Some Translation and Exegetical Problems in the Pastoral Epistles of the kronkron (Akuapem-Twi Bible) By Emmanuel Augustus Twum-Baah July 2014 Some Translation and Exegetical Problems in the Pastoral Epistles of the kronkron (Akuapem-Twi Bible) A Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Award of Master of Philosophy Degree in Religious Studies By Emmanuel Augustus Twum-Baah July 2014 i Declaration I hereby declare that this thesis of which is a record is the result of my own work and that no part of it has been presented for another degree in this university or elsewhere, and that all sources of information used have been duly referenced by way of footnotes. Emmanuel Augustus Twum-Baah …………………… ...………………………. (Student) Signature Date Certified by: Rev. Jonathan E. T. Kuwornu-Adjaottor …………………… ......………………………. (Supervisor) Signature Date Certified by: Rev. Dr. Nathan Iddrisu Samwini …………………… ........….……………………. (Head of Department) Signature Date ii Abstract The present 2012 Akuapem-Twi Bible had been the labour of several revision exercises from its existence as fragments of Bible books till the New Testament was completed and later the first full version published in 1871. Over the years the task of revision work had aimed at eliminating ambiguous phrases and words in the Akuapem-Twi Bible that are not translated in accordance with the thought pattern and worldview of the Akuapem people. However after the 2012 publication of the Akuapem-Twi Bible, there still exist a number of translation and exegetical problems in the translated text; clear examples are 1 Timothy 6:10a, 2 Timothy 1: 10b, 2:20b, Titus 1: 7, 11b which are in focus for this study. The research draws from the field of Biblical exegesis to analyze the Greek source texts and also do background study of the PE with the aid of critical and exegetical commentaries along with some relevant literatures on the subject. We focused on ascertaining the very message the author of the PE sought to deliver to his audience, in order to make it relevant to contemporary audience today. A discussion was delineated on several possible translations in the Akuapem-Twi dialect including the 2012 Akuapem-Twi Bible translation of the selected texts to ascertain which of these possible alternatives had adequately represented the worldview and dialect of the Akuapem people and had also exhibited a close nuance of the Greek source text. A comparative discussion of the various Akuapem-Twi and Asante-Twi Bibles along with some English versions on the selected texts revealed which of the alternative translations suggested in the Akuapem-Twi dialect was the best translation; commentaries were written on the interpretations behind the translations. This is a summon to the clergy and laity in academia to take a re-look at our Akuapem-Twi Bible in the form we have it today to make the word of God more meaningful and relevant in our contemporary setting, seeing that it is the medium of God’s revelation to us. iii Dedication This work is dedicated to the Twum-Baah family: my parents Bishop Dr. and Mrs. Twum-Baah, my siblings Mrs. Trinilass Nyarkoah Mills, Mrs. Catherine Pomaah Yeboah Appiah and Luis Kofi Gyimah Twum-Baah Jnr., for their encouragement and support during the course of the study. The dedication is also in recognition of the insightful contribution of the leadership and entire members of Immanuel Methodist Church, Hwidiem, during the Bible study section on the Pastoral Epistles; 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and Titus. iv Acknowledgement To God be the Glory: For we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. (2 Corinthians 4:7, KJV). The final result of this thesis has been the help of several people who contributed in diverse ways; to you all I say thank you. My deepest appreciation goes to my advisor, The Most Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Kwaku Asante whose encouragement and wise counsel led me to undertake the Master of Philosophy program of which this research work was a requirement. I was equally fortunate to have him not only as an advisor but also as my professor and a father. My profound gratitude also goes to Dr. Samuel Adubofour, Former Vice President of Christian Service University College, whose directions led me to very useful contributors to the final out-come of this work. I would like to put on record my indebtedness to Professor B.Y Quarshie, the Rector, Akrofi- Christaller Institute and Professor John David Ekem of Trinity Theological Seminary, Legon: In spite of your busy schedules you made time to grant me audience for clarification on subjects particularly relating to Mother-Tongue Biblical Hermeneutics as well as read considerable number of chapters in this work to make constructive criticisms. Indeed the work in its present form has enjoyed such considerable editorial assistance and input, Professor Ekem and Professor Quarshie, I am most grateful for your assistance. My special thanks go to Professor Irene Odotei of the Kwame Nkrumah Institute of African Studies, Legon; Dr. Ernestina Afriyie, Akrofi-Christaller Institute, Akropong; and Dr. Owusu- Ansah of the History Department, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology who in spite of their busy schedules granted me oral interviews and recommended several books for v my consideration to ensure that I was historically right if not accurate on the history of the Akuapem people. Of special mentioning is Dr. Ebenezer Ayesu also of the Kwame Nkrumah Institute of Africa Studies (IAS), Legon who in addition to granting me audience for oral interview gave out his personal materials (both M. Phil and PhD theses) for consultation. The researcher recalls with thanks, the special assistance of Mr. Julius Akoto, a researcher assistant in the Kwame Nkrumah Institute of African Studies (IAS), who provided me with numerous articles and books relevant to my work. The researcher also acknowledges the special help of the administrative staff of all the libraries visited during the course of this work: Blame Library- University of Ghana, Legon; Bill Chapman Library- Christian Service University College, Kumasi; Faculty of Social Science Library and the main Library of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, and the Library at Akropong- Akrofi-Christaller Institute of Theology, Mission and Culture. Above all, I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed in diverse ways from early stages of formulation of thought to the final form we have as a thesis. Of particular mention is Rev. Solomon Acquah of the Methodist Church, Kumasi Diocese, Mr. Jonathan Aseidu Asa- Ntow a former Linguist of the Aburi Aberade Stool and Mr. Daniel Anguah Attuah; a resident of Amanokrom and himself a translation consultation. I acknowledge the benevolent assistance of Mr. Festus Amponsah who donated his laptop for the typesetting, Brother Kwasi Sikayena and Mrs. Kate Afreh Amankwaa Amaning who did the type setting as well as Mr. Samuel Nyarko who equally donated his printer throughout this work. To you all I say thank you. vi Finally I am highly indebted to my supervisor Reverend Jonathan Edward Tetteh Kuwornu- Adjaottor under whose distinguished supervision that this thesis has been a reality. I recall your promptings of deadline, keeping us abreast with issues relating to our thesis, and your readiness to make available personal materials for consultation among many other support rendered to me and my colleagues, we are much grateful. Emmanuel Augustus Twum-Baah Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology July 2014 vii List of Abbreviations AGL -Analytical Greek Lexicon Lk. -Luke AkTB -Akuapem-Twi Bible MTBH -Mother-Tongue Biblical Hermeneutics Amp. -Amplified Bible Mt. -Matthew Ap -Akuapem People NASB -New American Standard Version AsTB -Asante-Twi Bible NIV -New International Version ASV -American Standard Version NKJV -New King James Version ATR -African Traditional Religions NLT -New Living Translations BAGD -Bauer, Arndt, Gingrich, and Danker NRSV -New Revised Standard Version BFBS -British and Foreign Bible Society NT -New Testament 1 and 2 Corinth.-1 and 2 Corinthians NWT -New Word Translation f -following OT -Old Testament Gk -Greek Rev. -Revelation GN -Good News Rom. -Romans i.e. -That is RSV -Revised Standard Version KJV -King James Version TEV -Today’s English version Lit. -Literal(ly) 1 and 2 Tim. -1 and 2 Timothy LTm -Literal Translation mine Tit. -Titus viii Table of Contents Title Page....................................................................................................................................i Declaration..................................................................................................................................ii Abstract.......................................................................................................................................iii Dedication....................................................................................................................................iv Acknowledgement.......................................................................................................................v List of Abbreviations..................................................................................................................viii Table of Contents.........................................................................................................................ix