Paragraph 2:26–29

2:26–28

These verses contain promises that God will reward anyone who overcomes. Several English versions therefore use plural rather than singular forms throughout these verses: “To those who overcome….” If you use plural forms, you should remember that 2:27a–b contains a quotation from the Old Testament. At that time God spoke to one person, the king. You should not translate the quotation in a way that indicates that the original promise was addressed to many people.

2:26a

And to the one who overcomes and continues in My work until the end: These words are emphasized by being in front of the phrase “I will give” (2:26b). If you have a natural way in your language to emphasize these words, you may want to do so. For example:

To him who conquers and does the deeds I want him to do until the end, I will give
-or-
To those who win the victory I will give (New Century Version)

In some languages it is not natural to emphasize these words in this way. For example:

I will give to him who overcomes and does my will until the end

overcomes: The word overcomes means “triumphs” or “obtains/wins victory.” Here the word refers to having success over sin, evil, and pressure to turn away from Jesus. Translate this phrase as you did in 2:17.

continues in My work: This phrase refers to doing the works/deeds that Jesus commands believers to do. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

who obey me (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
follows my commands

until the end: This phrase probably has the same meaning as “until I come” in 2:25. It refers to the end of the present age, when Jesus returns. In some languages it is necessary to include the implied information. For example:

to the end ⌊of the age⌋

2:26b

I will give authority over the nations: The word authority refers to the right and power to control or rule over someone or something. Jesus will enable faithful believers to rule the nations. Other ways to translate this are:

I will give authority to rule the nations
-or-
I will cause them to rule over the nations

the nations: The phrase the nations in the Old Testament refers to all non-Jewish peoples. Here it refers generally to countries and people who are not part of God’s people. It can also refer to groups of people grouped by language or culture.

General Comment on 2:26a–b

2:26a states to whom the promise was made. 2:26b is the main part of the clause. In some languages it is more natural to put the main part of the clause first. For example:

26b I will give power over the nations 26a to everyone who wins the victory and keeps on obeying me until the end. (Contemporary English Version)

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