Tina Karpon, “Some Fruit” in Romans 1:13 -- By: M. A. Kruger

Journal: Westminster Theological Journal
Volume: WTJ 49:1 (Spring 1987)
Article: Tina Karpon, “Some Fruit” in Romans 1:13
Author: M. A. Kruger


Tina Karpon, “Some Fruit” in Romans 1:13

M. A. Kruger

The purpose of this paper is to present conclusive evidence for the understanding of tina karpon in Rom 1:13 as a contribution to the collection for the poor in Judaea.

Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. [KJV]

ou thelō de humas agnoein, adelphoi, hoti pollakis proethemēn elthein pros humas, kai ekōluthēn achri tou deuro, hina tina karpon schō kai en humin kathōs kai en tois loipois ethnesin. [Nestle-Aland, 26th ed.]

1. Bible Translations

The older Bible translations tended rather to keep the translation neutral, leaving the exact meaning of karpos to exegesis. So, for example, the KJV quotation above. The revised German translation of 1964 has “damit ich auch unter euch Frucht schaffte gleichwie unter andern Heiden.” The 1933 Afrikaans translation reads: “sodat ek ook onder julle een of ander vrug kan insamel net soos onder die ander heidene” (so that I may gather some or other fruit among you as among the other heathen). The NEB also remains neutral, though moving away from the literal translation of karpos: “in the hope of achieving something among you, as I have in other parts of the world.”

In contrast with these neutral translations there are versions which clearly interpret the term. The Good News Bible (Today’s English Version) has “converts” for karpos. The 1983 Afrikaans translation reads: “mense vir Christus te wen” (to win people for Christ).

2. Interpretation of karpos

In 1966 Nickle wrote:

It seems possible that Paul contemplated voluntary participation of the Roman Christians in the collection. Perhaps it was this project in the back of his mind which led him, in speaking of their care for fellow Christians, to use language strikingly reminiscent of the collection (Rom. 12.13, cf. Rom. 15.26; II Cor. 8.4; 9.13). Supporting this conjecture is the statement by Paul in Rom. 1.13 that he desired to ‘reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentile...

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