1:2–4
In 1:1 Paul said that his work was to tell the gospel from God. Then in 1:2–4 he told some details about that gospel. In the Greek and the Berean Standard Bible, the sentence continues from 1:1c. But in some languages, a new sentence would be more clear. For example:
He promised it beforehand…
1:2a–b
the gospel He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures: The words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the gospel He promised beforehand is literally “which he [previously] promised.” The Berean Standard Bible supplies the word gospel to clearly show that this clause further describes the gospel mentioned in 1:1c. It does not separate this gospel from other gospels. Another way to translate this phrase is to make it a separate sentence. For example:
He promised it beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures.
1:2a
He promised beforehand: This clause indicates that long ago God promised to send the Messiah, who the Messiah would be, what he would do, and what would happen to him. All those things are the gospel of the Messiah. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
that he promised long ago (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
This good news God promised in old times
1:2b
through His prophets: The word through indicates that God gave messages about the gospel to the prophets for them to tell the people. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
by means of his prophets
-or-
by telling his prophets what to write
-or-
which he caused-to-be-written by the prophets through-whom-he-spoke
prophets: The word prophets refers to people who speak on behalf of God. God’s message (often called a “prophecy”) may be in words or visions. A prophet then tells the people God’s message. It may reveal something about a past, present, or future event, or it may reveal someone’s thoughts, motives, or attitudes. It is not like a sermon, prepared by the preacher’s study of the Bible, but God may inspire a preacher with a prophecy during a sermon. The person speaks the prophecy to the people or writes it down for their use. Here are other ways to translate the word prophets :
• Translate the meaning. For example:
spokespeople for God
-or-
those who speak/bring God’s message/words
-or-
God’s message-speakers
• If the translated meaning of prophets is unclear, use the major language word. For example:
porofets
It is good to use a general term that does not focus only on foretelling the future. Although prophets did foretell the future, they also gave people other messages from God. They especially told them to stop doing what is wrong and to obey God.
Be sure that the term you choose for prophet (1:2b) is different from your terms for apostle (1:1b), angel (8:38), and preach (1:15).
the Holy Scriptures: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Holy Scriptures refers to the books of the Old Testament.
Here are other ways to translate the Holy Scriptures :
the sacred writings ⌊of God⌋
-or-
the writings ⌊which are⌋ holy
-or-
God’s special message ⌊that they wrote⌋
Holy: The word Holy in this context means “sacred” or “originates from God.” Holy is used here to emphasize that these Scriptures come from God and therefore, are trustworthy and have God’s authority. See above examples.
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