Translation commentary – Page 118

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.

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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.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2:18

2:18a

if: The if from 2:17a affects this verse as well. So the Berean Standard Bible repeats the word here. Consider how to make that connection clear in your language. See the note on if at 2:17a.

know His will: This clause indicates that the Jews know what God wants to do and what he wants them and other people to do. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

know what he wants (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
know what he wants you to do (New Century Version)
-or-
know the Lord’s desire

2:18b

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

(1) It means approve here. Here the Greek word means “judge as good or genuine based on examination or testing.”

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

(2) It means evaluate. Here the Greek word means “examine” or “test.” For example:

determine (New Revised Standard Version)

(New Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because that fits the context best.

what is superior: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as superior :

(1) It means something better. For example:

excellent (New International Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, English Standard Version, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, NET Bible, New Century Version, Revised English Bible, King James Version)

(2) It means right (versus wrong). For example:

what is right (Good News Translation)

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

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because that fits the context best.

General Comment on 2:18b

Following both first interpretations above, the clause indicates that the Jews call as good those deeds that God calls good. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

approve of what is excellent (English Standard Version)
-or-
call important deeds good

2:18c

because: This word introduces the reason for the previous statement. Some languages need to put the reason first. If that is true in your language, reorder 2:18b–c to use “therefore.” For example:

18c you are instructed from the law, therefore 18b you approve what is excellent

you are instructed by the law: There are several ways to translate the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as by. Here are the two main ones:

(1) It means from here. The law is the source of the instruction.

(Good News Translation, New American Bible, Revised Edition, English Standard Version, NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, King James Version)

(2) It means by here. This word indicates that the law itself is doing the instructing. For example:

you are instructed by the law (New International Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because it seems likely that Paul would have used a different Greek word if he wanted to clearly indicate by.

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

⌊others⌋ have instructed you from the law
-or-

⌊someone⌋ has instructed you from the law

the law: This refers to the first five books of the Bible, but implies the rest of the Old Testament.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:5

Paragraph 3:5–8

3:5a–c

if our unrighteousness highlights the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unjust to inflict His wrath on us?: The second question answers the first question. The clause what shall we say is also the then-clause after the if -clause. In some languages it might be more natural to combine these two questions into one question. For example:

if our unrighteousness highlights the righteousness of God, ⌊then⌋ might we ask this: “Is God unjust to inflict his wrath on us?”
-or-
if our unrighteousness highlights the righteousness of God, ⌊then⌋ we might ask this: “Is God unjust to inflict his wrath on us?”

3:5a

But: There is some contrast between God judging rightly (3:4) and people’s evil deeds showing that God is righteous (3:5a). Many English versions begin this verse with But. However, in some languages it is more natural not to indicate contrast here. For example:

If our evil deeds show… (Contemporary English Version)

if our unrighteousness highlights the righteousness of God: Here the word if introduces a situation that is true. If this first part is true, that supports the second part (“what shall we say?”).

In some languages, using an if -clause would have a different meaning. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. For example:

since our unrighteousness highlights the righteousness of God
-or-
our unrighteousness highlights the righteousness of God. ⌊True?⌋ ⌊So⌋…
-or-

⌊Would you agree that⌋ our unrighteousness highlights the righteousness of God? ⌊So⌋…
-or-

⌊You would agree that⌋ our unrighteousness highlights the righteousness of God. ⌊So⌋…

our unrighteousness highlights the righteousness of God: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as highlights is literally “demonstrates.” It means that our sins are in contrast to God’s righteous deeds. People seeing our sins will see that God’s deeds are very different. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
our evil deeds show how right God is (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
When we do wrong, that shows more clearly that God is right. (New Century Version)

unrighteousness: Here this word means “wrongdoing.” Here are other ways to translate this word:

wickedness (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
doing wrong (Good News Translation)

the righteousness of God: This phrase indicates that God does what is right. See the examples above in the note on “our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God.”

3:5b–c

what shall we say? That God is unjust to inflict His wrath on us?: The Greek is literally “what will we say? God is surely not unrighteous to inflict wrath on us, (is he)?” The last question answers the first question. The last question expects an answer of “no, he is righteous to do that.”

The words what shall we say? introduces what someone might say based on “our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God.” Paul showed that he did not agree that we should say that God is unjust to inflict His wrath on us, when he said “Certainly not!” in 3:6a. Your translation should indicate or imply that Paul was not agreeing that God is unrighteous here. A literal translation in some languages may not do that. If that is true in your language, you should indicate or imply that Paul was not agreeing That God is unjust to inflict His wrath on us. For example:

shall we say, ⌊as some do,⌋ that God is unjust to inflict his wrath on us?
-or-
what shall we say? Should we say, ⌊as some do,⌋ that God is unjust to inflict his wrath on us?

3:5c

That: This word introduces indirect speech. In many languages this word with this meaning here cannot begin a sentence. If that is true in your language, introduce the indirect speech in a natural way in your language. For example:

⌊Shall we say⌋ that

to inflict His wrath on us: This phrase refers to punishing in anger. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

to become angry and punish us (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
to punish us in/with his anger

3:5d

I am speaking in human terms: The Greek grammar indicate that this clause is extra information. It is not a part of Paul’s main thought. But he wanted to explain the source of his last question (3:5c). Some translates place this phrase in parenthesis. Consider how to indicate that this clause is extra information.

This clause indicates here that what Paul wrote in 3:5c is only human kind of thinking, as someone without the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

I am using a human argument (New International Version)
-or-
to use human terms (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
I speak only as a man
-or-
This is merely a human point of view. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
I am talking as people might talk. (New Century Version)

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Category: Translation commentary