1:11a
filled with the fruit of righteousness: This further explains the meaning of being “pure” and “blameless.” While “pure” and “blameless” imply the absence of sinful thoughts and actions, filled with the fruit of righteousness implies the presence of good thoughts and actions. Some translations (for example, Good News Translation) begin a new sentence with this phrase. For example:
Then you will be filled…
The idea of filled is figurative in this verse. It means “to be characterized by.” You may not be able to keep this figure of speech. Ways to translate this verb nonfiguratively will be discussed after the note on fruit of righteousness.
fruit of righteousness: The expression fruit of righteousness can be understood in two ways:
(1) fruit that consists of righteousness; righteousness is used in an ethical sense and refers to right conduct/behavior. (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)
(2) fruit that is produced by righteousness; righteousness is used in a legal sense and refers to a believer’s right standing before God (God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004))
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).
General Comment on 1:11a
In many languages if the expression “filled with the fruit of righteousness” is translated literally it will not give the correct meaning. If this is true in your language, you should translate this part of the verse nonfiguratively. For example:
righteousness will characterize all you do
-or-
you will behave in a completely righteous manner
1:11b
through Jesus Christ: This means that a person’s life is righteous because of the power that Jesus Christ gives. A believer can only be righteous because Jesus Christ helps him to be.
General Comment on 1:11a–b
In some languages it may be better to make Jesus Christ the subject of 1:11a–b. For example:
Jesus Christ will fill you with the fruit of righteousness.
-or-
Jesus Christ will help you to do every good/right thing.
1:11c
to the glory and praise of God: Biblical scholars do not agree about how this phrase relates to the rest of the verse. There are three possible interpretations:
(1) It relates to the phrase “filled with the fruit of righteousness.” For example: “I pray that you may be filled with the fruit of righteousness for the glory and praise of God.” (Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)
(2) It connects with Paul’s prayer in 1:9a–11b. For example: “I pray that all of this may happen in you for the glory and praise of God.” This seems to be the interpretation of the New International Version.
(3) It relates to all of Paul’s thanksgiving and prayer (1:3–11) and is like a doxology. For example: “I end my thanksgiving and prayer with the desire that people glorify and praise God.”
Many English versions do not make a clear choice. However, it is recommended that you follow option (1), which has the best support among versions and commentators.
to the glory…of God: This means that the purpose is that people would honor God and tell others that he is great.
to the…praise of God: This means that the purpose is that people would thank God and speak well of him. Praise comes from those who are grateful that God is great and that he blesses them.
In some languages it may be necessary to combine the ideas of “glory” and praise into one phrase. Consider how, in your language, you would refer to giving respect to an honored guest, such as a king or a president. Some of those words may be appropriate in this phrase.
This phrase is at the end of Paul’s prayer, and in some languages it is necessary to clearly show where the prayer ends. In English we do this with “Amen.” You may need to end this verse with a phrase like:
That is what I am praying for you.
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