1:14a
In the Greek this verse begins with a conjunction that could be translated as “and”. This verse tells another good thing that happened because Paul was in prison. If you need to make this connection clear, you could begin with a phrase like: “And that is not all.”
the brothers: See note on 1:12a.
1:14b
confident: This comes from the Greek word peithō. The form of the verb used here means “to be confident” or “to trust.” The Berean Standard Bible translates this same Greek word as “confident” in 1:6 and “trust” in 2:24, and as “convinced” in 1:25. It is recommended that you translate it with a term meaning “have been made confident” or “have been given confidence.”
in the Lord: It is not clear in the Greek text which part of the verse this phrase connects to. There are two possibilities:
(1) It should be connected to what follows it in the Greek text, that is, the verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “confident.” In this case the phrase “confident in the Lord” would mean “the Lord has caused them to be confident.” The brothers were more bold to tell about Christ because of this confidence that the Lord had given them. The majority of commentators support this interpretation. (Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New American Standard Bible, NET Bible, God’s Word, New Century Version)
(2) It should be connected to what precedes it in the Greek text, that is, “the brothers.” This would then mean “believing brothers” or “Christians.” (New International Version, King James Version, Revised English Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, New Jerusalem Bible)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).
by my chains: Paul said that his chains had given the other Christians courage, but he did not say how this was done. He may have meant that they gained courage by seeing the way God had helped him while he was in prison.
1:14c
more greatly: In the Greek this is a verb form, literally “much more to dare.” The believers became much bolder/braver than they had been before. They knew some people were against the Christian message. That is why Paul was in prison. But when they saw Paul continue to speak about his Savior even though he was in prison, this increased their courage. If you have a verb meaning “to be brave,” you may use it here. In some languages it will be necessary to use an adjective meaning “bold, courageous” or an adverb meaning “boldly, courageously.”
the word: Some Greek texts have the full phrase “the word of God” and other Greek texts have simply the word. However, these two phrases clearly refer to the same thing, that is, “the message from God.” Therefore, it is recommended that you include the words “of God.”
without fear: This describes the way in which the believers preached. You may need to translate this as a separate sentence at the end of the verse. For example:
They are not afraid.
In some languages it may be necessary to provide an object specifying of whom the brothers were not afraid. If this is the case in your language, you may supply an object such as “unbelievers.”
General Comment on 1:14
In some languages it may be best to give the reason (1:14b) at the end of the verse. For example:
The Lord has caused the brothers to be more confident and to preach the word of God more boldly and without fear. This has happened because I have been in prison.
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