THE LAW AS OUR DISCIPLINARIAN: A CRITICAL STUDY OF GALATIANS 3:24 IN THE DANGME TRANSLATIONS OF THE BIBLE

Abstract

Galatians 3:24 has to do with the function of the law before Christ came. The understanding of the word paidagÅgos and the phrase eis Christon are crucial to the translation, exegesis and interpretation of the verse. The way the verse has been rendered in the Dangme translations of the Bible does not bring out the full meaning of the law as our paidagÅgos - “disciplinarian,†“guardian,†“custodian,†“trainer†– before Christ came. This may promote antinomianism - the rejection of any and all laws and regulations, especially absolute norms, for the moral life - among Dangme Bible readers. It is being argued that the verse should be retranslated in the Dangme to bring out its full meaning.