Paragraph 11:13–15
11:13a
The Greek of 11:13a begins with a word that is often translated as “but” and “and.” The Berean Standard Bible has not translated this word. Here the word introduces another thing that Paul wanted to say. For example:
But (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
I am… (Good News Translation)
I am speaking to you Gentiles: In the Greek, the word you is emphasized. Here are some ways to translate the emphasis:
You Gentiles, I speak to you
-or-
It is to you Gentiles that I am speaking
I am speaking: This clause refers to what Paul had been saying and what he said next. See the above examples.
speaking: The Roman believers read this letter. So in some languages the word “writing” would be more natural here.
Gentiles: Paul implied here believers who are not Jews. In some languages a literal translation would indicate or imply people who do not believe in Jesus. If that is true in your language, indicate the correct meaning. For example:
Gentile ⌊believers⌋
-or-
⌊believers who are⌋ not Jews
11:13b
Inasmuch as: The Greek of 11:13b has a word that is often translated as “then” or “therefore” after the phrase Inasmuch as. In many languages it is more natural to have it in front. For example:
Then, inasmuch as
There are two ways to translate this Greek phrase:
(1) It bases his right to act in this way on the fact that he is an apostle to the Gentiles. For example:
as far as (New Jerusalem Bible)
(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, English Standard Version, New American Bible, Revised Edition, Revised English Bible, New Century Version)
(2) It bases his right to act on how much time Paul had been an apostle to the Gentiles. For example:
As long as (Good News Translation)
(Good News Translation, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the Greek lexicons do not support interpretation (2).
the apostle: The Greek does not have the word that the Berean Standard Bible has translated as the. There are two ways to interpret this:
(1) It indicates that the word an should be added in English. For example:
an apostle (English Standard Version)
(Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, English Standard Version, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, New Century Version)
(2) It implies that the word the should be added in English. For example:
the apostle (New International Version)
(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, King James Version, New Living Translation (2004), New American Bible, Revised Edition)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because it is unlikely that Paul claimed to be the only apostle to Gentiles, as interpretation (2) implies.
apostle: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as apostle means a “representative” or “messenger.” God chose Paul and sent him to tell the gospel about Jesus. See how you translated this word in 1:1.
to the Gentiles: This phrase indicates that Paul had a ministry as an apostle with people who were not Jews.
11:13c
magnify: The Greek word here is often translated “glorify.” Paul told others that his ministry is important. He boasted about it. Here are other ways to translate this word:
glorify (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
make much of (New International Version)
-or-
I go around telling to the Yuus the talk of what God has done amongst the non-Yuus through me
ministry: The Greek word here refers to the work of helping others. It refers to Paul being an apostle, not another work of his. Paul’s work as an apostle helped others. Here are other ways to translate this word:
work of service (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
this work of helping others
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