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Gothic Invasion In the Third Century C.E.

The Context of the Gothic Bible’s Creation

The Gothic Bible stands as a pioneering achievement in the history of Bible translation. Its creation, led by Ulfilas (Wulfila), represents one of the earliest attempts to make the Scriptures accessible in a Germanic language. The Goths, a confederation of Germanic tribes migrating as far as the Black Sea and the Danube, had no written language. The first literary work produced in their tongue was this remarkable translation of the Bible. It serves as a testament to the enduring importance of Scripture and the lengths taken to ensure it could be understood by people in their own language.

Wulfila (Ulfilas) explaining the Gospels to the Goths

Ulfilas: Missionary and Translator

Ulfilas was uniquely positioned to undertake this monumental task. Born around 311 C.E. to a family of Cappadocian captives taken by the Goths, he was steeped in the cultural and linguistic intersection of Greek and Gothic traditions. Ordained by Eusebius of Nicomedia, he was trained to serve as a missionary to the Gothic people.

Ulfilas translated nearly the entire Bible into Gothic, excluding the Books of Kings. This exclusion was deliberate, as these books’ accounts of wars and conquests were deemed unsuitable for a people already inclined toward violence. His translation work required the creation of a Gothic alphabet, which was primarily derived from Greek and Latin alphabets but adapted to suit the phonetic needs of the Gothic language. The New Encyclopædia Britannica notes, “He coined a Germanic Christian terminology, some of which is still in use.”

This effort mirrors the apostle Paul’s approach in 1 Corinthians 9:22, where he states, “I have become all things to all people so that by all means I might save some.” Ulfilas recognized that linguistic accessibility was essential for evangelizing the Goths.

The Early Use and Dissemination of the Gothic Bible

Ulfilas completed his translation before his death in 383 C.E. The popularity of his work extended beyond his lifetime, as it became the standard text for Gothic Christians in regions as far-reaching as Spain and Italy. Many copies of the Gothic Bible were produced, particularly in scriptoria located in Ravenna and Verona, areas that served as centers for the Gothic kingdom.

The translation provided a means for the Goths to engage with Christian teachings directly. This approach reflects the principle found in Romans 10:14, “How, then, will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” By providing the Scriptures in their language, Ulfilas fulfilled this scriptural mandate.

The Reading Culture of Early Christianity

Challenges to Preservation

The Gothic nation met its demise around 555 C.E. after the Byzantine emperor Justinian I reconquered Italy. With the collapse of the Gothic kingdom, the use of the Gothic language and its literary traditions diminished significantly. The remaining manuscripts of the Gothic Bible faced neglect and repurposing. Manuscripts were often scraped clean and reused for new writings, a practice known as creating palimpsests.

Despite this, fragments of the Gothic Bible survived, with some texts faintly visible beneath later writings. The most notable survivor, the Codex Argenteus (Silver Book), remained largely intact. Written in silver ink on purple-dyed parchment, this codex was likely created for a royal audience. Its elaborate decoration, including gold lettering and ornate embellishments, underscores the value placed on Scripture in Gothic culture.

Psalm 119:72 aptly states, “The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.” The Codex Argenteus exemplifies this sentiment, as its luxurious form reflects the reverence with which the Goths regarded God’s Word.

Rediscovery of the Gothic Bible

Following the fall of the Gothic kingdom, the Codex Argenteus disappeared until the sixteenth century when it was found in the monastery of Werden near Cologne, Germany. By 1569, the Gothic version of the Lord’s Prayer was published, reigniting interest in the Gothic Bible. Scholars traced the manuscript’s movements from Werden to Prague, where it became part of the emperor’s art collection. After the Thirty Years’ War, it was seized by Sweden and eventually found a permanent home at Uppsala University in 1669.

The Codex Argenteus originally contained 336 leaves, though only 187 remain at Uppsala. In 1970, another leaf—the final page of Mark’s Gospel—was discovered in Speyer, Germany. These rediscoveries highlight the resilience of Scripture and its ability to endure through time and tumult.

Restoring the Text and Understanding Gothic

The reappearance of the Gothic Bible prompted significant scholarly efforts to decipher its language and restore the text. Using all available fragments and manuscripts, German scholar Wilhelm Streitberg published Die gotische Bibel (The Gothic Bible) in 1908, presenting the Gothic and Greek texts side by side. This work has provided invaluable insights into the linguistic and cultural context of the Goths.

The Codex Argenteus, with its Western order of the Gospels (Matthew, John, Luke, Mark), demonstrates the early use of distinctive textual arrangements. Its textual variations and peculiarities offer a glimpse into the translation practices of Ulfilas and the challenges of rendering Greek Scripture into a Germanic language.

The Significance of the Gothic Bible

The Gothic Bible represents more than a linguistic achievement; it symbolizes the enduring commitment to make God’s Word accessible to all people. Ulfilas’ work ensured that the Goths could engage with Scripture in their own tongue, fulfilling the principle found in Revelation 7:9, which envisions a multitude “from every nation, tribe, people, and language” standing before the throne of God.

Though the Gothic Bible is of primary interest to linguists and historians today, its creation underscores the importance of translating Scripture into the vernacular. This principle remains central to the work of Bible translators, who continue to bring God’s Word to people in their native languages.

Conclusion: A Testament to Faithfulness

The Gothic Bible reflects the determination of early Christians like Ulfilas to ensure that the message of Scripture transcended linguistic and cultural barriers. Its survival, despite the challenges of history, serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring relevance of God’s Word. Isaiah 40:8 declares, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” The Gothic Bible exemplifies this truth, affirming the reliability and accessibility of Scripture across generations.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).