3:8a–c

Why not say,…“Let us do evil that good may result”?: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Why not say is literally just the word not. There are several ways to interpret what is implied for the correct meaning:

(1) The word Why is implied from 3:7b and the word say is implied from 3:8b. For example:

Why not say…“Let us do evil that good may result”? (NET Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, NET Bible)

(2) Only the word Why is implied from 3:7b. For example:

And why not do evil that good may come? (Revised Standard Version)

(Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because many scholars support it as well.

This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes that people should not say “Let us do evil that good may result.” Translate this with that meaning. Here are some ways:

• As a rhetorical question, as in the Berean Standard Bible. But such a question in some languages might expect a “yes, let’s do that” for an answer. If that is true in your language, indicate that the saying is wrong to think or say. For example:

is it right to say,…“Let us do evil that good may result”? ⌊No!⌋

• As a statement. For example:

it is wrong to say,…“Let us do evil that good may result.”

• As a command. For example:

Do not say,…“Let us do evil that good may result.”

3:8b

as some slanderously claim that we say: The Greek is literally “as we are slanderously charged and some affirm us to say.” For example:

as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say (New International Version (1984))

In some languages it is more natural to combine these two clauses into one clause. For example:

as some slanderously charge us with saying (English Standard Version)
-or-
some people even slander us by claiming that we say (New Living Translation (2004))

some slanderously claim that we say: Here the word slanderously refers to saying things that are not true in order to cause hurt. Here the slander may be directed at hurting Paul or the gospel of Jesus. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

slander us by claiming that (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
claim for the purpose of ruining our name/reputation
-or-
trying to give us a bad name, ⌊falsely⌋ say

3:8c

Let us do evil that good may result: This clause says that people should do evil because then God would show more grace to them or, more generally, more good things would happen. They should not. This is wrong thinking. (See the note on 3:8a–c.) Here are other ways to translate these words:

Let us do evil so that good may come of it (NET Bible)
-or-
Let us do bad deeds so that good things may happen to us

The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as that good may result indicates that doing evil would lead to a good outcome. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

so that good will appear
-or-
in order that the result will be good

3:8d

Their condemnation is deserved: The word condemnation refers to the verdict or sentence that a judge gives to a guilty person. Here it probably refers to God condemning them. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

such people are justly condemned (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-

⌊God⌋ is right to judge those people as guilty/wrong

Their: The Greek word is literally “whose.” It probably refers to the people saying or thinking “if through my lie God’s truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner?” or “Let us do evil so that good may come of it.”

deserved: This word means “right.” Paul said it is right for God to say that these people are guilty and will be punished.

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