Translation commentary – Page 1344

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 6:17

Paragraph 6:17

6:17a

From now on: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as From now on is literally “of the remainder.” There are two ways to interpret this phrase:

(1) It means from now on (and continuing into the future). For example:

From now on, don’t let anyone trouble me (New Living Translation (2004))

(2) It means Finally. For example:

Finally, let no one cause me trouble (New International Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The majority of commentators and most English versions follow this interpretation.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

Beginning from now
-or-
Starting today

let no one cause me trouble: This clause is a command from Paul to the Galatians. He commands them to stop causing him problems. They had already caused him enough trouble. They should stop causing him trouble by no longer following the false teachers.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

do not give me any more trouble (New Century Version)
-or-
do not cause me to suffer anymore

6:17b

for: Verse 6:17b is the basis for the command in 6:17a not to cause Paul any more trouble. The Greek introduces the basis for this command with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translate as for.

Some English versions do not translate this conjunction. For example:

I have scars on my body that show I belong to Christ Jesus. (New Century Version)

In some languages, it will not be necessary to translate this conjunction either.

In other languages, it will be more natural to put the basis for the command before the command itself. For example:

b On my own body are scars that prove I belong to Christ Jesus. a So I don’t want anyone to bother me anymore. (Contemporary English Version)

I bear on my body the marks of Jesus: The phrase the marks of Jesus refer to the physical scars that Paul had on his body. He got these scars because he was beaten for preaching the true gospel of Jesus.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

I have scars on my body that show I belong to Christ Jesus. (New Century Version)
-or-
On my own body are scars that prove I belong to Christ Jesus. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
I have scars on my body. These scars are ?from people beating me because I preach about? Jesus.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 6:18

Paragraph 6:18

Verse 6:18 is Paul’s final prayer for the Galatians. He prayed that they would enjoy the gracious presence of Jesus in their lives.

6:18a

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: The word grace means “favor” or “good will.” Paul’s prayer for the Galatians was that they would know God’s favor and blessing.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

?I pray that? the grace/favor of our Lord Jesus Christ
-or-

?May? Jesus our Lord the Christ/Messiah bless

See grace, Meaning 1 in the Glossary.

our Lord Jesus Christ: This phrase is the same phrase as in 6:14b. As there, the words Lord and Christ are titles. In some language, it will be necessary to make it clear that these words are titles. For example:

our Lord the Christ Jesus
-or-
Jesus our Lord the Christ/Messiah

be with your spirit: The words your spirit refer to the Galatians. In many languages, it will be clearer to simply says “be with you.” For example:

be with you all (Good News Translation)

In some languages, it will be natural to combine this phrase with the word “grace.” For example:

I pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you! (Contemporary English Version)

brothers: As in 6:1a, the word brothers refers to all the believers in Galatia. It includes both men and women.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

brothers and sisters (NET Bible)
-or-
my fellow believers
-or-
my friends (Good News Translation)

In some languages, it will be more natural to put this word first in the verse. For example:

My dear brothers and sisters, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. (New Living Translation (1996))

6:18b

Amen: The word Amen means “let it be so.” Many languages transliterate this word.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

Let it be so.
-or-
May it be so.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 6:5

6:5

For: Verse 6:5 is the basis for the command in 6:4a that “each person should test his own work.” The Greek introduces this basis with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For.

Some English versions do not translate this conjunction. In some languages, it will not be necessary to translate this conjunction either.

each one should carry his own load: This clause is a metaphor. In this metaphor, the work/responsibilities that God has given each believer are compared to bearing/carrying a load. Believers must concentrate on doing the work for which they themselves are responsible.

Some ways to translate this clause are:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

We each must carry our own load. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
each of us are responsible for carrying the load ?that God has given us?

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

We must each do the work ?that God has given each of us? , like someone who is responsible/assigned to carry his own load.

• Translate the meaning directly without using a figure of speech. For example:

we are each responsible for our own conduct (New Living Translation (2004))

load: In some languages, it may be necessary to translate the word load here in 6:5 with the same word as “burden” in 6:2. In such a situation, there may be an apparent conflict between 6:2 and 6:5. On the one hand, we are to bear one another’s burdens/loads. On the other hand, we are to bear our own loads.

The words translated as “burden” and load are different in Greek. So you may have to say something like “heavy load” in 6:2 to distinguish it from load here.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 5:16

Paragraph 5:16–18

In this paragraph, Paul told the Galatians to allow the Holy Spirit to guide their lives. The Holy Spirit enables believers to not live sinful lives and not live as slaves to the law.

5:16a

So I say: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So I say introduces a further explanation of what 5:13–15 means.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

Let me explain further. (God’s Word)
-or-
What I mean is this: (Revised English Bible)
-or-
But I say, (English Standard Version)

This same Greek expression occurs in 4:1a, where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “What I am saying is.”

walk by the Spirit: This is a command. The word walk means “live” or “allow the Spirit to direct one’s life.” Paul wanted the Galatians to follow the Spirit’s leading.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

Live by following the Spirit. (New Century Version)
-or-
let the Holy Spirit guide your lives (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
submit yourselves to the Holy Spirit

Spirit: The word Spirit refers to the “Holy Spirit.” See Spirit, Meaning 1 in the Glossary.

5:16b

and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as will not gratify means “will not do” or “will not fulfill.” Those who follow the Spirit will not do what they would otherwise selfishly want to do.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

Then you will not do what your sinful selves want. (New Century Version)
-or-
you won’t obey your selfish desires (Contemporary English Version)

the desires of the flesh: This phrase refers to the desires/wants that come from our human nature.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

what your sinful nature craves (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
what your corrupt nature wants (God’s Word)
-or-
what your evil heart/mind wants
-or-
what you want because of your sinful nature

See flesh, Meaning 5 in the Glossary.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 6:6

Paragraph 6:6–10

6:6a

Nevertheless: This verse begins with a Greek conjunction. The Berean Standard Bible translates it as Nevertheless in order to show that it introduces a contrast. The contrast is between “each one” carrying “his own load” (6:5) and believers helping their instructors. While the New International Version also translates this conjunction as “Nevertheless” and a few other versions translate it as “But,” most English versions do not translate this conjunction. In some languages, it will not be necessary to translate this conjunction either. Connect 6:6a to 6:5 in a way that is natural in your language.

the one who receives instruction in the word: This clause refers to a person/student who is taught the word of God.

This clause is passive. Some ways to translate it are:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

The person who is taught the word ?of God?

• Use an active verb. For example:

Anyone who is learning the teaching of God (New Century Version)
-or-
Each person to whom a teacher teaches the word ?of God?

6:6b

must share in all good things with his instructor: This clause is an indirect way to say that the student should pay his teacher. He should willingly give money or goods to the teacher. This is because the teacher may not have enough time to earn his own living by other work. (See also 2 Corinthians 9:6–12 for a similar passage about giving material things to those who serve us spiritually.)

Some other ways to translate this verse are:

should share all the good things he has with his teacher (New Century Version)
-or-
should help their teachers by paying them (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
he should give his teacher a share in all his possessions (New Jerusalem Bible)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 5:17

5:17a

For: Verse 5:17 explains Paul’s command and statement in 5:16. The Greek introduces this explanation with a conjunction that that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For.

Some English versions do not translate this conjunction. In some languages, it will not be necessary to use a conjunction here either.

the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the flesh craves is similar to the phrase in 5:16b that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “the desires of the flesh.” The difference is that here the word translated as craves is a verb in Greek. The entire clause means that our sinful human nature desires/wants what is against the Holy Spirit.

Some other ways to translate this clause are

What the evil heart/mind desires/wants is against ?what? the Spirit ?desires/wants?
-or-
The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. (New Living Translation (2004))

the flesh: This is the same word as in 5:16b. You should translate it the same way.

See flesh, Meaning 5 in the Glossary.

5:17b

and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh: In this clause Paul focused on the Spirit’s desires. Just as the sinful nature is opposed to the Spirit, so also the Spirit is opposed to the sinful nature. Paul stated that following the Spirit and gratifying the desires of the sinful nature cannot occur together.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

likewise what the Spirit desires/wants is against ?what? the evil mind/heart ?desires/wants?
-or-
And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. (New Living Translation (2004))

Since 5:17a and 5:17b are parallel statements, your translation should also have parallel statements.

flesh: This is the same word as in 5:16b and 5:17a. You should translate it in the same way.

See flesh, Meaning 5 in the Glossary.

5:17c

They are opposed to each other: The word They refers to the flesh and the Spirit. They are opposed to one another.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

These two are against each other
-or-
The Spirit and the sinful flesh are hostile to each other
-or-
These two things are enemies of each other
-or-
These two disagree with each other

5:17d

so that: Verse 5:17d further explains 5:17a–c. The Greek introduces this explanation with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as so that.

Some English versions do not translate this conjunction. In some languages, it will not be necessary to translate this conjunction either.

you do not do what you want: There are several ways to interpret the way this clause is connected to “they are opposed to each other” in 5:17c. The two main interpretations are:

(1) This clause expresses result. The flesh and the Spirit are opposed to each other, and as a result, you cannot do the things you want. For example:

As a result, you don’t always do what you intend to do. (God’s Word)

(2) This clause expresses purpose. The flesh and the Spirit are opposed to each other so that you cannot do the things you want to do. For example:

to prevent you from doing what you would (Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), with the majority of English versions.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

therefore, you cannot do the things that you want to do
-or-
and that is why you are not free to do what you want to do (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 6:7

6:7a

Do not be deceived: This clause means that the Galatians should not deceive themselves. They should not deceive themselves by thinking that they can follow the old sinful habits without experiencing God’s judgment.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

Do not deceive yourselves. (Good News Translation)
-or-
Do not be fooled (New Century Version)
-or-
Do not lie to yourselves

God is not to be mocked: This clause means that God is not one to be mocked/ridiculed. Those who live in sin ridicule God. God will not overlook sin. So the Galatians deceive themselves if they think that God will not see their sin and punish them.

Some other ways to translate this sentence are:

no one makes a fool of God (Good News Translation)
-or-
You cannot cheat God. (New Century Version)
-or-
Do not try to trick/outwit God.

6:7b

In this verse part, Paul gave the reason for what he said in 6:7a. We should not deceive ourselves into thinking that we can trick God, for/because we will reap what we sow. Paul introduced this explanation with a Greek conjunction that most English versions translate as “for.” The Berean Standard Bible has not translated this conjunction, and some other versions, such as the New International Version and New Living Translation (2004), also do not translate it. In some languages, it will not be necessary to translate this conjunction either. Connect 6:7b to 6:7a in a way that is natural in your language.

Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return: This was a well-known proverb/saying. Paul used it to explain that God will reward those who live a godly life. He will punish those who sin. This proverb is further explained in 6:8.

Some other ways to translate this proverb are:

whatever a person sows, that is what he will reap.
-or-
what someone plants, that’s also what he will harvest.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 5:18

5:18a–b

But: In 5:17, the topic was both the flesh and the Spirit. In 5:18, the topic is only the Spirit. The Greek indicates this change with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But.

Some English versions do not translate this conjunction. In some languages, it will not be necessary to translate this conjunction either.

if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law: In this verse, Paul stated a further benefit of following the Spirit. That benefit is freedom from the law.

The verb are led is passive. Some ways to translate it are:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

when you are directed by God’s Spirit, you are not under ?the authority of? the law.

• Use an active verb. For example:

If the Spirit leads you, then you are not subject to the Law. (Good News Translation)
-or-
if you allow the Holy Spirit to lead you, the law has no control over you.

you are not under the law: This phrase refers to being obligated to follow/obey the law of Moses.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

you are not under ?the authority of? the law
-or-
you are not required to follow/obey the law ?of Moses?
-or-
the Law of Moses has no control over you (Contemporary English Version)

This phrase also occurs in 4:4c.

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Category: Translation commentary

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 6:17

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 6:18

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 6:5

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 5:16

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 6:6

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 5:17

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 6:7

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 5:18

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