6:10a
The Greek of 6:10a begins with a word that is usually translated as “For.” It introduces an explanation of what Paul said in 6:9. In some languages, it may be more natural to omit this word, as the Berean Standard Bible does.
The death He died: These words refer to Jesus’ death in particular. Here are other ways to translate these words:
the death that he died
-or-
When he died, (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
About his dying
He died to sin: This phrase indicates that sin no longer has power over Jesus. While he lived on the earth sin and death ruled over him just as it does for everyone else (even though he remained sinless). When he died, his death released him from that power and now it can no longer rule over him.
In some languages a literal translation would imply a wrong meaning or may be unclear. If that is true in your language, you may want to:
• Translate literally and explain the meaning in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:
Jesus dying “to sin” means that when he died, sin no longer had any authority over him.
• Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:
he died ⌊and so the power of⌋ sin could no longer ⌊try to influence him⌋
-or-
he died ⌊and the power of⌋ sin no longer had ⌊any authority over him⌋
once for all: Here this phrase means “once and never again.” Jesus died once and will not die again. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
only once ⌊ever⌋
-or-
once and only once
-or-
never to die again
6:10b
but: This word indicates that Jesus living to God contrasts to him dying to sin (6:10a). But some languages would not see contrast here. For example:
and (New Jerusalem Bible)
the life He lives: These words refer to Jesus’ life in particular. It refers to his life in heaven at this time, not his life on earth long ago. Here are other ways to translate these words:
the life that he lives
-or-
now that he lives, (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
about his living
He lives to God: Here the word to indicates that Jesus lives to honor and glorify God, and to do as God wants him to. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
he lives for God (God’s Word)
-or-
he lives for the glory of God (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
his living now/today is so that he will serve God
-or-
he is living to do the will of God
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