15:27a
The Greek of 15:27a begins with a word that is often translated as “for.” The Berean Standard Bible omits this word. It introduces an explanation of “make a contribution” in 15:26a.
They were pleased to do it, and indeed: The phrase They were pleased to do it translates one Greek word, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as were pleased in 15:26a. The phrase and indeed translates one Greek word, usually translated as and or “but,” and sometimes indeed. Together in this situation the two Greek words indicate in addition to being pleased to help the poor believers in Jerusalem, they are also indebted to them. Here are other ways to translate these words:
they were pleased to do so, and (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
they were pleased to do that, but also
they owe it to them: The Greek is more literally “they are their debtors.” The Savior of the world, Jesus, was born a Jew, and God worked in the history of the Jews to bring about his coming. The spiritual blessings from those things require Gentile believers to help the Jewish believers in Jerusalem with material things in return. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
they are in debt to them (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
they have an obligation to help them (Good News Translation)
15:27b
For: Here this word introduces an explanation of “they owe it to them” in 15:27a.
if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual blessings: Here the word if introduces a situation that is true. If this first part is true, that supports the second part to also be true (they ought also to be of service to the Jews in material blessings (15:27c)).
In some languages, translating literally here would have a different meaning. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. For example:
if ⌊it is true that⌋ the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings
-or-
the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, ⌊therefore⌋
have shared: Long ago the Gentiles did not share in the spiritual blessings of the Jews but in the more recent past they began to share in them. Sharing in the blessings began when Gentiles such as Cornelius (Acts 10) began believing in Jesus as the Christ/Messiah. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make that idea more explicit. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
have begun to share
-or-
have come to share (English Standard Version)
The Greek tense is often translated by the English past tense, but it does not imply that the sharing has stopped, as the English past tense sometimes does.
their spiritual blessings: This phrase refers to the blessings that God gave to the Jews, including his promises to them and him calling them his people. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
their blessings in their spirits
-or-
the blessings ⌊that God gave⌋ to their spirits
spiritual: Here this word refers to things of the spirit and religion, rather than physical things such as crops and houses. See the above examples.
15:27c
they are obligated: Here the phrase are obligated indicates that the Gentiles should be of service to the Jews. The Greek has the same root as “owe” in 15:27a.
to minister to them with material blessings: Here the words to minister to them refers to doing things that benefit others. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
use their material blessings to help (Good News Translation)
-or-
to serve them in material blessings (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
material blessings: This refers to physical things that God has blessed people with, implying all the things a person has, including money, food, and homes. In this case the believers only send money, but Paul here spoke generally. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
blessings that are physical/things
-or-
the blessings ⌊that God gave⌋ for their physical needs
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