Translation commentary – Page 114

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 4:5

4:5a

However: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as However can also be translated as “But.” There is contrast between wages being earned (4:4) and the gift of God to count someone as righteousness. For example:

But (Good News Translation)

to the one who does not work: Here the word to indicates that God does something for the one who does not work. He considers that person’s faith as righteousness (4:5c). Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

for the one who does not work
-or-
when someone, without working, (New Jerusalem Bible)

the one who does not work: Here the word work refers to doing things for the purpose of making God happy. This would include doing good deeds to others or following religious rules and rituals. Here are some ways to translate this phrase:

the one who does not work ⌊to earn God’s favor/acceptance⌋
-or-
if a (person), irrespective of his work, (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
people cannot do any work that will make them right with God (New Century Version)

In some languages the word work does not indicate the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. For example:

those who depend on faith, not on deeds (Good News Translation)
-or-
you cannot make God accept you because of something you do (Contemporary English Version)

4:5b

Him who justifies the wicked: The pronoun Him here refers to God. He does not require people to be godly before he will justify them. He justifies them when they believe in him. In some languages additional information is necessary to indicate the correct meaning. You may want to explain the meaning in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

God does not require people to be godly before he will justify them. He justifies them when they believe in him.

If possible, translate the pronoun Him literally. If you need to translate Him as “God,” consider that now who justifies the wicked is a descriptive relative clause. But some languages do not use descriptive relative clauses. In those languages, “God who justifies the wicked” would indicate that there are many gods and only this one justifies the ungodly. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Translate the pronoun Him literally anyway, and not as “God.”

• Translate without using a descriptive relative clause. For example:

God, he justifies the wicked
-or-
God, the only one who justifies the wicked

justifies: See how you translated this word in 4:2.

the wicked: The word wicked 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

4:5c

his faith is credited as righteousness: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause here. For example:

⌊God⌋ credits his faith as righteousness

faith: The word faith refers to believing in God. See how you translated faith in 1:5 or 3:31.

credited as righteousness: The phrase credited as righteousness has the same meaning as in 4:3c.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 4:6

4:6a

And David speaks likewise: This clause, along with 4:6b, introduce the quote in 4:7–8. What David wrote in Psalm 32:1–2 supports what Paul wrote in 4:1–5. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

David says the same thing (God’s Word)
-or-
David, too, says the same (New Jerusalem Bible)

In some languages Old Testament quotes are clearly introduced as from Scripture. For example:

just as ⌊King⌋ David also talked ⌊in the Scriptures⌋

4:6b

the blessedness of the man: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as blessedness describes a person who is in a good situation. In the Bible, the good situation results from God showing favor/kindness to the person. It includes the inner happiness a person feels when God forgives him and accepts him.

Some Here are other ways to translate this word:

joyful/good is the situation of the person
-or-
how good it is for the person
-or-
someone is blessed/favored

Do not use a word that only refers to material prosperity or physical health.

A similar Greek word occurs frequently in the Gospels in the form “Blessed is.” See, for example, Matthew 5:3–11 and Luke 6:20–22.

the man: The word man refers generally to a person here. For example:

someone (New Jerusalem Bible)

to whom God credits righteousness: This clause is similar in meaning to 4:3c and 4:5c. Here the clause is active not passive. For example:

whom God counts as righteous
-or-
whom God accepts as righteous (Good News Translation)
-or-
whom God declares righteous

credits righteousness: The words credits and righteousness have the same meaning as in 4:3c and 4:5c. See how you translated them there.

apart from works: The word works means “deeds” here. The phrase apart from works indicates here that God counts someone as righteous without thinking about that person’s deeds. Some Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

without working for it (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
apart from his achievements (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
even though they don’t do anything to deserve these blessings (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the reason for it not being what he did
-or-
but not because of their behavior

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 4:7

4:7a

Blessed are they whose lawless acts are forgiven: This clause moves the phrase Blessed are to the beginning for poetic effect. In some languages, doing that is not natural. If that is true in your language:

• Use a poetic structure that your language has.

• Use normal word order with a passive clause. For example:

Those whose lawless deeds are forgiven are blessed

• Use normal word order with an active clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ blesses those whose lawless deeds are forgiven

they whose lawless acts are forgiven: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause here. For example:

those whom ⌊God/he⌋ forgives their lawless acts

lawless acts: This phrase refers to acts that break the law. Here the word “law” can refer to God’s laws in the OT or more generally to laws where you live. Here are some ways to translate this word:

law-breaking acts
-or-
breaking the law

4:7b

whose sins are covered: The phrase “blessed are those” is implied from 4:7a. In some languages this phrase must be made explicit for the correct meaning. For example:

and ⌊blessed are those⌋ whose sins are covered

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

whom ⌊God⌋ covers their sins

sins: This word refers to doing something that God said is wrong to do, or not doing something that God said they should do. See how you translated this word in 3:9.

are covered: Here the word covered is a figure of speech. It indicates that God no longer considers those sins as a problem. They are out of his sight as if he had buried them in the ground. The meaning is similar to “forgiven.” Here are some ways to translate the figure of speech:

• Use a figure of speech. For example:

are put out of sight (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
are blotted out (Revised English Bible)

• Translate without using a figure of speech. For example:

are pardoned (Good News Translation)
-or-
are forgotten (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
he is no longer bringing-to-mind

General Comment on 4:7a–b

4:7b is similar in meaning to “whose lawless acts are forgiven” in 4:7a. Hebrew poetry (as here) repeats meaning to emphasize it. In some languages repeating meaning implies a different meaning, such as expressing anger. If that is true in your language, translate in a way that emphasizes the correct meaning. For example:

Blessed are those whose lawless acts and sins are indeed covered and forgiven

Also, in some languages “lawless acts” and “sins” would be translated by the same term. If that is true in your language, use only the one term. For example:

Blessed are those whose sins are indeed covered and forgiven

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 4:8

4:8

There is an implicit connection between 4:7b and 4:8. Here, probably “and” or “also” is implied.

whose sin the Lord will never count against him: The word count indicates that God will not consider those sins when he judges that person. He will not include those sins as something he is guilty of. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

whose record the Lord has cleared of sin (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
whose sins the Lord will not keep account of (Good News Translation)
-or-
who had sins and the Lord God cleared them
-or-
whose evil behavior is no longer thought about by the Lord God

sin: This word refers to doing something that God said is wrong to do, or not doing something that God said they should do. See how you translated this word in 3:9.

the Lord: The word Lord means “master, one who has authority over others.” Here it refers to God. See how you translated Lord in 1:4.

In some languages the word Lord must connect to a noun. For example:

⌊God⌋ the Lord
-or-
the Lord ⌊God⌋

General Comment on 4:7a–8

These words are a quote of Psalm 32:1–2. If you indicate the location of quotes from the Old Testament with cross-references, you may want to do so here.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 4:9

Paragraph 4:9–12

4:9a–b

4:9 starts with the Greek conjunction that probably introduces the next topic that Paul wanted to write about. It indicates only a general connection to the previous verses. For example:

Then (New American Standard Bible)

Is this blessing only on the circumcised, or also on the uncircumcised?: This is a rhetorical question. It introduces two possibilities as to whom the blessing is for. Paul wanted his readers to ponder the answer to this question before he answered it in 4:10–12. There are at least three ways to translate this meaning.

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Now, is this blessing only for the Jews, or is it also for uncircumcised Gentiles? (New Living Translation (2004))

• With 4:9a as a rhetorical question and 4:9b providing the answer. For example:

Does this happiness that David spoke of belong only to those who are circumcised? No indeed! It belongs also to those who are not circumcised. (Good News Translation)

• As a statement. For example:

This blessing is not only for the circumcised, but also for the uncircumcised.

If possible, translate 4:9a–b as a rhetorical question, because Paul answered it in 4:10–12, not here.

4:9a

the circumcised: The word circumcised refers to cutting off the loose skin at the end of a boy’s or man’s penis. See how you translated this word in 2:25 or 3:30.

The word the indicates that this phrase refers to a group of people, including men, women and children, whose men and boys are circumcised. They all participate in the covenant that includes circumcision. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the ⌊people who are⌋ circumcised
-or-
the ⌊people with⌋ their ⌊males’⌋ foreskin removed

In some languages a euphemism is adequate to explain this meaning. For example:

the ⌊people with their⌋ ⌊males’⌋ skin cut

4:9b

the uncircumcised: The word uncircumcised refers to men who have not had someone cut off the loose skin at the end of their penis. See how you translated this word in 2:25 or 3:30.

The word the indicates that this phrase refers to a group of people, including the women and children, whose men are uncircumcised. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the ⌊people who are⌋ not circumcised
-or-
the ⌊people with⌋ their ⌊males’⌋ foreskin not removed

In some languages a euphemism is adequate to explain this meaning. For example:

the ⌊people with their⌋ ⌊males’⌋ skin not cut

4:9c–d

We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness: The Berean Standard Bible adds the word that to indicate indirect speech. The Greek can also be read as direct speech. For example:

We say, “Faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness”

But the Greek here differs from the words of Genesis 15:6 and its quote in Romans 4:3. So many English versions add the word that.

4:9c

4:9c begins with the Greek word that is usually translated “for.” It introduces the basis for Paul saying that the blessing is also for the uncircumcised. For example:

For (Good News Translation)
-or-
Well, (New Jerusalem Bible)

In some languages it is more natural to imply the connection and omit this word.

We have been saying that: The verb have been saying here is in the present tense. This probably implies what is usually said. Paul and perhaps his readers often say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness (4:9d). English can use the simple present tense for that meaning, as the English Standard Version does:

We say that (English Standard Version)

4:9d

Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness: This clause is similar to “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness” (4:3b–c) and “his faith is credited as righteousness” (4:5c). Translate the clause here in a similar way. For example:

Abraham’s faith was counted to him as righteousness

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

⌊God⌋ credited Abraham’s faith as righteousness

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 4:10

4:10a

In what context was it credited?: This is a rhetorical question. Paul used this question to introduce the next question. In some languages a question is not natural here. If that is true in your language, translate it as a statement. For example:

Consider how/when it was counted to him.
-or-
Think about how/when ⌊God⌋ counted his faith as righteousness.

This verse begins with a Greek conjunction that indicates a general connection to the previous verses. The Berean Standard Bible leaves this word implicit. In some languages it would be natural to translate it. For example:

Then, when was it counted to him?

was it credited: The word it refers to Abraham’s faith. Also, the phrase “as righteousness” is implied from 4:9d. In some languages it is more natural or more clear to include the implied information or explain what it means here. For example:

was his faith counted to him
-or-
was it counted to him ⌊as righteousness⌋
-or-
was his faith counted to him ⌊as righteousness⌋

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

did ⌊God⌋ count his faith to him

4:10b

Was it after his circumcision, or before?: The Greek is more literally “was he in circumcision or in uncircumcision?” It asks whether he was circumcised or not at the time God counted him as righteous.

This is a rhetorical question. Paul answered it in 4:10c. The question causes the reader to think what the answer might be. You should translate it as a question, because Paul answered it in 4:10c.

Was it after…or before: The word it refers to the event of God counting Abraham as righteous. In some languages a word or phrase other than it must be used to clearly refer to that event. For example:

Was that event before or after
-or-
Was that deed done before or after

his circumcision: Here is another way to translate this phrase:

⌊someone⌋ circumcised him

4:10c

It was not after, but before: There words are the answer to the question in 4:10b. The Greek is literally “not in circumcision but in uncircumcision.” It indicates that God counted Abraham righteous as an uncircumcised man. Here are other ways to translate these words:

Not when he had been circumcised, but while he was still uncircumcised (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
It was not after, but before he was circumcised (English Standard Version)

In some languages it is more natural to have the positive first. For example:

It was before, not after (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 4:11

4:11a–b

And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith: There are two ways to interpret the relationship between the word sign and the word seal :

(1) The word seal further explains here what circumcision is. For example:

And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith (New International Version)

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

(2) The word seal means the same thing as sign here. For example:

He was circumcised later, and his circumcision was a sign to show that because of his faith God had accepted him as righteous before he had been circumcised. (Good News Translation)

(Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the word seal adds the meaning of “confirm as true.”

4:11a

he received the sign of circumcision: In English, received indicates that someone gave but the word “take” does not. In some languages there is only one word that means both “receive” and “take.” If your word would mean “take” here, translate in a way that indicates that God gave this sign. For example:

He was given the sign of circumcision
-or-

⌊God⌋ gave the sign of circumcision to him

sign: This word refers to something that has a symbolic meaning. Circumcision was a sign that Abraham and his descendants had a relationship with God. Here are other ways to translate this word:

mark (God’s Word)
-or-
Abraham was marked with the sign of circumcision

4:11b

a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith: Here the word seal refers to a way to confirm that God had declared Abraham righteous. God told Abraham to be circumcised. That circumcision was visual evidence that God had declared Abraham righteous. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

hallmark of that righteousness which faith had given him (Revised English Bible)
-or-
a guarantee that the faith which he had while still uncircumcised was reckoned to him as uprightness (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
a sign which confirmed that God’s counting him as righteous was on account of his faith

the righteousness that he had by faith: These words refer to Abraham believing in God and so God declared him righteous. See the examples above.

faith: This word refers to believing in God. In some languages, this word must be a verb. Also, in some languages, whom is believed in must be said. For example:

believing ⌊in God⌋

4:11c

while he was still uncircumcised: Here Paul made it clear that Abraham was an uncircumcised man when he believed and God declared him right in His sight.

4:11d

So then, he is: The Greek is literally “for him to be.” It probably indicates purpose here. Here are other ways to translate these words:

In this way, Abraham was to be (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
so that he would become (NET Bible)

This purpose has become true already. In some languages a purpose clause implies that it has not yet become true. If that is true in your language, translate it as result. For example:

So Abraham is (New Century Version)

the father of all: The word father is a metaphor here. God uses Abraham as an example of an uncircumcised person who truly believed in God, and his story occurs early in the Bible. So in that way he like a father (or ancestor) to those who later believe and are not circumcised. Abraham is not the physical ancestor of those people.

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

⌊like⌋ the father of all
-or-

⌊to be thought of as a⌋ father of all
-or-
the ancestor/leader of all
-or-
we all consider Abraham as father
-or-
the ⌊spiritual⌋ father of all

4:11e

in order that righteousness might be credited to them:
Here the phrase in order that introduces the purpose of Abraham becoming the father of all believers who are not circumcised. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

so that they might be reckoned as upright (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
that they too could have righteousness credited to them (NET Bible)

However, if you translated 4:11d as a result clause, you should do the same here. For example:

and so righteousness is also counted to them
-or-
and are accepted as righteous by him (Good News Translation)
-or-
and God declares them to be righteous also

righteousness might be credited to them: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ might credit righteousness to them

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:27

Paragraph 3:27–31

3:27a

Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded: This is a rhetorical question and its answer. The rhetorical question causes the reader to think of what might be the answer. Paul then told what the answer is. Here are some ways to translate this:

• As a rhetorical question and its answer. For example:

Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. (English Standard Version)

• As a statement. For example:

Therefore we cannot boast.
-or-
So God does not consider our boasts ⌊when he justifies us⌋.
-or-
Therefore it is absolutely impossible for us to boast of our righteousness

Also see examples below.

Where…is boasting?: The Greek is literally “where (is) the boasting?” Here this phrase refers to boasting about being righteous or good. But God does not justify someone because of what he or she has done or who he or she is or any boasts he or she says about those things. Here are other ways to translate these words:

Where…is boasting? (NET Bible)
-or-
What occasion is there…for boasting? (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
there’s nothing that anyone can boast about.

then: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as then is usually translated “therefore.” But here it is more natural in English to translate it as then.

It is excluded: This phrase indicates that God does not allow any boasting by us to change his mind. God does not think better about us if we were to boast about being right with him. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

Bragging has been eliminated. (God’s Word)
-or-
They are nothing.
-or-
No! (New Century Version)

3:27b–c

On what principle? On that of works? No, but on that of faith: The first question is a rhetorical question. It leads to the second question. The second question is also a rhetorical question. Paul answered it with No, but on that of faith. Here are some ways to translate this:

• Using questions. For example:

On what principle? On the principle of works? No, but on the principle of faith. (Revised Standard Version)

• Using statements. For example:

It is not by a law/principle of works, but by the law/principle of faith.
-or-
For God does not receive us because of our good behavior. He receives us because of our faith in the Lord Yesus.

These three clauses are incomplete. “It is excluded” is implied each time. In some languages the implied words must be repeated here. For example:

⌊It is excluded⌋ on what principle? ⌊Is it excluded⌋ on the principle of a law of works? No, ⌊it is excluded⌋ by the principle of the law of faith.
-or-
It is not ⌊excluded⌋ by a law/principle of works, but ⌊it is excluded⌋ by the law/principle of faith.

3:27b

On what principle?: Here the word principle refers to any rule or law. Here are other ways to translate the Greek words:

By what kind of law? (English Standard Version)
-or-

⌊It/Boasting is excluded⌋ according to what rule/law?

On that of works?: The Greek is only “Of works?” The Berean Standard Bible phrase that of implies the words “a principle” from the previous question, so that the meaning is “On a principle of works?”

works: The word works refers to someone’s deeds. It is not limited to what one does for a paying job. God does not make people right with him because of what they do. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

On the principle of works? (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
By following the rule of good deeds?
-or-

⌊Is it/boasting excluded⌋ according to a principle/lifestyle of doing ⌊what God wants us to do⌋ ?

3:27c

but on that of faith: God says that a person is righteous when that person believes in Christ. That is a rule/principle that God uses. That excludes us from boasting that we are righteous, because it is something God did, not we ourselves. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

but on the principle of faith (Revised Standard Version)
-or-

⌊it/boast is excluded⌋ because of the rule that ⌊God makes us righteous because⌋ we believe ⌊in Jesus⌋
-or-

⌊it/boasting is excluded⌋ according to a principle/rule of ⌊God makes us righteous because⌋ of our faith

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Category: Translation commentary