2:20a

Some English versions (such as the Contemporary English Version, Good News Translation, and New Jerusalem Bible) put the clause “I have been crucified with Christ” at the end of 2:19 rather than at the beginning of 2:20. You should follow the example of the national version when you decide in what verse to place these words.

I have been crucified with Christ: This clause is a metaphor. In this metaphor, Paul compared freedom from his previous life under the law to Christ’s death. They are similar in that both experienced the end of the law.

Paul did not physically die on a cross with Christ. He did not die at the same time as Christ.

Some ways to translate this metaphor are:

• Keep the metaphor. This is what most English versions do. For example:

I have been nailed to the cross with Christ. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
I was put to death on the cross with Christ (New Century Version)
-or-
My old self has been crucified with Christ. (New Living Translation (2004))

• Translate it as a simile. For example:

It is as if I have died with Christ on the cross

Do not try to make explicit who crucified Paul.

2:20b

and I no longer live: This clause continues the metaphor. In this metaphor, Paul compared freedom from his previous life under the law to no longer being alive. Obviously, Paul was still living when he wrote this, but his old self was no longer living. The person who was under the law was no longer alive.

In Greek, the pronoun I is emphasized.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

and as for me, I live no longer
-or-
it’s as if I myself am no longer alive
-or-
it’s as if I am not alive
-or-
I have died (Contemporary English Version)

but Christ lives in me: In this clause, Paul clearly stated that the source of his life is Christ. In the same way that he died with Christ, he lives with Christ.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

rather it is Christ who lives in me
-or-
instead Christ makes me alive
-or-
but Christ is the one who lives in me

2:20c

The life I live in the body: This whole clause refers to living here on earth.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

My life now
-or-
The way I now live
-or-
During my time here on the earth
-or-
The things that I now do

See flesh, Meaning 2 in the Glossary.

I live by faith in the Son of God: The phrase by faith means “by believing” or “by trusting.” Whatever Paul does, he does it while trusting in Jesus, the Son of God.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

I live by ?means of? trusting in the Son of God
-or-
I am alive through trust in the Son of God
-or-
it’s possible because I believe in the Son of God
-or-
it is based on my faith in the Son of God
-or-
I live believing in the Son of God

See faith, Meaning 1, in the Glossary.

the Son of God: The phrase the Son of God is a title for Jesus. This title indicates that Jesus has the same nature and character as God. It also indicates that the relationship between God the Father and Jesus, his Son, is similar in some way to the relationship between human fathers and sons. God the Father does not have a physical body. He did not have a sexual relationship that resulted in Mary becoming pregnant and giving birth to Jesus.

Some ways to translate this phrase are:

?Jesus Christ,? God’s Son
-or-
the Son of God, ?Jesus Christ?

Jesus is referred to as “His Son” (God’s Son) in 1:16. For further information, see the note on that phrase at 1:16.

2:20d

who loved me: This clause describes the Son of God. Be careful that the way you translate this clause does not imply that God had another son who does not love Paul.

Some ways to translate this clause are:

who showed his love for me
-or-
Jesus/He loved me

and gave Himself up for me: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as gave Himself up for me refers to Christ choosing to die for Paul.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

and gave his life for me
-or-
and chose to die for me
-or-
sacrificed himself for me (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
took the punishment for my sins (God’s Word)

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