2:26a
This verse begins with a word that is often translated as “therefore.” This word introduces a conclusion from what Paul said in 2:25. The Berean Standard Bible has left this word untranslated. It may be natural in your language to make the relationship with the previous verse explicit. For example:
So (English Standard Version)
a man who is not circumcised: This phrase refers to a non-Jew. No one has cut off the foreskin of his penis.
keeps: Here this word means “obeys.”
requirements: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as requirements refers to rules for right behavior. Here are other ways to translate this word:
precepts (English Standard Version)
-or-
commands (New Jerusalem Bible)
2:26b
will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?: If a non-Jew does the right things according to God’s law, God considers him as if he had a covenant with him, like the covenant he has with the Jews. There are two issues:
Issue 1: Passive
This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause here. For example:
will not God regard him as though he were circumcised? (Good News Translation)
Issue 2: Rhetorical Question
This question is rhetorical. It emphasizes that this man will be regarded as someone circumcised. Translate it with that meaning. Here are some ways:
• As a rhetorical question. See the example above.
• As a statement. For example:
they will be regarded as though they were circumcised.
-or-
⌊God⌋ will regard him as though he were circumcised.
be regarded as: The more literal sense of the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as be regarded as refers to counting something, often as in business costs and sales. Here it refers to counting or considering an uncircumcised person to be the same as a circumcised one, and therefore treating him in that way. Here are other ways to translate this Greek word:
counted as (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
be considered (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
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