Paragraph 5:23–24

5:23a

So: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So introduces a conclusion. In 5:23–26, Jesus concluded what he said about being judged for anger and insulting others in 5:21–22. He concluded by saying that we must reconcile with a brother whom we have offended. He implied that if we do not reconcile, we too will be judged.

Here is another way to introduce this conclusion:

Therefore (New International Version)

if you are offering: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as you are offering also means “you bring.” This verb probably indicates that the person has come near the altar but has not yet placed the gift on it.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

if you are about to place (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
if you bring (NET Bible)
-or-
when you are ready to give

you: In this paragraph and the next, the pronouns “you” and “your” are singular.

your gift: The word gift refers to an offering that someone makes to God. It could be an animal, grain, or another type of gift.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

offering (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
sacrifice (New Living Translation (2004))

If it would not be clear that this offering was to God, then you may want to add that information. For example:

offering ⌊to God⌋
-or-
gift ⌊presented to God⌋

at the altar: An altar was a platform where offerings were made to God. In this context, this altar probably refers to the one in front of the temple where animal and grain offerings were burnt. The Jews usually built their altars from stone. But the altar in front of the temple was like a table made of the metal bronze. This is probably the altar that is referred to here.

Here are some other ways to translate altar:

place for giving offerings/sacrifices
-or-
place/platform where people offer sacrifices ⌊to God⌋5:23b

and there: The word there refers to the area where the altar is located.

your brother has something against you: The clause your brother has something against you implies that you have done something to offend your brother. As a result, your brother is upset or angry with you.

Here are some other ways to translate this expression:

your brother has a grievance against you (Revised English Bible)
-or-
someone is angry with you (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
you have done something that angered/offended your fellowman

your brother: As in 5:22a, the word brother here refers to “fellow believer” or “fellowman.” It does not refer to a biological brother.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

someone (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
fellowman

-or-

fellow believer

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