Training for Translating

Ian Shaw, Langham Scholars

Langham Scholar Edgar Ebojo uses an ancient treasure for a promising future

Edgar studying Papyrus 46 in Dublin

You can sense the excitement, and his sense of deep privilege, as Edgar Ebojo talks about his current studies at the University of Birmingham. Edgar has spent years working as a Bible Translator in his home country, the Philippines, where the scriptures still need to be translated into many local languages.

Edgar’s joy is that he is able to take in his hands one of the earliest manuscripts of the New Testament, known as Papyrus 46. It possibly dates from as early as 180 AD, and is known as one of the great treasures to survive from the early Christian Church. Part of it is in the Chester Beatty library in Dublin, and the rest at the University of Michigan. His experience as a Bible Translator has equipped him well for the meticulous study of this text, so lovingly preserved over the centuries.

His work is bringing fresh insights into the way the scribes copied out the scriptures by hand in the earliest centuries of Christianity, so that they might be preserved for future generations, and how other copyists checked their work and corrected any mistakes. The personality and style of the scribes emerges as does their love for their task, and their determination to preserve the scriptures accurately.

Part of Papyrus 46

Edgar Ebojo, Phillippines

Edgar is excited about returning to his work with the Philippines Bible Society, where he will oversee the work of other translators. His studies of the text of Scripture have deepened his assurance that the Bible is like no other book, and that ‘God’s Word will remain true and powerful until the consummation of time’.