For the scripture says is literally “for it has been written” (see 1.17). Once again Paul reinforces his argument by an appeal to scripture; this time the verses quoted are from Isaiah 49.18 and 45.23. The first everyone is literally “every knee” and the second everyone is literally “every tongue.” It was quite common for Old Testament writers to refer to one part of the body as functioning in behalf of the entire person and that is what was done here. However, for the English reader it is more natural to indicate that the person himself is doing this action rather than to employ the name for some part of his body.
As in the case of 12.19, there is a problem of a double introduction of direct discourse. There is not only the phrase for the scripture says, but also says the Lord. This may be coalesced in some languages as “for as the scripture gives the words of the Lord,” “for as the Lord’s words are written in the scripture,” or “these are the words that have been written, The Lord says, As I live….”
As I live expresses the surety with which a promise or oath is made. In some languages the equivalent may be “as sure as I am alive, I myself guarantee that everyone will kneel before me,” or “I myself can promise you that everyone will kneel before me,” or “I myself can promise you that everyone will kneel before me.” As I live is thus to be interpreted as an exceedingly strong affirmation.
An expression such as to kneel does not necessarily communicate the idea of worship or homage. A more satisfactory expression in some languages is “to bow before,” “to prostrate one’s self before,” or even, as in some languages, “to squat before.” In a number of languages the most satisfactory equivalent in this particular context is “to worship.”
Confess that I am God is literally “confess to God.” This phrase is used quite frequently in the Old Testament and the commentators point out that it means essentially “to give praise to God” (see Revised Standard Version, New American Bible, Moffatt, Jerusalem Bible). However, the content of this phrase in Old Testament contexts is often “to acknowledge that God is God” (New English Bible “acknowledge God”), and so the Good News Translation translates this phrase by everyone will confess that I am God. In some languages to confess is rendered as “to declare before all” or “to say openly.”
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 .