Translation commentary – Page 116

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:31

3:31a

Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Certainly not!: This is a rhetorical question and its answer. Some Jews probably asked this question after hearing Paul preach on this. The question and answer emphasize that we do not overthrow the law by this faith. Translate this clause with that meaning. Here are some ways to do that:

• Using a rhetorical question. For example:

Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! (New International Version)
-or-
So do we destroy the law by following the way of faith? No! (New Century Version)

• Using a statement. For example:

Therefore we should certainly not say that this faith destroys the Law ⌊of Moses⌋ !
-or-
So, God makes us straight in his sight just because of our faith. But let’s not say/think like this: we discard the Lord’s Law. Don’t!

then: The Greek word is literally “therefore,” but then is more natural in English here.

nullify: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as nullify means “to make ineffective/useless.” It is the same Greek word translated “nullify” in 3:3. Here are other ways to translate this word:

cancel
-or-
made pointless (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
overthrow (English Standard Version)
-or-
destroy/ruin

Certainly not!: The Greek is literally “May it not be.” This phrase indicates a very strong “no.” See how you translated it in 3:4.

Note that “certainly” in the first As a statement example above translates the words Certainly not! here. If you used “certainly” there, do not translate these words here.

3:31b

Instead: The Greek word is literally “but.” It indicates contrast and emphasis. In some languages the contrast of “but” is already indicated by the phrase “Certainly not” in 3:31a. If that is true in your language, translate without the contrast here. For example:

Indeed

we uphold the law: Here the word uphold indicates that Paul and the believers in Jesus supported the law of Moses as holy and good. Paul did not imply bad things about the law when he talked about righteousness by faith. He wanted people to understand its correct role in the life of a believer. This clause does not indicate that believers must follow every rule in the law of Moses, including the rules about what foods to eat and offering sacrifices. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

we support the law ⌊of Moses⌋
-or-
we believe/say that the law ⌊of Moses⌋ is still valid/important

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 4:1

Section 4:1–12

God considers/calls people righteous like he did with Abraham

God called Abraham righteous because he believed what God told him (Genesis 15:1–6). In this section, Paul used that example to show that all people must believe in God for him to call them righteous. He did that for Abraham before Abraham was circumcised. So that shows that God makes people right with himself because they believe in him and not because they are circumcised.

Here are other possible headings for this section:

The Example of Abraham (Good News Translation)
-or-
God called Abraham righteous because he believed
-or-
Abraham is/as an example of how to become righteous before God
-or-
The lesson/model of God calling Abraham righteous because he believed God

Paragraph 4:1–3

4:1a–b

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, has discovered?: This is a rhetorical question. It introduces a new subject, the example of Abraham. It causes the listener to think about what the answer might be. Translate this rhetorical question with that meaning. Here are some ways:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

What can we say that we have discovered about our ancestor Abraham? (God’s Word)

• As a statement. For example:

So then, here is what we can say about our ancestor Abraham according to human/natural descent:

What then shall we say: The word then indicates a connection to previous verses. It introduces an example of being justified by faith alone (3:28).

In some languages, the conjunction must be first in the clause. For example:

Then, what shall we say

that Abraham, our forefather, has discovered: There are two issues here.

Issue 1: The text

There is a textual issue here.

(1) Most very old Greek manuscripts have the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as has discovered.

(Berean Standard Bible, English Standard Version, New International Version, Good News Translation, New American Standard Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, NET Bible, New Revised Standard Version, New Century Version, King James Version)

(2) One very old Greek manuscript omits this word.

(Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), because the UBS Handbook Good News Translation recommends it.

Issue 2: Meaning

There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as has discovered :

(1) It means discover or learn here. For example:

Abraham…discovered in this matter (New International Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New Living Translation (2004), NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition, God’s Word, King James Version, New Century Version)

(2) It means attain here. For example:

was gained by Abraham (New Revised Standard Version)

(English Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

The Greek is literally “Abraham to have discovered.” It is not passive. Here are other ways to translate this clause according to option (1) and interpretation (1) above:

Abraham…What was his experience? (Good News Translation)
-or-
Abraham…has found? (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
Abraham…learned about faith? (New Century Version)

Abraham: Abraham was an important Jewish ancestor, the first of God’s chosen people. God selected him to be the father of a great nation and established his covenant with him. He was greatly respected by the Jews and they called themselves “sons of Abraham.”

our forefather:
The word forefather refers to an ancestor of long ago. Some Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

our ancestor (NET Bible)
-or-
the father of our people (New Century Version)

The Greek literally says “our forefather according to the flesh.” The Berean Standard Bible does not translate the phrase “according to the flesh,” but it means “as a human being” here, as in 1:3. It emphasizes the physical rather than spiritual. Here are other ways to translate the phrase “according to the flesh”:

humanly speaking, (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
by natural descent (Revised English Bible)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:17

3:17

the way of peace they have not known: The phrase the way of peace is emphasized in this clause. In some languages it is more natural to have this phrase in its normal place. For example:

they have not known the way of peace

the way of peace: This phrase refers to how to live peacefully with others. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the lifestyle of peace
-or-
the life of being at peace ⌊with others⌋
-or-
the path which leads to harmony and peace
-or-
to live peacefully/harmoniously

Note that the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as way is the same Greek word translated “wake” in 3:16. It helps show the contrast between the two ways of life. If possible, use way or “path” or “road” in both places.

General Comment on 3:15–17

These words are similar to the words found in Isaiah 59:7–8.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:18

3:18

There is no fear of God before their eyes: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as fear can also mean “reverence.” The meaning of “reverence” is probably implied along with the meaning of fear here. These people are not afraid of God and do not respect him either.

But many languages do not have a word that has both Greek meanings. If that is true in your language, translate the meaning of fear. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

They have no fear of God at all (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
They are not afraid of God ⌊and his judgment⌋
-or-
they also do not think that they should be afraid to sin against God

before their eyes: This is a figure of speech. What is in front of a person’s eyes that determines where he goes. So Paul indicated that the fear of God did not in any way determine how these people lived. See the above examples.

General Comment on 3:18

These words are similar to the words found in Psalm 36:1.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:19

Paragraph 3:19–20

3:19a

Now: This conjunction indicates that Paul resumed his thoughts after the quotes from Scripture. Consider how to indicate that in your language. For example:

So then
-or-
That is what the written word of God says, and

whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law: The phrase those who are under the law refers to Jews. The Good News Translation makes this clear by capitalizing law, their way of indicating the Laws of Moses. For example:

everything in the Law applies to those who live under the Law

whatever the law says, it says: In some languages, it is not natural to refer to laws “saying” anything. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. For example:

whatever is written in the laws, it is written

those who are under the law: The Greek phrase is literally “the ones in the law.” It indicates that people live within boundaries set by the law, and in a way the law defines who they are. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

those who are subject to the Law (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
the people who exist/live within/under those laws

3:19b

so that every mouth may be silenced: The phrase so that introduces a purpose clause. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

in order to silence every mouth
-or-
for the purpose of stopping every mouth

every mouth may be silenced: This is a figure of speech. It indicates that no one will have an excuse. They will not be able to argue with God when he judges them.

This clause is passive. Some languages must translate it as an active clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ may silence every mouth
-or-

⌊God⌋ may keep people from having excuses

may: Here this word indicates that something will possibly happen. But Paul was convinced that God would silence every mouth. The word “will,” in English, indicates something more certain than may here. Consider what word or grammar in your language would indicate that every mouth will (certainly) be stopped.

3:19c

and the whole world held accountable to God: This clause is the second purpose.

the whole world: This is a figure of speech. Here it means “all the people in the world.” In some languages a literal translation would not have the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, explain its meaning in the text. For example:

every ⌊person⌋ in the world

held accountable: The Greek is literally “may come under judgment.” It indicates that every person is responsible for their deeds and words, and God will judge them as guilty for every evil deed and everything said to hurt someone. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

deserves punishment
-or-
deserves for God to punish them
-or-
is/are sinful in God’s sight and God must punish them

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:20

3:20a

Therefore: There are three ways to interpret the Greek word here:

(1) It introduces an explanation or a reason here. For example:

because (New Century Version)

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

(2) It introduces a result. For example:

Therefore (New International Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, King James Version)

(3) It introduces something loosely connected to 3:19. For example:

So then (New Jerusalem Bible)

(New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

no one: The Greek is literally “not…all flesh.” Here “flesh” refers to people.

will be justified in His sight: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause here. For example:

that God/Jesus will justify

justified in His sight: The word justified indicates that God decides that a person is acceptable to him. He makes their relationship right. Here are other ways to translate this word:

put right in God’s sight (Good News Translation)
-or-
made right with God (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
declared righteous before him (NET Bible)

See how you translated the word justified in 2:13, where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “declared righteous.”

in His sight: This phrase is a figure of speech that indicates here that God considers believers to be right with him. It does not refer to God looking at someone. Some languages must translate without this figure of speech or with a different figure of speech. For example:

by him/God
-or-
before him (NET Bible)

by works of the law: This phrase refers to a person’s own efforts to obey their laws. It probably refers to the Jews and the Laws of Moses. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

doing what the Law requires (Good News Translation)
-or-
with/by obeying the Laws ⌊of Moses⌋

3:20b

For: The Greek conjunction here is usually translated as For. Here it introduces information that supports what Paul said in 3:20a. For example:

since (English Standard Version)

the law merely brings awareness of sin: The law of Moses shows people that they are sinners because they know that they do not obey it fully. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

knowledge of sin comes by means of the law
-or-
The law…shows us how sinful we are. (New Living Translation (2004))

brings: There is no Greek verb here. A Greek clause with no verb usually implies the verb “is/be” in an English translation. Here the clause indicates that people hear or read the law and realize how many ways there are to sin. See the examples above.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:21

Division 3:21–5:21

People believe in Jesus and God declares them righteous

In this division Paul showed that God has made a way to rescue people from being punished for wrongdoing and put them in a right relationship with himself.

Here are other possible headings for this division:

God makes his people right with him
-or-
Our relationship with God because of Jesus

Section 3:21–31

God makes people righteous when they believe in Jesus

In this section Paul explained God’s plan for rescuing wrongdoers and making them right with himself. God did this by sending Jesus Christ to stand in the place of every wrongdoer and take the punishment that every wrongdoer deserves. So then, when a person believes in Jesus as the one who has taken the punishment on his behalf, God makes that person right with himself. In this way God remains true to his righteous character, for wrongdoing has been punished.

Since God did that, believers cannot boast in themselves. Paul also said that this faith in Jesus supports the law of Moses.

Here are other possible headings for this section:

Righteousness Through Faith (New International Version)
-or-
How We Are Put Right with God (Good News Translation)
-or-
God Gives Us His Approval as a Gift (God’s Word)
-or-
God’s Way of Accepting People (Contemporary English Version)

Paragraph 3:21–26

3:21a

But now: This phrase introduces a new topic that contrasts with obeying the law of Moses. It may also indicate a new period of time. It introduces Jesus dying on the cross and God resurrecting him, which occurred about twenty-five years before Paul wrote this letter. Consider how to translate that meaning in your language. For example:

But at this time

apart from the law: This phrase indicates that the law of Moses does not help people get this righteousness of God that he has revealed through Jesus. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

It has nothing to do with law (Good News Translation)
-or-
without keeping the requirements of the law (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
not on the basis of obeying the laws ⌊of Moses⌋
-or-
But we do not become straight in his sight from our following the Lord’s Law.

the righteousness of God has been revealed: The word revealed means that, by what Jesus did, God showed people how they can be righteous before God without following the law of Moses.

This clause is passive. Some languages must translate it as an active clause. For example:

God has shown us a way to be made right with him (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
God has a way to make people right with him…and he has now shown us that way (New Century Version)

the righteousness of God: There are three ways to interpret the Greek word ending that the Berean Standard Bible translates as of :

(1) Here it indicates that God makes people right in their relationship with him. For example:

a way to be made right with him (New Living Translation (2004))

(Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)

(2) Here it indicates that God enables believers to behave in right ways. For example:

a righteousness from God (New International Version (1984))

(New International Version (1984))

(3) Here it refers to the righteousness that God has. This is the natural way to interpret the meaning of the word of in English here. For example:

the righteousness of God (Revised English Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, English Standard Version, Revised Standard Version, New International Version (2011), New American Standard Bible, King James Version, New American Bible, Revised Edition, NET Bible, Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because many scholars and versions support it.

Here are other ways to translate this phrase according to interpretation (1):

how God does make us acceptable to him (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
God has a way to make people right with him (New Century Version)

3:21b

as attested by the Law and the Prophets: The Greek is literally “being testified to by the law and the prophets.” The words in the Old Testament (the Law and the Prophets) do not help people get the righteousness of God. But some of those words speak about this righteousness.

There is an implied contrast in this phrase. For example:

even though the Law of Moses and the prophets gave their witness to it (Good News Translation)

In some languages it is more natural not to translate the contrast. For example:

to which the Law and the Prophets testify (New International Version)
-or-
as was promised in the Law and the Prophets
-or-
The Law and the Prophets tell of it.

attested: This word means “report what one saw.” The word is often used where the person is expected to be truthful and accurate. Here are other ways to translate this word:

testify (New International Version)
-or-
told us about (New Century Version)

the Law and the Prophets: Here this phrase refers to the whole Old Testament. In some languages the meaning of this phrase would not be clear. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain it in the text. For example:

⌊the books of⌋ the Laws ⌊of Moses⌋ and ⌊the books of⌋ the Prophets
-or-

⌊the books of⌋ the Laws ⌊of Moses⌋ and the Prophets

the Prophets: Prophets are people who speak on behalf of God. God’s message may be in words or visions. The prophets then tell the people God’s message. See how you translated this word in 1:2.

This phrase here implies the writings of the prophets in the Old Testament. In some languages it would be more natural or more clear to indicate that. For example:

the writings of…the prophets (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the writings of the past that God caused…the prophets to write

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:22

3:22a

this righteousness from God: Translate this phrase as you did in 3:21.

through faith in Jesus Christ: The word through indicates that when a person believes in Jesus, God considers him as righteous. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

by means of faith in Jesus Christ
-or-
by placing our faith in Jesus Christ (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
because they have faith in Jesus Christ
-or-
when we believe that Jesus Christ has saved us

faith in Jesus Christ: To have faith in a person refers to believing in him, who he is, and who he claims to be.

The word faith describes an event. In some languages a verb must be used. For example:

believing in Jesus Christ
-or-
believing that Jesus is the Christ

See how you translated the word faith in 1:5.

Christ: The word Christ is a title for Jesus. It means “the anointed one.” The Jews used it to refer to the special person God promised to send. See how you translated this word in 1:1 or 2:16.

3:22b

to all who believe:
This phrase indicates that God makes all believers righteous. It does not matter what kind of person they are or were. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

for all who believe (English Standard Version)
-or-
God does this to all who believe in Christ (Good News Translation)
-or-
All who believe that Jesus is the Christ, God considers them righteous ⌊no matter what his group/family/nation⌋.

to: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to means “toward.” It is with respect to or for the benefit of all believers that God makes them righteous.

3:22c

The Greek begins with a conjunction that is usually translated as “for.” It introduces the basis for saying “all” in 3:22b. For example:

because (Good News Translation)

In some languages it is more natural to omit this conjunction and allow the context to indicate the connection, as the Berean Standard Bible does. For example:

There is no difference (New International Version)

There is no distinction: All people are sinners (3:23a), therefore, regarding righteousness, God considers everyone to be unrighteous. Also, God calls righteous all who believe, be they Jew or Gentile, or any other distinction. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

there is no difference at all (Good News Translation)
-or-
God treats everyone alike. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
all people are the same: (New Century Version)
-or-
he doesn’t discriminate what kind of people they are

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Category: Translation commentary