Translation commentary – Page 119

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2:25

Paragraph 2:25–29

2:25a

The Greek begins with a word that is usually translated as “For.” This word introduces an example of breaking the law, or a further point about breaking the law. The Berean Standard Bible does not translate this word and it may not be necessary in some languages to translate it. However, if it would be more natural in your language to translate this word, here are other ways to translate it:

For example (God’s Word)
-or-
In the same way

Circumcision has value if you observe the law: Here the if -clause comes after the then-clause. This makes the then-clause the topic. In some languages the if -clause must come first. For example:

if you obey the law, ⌊then⌋ circumcision indeed is of value

Circumcision: The word “circumcise” means to cut off the loose skin at the end of a boy’s penis. The father or a man who specialized in doing circumcision would do that. Among the Jews, Circumcision is a religious ritual which serves as a sign that they have a covenant with God (Genesis 17:9–14).

In some cultures, it is acceptable to translate explicitly the meaning “cut off the loose skin at the end of a boy’s penis.” In other cultures, it is necessary to speak more generally or use a euphemism to describe this event. Here are some examples:

Cutting the skin
-or-
Marking ⌊the body to show he belongs to God⌋
-or-
Receiving the mark

In some cultures people do not circumcise babies, and in some cultures they do not circumcise any males. In other cultures circumcision is done for different reasons than Jewish circumcision. If that is true in your culture, you may want to include a footnote to explain the Jewish custom. For example:

Circumcision is the cutting off of the skin at the end of the penis. Every male Jew was required to be circumcised. Circumcision was the sign that he was a member of the community with whom God had made a covenant.

But if you have already included a footnote in other books of the Bible (for instance Luke 1:59), you may want to refer your readers there. Here is an example footnote:

See footnote on circumcision at Luke 1:59.

has value: God gave circumcision to Abraham and his descendants as a sign of his covenant with them. It showed that they were a member of his people. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

is valuable (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
is worthwhile (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
There is…a use/benefit
-or-
is good

the law: This phrase refers to the law that God gave to Moses. See how you translated it in 2:12 or 2:23.

2:25b

you break the law: See how you translated a similar clause (“breaking the law”) in 2:23.

2:25c

your circumcision has become uncircumcision: This indicates that if a Jew disobeys the law, the fact that he has been circumcised is no use to him. In God’s eyes he is no better off than a non-Jew. Here are other ways to translate these words:

you have become as though you had not been circumcised (New International Version)
-or-
you are no more circumcised than the uncircumcised (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
circumcision is of no value
-or-
we are just like those people who aren’t Jews who have never been circumcised

uncircumcision: This word refers to not being circumcised.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2:26

2:26a

This verse begins with a word that is often translated as “therefore.” This word introduces a conclusion from what Paul said in 2:25. The Berean Standard Bible has left this word untranslated. It may be natural in your language to make the relationship with the previous verse explicit. For example:

So (English Standard Version)

a man who is not circumcised: This phrase refers to a non-Jew. No one has cut off the foreskin of his penis.

keeps: Here this word means “obeys.”

requirements: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as requirements refers to rules for right behavior. Here are other ways to translate this word:

precepts (English Standard Version)
-or-
commands (New Jerusalem Bible)

2:26b

will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?: If a non-Jew does the right things according to God’s law, God considers him as if he had a covenant with him, like the covenant he has with the Jews. There are two issues:

Issue 1: Passive

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

will not God regard him as though he were circumcised? (Good News Translation)

Issue 2: Rhetorical Question

This question is rhetorical. It emphasizes that this man will be regarded as someone circumcised. Translate it with that meaning. Here are some ways:

• As a rhetorical question. See the example above.

• As a statement. For example:

they will be regarded as though they were circumcised.
-or-

⌊God⌋ will regard him as though he were circumcised.

be regarded as: The more literal sense of the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as be regarded as refers to counting something, often as in business costs and sales. Here it refers to counting or considering an uncircumcised person to be the same as a circumcised one, and therefore treating him in that way. Here are other ways to translate this Greek word:

counted as (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
be considered (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2:27

2:27a

The Greek word that begins this sentence is usually translated as “and.” The Berean Standard Bible omits this word. Paul had something more to say about the non-Jew who does what is right in God’s eyes. Translate this word in a way that would be most natural in your language or omit it and leave the connection with 2:26 implicit, as the Berean Standard Bible does.

who is physically uncircumcised: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as physically is literally “by nature.” Here it indicates that this person has not been circumcised. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

uncircumcised Gentiles (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
he who is from a group that does not circumcise

2:27b

will condemn you: This phrase refers to deciding that someone is guilty of wrongdoing. Here it probably refers generally to doing this, not as a judge in court. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

will judge you as guilty
-or-
will call you an evildoer

the written code: The Greek is literally “letter.” Here it refers to the laws that God told Moses to write down.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2:28

2:28a–29a

Jew…Jew: Paul now used the word Jew in a figurative sense. Here it means “a person with a special relationship to God” or “God’s people.” He did not mean being a Jew because your ancestors were Jews.

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

• Explain the word Jew in the text. For example:

Jew ⌊(and here I mean God’s people)⌋…Jew
-or-
the true Jew, I mean to say, the true person of God,…the person
-or-
It is said that the Jew is God’s people. But it is not true that one is God’s people just because he was born of Jews…

• Translate the meaning of “God’s people” here. You may then want a footnote to indicate the literal word. Here is an example footnote:

Literally “Jew.”

• Translate the word Jew as you always do but explain it here in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

Paul now used the word “Jews” in the sense of “people with a special relationship to God” or “God’s people.” He was not talking about being a Jew because your ancestors were Jews.

2:28a

The Greek begins with a conjunction that is usually translated as “for.” The Berean Standard Bible omits this word. The conjunction introduces an explanation of what Paul said in 2:27.

outwardly: The word outwardly refers to what people can see about someone. How a person appears to look or behave may not be the same as what he truly thinks or feels. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

on the outside (Good News Translation)
-or-
in appearance and in custom only
-or-
in what is seen
-or-
in the things people see him do or wear

2:28b

nor is circumcision only outward and physical: The word nor means “and not.” For example:

and circumcision is not outward and physical

circumcision: Paul now used the word circumcision in a figurative sense. Here it means “the mark of a relationship with God.” Jewish circumcision indicates that the Jew is a member of the people who have a covenant with God. This figurative circumcision refers to right attitudes and thinking (2:29b).

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

• Explain the word circumcision in the text. For example:

circumcision ⌊(and here I mean the mark/sign that he is one of God’s people)⌋
-or-
the true circumcision, I mean to say, the true mark/sign that a person belongs to God
-or-
It is said that ⌊Jewish⌋ circumcision is the mark/sign of God’s people. But the true mark/sign is not outward and physical

• Translate the meaning of “the mark of a relationship with God” here. You may then want a footnote to indicate the literal word. Here is an example footnote:

Literally “circumcision.”

• Translate the word circumcision as you always do but explain it here in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

Paul now used the word “circumcision” in a figurative sense. Here it means “the mark of a relationship with God.”

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2:29

2:29a

No: This word indicates contrast between outward appearances and thoughts. But 2:28 says it is not about outward appearances, and 2:29 says it is about thoughts.

In some languages it is more natural to allow the context to indicate the connection and not translate the conjunction. For example:

True,
-or-
Indeed,

a Jew: See the note at 2:28a–29a above.

inwardly: Here this word means “the inner being.” It refers to what a person thinks. Here are other ways to translate this word:

on the inside (Good News Translation)
-or-
thoughts
-or-
in what is not seen
-or-
in what he thinks

2:29b

circumcision is a matter of the heart: Here Paul used the word circumcision and heart in a figurative sense. This clause means “the mark of a relationship with God is found in the inner being of a person.” If a person has turned to God, God makes his inner being new and that marks him as having a relationship with God.

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

• Explain the clause in the text. For example:

circumcision ⌊(and here I mean the mark/sign that he is one of God’s people)⌋ is a matter of the heart

But since you added this implied information in 2:28b, you may not need to repeat it here.

• Translate the meaning of “the mark of a relationship with God is found in the inner being of a person” here. You may then want a footnote to indicate the literal word. Here is an example footnote:

Literally “circumcision is a matter of the heart.”

• Translate the literal meaning of the clause but explain it here in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

Here this clause means “the mark of a relationship with God is found in the heart of a person.”

by the Spirit, not by the written code: There are four ways to interpret the word Spirit here:

(1) It refers to the Holy Spirit, as in the Berean Standard Bible.

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

(2) It refers to the intent and purpose of the law of Moses. It contrasts to the letter (the literal words) of that law. For example:

in the spirit, [and] not in the letter (King James Version)

(King James Version, New American Bible, Revised Edition)

(3) It indicates that this circumcision is spiritual. For example:

spiritual and not literal (Revised Standard Version)

(Revised Standard Version, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, Revised English Bible)

(4) It refers to a person’s spirit. For example:

a thing not of the letter but of the spirit (New Jerusalem Bible)

(New Jerusalem Bible)

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

2:29c

Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God: This clause refers to the man who has a relationship with God. The Holy Spirit has “circumcised” his heart.

In some languages this clause would refer to the person of the “written code,” because it is the last word of 2:29b. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Make “Spirit” the last word in 2:29b. For example:

29b and circumcision is a matter of the heart, not by the written code but by the Spirit. 29c Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God.

• Explain the correct meaning in the text. For example:

⌊The man whose circumcision is by the Spirit,⌋ such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God.

praise: This word refers to God commending this person. God says that he has done good and approves him.

Some languages must use a verb here. For example:

God, rather than men, praises such a person.

men: Here this word is general and refers to people. For example:

He may not be praised by any human being, but he will be praised by God. (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Nobody might praise him, but God praises him.

General Comment on 2:28a–29c

These verses say what a true person of God is not, then says what he is. In some languages it is more natural to say what he is first. For example:

28-29 For a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God. A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly, nor is circumcision only outward and physical.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:1

Section 3:1–8

God is faithful and righteous

In chapter two, Paul spoke about some wrong ideas that the Jews had. In this section, Paul spoke to someone, probably a Jew, who might think that Paul implied that God was unfaithful to his covenant with the Jews. Paul showed that regardless of how God’s people had behaved, God was always faithful to what he said.

Keep in mind that Paul himself was a Jew. He knew how Jews thought, and he knew how to answer their objections.

Here are other possible headings for this section:

God is faithful to his covenant even if his people are not
-or-
God keeps his word and does what is right

Paragraph 3:1–4

3:1a

What, then, is the advantage of being a Jew?: This is a rhetorical question. It causes the reader to think about what the answer might be. Paul answered this question in 3:2.

then: This conjunction introduces something more that Paul wanted to say about circumcision (2:25–29). Based on what he said there, he now has another question for his readers. For example:

So (New Century Version)

But the connection is not introducing a logical conclusion. Your translation should not introduce a logical conclusion here. Additionally, the Berean Standard Bible places this word after “What.” Place this connecting word in a place that is natural for your language.

advantage: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as advantage means “something greater.” Jews have their covenant with God and his words. This is more than what the Gentiles have. Here are other ways to translate this word:

benefit (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
privilege/bonus

3:1b

Or: This word introduces another question similar in meaning to the question in 3:1a.

what is the value of circumcision?: In 2:25 Paul wrote “circumcision…is of value.” Here the clause is a what question. If possible, translate it using similar words to that verse. For example:

is circumcision valuable?
-or-
what is the worth of circumcision?
-or-
what is the use/benefit of being circumcised?
-or-
what good is circumcision?

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:2

3:2a

Much in every way: Paul answered the two rhetorical questions of 3:1 here. This answer indicates that the Jews have great advantages and that circumcision has value. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

Great in every respect. (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
Yes, great benefits!

These words are not a full sentence. In some languages this must be a full sentence. For example:

Yes, there are great benefits! (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
There are all kinds of advantages. (God’s Word)
-or-
It is good in a lot of ways! (Contemporary English Version)

3:2b

First of all:
There are two interpretations of the Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as First of all :

(1) It means first in a list. But Paul did not continue his list. For example:

In the first place (Good News Translation)

(Berean Standard Bible, English Standard Version, Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New American Bible, Revised Edition, Revised English Bible)

(2) It means first in importance. The meaning is similar to Mark 12:28: “Which is the first of all the commandments?” For example:

The most important thing is this: (New Century Version)

(King James Version, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the Greek grammar supports it.

3:2c

they have been entrusted with the very words of God: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as they refers to the Jews. This phrase indicates that God gave his words to the ancestors of the Jews. They were to watch over and guard it. They were to prevent anyone from changing it. They were also to follow it and teach it.

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

God entrusted them with his word (God’s Word)
-or-

⌊God⌋ gave his word to the Jews to watch over

the very words of God: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the very words means “sayings,” “spoken messages,” or “messages that a divine being speaks.” These words would include things that God said to Abraham, Moses, the prophets and others in the Old Testament. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the things that God said/promised
-or-
God’s message

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2:16

2:16a

on the day: Paul now talked about God’s final judgment day. At that time people’s thoughts will also accuse them of wrongdoing and sometimes defend them of doing right. For example:

And so,…this is how it will be on that Day (Good News Translation)
-or-
the day is coming (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
So it will be on the day (Revised English Bible)

when God will judge men’s secrets through Christ Jesus: There is a textual issue here about the order of the words Christ Jesus :

(1) The order of the words are Christ Jesus. This emphasizes that Jesus is the Christ.

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

(2) The order of the words are Jesus Christ. This indicates that Jesus is the Christ but does not emphasize that fact.

(New International Version, Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, Contemporary English Version, King James Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), because the scholars of the UBS Handbook Greek NT believe it to be the correct text.

However, in some languages the order of the words Christ Jesus is not natural. If that is true in your language, emphasize the fact that Jesus is the Christ in a natural way. For example:

God judges the secrets of men by Jesus, who/he is the Christ

God will judge: This phrase refers to a future event. Several English translations use the present tense here. Despite this, in some languages the future tense is more natural. For example:

God…will judge (Good News Translation)

men’s: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as men’s is a general word that includes both men and women. For example:

of all (Good News Translation)

secrets: Here, this word refers to deeds that no one saw and words that no one else heard as well as thoughts.

through Christ Jesus: This phrase indicates that God gave authority to Jesus to judge everyone. Jesus will judge everyone. Here is another way to translate this phrase:

by Christ Jesus (English Standard Version)

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.

2:16b

as proclaimed by my gospel: This phrase indicates that Paul preached that God will judge everyone’s secrets (2:16b). This gospel is what Paul taught about what God did through Jesus.

my gospel: The word my indicates that this gospel is Paul’s teachings about what God did through Jesus. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that the gospel was about Paul. If that is true in your language, indicate that the gospel is about Jesus. For example:

my gospel ⌊about Jesus⌋
-or-
the gospel that I ⌊preach/teach⌋

gospel: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as gospel means “good news.” Here this word refers to the good news about what God did through Jesus. Here are other ways to translate this word:

good/sweet news
-or-
good news ⌊about Jesus Christ⌋
-or-
good news ⌊from God⌋
-or-
message/report that causes joy

Be sure that the term you choose does not refer only to a news report or to a story that is not true.

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Category: Translation commentary

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2:25

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2:26

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2:27

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2:28

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2:29

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:1

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:2

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2:16

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