2:14
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests: This verse has two clauses that have parallel words or phrases. In some languages it may be good to translate this verse as poetry.
In Greek, there is no verb in this verse. You should use a verb form that is natural for praise in your language. This poem of praise expresses the results of Jesus’ birth. Some ways to translate it are:
Glory comes to God in the heavens, and peace comes to favored men on the earth.
-or-
God receives glory in the heavens, and favored men receive peace on the earth.
This is not a command. The angels are not commanding the shepherds to give glory to God.
2:14a
Glory to God in the highest: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in the highest refers to heaven. There are two views about how it is related to the phrase Glory to God:
(1) It refers to the place where God receives glory. For example:
God receives glory in heaven.
(2) It refers to the place where God is. For example:
Glory to God who is in heaven.
Most English versions are ambiguous. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Most commentators seem to follow this view that in the highest refers to the place where God receives glory.
Glory to God: In this context the word Glory refers to praise and honor. As the note on 2:14 said, in some languages it will be necessary to supply a verb for the phrase Glory to God. Some ways to do this are:
Praises belong to God
-or-
God deserves honor/glory
Notice that the meaning of Glory here is different from the meaning of “glory” in 2:9b. See also glory, sense A3, in Key Biblical Terms.
in the highest: The phrase in the highest refers to heaven. It is the place where God lives with the angels. Another way to translate this is:
in heaven (Contemporary English Version)
Some languages have an idiom that refers to heaven as being “on top” or “on top of everything.” If this is true in your language, you may be able to use it here.
2:14b
on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests:
The phrase on earth tells where the men will receive peace. It is parallel to “in the highest,” where God will receive praise. The phrase peace to men on whom His favor rests refers here to harmony between God and the people whom God favors. They are not in conflict.
Some ways to translate this part of the verse are:
⌊he has⌋ peaceful relations on earth with people whom he favors
-or-
⌊he⌋ and the people whom he favors on earth are in harmony/peace
peace: In Jewish cultures the word peace has a very broad meaning. It describes a situation of well-being that can include safety, wholeness, health, and prosperity. It often describes harmony and friendship between God and people or between individuals or groups of people. This harmony is in contrast to war, hostility, or conflict.
Some other ways to translate peace here are:
harmony
-or-
freedom
In English the word peace is a noun. In some languages it may be more natural to translate peace with a verb or in another way. For example:
be whole/free/peaceful
-or-
live peacefully/well
In many languages there may be an idiom to express this. See peace, Meaning 1, in the Glossary.
to men on whom His favor rests: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as men on whom His favor rests is literally “people of goodwill/favor.” The goodwill refers to God’s goodwill or favor toward people. So the phrase to men on whom His favor rests means “to people whom God favors/blesses.” Other ways to say this are:
in people whom God favors/blesses
-or-
for people with whom God is pleased
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