He did not even keep back his own Son is evidently an allusion to the story of Abraham’s sacrifice in Genesis 22.16. In the Septuagint account of that story the Greek translator used the same verb that Paul uses here (keep back, literally “to spare”), and the thought of Abraham is fresh in his mind from the earlier chapters of this letter. Offered means literally “to give over” and is used by Paul in 4.25 (given over to die), as well as in 1.24, 26, 28 (given them over). The Good News Translation actually translates this verb twice in the present verse, in order to relate the various parts of the verse and to bring out the emphasis which Paul intends: he gave us his Son.

Did not even keep back is rendered in some languages as “did not prevent from suffering” or “did not cause him to evade suffering.”

In order to indicate clearly the significance of offered it may be necessary to add “as a sacrifice,” therefore: “he offered him as a sacrifice on behalf of all of us.”

By the form which Paul uses in asking his question, will he not also freely give us all things?, he indicates that he does believe that God will freely give us all things.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Romans. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1973. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .