This week we will look at the remaining sections of the Nicene Creed, comparing
the current translation with the new translation. The new wording is bolded for
easier comparison.
Present Translation
For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of
the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake,
he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died, and was buried. On the
third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge
the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
New Translation
For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy
Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was
crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose
again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into
heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.
Comment
The two changes in this section of the Creed are a more precise rendering of
what the Latin original is saying.
First, with the phrase by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary (in Latin,
incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto ex Maria Virgine), the Creed affirms that the Son
of God was conceived in the womb of the Virgin Mary by the unmediated action
of the Holy Spirit. Like Adam and Eve, Jesus became man by a direct act of God
and not through the natural means of human intercourse. Thus is signaled the
beginning of a new creation.
Second, with the phrase he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on
the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, the Creed affirms that both
Jesus’ death (the reality of which is underscored by his burial) and his
resurrection were in accordance with the Scriptures, that is, in accord with God’s
plan for our salvation.
Present Translation
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the
Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and
apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We
look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
New Translation
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the
Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and
apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look
forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Comment
The last section of the Creed affirms the Church’s faith in the co-divinity of the
Holy Spirit and in her own divine foundation as the one, holy, catholic and
apostolic Church.
The new translation of this section contains only minor changes in language.
Adored replaces worshiped as the preferred translation of the Latin adoratur. I
confess replaces we acknowledge as the more precise translation of the Latin
confiteor. (I confess in this context has the meaning of I profess). And I look
forward to replaces we look for as the more precise translation of the Latin
exspecto.
Yours in Christ,
Father Walter