11:19a
You: The word You is singular in the Greek. This letter is addressed to the whole church in Rome. So, here the singular You refers to someone in a general way and does not accuse the whole church in Rome of saying what Paul quoted in 11:19b–c. Some languages must translate differently for the correct meaning. For example:
one of you (plur.)
-or-
someone among you (plur.)
will say: Paul anticipated what an incorrectly proud Gentile believer might say (a possibility), so that he could respond here in this letter. He is not predicting with a prophecy (a certainty). Some languages use different grammar or word for those two kinds of statements. If that is true in your language, use the one that indicates a probable future statement.
then: The word then probably introduces what someone might say in response to what Paul said in 11:17–18.
11:19b
Branches were broken off: This clause is passive. 11:20–21 indicates that God broke them off. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:
⌊God⌋ broke off branches
Branches: In English, not using “the” here indicates that some branches were broken off. But the word here refers to the same branches as in 11:17, so it may be more clear in your language to add “those” here. For example:
⌊Those⌋ branches
11:19c
so that I could be grafted in: The Berean Standard Bible uses the word could to go with so that to indicate that this is a purpose clause. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
so that I might be grafted in (English Standard Version)
-or-
for me to be grafted in (New Jerusalem Bible)
This purpose has already been accomplished. In some languages a purpose clause always indicates an unfulfilled purpose. If that is true in your language, use a result clause. For example:
and so I was grafted in
I could be grafted in: This clause is passive. In some languages an active clause must be used. For example:
⌊God⌋ might graft me in
grafted in: This phrase refers to taking part of one plant and connecting it to another plant so that the new piece will continue to live and grow. See how you translated this phrase in 11:17.
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