to say it in German, but you must ask the mother in the home, the
children in the street, the common man in the marketplace how they say it,
and translate it that way, then they will understand and recognize that you
want to speak German with them.”
*

 

[Bookcat]

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2008/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20081119_en.html

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2008/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20081126_en.html

 

[peary]

peary:
If that were true concerning German, then why didn’t the Church-authorized German-translated bible have it too?

 

[patrick457]

I’m surprised that no one has actually brought up the Greek yet.

“Logizometha gar dikaiousthai pistei anthrōpon chōris ergon nomou.”

we reckon / consider (present tense, middle or passive deponent voice, indicative mood)| For | rendered/declared/pronounced-righteous / justified (present tense, passive voice, infinitive mood) | a man [is] | [by] faith | apart / separate from | works / deeds of | law.

Luther IMHO apparently did not set out to make a slavishly literal translation: he had sometimes tweaked the translation in a few places to make things a bit more poetic and dramatic. For example, John 11:35 is merely “Jesus wept”, but Luther makes it into vnd Jhesu giengen die augen vber (und Jesus gingen die Augen über), “And Jesus’ eyes overflowed”.

So here’s the controversial passage in Luther’s Bible:

1522 Edition: So halten wyrs nu, das der mensch gerechtfertiget werde, on zu thun der werck des gesetzs, alleyn durch den glawben.

1546 Edition: So halten wir es nu, Das der Mensch gerecht werde, on des Gesetzes werck, alleine durch den Glauben.

Now we go on to a few other translations in German - they’re all post-Luther, I’m afraid:

Elberfelder (the German Darby Bible; 1871): Denn wir urteilen, daß ein Mensch durch Glauben gerechtfertigt wird, ohne (Eig. außerhalb, getrennt von) Gesetzeswerke.

**Elberfelder (1905):**So kommen wir zu dem Schluß, daß der Mensch durch den Glauben gerechtfertigt werde, ohne Gesetzeswerke.

1912 Luther Bible: So halten wir nun dafür, daß der Mensch gerecht werde ohne des Gesetzes Werke, allein durch den Glauben.

Schlacter (1951): So kommen wir zu dem Schluß, daß der Mensch durch den Glauben gerechtfertigt werde, ohne Gesetzeswerke.

Einheitsübersetzung (1962-1980): Denn wir sind der Überzeugung, dass der Mensch gerecht wird durch Glauben, unabhängig von Werken des Gesetzes.

1984 Luther Bible: So halten wir nun dafür, dass der Mensch gerecht wird ohne des Gesetzes Werke, allein durch den Glauben.

Schlacter (2000): So kommen wir nun zu dem Schluß, daß der Mensch durch den Glauben gerechtfertigt wird, ohne Werke des Gesetzes.

 

[RedBert]

If that were true concerning German, then why didn’t the Church-authorized German-translated bible have it too?

Other Catholic Bible did use the word “alone”

Even some Catholic versions of the New Testament also translated Romans 3:28 as did Luther. The Nuremberg Bible (1483), “allein durch den glauben” and the Italian Bibles of Geneva (1476) and of Venice (1538) say “per sola fede.” Others previous to Luther may have differed in theological interpretation, yet saw the thrust of the words implied “alone.”