4:12a

Salvation exists in no one else: In Greek this clause is literally “and the salvation is not in no one else.” The word “the” implies the specific salvation by the Messiah that the Jews have been waiting for. Here the “not” and the “no” combine to indicate a strong “no.” Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

In no one else does salvation exist
-or-
there is salvation in no one else (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Only ⌊he⌋ can save us, no one else ⌊can⌋

Salvation: This word refers to someone rescuing others from something harmful or dangerous. Here it refers to being saved from spiritual dangers like sin and its punishment. In some languages a verb must be used for this meaning. For example:

saving/rescuing

4:12b

for: This conjunction introduces an explanation for what Peter said in 4:12a.

there is no other name under heaven given to men: The verb given is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ has given no other name under heaven to men/people

name: The word name here refers to the person of Jesus, rather than to just his name or his power. God saves people through Jesus (4:12c). Using his name like a word of magic or power does not save people. In some languages a literal translation would imply incorrect things. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain the meaning in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

The word “name” here refers to the person of Jesus. God gave him to us to save us.

• Refer to person of Jesus. For example:

person/man

under heaven: The phrase under heaven is an idiom that refers to everywhere in the world. In some languages a literal translation would have a different meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain its meaning in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

The words “under heaven” refers to everywhere in the world.

• Translate the meaning of the idiom. For example:

everywhere
-or-
in all the world (Good News Translation)

to men: Here this phrase indicates that the name was given in relationship to people. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

among people (NET Bible)
-or-
to us humans

4:12c

by which: This refers to “name” in 4:12b. For example:

by this name (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
by that name

we must be saved: In Greek this clause is literally “(it is) necessary for us to be saved.” It indicates that only Jesus can save us from God’s punishment for our sins. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

we can be saved only by the power of the one named Jesus (God’s Word)
-or-
It is only Jesus who can save us

This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

who can save us (Good News Translation)

saved: This word means “to rescue from danger or trouble.” Here it refers to being rescued from the spiritual dangers of sin and the punishment from God that results from sinning. It is the verb that means the same thing as “salvation” in 4:12a.

In some languages, it may be necessary to make explicit what people are saved from. If that is true in your language, explain what people are saved from but do not be too specific. For example:

rescued ⌊from hell⌋
-or-
rescued ⌊from God’s punishment for sin⌋

See how you translated saved in 2:21.

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