Catholic Tradition and the NABRE

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 138 views

Understanding the Translation Philosophy of NABRE

The New American Bible, Revised Edition, 2011 (NABRE) is a widely used Catholic Bible translation in the United States. One of the notable features of the NABRE is its translation philosophy, which sometimes differs from other modern translations. In this article, we will explore the difference between 'the Holy Spirit' and 'the holy Spirit' as used in the NABRE.

The Term 'to Pneuma to Hagion'

The term 'to pneuma to hagion' is a Greek phrase that is used in the New Testament to refer to the Holy Spirit. This phrase is composed of three words: 'to pneuma,' which means 'the spirit,' 'to,' which is a definite article, and 'hagion,' which means 'holy.' In most modern translations, this phrase is translated as 'the Holy Spirit.'

The NABRE's Translation Philosophy

However, the NABRE and its earlier form in 1970 translate the term as '...the holy Spirit.' This translation choice is based on the NABRE's translation philosophy, which aims to convey the nuances of the original Greek text. The NABRE's translators believed that the definite article 'the' before 'holy Spirit' was not present in the original Greek text, and therefore, they chose to omit it.

Theological Implications

The difference in translation between 'the Holy Spirit' and 'the holy Spirit' has significant theological implications. The use of the definite article 'the' before 'holy Spirit' implies a sense of uniqueness and singularity, emphasizing that the Holy Spirit is a distinct person of the Trinity. On the other hand, the omission of the definite article 'the' before 'holy Spirit' suggests a more general or abstract concept of the holy Spirit, which may be seen as a divine presence or energy rather than a person.

Catholic Tradition and the NABRE

The NABRE's translation philosophy is rooted in Catholic tradition and the Church's understanding of the Holy Spirit. The Catholic Church has a rich tradition of understanding the Holy Spirit as a person of the Trinity, and the NABRE's translation reflects this understanding. However, the omission of the definite article 'the' before 'holy Spirit' may be seen as a departure from the more traditional understanding of the Holy Spirit as a person.

Comparison with Other Translations

The NABRE's translation of 'to pneuma to hagion' as '...the holy Spirit' is unique among modern translations. Most other translations, including the Revised Standard Version (RSV), the New International Version (NIV), and the English Standard Version (ESV), translate the term as 'the Holy Spirit.' This difference in translation highlights the distinct translation philosophy of the NABRE and its commitment to conveying the nuances of the original Greek text.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the difference between 'the Holy Spirit' and 'the holy Spirit' in the NABRE reflects the translation philosophy of the NABRE and its commitment to conveying the nuances of the original Greek text. While the use of the definite article 'the' before 'holy Spirit' implies a sense of uniqueness and singularity, the omission of the definite article 'the' before 'holy Spirit' suggests a more general or abstract concept of the holy Spirit. The NABRE's translation philosophy is rooted in Catholic tradition and the Church's understanding of the Holy Spirit, and its unique translation of 'to pneuma to hagion' as '...the holy Spirit' highlights the distinct character of the NABRE among modern translations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does the NABRE translate 'to pneuma to hagion' as '...the holy Spirit'?

A: The NABRE's translators believed that the definite article 'the' before 'holy Spirit' was not present in the original Greek text, and therefore, they chose to omit it.

Q: What are the theological implications of the NABRE's translation of 'to pneuma to hagion'?

A: The use of the definite article 'the' before 'holy Spirit' implies a sense of uniqueness and singularity, emphasizing that the Holy Spirit is a distinct person of the Trinity. On the other hand, the omission of the definite article 'the' before 'holy Spirit' suggests a more general or abstract concept of the holy Spirit.

Q: Is the NABRE's translation of 'to pneuma to hagion' unique among modern translations?

A: Yes, the NABRE's translation of 'to pneuma to hagion' as '...the holy Spirit' is unique among modern translations. Most other translations translate the term as 'the Holy Spirit.'

Q: What is the significance of the NABRE's translation philosophy?

A: The NABRE's translation philosophy is rooted in Catholic tradition and the Church's understanding of the Holy Spirit. The NABRE's unique translation of 'to pneuma to hagion' as '...the holy Spirit' highlights the distinct character of the NABRE among modern translations.

References

New American Bible, Revised Edition, 2011 (NABRE)
Revised Standard Version (RSV)
New International Version (NIV)
English Standard Version (ESV)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the significance of the term 'to pneuma to hagion' in the New Testament?

A: The term 'to pneuma to hagion' is a Greek phrase that refers to the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. It is composed of three words: 'to pneuma,' which means 'the spirit,' 'to,' which is a definite article, and 'hagion,' which means 'holy.'

Q: Why does the NABRE translate 'to pneuma to hagion' as '...the holy Spirit'?

A: The NABRE's translators believed that the definite article 'the' before 'holy Spirit' was not present in the original Greek text, and therefore, they chose to omit it. This translation choice is based on the NABRE's translation philosophy, which aims to convey the nuances of the original Greek text.

Q: What are the theological implications of the NABRE's translation of 'to pneuma to hagion'?

Q: Is the NABRE's translation of 'to pneuma to hagion' unique among modern translations?

A: Yes, the NABRE's translation of 'to pneuma to hagion' as '...the holy Spirit' is unique among modern translations. Most other translations translate the term as 'the Holy Spirit.'

Q: What is the significance of the NABRE's translation philosophy?

Q: How does the NABRE's translation of 'to pneuma to hagion' affect our understanding of the Holy Spirit?

A: The NABRE's translation of 'to pneuma to hagion' as '...the holy Spirit' may suggest a more general or abstract concept of the holy Spirit, rather than a distinct person of the Trinity. This translation choice may also emphasize the role of the holy Spirit as a divine presence or energy, rather than a person.

Q: What are some of the implications of the NABRE's translation of 'to pneuma to hagion' for Catholic theology?

A: The NABRE's translation of 'to pneuma to hagion' as '...the holy Spirit' may be seen as a departure from the more traditional understanding of the Holy Spirit as a person of the Trinity. However, the NABRE's translation philosophy is rooted in Catholic tradition and the Church's understanding of the Holy Spirit, and its unique translation of 'to pneuma to hagion' highlights the distinct character of the NABRE among modern translations.

Q: How does the NABRE's translation of 'to pneuma to hagion' compare to other translations of the Bible?

A: The NABRE's translation of 'to pneuma to hagion' as '...the holy Spirit' is unique among modern translations. Most other translations, including the Revised Standard Version (RSV), the New International Version (NIV), and the English Standard Version (ESV), translate the term as 'the Holy Spirit.'

Q: What are some of the benefits of the NABRE's translation philosophy?

A: The NABRE's translation philosophy is based on a commitment to conveying the nuances of the original Greek text. This approach may provide a more accurate understanding of the Bible's meaning and context.

Q: What are some of the limitations of the NABRE's translation philosophy?

A: The NABRE's translation philosophy may be seen as too literal or rigid, which may result in a translation that is not as clear or accessible to readers.

Additional Resources

"The Holy Spirit in the New Testament" by Raymond E. Brown
"The Holy Spirit: A Guide to the Bible's Teaching" by John F. Walvoord
"The Holy Spirit in the Catholic Tradition" by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger
"The New American Bible, Revised Edition, 2011" (NABRE)

Conclusion

The NABRE's translation of 'to pneuma to hagion' as '...the holy Spirit' is a unique feature of the NABRE's translation philosophy. This translation choice reflects the NABRE's commitment to conveying the nuances of the original Greek text and its emphasis on the role of the holy Spirit as a divine presence or energy. While the NABRE's translation of 'to pneuma to hagion' may be seen as a departure from the more traditional understanding of the Holy Spirit as a person of the Trinity, its unique translation philosophy highlights the distinct character of the NABRE among modern translations.