4:4a

Because of this: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Because of this refers back to the fact that “in the past” (4:3a) these believers used to do wrong things. Another way to translate this is:

Because you used to do these things

they consider it strange: The pagans thought the behavior of the Christian believers was unusual in a bad sense. The sins mentioned in 4:3b–d were acceptable in their culture. This was how many people behaved and they wanted everyone to behave like that. Some other ways to translate this are:

They are astonished (NET Bible)
-or-
they are surprised (God’s Word)

4:4b

of you not to plunge with them into the same flood of reckless indiscretion: This is a figure of speech. It means “you are not associating with them in all these many sins.” In some languages it may be natural to translate this as a positive statement:

you refuse to get involved in their unrestrained and sinful lifestyle

to plunge with them: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as plunge with them is literally “run together with them.” It is a figure of speech meaning “eager to join them.” Here is another way to translate this phrase:

that you do not now join them (Revised Standard Version)

flood of reckless indiscretion: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as flood of dissipation is a figure of speech. It summarizes how the pagans lived. There were no limits to the shameful things they did. Some English translations do not use the metaphor of a flood. For example:

the many wild and wasteful things they do (New Century Version)

Consider if it is natural in your language to keep the flood metaphor.

reckless indiscretion: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as reckless indiscretion means “unrestrained riotous behavior.” The word occurs also in Luke 15:13. Some other ways it is translated include:

wild and reckless living (Good News Translation)
-or-
the many wild and wasteful things (New Century Version)

4:4c

and: The Berean Standard Bible has supplied the word and. The Good News Translation has supplied the phrase “and so.” Both versions do this in order to make the connection between 4:4b and 4:4c clear. The pagans heaped abuse on the believers because the believers refused to get involved in their sinful lifestyle. Translate this connection in your language in a way that is natural.

they heap abuse on you: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as they heap abuse on you means “they speak evil of you.” It is a strong word that is often used of sinning by speaking evil of something that is holy. Some other ways to translate this are:

they insult you (Good News Translation)
-or-
they curse you for it (Contemporary English Version)

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
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