4:32
In 4:31, Paul gave examples of bad behaviors Christians should not do. Here in 4:32, he gives good examples of behaviors that Christians should do.
4:32a
Be kind: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Be kind means to do good to others, be generous and helpful.
tenderhearted: The word tenderhearted means to show love and mercy to people, to be sympathetic, to feel love and pity for those in pain.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
sympathetic (God’s Word)
-or-
tender-hearted (King James Version)
-or-
caring
4:32b
forgiving each other: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as forgiving is more literally “graciously give” or “give generously” toward someone. This word is similar in meaning to the previous words “kind” and “compassionate.”
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
pardon
-or-
erase the guilt of someone
-or-
forget/cancel the wrong that person has done
You may need to make explicit what we are to forgive. For example:
forgive other people ⌊for the wrong things they have done to you⌋
Also, see the note on “forgiveness of our trespasses” in 1:7b and forgive in the Glossary for more information.
4:32c
just as in Christ God forgave you: The words just as in this context means “generously forgive each other in just the same way that God generously forgave you.”
in Christ: See the note at 1:3b on in Christ for more information.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
God forgave you because of that which Christ did for you.
-or-
God forgave you by uniting you with Christ.
If necessary, you can translate in Christ as a separate sentence. For example:
Christ made this possible. (UBS Handbook handbook)
forgave you: See how you translated “forgiving” in 4:32b. See forgive in the Glossary for more information.
General Comment on 4:32b–c
If it is more natural in your language, you can reverse 4:32b–c like this:
32c God forgave you because of Christ, 32b and so you should forgive each other.
If your language requires stating what is forgiven, you can translate like this:
God forgave your sins because of what Jesus did, so if people do bad ⌊behavior⌋ to you, you should forgive them ⌊too⌋
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