Love one another warmly translates a verb which appears only here in the New Testament. The verb is used particularly of love within the family relationship, and so the idea of “to love warmly” is expressed by the Good News Translation (see New English Bible “breed warmth of mutual affection”).

As brothers in Christ is literally “by means of brotherly love.” The “brotherhood” (as in many translations) referred to is that of the Christian community, and so the Good News Translation renders as brothers in Christ. The first clause in verse 10 is rendered in some languages as “love one another as brothers ought to.”

Be eager to show respect for one another (An American Translation* “be eager to show one another honor”) translates a difficult Greek expression which may be understood in two possible ways. The meaning may be as the Good News Translation and Moffatt express it, or it may be “let each man consider the other worthy of more honor than himself.” It seems that the New English Bible follows the second possibility, though it is difficult to tell precisely what is meant by the rendering “give pride of place to one another in esteem.” Moffatt also sounds unnatural, though he seems to follow the same understanding of the passage that An American Translation* and the Good News Translation have, namely, “be forward to honour one another.” Be eager to is equivalent in some languages to “be quick to,” “do not hesitate to,” or even “be happy to.” In one language the equivalent of the entire clause is “be conspicuous in praising one another.”

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 .