Translation commentary – Page 113

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 5:5

5:5a

And hope does not disappoint us: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as disappoint :

(1) It means make ashamed here.

(English Standard Version, New International Version (2011), King James Version, God’s Word)

(2) It means make disappointed here. For example:

hope does not disappoint us (Berean Standard Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because it is the usual meaning of the Greek word.

does not disappoint us: Our hope in God and his promises does not shame us at the present time because God loves us and has given the Holy Spirit to us (5:5b–c). Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

does not shame us
-or-
does not cause us to be ashamed

5:5b

God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit: The word through indicates here that God gave the task of putting his love in our hearts to the Holy Spirit. For example:

God caused the Holy Spirit to pour his/God’s love into our hearts
-or-
God commanded/told the Holy Spirit to pour his/God’s love into our hearts ⌊and he did⌋

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

⌊God⌋ poured his love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit

poured out: This verb is used figuratively to refer to giving generously. God caused much love to exist in our hearts. Here are other ways to translate this word:

enables us to have much of God’s love
-or-

causes us to fully experience
-or-
he causes-us-to-feel God’s great love

His love: This refers to the love that God has for us.

our hearts: The word hearts refers figuratively to the inner being of people, which includes the mind, the emotions, and the will. In some languages a literal translation would not refer to the inner being. If that is true in your language, you may want to use the word or phrase that has the right meaning. For example:

insides/liver
-or-
mind and will

the Holy Spirit: This phrase refers to God’s Spirit. The word Spirit is used in a similar way to when a person refers to his own spirit. The word Holy here means “clean” or “sacred.” But it also refers to “coming from God.” Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

Sacred/Holy Spirit
-or-
Pure/Clean Spirit
-or-
the Spirit who comes from God

See how you translated this phrase in Matthew 1:18, Luke 1:15, or 1 Thessalonians 1:5.

5:5c

whom He has given us: In the Greek, this clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

whom ⌊God/he⌋ gave to us

This clause also tells the reader more about the Holy Spirit. It does not separate the Holy Spirit from other spirits. For the correct meaning in some languages, translators must avoid the word whom. For example:

He was given to us ⌊by God⌋.
-or-

⌊God⌋ gave him to us.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 5:6

Paragraph 5:6–8

5:6a

For: Here this word introduces an explanation of how hope does not put us to shame (5:5).

It may be more natural in your language to not use a conjunction here.

at just the right time: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as just the right time refers to an appropriate time for something to happen. God decided when the best time for Jesus to die for the ungodly was. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

at the right time (English Standard Version)
-or-
at the appointed time (New Jerusalem Bible)

while we were still powerless: Here the word still indicates that we were powerless before Jesus died for us and continued to be weak when he died for us.

powerless: Here this word refers to any kind of physical, moral, ethical, or spiritual weakness. Here are other ways to translate this word:

weak (English Standard Version)
-or-
helpless (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-

⌊morally and ethically⌋ weak

5:6b

Christ died for the ungodly: Here the word for indicates that Christ died to benefit the ungodly. By dying, he made a way for them to be reconciled to God. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

Christ died to help the ungodly
-or-
Christ died to ransom the ungodly
-or-
Christ died in place of the ungodly

the ungodly: The word ungodly refers to people who reject God. Here are other ways to translate this word:

people who reject God
-or-
people who do not worship God

See how you translated this phrase in 4:5.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 4:16

Paragraph 4:16–17

4:16a

Therefore: This word introduces a conclusion about what Paul wrote in 4:13–15. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

And so (Good News Translation)
-or-
For this reason (NET Bible)

the promise comes by faith: The Greek is more literally “of faith.” There is an implied subject and verb. In English the implied subject is translated the promise and refers to God’s promise, as in 4:13a. The promise was given to Abraham because of his faith. Here are some other ways to translate this:

people receive God’s promise by having faith (New Century Version)
-or-
the promise is received by faith (New Living Translation (2004))

the promise: The word promise refers back to the same promise of 4:13–14. In some languages it is more clear to refer back to it. For example:

that promise

4:16b

so that it may rest on grace: Faith was the basis for God making the promise to Abraham. The purpose was so that he might give it according to grace. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

so that the promise may rest on grace (English Standard Version)
-or-
and the purpose is that the promise may rest on grace

This purpose has become true already. In some languages it must be translated as result for the correct meaning. For example:

so that the promise rests on grace

may rest on grace: The Greek is literally “(it may be) according to grace.” God promised to give Abraham and his descendants the world because he wanted to, not because he needed to. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

it will be based on his grace
-or-
it would be clear that his grace…is the origin, not their own deeds
-or-
this might be possible by means of his kindness
-or-
It is given as a free gift (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
it can be a gift (God’s Word)

grace: Here the word grace indicates that God did something kind. He wants to help people. People do not deserve this help. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

as a free gift (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
his great kindness (Contemporary English Version)

4:16c

and: Here the word and indicates that 4:16c expresses a second purpose (after the first one in 4:16b). In some languages it is more clear to introduce the clause again. For example:

and ⌊in order that it⌋

guaranteed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as guaranteed means “valid, sure, legally secure.” God will certainly give the world to Abraham and those who have faith like his. Here are other ways to translate this word:

secure (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
certain (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
assured (Contemporary English Version)

4:16d–e

not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham: Paul had two groups of Abraham’s spiritual children in mind, those who are of the law (Jewish believers) and those who are of the faith of Abraham (non-Jewish believers).

The phrases not only and but also emphasizes the second group. Some Jews thought that a person had to become a Jew first (by following the Law of Moses) for God to accept him or her. But Paul emphasized here that God accepts everyone who has the same faith as Abraham, even if they do not follow the law of Moses. Consider how to translate that emphasis.

4:16d

those who are of the law: The Greek is literally “the (one) of the law.” It is similar to “those who live by the law” in 4:14a. The word of indicates that this person is connected to the law of Moses. It refers to the Jews. Translate it in a similar way to the phrase in 4:14a.

This phrase refers generally to Jews. The singular emphasizes that this statement is true for each person. In some languages it is more natural to use the plural in a general reference. For example:

to the adherent of the law (English Standard Version)
-or-
people who have/possess the laws ⌊of Moses⌋

The context implies that these people also believe in God. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly imply they do not believe. If that is true in your language, add the implied information. For example:

the adherent of the law ⌊who believes⌋
-or-
someone who has the law ⌊of Moses⌋ ⌊and believes in God⌋

4:16e

those who are of the faith of Abraham: This phrase refers to those who believe in God as Abraham did. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

anyone who lives with faith like that of Abraham (New Century Version)
-or-
all who are Abraham’s descendants because they have faith, just as he did (Contemporary English Version)

4:16f

He is the father of us all: This clause tells the reader more about Abraham. In some languages a literal translation would not have the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, consider how to translate the correct meaning. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here, as the Berean Standard Bible does.

the father of us all: The word father is a figure of speech here, similar to its use in 4:11–12. God chose to bless the world through Abraham. That choice was based upon Abraham’s faith in God. In that way he became the father (or ancestor) for all those who later believe, because he was the first one to do so. So the meaning of father here is broader than just in terms of a father to child kind of descent.

In some languages translating father literally would imply a literal ancestor. If that is true in your language, indicate that it has a figurative meaning. For example:

⌊like⌋ the father of us all
-or-
whom ⌊God made to be thought of as⌋ the father of us all
-or-
as-if the ancestor of us all
-or-
whom we consider as father of us all ⌊in faith⌋
-or-
the spiritual father of us all (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 5:7

5:7a–b

This verse has two examples of how people love in a limited way. This compares to the great love of God and Jesus for people. Some people might risk their life for a good or righteous person, but Jesus died for people who rejected him (the “ungodly”).

5:7a

In the Greek, 5:7a begins with a word that is usually translated as “For.” It connects this verse with 5:6. Here it probably indicates explanation/clarification or an interjection such as:

Indeed (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Even (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Now (New Living Translation (2004))

In some languages it is more natural to omit this word and allow the context to indicate the meaning.

Very rarely: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Very rarely means “not very often” or “very unlikely.” Here are other ways to translate this word:

scarcely (English Standard Version)
-or-

most people would not be willing to die (New Living Translation (2004))

anyone: Here this word refers generally to a person. For example:

someone (Good News Translation)

die for: Here the word for indicates that this person died to benefit this righteous person. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

give his life for (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
die to save the life of (New Century Version)
-or-
let himself be killed in the place of

a righteous man: Here the word righteous refers to a person who acts in right or straight ways toward other people. He obeys the laws and is honest with others. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

someone upright (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
a person who consistently-obeyed the law

See how you translated the word righteous in 1:17.

5:7b

though: The Greek word is the same one translated “For” at the beginning of 5:7a. Often in this context the best English translation is “and,” because that is the sense the second occurrence of the Greek word has in English. But the sense between these two clauses (5:7a and 5:7b) is generally agreed to be though, as in many English versions.

for: Here the word for refers to dying in order to help someone, as it does in 5:7a.

might: This word emphasizes “dare to die.” It is more than people might expect, that someone might dare to die for a good person.

possibly: Here this word indicates that dying for a good person is not common but more likely than dying for a righteous person.

dare: This word refers to being bold enough to do something. Someone might be bold enough to risk his life to rescue someone else. Here are other ways to translate this word:

have the courage (God’s Word)
-or-
is brave enough

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 4:17

4:17a

As it is written: This phrase introduces a quote from the Old Testament. Paul quoted what God said to Abraham (Genesis 17:5). You may want to include some or all of this implied information. For example:

As it is written ⌊in God’s Word⌋
-or-
as Scripture says (God’s Word)
-or-

⌊It is⌋ like what the Scriptures say ⌊when God told him⌋

See how you translated this phrase in 1:17 or 3:4.

4:17b–c

“I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the presence of God, in whom he believed: There are several ways to interpret the connection of in the presence of God, in whom he believed to the rest of the Greek text:

(1) It connects to Abraham being the father of us all (4:16f). For example:

“I have made you the father of many nations”). He is our father in the presence of God whom he believed (NET Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, King James Version, New American Bible, Revised Edition)

(2) It connects to the faith of Abraham (4:16e). For example:

the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, 17 as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”)—in the presence of the God in whom he believed (New Revised Standard Version)

(New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, God’s Word)

(3) It connects to the promise to Abraham (4:16a). For example:

“I have made you father of many nations.” So the promise is good in the sight of God, in whom Abraham believed (Good News Translation)

(Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, English Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because that is the closest connection and seems the most natural.

I have made you a father of many nations: These words are a quote found in Genesis 17:5. If you indicate the location of quotes from the Old Testament with cross-references, you may want to do so here.

4:17b

I have made you a father of many nations: This quote is from Genesis 17:5. In Abraham’s story in the book of Genesis, God caused Abraham to have many descendants. Many of them became the founders of new nations.

I have appointed you to be father of many nations (Revised English Bible)
-or-
I will make you the ancestor of many kinds of people

You should translate this clause with its meaning in Genesis 17:5. You should not explicitly translate Paul’s figurative use of father (4:11–16) here.

a father: The Greek refers generally to being a father or ancestor. But it does not imply one of many “fathers.” Consider how to translate that meaning. For example:

the father (English Standard Version)
-or-
father (Good News Translation)
-or-
the ancestor (Contemporary English Version)

nations: Here the word nations refers to people grouped by language and culture. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

people-groups
-or-
language-groups

4:17c

in the presence of God: This phrase probably connects to “the father of many nations” (4:17b). It indicates that God considered Abraham to be the father of many nations. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

This is true before God (New Century Version)
-or-
in the sight/eyes of God

It is also possible that this phrase connects to “the father of us all” in 4:16f. For example:

He is our father in the sight of God (New International Version)
-or-
Abraham is our father in the eyes of God (New Jerusalem Bible)

in whom he believed: This clause tells the reader more about God. It does not separate God from other gods. For the correct meaning in some languages, translators must avoid the word whom. For example:

Abraham believed in him.

4:17d

the God who gives life to the dead: This clause tells the reader more about God. It does not separate God from other gods. For the correct meaning in some languages, translators must avoid the word who. For example:

He gives life to the dead.

gives life to the dead: God has power to make people live again after they die. Here are other ways to translate these words:

raises the dead to life (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
brings the dead back to life (New Living Translation (2004))

4:17e

and calls: The word “who” is implied from 4:17d. God calls here.

calls into being what does not yet exist: The Greek is literally “calling the things not being as being.” There are two ways to interpret the Greek here:

(1) It indicates that God speaks and things that did not exist now exist. For example:

who creates new things out of nothing (New Living Translation (2004))

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version (2011), Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, English Standard Version, Revised English Bible, God’s Word, New American Standard Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)

(1) It indicates that God refers to things as existing that do not yet exist. For example, when God promised Abraham in Genesis 17:5 that he would be the father of many nations, those nations did not yet exist. For example:

calls things that are not as though they were (New International Version (1984))

(New International Version (1984), King James Version)

It is recommended that you follow (1) because both Greek words “gives life” (4:17d) and calls probably refer generally to any time God chooses to do those things. Here the word calls does not refer only to calling Abraham the father of many nations. Here are other ways to translate this according to interpretation (1):

calls into being things that were not (New International Version (2011))
-or-
whose command brings into being what did not exist (Good News Translation)
-or-
those things that do not exist ⌊that God wants to exist⌋, he says “may they exist” and they exist

what does not yet exist: Here the word what refers to all that God created, including the nations. Consider how to translate with that meaning.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 5:8

5:8a

proves: This verb is present tense because God loves people all the time.

His love for us: In some languages a verb must be used for the noun love here. For example:

that he loves us

in this: This phrase introduces how God shows his love for us. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

by (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
in this way: (New Century Version)

5:8b

still: Here this word means “continue to be.” Christ died for our sins before we could stop sinning. For example:

yet (Revised Standard Version)

sinners: This word refers to people who habitually do what is against what God wants. The word can also refer to people who are outsiders to the community of the people of God. But many English versions translate the Greek word as the Berean Standard Bible does.

for: Here the word for refers to benefiting us or in order to help us, as it does the second time it occurs in 5:7a.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 4:2

4:2a–c

If Abraham was indeed justified by works, he had something to boast about, but not before God: Here, the word If introduces a situation that was not true. Abraham was not justified because of his works. But the “then” clause (he had something…) imagines what might have happened if Abraham had been justified because of his works.

Here are some ways to translate this:

• Some languages have a word or phrase that indicates this if-clause is a situation that was not true. For example:

if as-might-be-said it was because of his perfect obedience to the laws that this Abraham was declared righteous in God’s sight, he would of course now have something to boast about, (but not before God)
-or-
if-it-had-been,-but-was-not,-that God made Abraham righteous through what he had done, he would have been able to boast, but not before God

• Other languages can add other words to help indicate that this if-clause is a situation that was not true. For example:

If for-example God counted him as righteous because of what he did, there would be something for him to boast-about, but the truth of it is that there is nothing that he could boast-about to God.
-or-
if ⌊it were true that⌋ God called Abraham righteous because of what Abraham did, then Abraham could boast ⌊about that⌋ ⌊to someone⌋, but he could not boast ⌊about it⌋ to God

• Other languages must translate without using the word If. For example:

we know that the reason that God regarded Abraham as righteous was not because he did good deeds, so he has nothing to boast about, and certainly could not boast before God

4:2a

This verse begins with a Greek conjunction that is usually translates as “for.” It introduces an explanation of why Paul asked about Abraham in 4:1. In some languages it is more natural to omit this conjunction and allow the context to imply that connection, as the Berean Standard Bible does. For example:

If Abraham… (New Jerusalem Bible)

Abraham was indeed justified by works: This clause is passive. God justified Abraham. Some languages must use an active clause here. For example:

his good deeds had made him acceptable to God (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-

⌊God⌋ declared Abraham righteous by his/Abraham’s deeds
-or-

⌊God⌋ considered Abraham to be just/innocent because of what he/Abraham did

justified: Here the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as justified means “called and treated as righteous.” God regarded Abraham as righteous. See the above examples. See how you translated this word in 2:13 (where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “declared righteous”) or 3:30.

by works: Here the word works refers to a person’s own effort, or the deeds one does. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

by the things he did (Good News Translation)
-or-
because of what he had done (New Jerusalem Bible)

4:2b

he had something to boast about: This is still part of the statement which is not true (see note at 4:2a–c). If it was possible that his good deeds caused God to call him righteous, Abraham could boast about that.

boast: The word boast means “to talk about one’s own accomplishments or abilities with too much pride.” Here are other ways to translate boast :

brag (God’s Word)
-or-
tell others how good he is

4:2c

but not before God: The words “he had something to boast about” are implied from 4:2b. Some languages must repeat some or all of those words. For example:

but ⌊he could⌋ not ⌊boast⌋ before God
-or-
but ⌊he could⌋ not ⌊boast about it⌋ before God

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 4:3

4:3a

For: The conjunction For introduces support for Abraham not being able to boast before God in 4:2c. For example:

because (New Century Version)

In some languages it is more natural to omit the conjunction and allow the context to imply the connection.

what does the Scripture say?: This is a rhetorical question. It functions to emphasize what God’s word says about Abraham. Here are some ways to translate this:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

What does Scripture say? (God’s Word)

• As a statement. For example:

Indeed, the Scriptures say
-or-
the Scriptures certainly tell us

the Scripture: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Scripture is literally “writing.” In the New Testament, this word always refers to something written in the Old Testament. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the sacred writings
-or-
the writings ⌊which are⌋ holy
-or-
God’s message that they wrote

See how you translated the word Scripture in 1:2.

4:3b

4:3b–c is a quote from Genesis 15:6. 4:3a does not explicitly introduce the quote from the Old Testament. In some languages it is more natural to explicitly introduce the quote. For example:

It says,…

Also see the second meaning line in the Display of 4:3a.

Abraham believed God: Here Paul used the word believed to refer to accepting what God said as true. This refers to Abraham believing that God would one day fulfill the promise that God told him. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

Abraham trusted God to ⌊fulfill his promise⌋
-or-
Abraham believed God’s promise to him
-or-
Abraham had faith in God ⌊to fulfill his promise⌋

4:3c

and it was credited to him as righteousness: The word it refers to “Abraham believed God.” Some languages need to use a different word or phrase. For example:

and that was counted to him as righteousness
-or-
and that belief was counted to him as righteousness

it was credited to him as righteousness: The phrase it was credited indicates that God thought about Abraham believing him and so gave him the status of righteous. God called Abraham righteous because Abraham believed what God told him. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

it was reckoned to him as righteousness (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
it was counted to him as righteousness (English Standard Version)
-or-
he was declared to be a righteous person because of that belief of his

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

God counted him as righteous
-or-
because of his faith God accepted him as righteous (Good News Translation)
-or-
because of his faith God said he was straight in his sight

as righteousness: The word righteousness refers to the status of being right. Here it indicates that a person’s relationship with God is right. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

as a just man
-or-
to be right ⌊with God⌋

General Comment on 4:3b–c

These words are a quote found in Genesis 15:6. If you indicate the location of quotes from the Old Testament with cross-references, you may want to do so here.

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Category: Translation commentary