Surprise translation
Peter O’Brien’s translation of Colossians 4:2 surprised me: “Persevere in prayer as you watch for the Lord’s return, and be thankful.”[i] What is surprising about that? None of my English translations mentioned “the Lord’s return” — nor does the Greek text! Translated literally, the verse just says: “In prayer, persevere, watching in it with thanksgiving.” There is nothing explicitly eschatological, and my understanding over the years — it's not my first time to read these words — has been along the lines of Bishop Lightfoot’s comment: “Long continuance in prayer is apt to produce listlessness. Hence the additional charge that the heart must be awake if the prayer is to have any value.”[ii]If it is not explicit in the text itself, from where did O’Brien import the reference to the Lord’s return? He believes it was implied in the word “γρηγορέω” (English: the name, “Gregory”). He explained: “Certainly γρηγορέω with the figurative meaning to ‘be vigilant’ turns up in co...