Everything written in the Scriptures may be literally translated as “what was written in earlier times.” However, as all commentators point out, the reference is specifically to the Old Testament scriptures, and one should make this information explicit in translating. Otherwise a wrong understanding of the text might result (see, for example, the Revised Standard Version “for whatever was written in former days”).

If the term for Scriptures is essentially a word for “writings,” it may be entirely repetitious to have three expressions for writing in the first clause of verse 4, as, for example, “for everything written in the writings was written to teach us.” A more satisfactory rendering may be “for everything in the Scriptures teaches us” or “for everything in the Scriptures exists in order to teach us.”

The word translated patience is also used in 2.7; 5.3, 4; 8.25; and 15.5. This word is generally translated by patience, but in some contexts it has the meaning of “endurance.”

Encouragement is used in verse 5. See 12.8, where the phrase “the one encouraging with encouragement” is translated as if it is to encourage others, we must do so.

The meaning of hope was discussed in 5.2.

The expression through the patience and encouragement the Scriptures give us may require some recasting to indicate that the Scriptures are the means of causing us to have patience and encouragement—for example, “because the Scriptures cause us to be patient and they encourage us,” “… cause us to have courage,” or “… cause us to be steadfast.” Encouragement may be translated rather idiomatically as “to stand by him in his heart.”

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 .