10:6a
the righteousness that is by faith says: In this clause righteousness speaks as if it is a person. It indicates that people who have a righteousness that is by faith have the attitude described in 10:6b–7b. That is, they would never think they have the power to bring Christ down to earth or to take him up to heaven. In some languages an abstract concept like righteousness cannot “speak.” If that is true in your language, refer to people who are righteous in this way. For example:
⌊people who are⌋ righteous that is by faith have ⌊this⌋ attitude:
-or-
⌊people whom⌋ ⌊God⌋ has made right ⌊with him⌋ because they believe ⌊in Jesus⌋ have thinking ⌊like this⌋ :
the righteousness that is by faith: Here the word by indicates that the people who have status as righteous people, God has given that status because they believe in Jesus. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
the righteousness based on faith (English Standard Version)
-or-
the righteousness that comes from faith (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
being made right with God through faith
righteousness: This word refers to being right with God. It is the same meaning as in 10:3 and 10:5.
faith: This word refers to believing in Jesus, that he is the Christ, the one whom God sent to save people from his anger. In some languages a literal translation would refer to believing generally in anyone. If that is true in your language, indicate clearly that it refers to faith in Jesus. For example:
believing ⌊in Jesus⌋
says: Here the present tense indicates what is said in 10:6–7 is something a person right with God would say at any time. It is not a habitual repeating of the words over and over.
This word introduces sayings from the Old Testament. In some languages the people prefer that the translation make that clear. For example:
says ⌊as the Scriptures say:⌋
-or-
if God judges someone as being righteous by his faith, well, the thinking of that person is in accord with the word of God which says,
10:6b
This is a quote from the first part of Deuteronomy 9:4.
Do not say in your heart: Paul used this clause to introduce what he said in 10:6c. Many English versions do not put in a cross-reference to that verse, probably because it only introduces the next words. Only the NET Bible has a cross-reference for this quote.
Do not say: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as say is singular, but refers generally to anyone. In some languages the plural is used to refer generally. For example:
Don’t you(pl) think
10:6c is a question. In some languages “ask” would be better here. For example:
You(pl) must not ask
in your heart: This phrase refers to the inner person. Many languages use a different organ or a more general word. For example:
in your insides/liver/stomach
10:6c–d
‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down): Only the question is from Deuteronomy 30:12. If you indicate the location of quotes from the Old Testament with cross-references, you may want to do so here.
The words that is, to bring Christ down explain the purpose of ascending into heaven. They are also not a new sentence in the Greek. That is why the Berean Standard Bible has the parenthesis. Here are other ways to translate this connection:
But the saving justice of faith says this: Do not think in your heart, ‘Who will go up to heaven?’—that is to bring Christ down; (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
‘Who will ascend into heaven?,’” that is, to bring Christ down.
10:6c
‘Who will ascend into heaven?’: This question is a quote from part of Deuteronomy 30:12. Paul used this part for his own purpose here.
This is a rhetorical question that the speaker is asking himself. It emphasizes that no one should ascend to heaven (to bring Christ down to the earth). Translate with that meaning. For example:
Who will go up into heaven? (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
Who can go up to heaven? (Revised English Bible)
heaven: Here the word heaven refers to the place where God lives. See how you translated it in 1:18.
10:6d
(that is, to bring Christ down): Here the phrase that is introduces what is to be brought down, from the question “Who will ascend into heaven.” It is not a part of the quote from Deuteronomy but how Paul wanted people to think of those words here. Here are other ways to translate these words:
and here I mean that it is to bring Christ down
-or-
in this case, to bring Christ down to earth
Christ: Here this word refers to Jesus as the Messiah, the one God sent to save people. It is not used as another name for Jesus. For example:
the Christ/Messiah
-or-
the person whom God chose to save ⌊people⌋
See how you translated this word in 1:1 or 9:5.
down: Here this refers to bringing Jesus back to earth.
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