Paul’s phrase “the tested one in Christ” may mean “who has gone through so much for Christ” (Jerusalem Bible). An American Translation* moves in this direction by translating “that veteran Christian.” However, the word “tested one” may refer to one who has gone through a test and therefore has proved himself (Revised Standard Version “is approved in Christ”). The Good News Translation understands this phrase in this latter sense: whose loyalty to Christ has been proved. This may be rendered as “who has shown clearly how loyal he is to Christ.”

Those who belong to the family of Aristobulus (v. 10) may be understood in the extended sense of “the household of Aristobulus” (New English Bible). The same judgment may be made with regard to the phrase in the family of Narcissus (v. 11). The Christian brothers (v. 11) is literally “those in the Lord” (Revised Standard Version), equivalent in some languages to “fellow believers in Christ.” The New English Bible renders this as “who are in the Lord’s fellowship” and An American Translation* as “the Christians.”

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 .