Paragraph 11:22–24

11:22a

Take notice, therefore: In Greek, the connecting word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as therefore occurs after the first word of this sentence. In many languages, this word must be first. For example:

Then take notice

Take notice: The Greek word is the command, “Look.” It introduces what Paul wanted the readers to pay attention to. Here are other ways to translate this word:

See
-or-
Listen
-or-
Consider (New International Version)
-or-
you see that (New Century Version)

See how you translated this in 9:33 (“See”).

kindness: This word refers to doing good to someone because you want to. The intent of kindness is to help the person, rather than require him to repay the kindness in some way. God does many good things for people. See how you translated this word in 2:4.

severity: The Greek word refers to following a law or rule strictly. It indicates that no mercy is given. Here are other ways to translate this word:

harshness (NET Bible)
-or-
God is…very strict (New Century Version)

11:22b

those who fell: Here Paul used the word fell figuratively to refer to Jews who followed the Jewish religion but did not believe Jesus was God’s Messiah (11:20b). For example:

those who fell ⌊in their faith⌋

In some languages the word fell cannot be used in this way. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. For example:

those who stop believing in him
-or-
the ones who turn-their-backs-on/reject him

11:22c

kindness to you: Here the word kindness refers to salvation and other things that God gives to someone when he believes in Jesus. For example:

he gave to you the favor because you believed

you: This word is singular and continues to refer to a non-Jewish believer.

11:22d

if: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as if introduces what must happen for God to continue to be kind to Gentile believers. Here are other ways to translate this word:

provided (English Standard Version)
-or-
as long as (New Jerusalem Bible)

you continue in His kindness: This clause indicates that the Gentile believer must live according to God’s kindness to him, that is, he must continue to believe in Jesus as the Christ/Messiah. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

you remain in his kindness (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
you persevere in it (New Jerusalem Bible)

11:22e

Otherwise: This word introduces what will happen if the Gentile believer does not continue in God’s kindness. Here are other ways to translate this word:

But if you do not, (Good News Translation)
-or-
But if you don’t continue,
-or-
But if you turn away from his kindness,

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

⌊God⌋ will cut you off also

cut off: This continues the metaphor about the branches and the tree. In 11:20, the natural branches were broken off, but here the grafted-in branches could be cut off.

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