10:9a

that: There are several ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as that :

(1) It introduces an explanation of “word of faith we are proclaiming” (10:8d). For example:

That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” (New International Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, King James Version)

(2) It introduces more that Paul wanted to say about the “word of faith we are proclaiming” (10:8d). For example:

for (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

(New American Bible, Revised Edition)

(3) It introduces the reason for something Paul said earlier. For example:

because (English Standard Version)

(Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, NET Bible)

(4) It is best to omit this word. For example:

If you confess… (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation, New International Version (2011), New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, Revised English Bible, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because it is not clear what “because” (interpretation (3)) would connect to in earlier verses. Interpretation (2) is possible for the Greek word and the context. Interpretation (4) may imply the right meaning in some languages.

if: Paul used if here to cause the Roman believers to evaluate their own lives and determine if 10:9a–b applies to them. He probably expects most or all of them to say that they are like what he said here. Consider how to translate that meaning for the word if.

In the Greek text, this one if affects both 10:9a and 10:9b. Consider how to include all of 10:9a–b in the if -clause in your language. Some languages may need to repeat the word if to make this clear. For example:

9a if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord 9b and ⌊if you⌋ believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,

you: The Greek word is singular, but refers in general to anyone. In some languages the plural is used for that meaning.

confess: Here this word refers to acknowledging in front of others that you believe in Jesus as the Christ/Savior. Here are other ways to translate this word:

declare (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
admit

with your mouth: This phrase indicates speaking aloud. Paul probably repeated your mouth to connect to the same words in 10:8c. But in some languages in connection with “confess,” it may not be necessary or natural to translate this phrase. For example, the Good News Translation omits this phrase.

“Jesus is Lord”: In some languages, indirect speech would be more natural here. For example:

that Jesus is Lord (English Standard Version)

This clause indicates that Jesus is ruler over this person’s life. See how you translated the word Lord in 1:4 or 9:28.

10:9b

and believe in your heart: The words “if you” are implied from 10:9a. In some languages one or both words must be repeated here. For example:

and ⌊you⌋ believe in your heart
-or-
and ⌊if you⌋ believe in your heart

heart: This word refers to a person’s inner being.

raised Him from the dead: This phrase refers to God making Jesus alive again after he died and was put in the tomb. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

raised him from death (Good News Translation)
-or-
brought him back to life (God’s Word)

See how you translated this phrase in 4:24 (“raised…from the dead”) or 8:11 (“raised…from the dead”).

General Comment on 10:9a–b

Believing occurs before confessing. Paul probably had the order “confess with your mouth…and believe in your heart” to match the order of “in your mouth and in your heart” in 10:8c, or perhaps in a Greek poetical structure in opposite order to 10:10a–c. But in some languages it will be less confusing or more natural to have believing before confessing. For example:

that 9b if you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead and 9a confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord,

10:9c

you will be saved: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ will save you

saved: This word refers to being rescued from something harmful or dangerous. Here it refers to God rescuing people from his anger. See how you translated this word in 5:9 or 9:27.

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