5:45a
that: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as that introduces the purpose for loving enemies and praying for them (5:44a–b). We should pray for our enemies so that we will be like our Father.
Here are some other ways to translate this conjunction:
so that (English Standard Version)
-or-
in order that
-or-
In this way (God’s Word)
-or-
If you do this (New Century Version)
you may be sons of your Father in heaven: The words be sons indicate that believers who love their enemies and pray for them are acting like their Father in heaven. The word sons is general and refers to both men and women.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
you show that you are children of your Father in heaven (God’s Word)
-or-
you may be like your Father in heaven (NET Bible)
-or-
you will be acting like your Father in heaven (Contemporary English Version)
your Father in heaven: Here, Jesus spoke of God as your Father. Jesus further described God and distinguished him from our earthly father by saying in heaven.
In some languages, the phrase your Father would imply that God was only the father of those to whom Jesus was speaking, but not Jesus’ father. If that is so in your language, you may want to translate this phrase as:
our(incl.) heavenly father
-or-
⌊God⌋ our(incl.) father who lives in heaven
heaven: The word heaven also occurs in 5:34b.
5:45b
The Greek of 5:45b begins with a conjunction that is often translated as “for.” It introduces an explanation of 5:45a. When we pray for our enemies, we are sons of our Father (5:45a). ⌊We are acting like him⌋ in the sense that he also does good to both evil and good people (5:45b).
The Berean Standard Bible and some English versions do not translate the conjunction. The meaning is implied in these versions. If you have a word or phrase that introduces an explanation, consider using it here.
He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good: The phrases the evil and the good refer to “evil people” and “good people.” For example:
on good people and on evil people (New Century Version)
This clause indicates that God loves all people. An example of his love is that he causes the sun to rise and shine on both evil people and good people.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
He makes his sun rise on people whether they are good or evil (God’s Word)
-or-
He causes the sun to rise and shine on both good people and evil people
His sun: The phrase His sun is a literal translation of the Greek. In some languages, it may be more natural to say:
the sun he created
-or-
the sun (NET Bible)
5:45c
sends rain: This is the second example of God’s love. The words sends rain refer to God causing the rain to fall on both groups.
Here are some other ways to translate these words:
lets rain fall (God’s Word)
-or-
gives rain (Good News Translation)
the righteous: The phrase the righteous refers to people who do what is right and good in God’s sight.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
ones who do right (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
people who live as God requires
-or-
upright people
This phrase refers to the same group referred to by the phrase “the good” above. Your translation should allow for this phrase to refer to the same or similar group as the phrase “the good.” For example:
and ⌊he⌋ sends rain on ⌊these⌋ upright people
the unrighteous: The phrase the unrighteous refers to people who do not do what is right and good in God’s sight.
Here are some other ways to translate the unrighteous:
ones who do wrong (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
people who do not live as God requires
-or-
people who do not obey God
This phrase refers to the same group referred to by the phrase “the evil” above. Your translation should allow for this phrase to refer to the same or similar group as the phrase “the evil.” For example:
⌊these⌋ people who do wrong
-or-
the ones who do wrong (Contemporary English Version)
General Comment on 5:45b–c
The Berean Standard Bible follows the poetic form of the Greek text with the order of the phrases:
45bthe evil and the good…
45cthe righteous and the unrighteous…
Repeating two similar phrases in opposite order is a poetic form in the Greek. But some versions repeat the two similar phrases in the same order. For example:
both good and bad people… (Contemporary English Version)
the ones who do right and…the ones who do wrong
Use an order that is most natural in your language.
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