Translation commentary – Page 115

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

© 2020 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

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

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 4:12

4:12a–c

the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith: The phrase the circumcised implies the Jews. Abraham was the ancestor of the Jews. (The word father is used to mean “ancestor” here.)

Paul limited which Jews should consider Abraham as their father regarding faith. The Jews must believe in God as Abraham did in order to truly call Abraham their father. They must not rely on circumcision to do that. Here are other ways to translate these words:

the ancestor of those of the circumcision who not only have their circumcision but who also follow our ancestor Abraham along the path of faith… (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
the father of those who are circumcised, that is, of those who, in addition to being circumcised, also live the same life of faith… (Good News Translation)
-or-
Also Abraham became as a father to all those who have been marked with the sign of circumcision. But it wasn’t just because they were marked with the sign that he became like a father to them, rather it was because they followed the faith Abraham had…

4:12a

And he is also: In this verse Paul told his readers of another purpose (or result) of God giving Abraham the sign of circumcision (4:11a). In some languages it is more clear to repeat some or all of that information here. For example:

Another ⌊purpose was⌋ to make
-or-

⌊He⌋ also ⌊received the sign of circumcision⌋ in order that he might make

he is also: If you translated the phrase “The purpose was to” (4:11d) as purpose, you should translate the phrase he is also as purpose as well. If you translated it as result, translate the phrase he is also as result as well. For example:

⌊so⌋ he made

father: Translate this word as you did in 4:11d.

4:12b

who not only are circumcised: This clause indicates that there is something besides circumcision that is required for Abraham to be truly their father. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

who are not merely circumcised (English Standard Version)
-or-
who, in addition to being circumcised, also… (Good News Translation)

This clause refers to the condition of being circumcised. Some languages must use a verb for circumcision in an active clause here. For example:

whom not only has ⌊someone⌋ circumcised them

4:12c

but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith: The phrase walk in the footsteps is a figurative way of saying “to act in the same way as someone.” For the Jews to truly be true descendants of Abraham, they needed to have the same faith as Abraham. Here are some ways to translate this clause:

• If the figure of speech has the correct meaning in your language, you may want to translate it that way. For example:

also are following in the footsteps of his faith (God’s Word)

• Use a figure of speech that has the correct meaning in your language. For example:

who also follow our ancestor Abraham along the path of faith (New Jerusalem Bible)

• Translate the meaning. For example:

who…also live the same life of faith (Good News Translation)
-or-
if they have the same kind of faith (New Living Translation (2004))

4:12d

he was circumcised: This clause is passive. Translate it as you translated the similar phrase in 4:10b.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:28

3:28a

For:
This conjunction introduces an explanation of what Paul said earlier.

maintain: Here this word means “consider to be true.” Paul said here that Christians are convinced that God justified them because they believed in Jesus and not because of what they have done. Here are other ways to translate this word:

consider (NET Bible)
-or-
believe

a man is justified by faith: This clause indicates that when someone believes in Jesus, God declares that that person is righteous.

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

⌊God⌋ justifies someone when he believes ⌊in Jesus⌋

a man: Here the phrase a man refers to any person. For example:

a person (New Jerusalem Bible)

is justified: The words is justified indicates that God declares that a person is acceptable to him. When people believe in Jesus, God declares them to be right with him. See how you translated this word in 2:13 (where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “declared righteous”) or 3:24.

faith: This word refers to believing in Jesus as Lord and Savior. In some languages a verb must be used. For example:

believing ⌊in Jesus⌋

3:28b

apart from works of the law: This phrase means “without regard to doing what the law of Moses requires people to do.” God does not justify people because they follow the law of Moses. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

not by doing what the Law tells him to do (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
not through obeying the law (New Century Version)
-or-
without any regard to following the law ⌊of Moses⌋

See how you translated works of the law in 3:20.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 4:13

Section 4:13–25

God considers/calls people righteous who believe in Jesus

In this section, Paul showed that God’s promise of blessing to Abraham and his descendants was made because Abraham believed God. God did not promise blessing because Abraham obeyed the law of Moses. Paul then described how Abraham believed and why God called him righteous. Paul then explained that God also calls the people who believe in God (and his Messiah, Jesus) righteous.

Here are other possible headings for this section:

God counts people as righteous through faith, not through the Law Of Moses
-or-
God also called us (incl.) righteous because we believe
-or-
The lesson/model of God calling Abraham righteous applies to us/believers

Paragraph 4:13–15

4:13a

For: This word introduces an explanation of some things Paul said in 4:11–12.

the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law: The Greek begins with “not through the law.” This emphasizes that phrase. Consider how to indicate that contrast in your language. For example:

It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world (New International Version (2011))
-or-
the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world certainly did not come through the law

offspring: The Greek word here is “seed.” Here it refers to descendants. It implies the same people to whom he is called “father” in 4:12a (“of the circumcised,” that is, the Jews). For example:

descendants (Revised Standard Version)

heir of the world: Here the word heir refers to someone whom another person gives him something as promised. It does not imply here that someone received something because someone died. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

he would inherit the world (NET Bible)
-or-
the world would belong to him (Good News Translation)

the law: The word law probably refers to the Law of Moses. For example:

God’s law (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the Law that God gave to Moses

4:13b

the righteousness that comes by faith: Here this phrase indicates that Abraham’s faith is the way in which he became righteous. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. For example:

he believed and was accepted as righteous by God (Good News Translation)
-or-
the righteousness which had its root in faith (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
God’s approval of his faith (God’s Word)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:29

3:29a

The Greek begins with conjunction that is usually translated as “or.” It introduces a new set of questions related to who God justifies (3:22–28). In some languages it is more natural to omit this conjunction, as the Berean Standard Bible does. For example:

Perhaps you think-wrongly…

Is God the God of Jews only?: This is a rhetorical question. It expects the answer “No.” God is not the God of only the Jews. Translate this clause with that meaning. Here are some ways to do that:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Do you think God is the God only of the Jews…? (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Does God belong only to the Jews? (Contemporary English Version)

• As a statement. For example:

God is definitely not the God of the Jews only
-or-
God does not rule only Jews

3:29b

Is He not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too: This is a rhetorical question and its answer. The rhetorical question causes the reader to think about what the answer might be. It emphasizes the answer of Yes, (he is God) of Gentiles too. Translate this clause with that meaning. Here are some ways to do that:

• Using a rhetorical question. For example:

Is he not the God of the Gentiles also? Of course he is. (Good News Translation)
-or-
Is he also the God of the non-Jews? Yes, he is ⌊God of the non-Jews⌋.

• Using a statement. For example:

but he is also God of the Gentiles.
-or-
God also rules the non-Jews.

Gentiles: This word refers to people who are not Jews. See how you translated this word in 1:5 or 2:24.

Yes, of Gentiles too: The phrase “he is God” is implied here. In some languages the implied phrase must be supplied. For example:

Yes, ⌊he is God⌋ of Gentiles too

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 4:14

4:14a–c

For if those who live by the law are heirs, faith is useless and the promise is worthless: Here the word if introduces a situation that was not true. Adhering to the law only does not make someone an heir of this promise. But the “then” clauses (faith is useless…) imagines what might have happened if the adherents of the law had been heirs. Translate this if -clause with that meaning. For example:

if, for example, those who live by the law are heirs
-or-
if ⌊it were true that⌋ it is those who live by the law are heirs

See the grammar you used for this kind of if-then construction in 4:2 (“if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about…”).

4:14a

For: This word introduces an explanation of the connection of the promise to faith and not the law.

those who live by the law: The Greek is more literally “the (ones) of (the) law.” The word by indicates that these people are connected to the law of Moses. It refers to the Jews. They possess this law and live under its rule. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

those who are of the Law (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
people who have/possess the law ⌊of Moses⌋

heirs: Translate this word as you did in 4:13a, but as a plural.

4:14b

faith is useless: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as is useless means “has been made empty” or “has removed the power of it.” If getting the inheritance is based on keeping the Law of Moses, that makes Abraham’s faith useless in regards to getting that inheritance. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

it/that has made ⌊that⌋ faith empty
-or-
that has caused ⌊Abraham’s⌋ believing ⌊God⌋ to be powerless/ineffective
-or-

⌊his⌋ faith has borne no fruit

4:14c

the promise is worthless: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as is worthless means “has been made ineffective or powerless.” If getting the inheritance is based on keeping the Law of Moses, that would have made the promise to Abraham invalid. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

it/that has made the promise invalid
-or-
that has caused the promise to be powerless/ineffective

The Greek word here is similar in meaning to “is useless” in 4:14b. In some languages the same word or phrase would be used in both places for the correct meaning.

the promise: The word promise here refers to what God actually promised to Abraham and his offspring, that Abraham would be heir of the world (4:13a). Make sure that is clear in your translation. For example:

that promise
-or-
the promise ⌊that God actually made⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:30

3:30a

since there is only one God: The word since introduces the basis for Paul saying that God is God of the Gentiles (2:29b). For example:

because there is only one God (New Century Version)

only one God: This clause indicates that only one God exists. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

God is one (English Standard Version)
-or-
God is just one

3:30b

who will justify the circumcised by faith: 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 will justify the circumcised by faith.

justify the circumcised: The word justify refers to God declaring someone to be righteous or innocent. When people believe that Jesus died for their sins, God forgives them, accepts them, and calls them righteous. Here are other ways to translate this word:

declare the circumcised to be righteous

the circumcised: This phrase refers to the Jews, because the Bible always connects the Jews to being circumcised. In some languages a literal translation would not refer to the Jews. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain in the text. For example:

the circumcised, ⌊namely the Jews,⌋

• Translate this phrase as referring to Jews. For example:

the Jews

You may then want to indicate the literal phrase in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

Literally “the circumcised.”

• Translate the literal meaning and explain it in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

Here this refers to the Jews.

circumcised: This word refers to cutting off the loose skin at the end of a boy’s penis. See how you translated this word in 2:25 or 3:1.

by faith: This phrase indicates that God declares the circumcised to be righteous because they believe in Jesus. For example:

on the basis of their faith (Good News Translation)
-or-
because of their faith (Contemporary English Version)

3:30c

and the uncircumcised through that same faith: The phrase “who will justify” is implied from 3:30b. In some languages it is more natural to add the implied phrase. For example:

and ⌊who will justify⌋ the uncircumcised through that same faith

the uncircumcised: This phrase refers to the non-Jews, because the Bible always connects the non-Jews to not being circumcised. In some languages a literal translation would not refer to the non-Jews. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain in the text. For example:

the uncircumcised, ⌊namely the non-Jews,⌋

• Translate this phrase as referring to Jews. For example:

the non-Jews

You may then want to indicate the literal phrase in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

Literally “the uncircumcised.”

• Translate the literal meaning and explain it in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

Here this refers to the non-Jews.

through: Paul used a different preposition here than “by” in 3:30b, but many scholars think there is no difference in meaning between the two.

that same faith: This word refers to the same thing as this word in 3:30b. The Berean Standard Bible adds the words that same to emphasize that it is the same faith in both cases. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly imply a different faith. If that is true in your language, indicate the meaning is the same both times. For example:

the same faith (New International Version)

Step into the multitudes of languages of the Bible and join the worldwide conversation!

Category: Translation commentary