2:20a
The “if” from 2:17a in the Greek affects this verse as well. Consider how to make that connection clear in your language. See the note on “if” at 2:17a.
an instructor of the foolish: This phrase probably refers to teaching someone who is foolish. The Jews generally considered Gentiles to be foolish.
The word foolish means “lacking good sense” or “without understanding.” Some people lack good sense regarding spiritual matters; they chose to do deeds that are morally wrong. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
instruct those who have no spiritual wisdom (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
show foolish people what is right (New Century Version)
2:20b
a teacher of infants: There are two ways to interpret Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as infants :
(1) It has the literal meaning of infants or “children” here.
(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, English Standard Version, King James Version, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, NET Bible)
(2) It has the figurative meaning of people immature in understanding or faith. The Jews sometimes referred to converts to Judaism with this word. For example:
immature (New American Standard Bible)
(Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New Century Version)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because many English versions support it. In English it is also possible to understand the word infants in the sense of interpretation (2). But if the major language version in your area follows interpretation (2), you may want to follow that.
infants: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as infants refers to children approximately one to four years old.
2:20c
the embodiment of knowledge and truth: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as embodiment refers to the structure and shape of something. The laws that God gave to the Jews show his knowledge and the truth of all he spoke of. God’s truth is contained within the law. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
the Law embodies all knowledge and all truth (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
God’s law which is the location of what is correct and true
-or-
true knowledge/teaching is only in the law ⌊of Moses⌋
knowledge and truth: In some languages these two words cannot be translated as nouns. If that is true in your language, translate the meaning using the proper kinds of words. For example:
knowing ⌊about God⌋ and those teachings are true
-or-
truly knowing ⌊about God⌋
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