Paragraph 1:7

1:7a

To all in Rome: This phrase tells to whom Paul wrote this letter. Here the phrase all in Rome refers to the Christians in Rome. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate the letter is for all the people in Rome, not just the believers. For example:

To all the ⌊believers⌋ in Rome

In the Greek, this phrase has no verb. In some languages, it is more natural to include a verb here. For example:

⌊I am writing this letter⌋ to all those ⌊believers⌋ in Rome

Rome: This name refers to the capital city of the ancient Roman empire. Today Rome is the capital city of the country of Italy.

1:7b

who are loved by God: This clause further describes the believers in Rome, and refers to all of them. It does not separate some believers from other believers. For the correct meaning in some languages, translators must avoid the word who. For example:

God loves you!
-or-
God’s loved ones

loved: This word refers to a strong feeling of affection and concern for a person. It also refers to an attitude of actively seeking the good of another. It is the love a parent feels for his/her child. It does not refer to sexual desire. Consider how to translate that meaning in your language. Your language may have a phrase or idiom for that meaning. For example:

give heart/insides

1:7c

called to be saints: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as called to be here is literally “called (ones).” But many English versions translate “called (ones)” as the verb called. Here, as in 1:6, the word called means “chosen to be given a special benefit or purpose.” God has called all believers to be saints. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

appointed/designated saints
-or-
called as saints (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
called ⌊by God⌋ to be saints
-or-
whom ⌊he/God⌋ called to be saints

See how you translated called in 1:1 or 1:6.

saints: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as saints is literally “holy (ones).” It can mean “holy people,” “people dedicated/consecrated to God,” or “people whom God has made holy.” Here it probably implies all of these meanings. In the New Testament, this word refers to all Christians, not to any special group of Christians. Here are other ways to translate this word:

God’s holy people
-or-
his very own people (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
those whom God has made holy

Translate this word in a way that will refer to all Christians, and that people will use to refer to themselves as Christians.

1:7d

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: The writers of the NT often greeted their readers with a phrase like Grace and peace to you. This greeting was a prayer. Paul asked God and Jesus to bless the Roman believers with grace and peace.

This greeting has no verb. In some languages, it is more natural to include a verb or verbs. For example:

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
I pray that God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace! (Contemporary English Version)

Grace: This word refers to kindness. God is kind to people because he wants to be kind, not because they have done anything to deserve it. Here are other ways to translate this word:

kindness
-or-
help
-or-
favor

peace: This word refers to having no conflicts with other people or with God. The Greek word may also indicate wholeness or well-being.

God our Father: When we believe in Jesus, we become God’s children by adoption. Also God created us. In those ways God is our Father. Some languages must indicate that God is not a human father. For example:

God our ⌊heavenly⌋ Father

the Lord Jesus Christ: Some languages must say whose Lord Jesus is. For example:

our Lord Jesus Christ (Contemporary English Version)

Lord: This word refers to someone who has authority over people. Here are other ways to translate this word:

Chief/Leader
-or-
the Sovereign ⌊over us⌋

See how you translated this word in 1:4.

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