20:24a
I consider my life of no value to me: Paul did not think it important to live a long time. He was willing to risk himself to serve God. If God told him to go to a dangerous place, he would go; he would not hesitate. Other ways to translate this clause are:
I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
I do not place any value on my own life (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
It is not important to me to protect myself so that I would continue to live
-or-
never mind if I die, because what I value, it is not my life
20:24b
if only I may: This phrase contrasts what Paul did not consider important (his life on earth) and what he did consider important (completing the work that God gave to him). Other ways to translate this phrase are:
I only want to (Good News Translation)
-or-
as long as (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
The most important thing is (New Century Version)
finish my course:
This phrase in Greek is literally “finish my race.” It is a metaphor. Paul wanted to live the last part of his life obeying Jesus well. Some ways to translate this are:
• Translate the metaphor literally. For example:
finish my race
• Translate the metaphor as a simile. For example:
finish my ⌊life like a runner finishing a long distance⌋ race
• Translate the meaning of the metaphor. For example:
finish my life well
-or-
live this last part of my life always doing what God wants me to do
If possible, keep the figure of speech as a metaphor or simile since it occurs a number of times in the Bible. Consider replacing the metaphor with its meaning only if the metaphor finish my course is not meaningful or natural in your language.
20:24c–d
complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace: The phrase the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace describes what the task was that Jesus gave him. There are two ways to indicate this connection:
• Use punctuation. The Berean Standard Bible uses a long dash and also repeats the word ministry to help make the connection clear. For example:
the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to… (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
the mission the Lord Jesus gave me—to… (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
the task the Lord Jesus has given me: the task to…
-or-
what the Lord Jesus has required me to do: to…
• Use a phrase that indicates that 20:24d explains the word ministry. For example:
the work that the Lord Jesus gave me to do, which is to… (Good News Translation)
-or-
the work that the Lord Jesus gave me to do. And that work is to… (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the ministry which the Lord Jesus has given me in… (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
the task which the Lord Jesus assigned to me, that of… (Revised English Bible)
20:24c
the ministry: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as ministry describes the work given to a servant or slave by his master. In Christianity, it refers to the work that a believer does for God. It is often preaching or helping people.
I have received from the Lord Jesus: This clause in Greek is literally “which I received from the Lord Jesus.” The English word “receive” implies that Jesus gave it. Translate in a way that indicates or implies that Jesus gave the task to Paul.
20:24d
testifying to: The Greek word is literally “proclaim earnestly.” The Berean Standard Bible translates the Greek word as “testifying” in 20:21a. For example:
declaring
-or-
bearing witness
-or-
making clear
See how you translated the word in 20:21.
the good news of God’s grace: The word of means “about” here. For example:
the good news about God’s grace
good news: The Berean Standard Bible translates the Greek word literally as good news. In the New Testament, this always refers to the good news about Jesus Christ as Savior. Other ways to translate this word are:
gospel
-or-
good news ⌊about Jesus Christ⌋
-or-
good news ⌊from God⌋
-or-
message/report that causes joy
See how you translated this word in 15:7 (“gospel”).
God’s grace: This phrase indicates that God behaves graciously/kindly to others. For example:
the grace that comes from God
-or-
God acting graciously/kindly
grace: This word refers to being kind to those who may not deserve it. God does things for people because he wants to and not because they earned it. Other ways to translate this word are:
kindness
-or-
help
-or-
favor
See how you translated this word in 15:11 or 18:27.
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