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On translating "in" or "among"
Philippians 1:6 reads in the ISV: "...who began a good work among you..."
In your footnote you say "or IN." I have always understood this verse to
mean within us individually or collectively.
The real issue is whether
the word "you" is singular or plural. The original Greek reads a plural
"you". We concede that the Greek word "in" can mean "in" or "among". The
context of the usage determines which translation is more appropriate. Since
the object of the verb is a plural pronoun, the context pointed us in the
direction of preferring a collective rather than an individual nuance. Hence
the ISV translation "among" instead of "in".
If it can
mean within us individually, then the use of "among" is misleading and I
would much prefer "in."
The original Greek is
more likely a collective, rather than an individual, enarxamenos
(the original Greek word). "Among" is not misleading. It is the most
readable and accurate translation the Committee on Translation could
produce.
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