Translation commentary – Page 117

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:13

3:13–15

Here Paul used verses from the Old Testament which talk about body parts: throats, tongues, lips, mouths, feet. Each of these is a figure of speech. The throat, tongue, lips, and mouth refers to speaking. The feet refers to doing. In each case consider whether the figure of speech is clear. Also consider how to make these verses poetic.

3:13a

Their throats are open graves: This clause is a figure of speech. Looking down someone’s throat is to see a deep hole. An open grave is also a deep hole. It indicates that what people say is like a dead body, full of rottenness or bad things.

In some languages a literal translation would not have the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Make it a simile. For example:

Their throats are ⌊like⌋ an open grave

• Explain the connection in the text. For example:

Their throats are ⌊full of rottenness like⌋ an open grave

• Explain the meaning of throats and the connection in the text. For example:

⌊The words coming out of⌋ their ⌊open⌋ throats are ⌊full of rottenness like⌋ an open grave
-or-
Their words are ⌊full of rottenness like⌋ an open grave

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

This saying indicates that what people say is like a dead body, full of rottenness or bad things.

open graves: This phrase refers to a hole with a dead body in it. The hole has not been filled with dirt.

3:13b

their tongues practice deceit: The Greek is literally “with their tongues they were deceiving.” It indicates that the people spoke words that deceived others. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

they use their tongue to deceive (English Standard Version)
-or-
they use their tongues for telling lies (New Century Version)

In some languages it is not natural to refer to tongues deceiving. If that is true in your language, translate in a natural way. For example:

They use their words to deceive their fellows
-or-
They are liars

General Comment on 3:13a–b

This quote is from Psalm 5:9. If you indicate the location of quotes from the Old Testament with cross-references, you may want to do so here.

3:13c

The venom of vipers is on their lips: This clause is a figure of speech. These people’s words are hurtful like venom of vipers. Evil talk can hurt people greatly.

In some languages a literal translation would not have the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Make it a simile. For example:

⌊It is as if⌋ they have the venom of vipers on their lips
-or-
Their words are like snake poison (New Century Version)

• Explain the connection in the text. For example:

Their lips ⌊speak hurtful words⌋ ⌊like⌋ the venom of vipers ⌊hurts people⌋

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

This saying indicates that what people say is very hurtful, like the venom of vipers.

The venom of vipers: The word vipers refers to several kinds of snakes, including the Egyptian cobra, the European asp, and various vipers. Their bite and venom can kill a person.

Some languages do not have a word for vipers. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use the name of a kind of poisonous snake in your area. For example:

The venom of asps (English Standard Version)

• Use the general word for snake and indicate that it is poisonous. For example:

The liquid/essence of venomous snakes

• Use the general word for snake and allow the context to indicate that it is poisonous. For example:

the venomous of snakes

venom: This word refers to the liquid in some snakes that is poisonous to other animals and people.

on their lips: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as on their lips is literally “under the lips” (as in the English Standard Version). It refers to the fangs containing the venom lying in the lower part of the mouth. They are concealed by the lips. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

from their lips (Good News Translation)
-or-
behind their lips (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-

Their lips hide the venom of poisonous snakes (God’s Word)

General Comment on 3:13c

This quote is from Psalm 140:3. 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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SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:14

3:14

Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness: The phrase full of indicates that people do something often. These people were always cursing and they were always bitter. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

their speech is full of cursing and bitterness (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
They only curse and speak bitterly

cursing: This word refers to a person asking God or an evil spirit to cause something bad to happen to another person.

bitterness: This word indicates that the words of these people were resentful, angry, and spiteful. Here are other ways to translate this word:

bitter resentment (God’s Word)
-or-
spite

General Comment on 3:14

These words are similar to the words found in Psalm 10:7.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:15

3:15

Their feet are swift to shed blood: This is a figure of speech. It indicates that these people are always ready to hurt or kill others. The words Their feet are swift indicate that they are ready to run toward any opportunity to hurt or kill others. In some languages a literal translation would not have that meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain in your translation the part that is unclear. For example:

Their feet are swift ⌊to find someone⌋ to hurt or kill
-or-
They are swift to shed blood
-or-
They are quick to hurt or kill someone

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

Literally: “Their feet are swift to shed blood.”

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

This saying indicates that these people are always ready to hurt or kill others. They are ready to run to any opportunity to do so.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:16

3:16

ruin and misery lie in their wake: This clause indicates that these people cause ruin and misery for others wherever they go. They destroy people and their things and cause them to suffer. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

they leave a path of ruin and misery
-or-
Everywhere they go they cause ruin and misery (New Century Version)
-or-
Wherever they go they destroy and they bring hardship
-or-
their whole lives they destroy/ruin others and cause suffering

in their wake: Here the word wake is a figure of speech, referring to the aftermath of one’s daily actions. See the examples above.

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.

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Category: Translation commentary

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:13

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:14

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:15

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:16

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:17

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:18

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:19

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:20

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