3:25a
God presented Him: Here the word presented means “to display publicly.” God had Jesus do his work openly, for everyone to see. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
whom God put forward (English Standard Version)
-or-
whom God displayed publicly (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
God sent openly
as the atoning sacrifice: These are two main ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as atoning sacrifice :
(1) It refers to making amends for sin. Jesus’ death for the sake of mankind paid the penalty for sin. God could then forgive their sins. For example:
as a sacrifice of atonement (New International Version)
(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, Good News Translation, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, Revised English Bible, New Century Version)
(2) It refers to appeasing God’s anger against sin. Jesus’ death for the sake of mankind allowed God to forsake his anger against the sins of people. For example:
as a means to appease his wrath
(English Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, King James Version)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because BDAG supports it. Here are other ways to translate this word according to interpretation (1):
as a sacrifice for reconciliation (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
as a way to forgive sin (New Century Version)
3:25b
through faith: The Berean Standard Bible literally translates these Greek words. When we believe that God accepted the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross to atone for our sin, God forgives and accepts us. Believing in Jesus makes his work effective in our lives. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
through their faith in him (Good News Translation)
-or-
to be received and made effective in ourselves by faith (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
so that he would forgive our sins if we believe in Yesus
-or-
in order to clear the sins of all people who would believe in him
in His blood:
In the Old Testament God required a sacrifice of an animal to atone for sin. Here, the blood of Christ was poured out as the ultimate sacrifice to atone for people’s sins. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
through the shedding of his blood (New International Version (2011))
-or-
by-means-of his blood
-or-
by ⌊the sacrifice of⌋ Jesus’/his ⌊own⌋ blood
3:25c
in order to demonstrate: The Greek is literally “for the display of.” The Greek sentence continues from 3:25b. For example:
to demonstrate (New American Standard Bible)
But in some languages it is more natural to begin a new sentence here. For example:
He did this to demonstrate (New International Version)
-or-
God did that in order to show
His righteousness: There are two main ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as righteousness :
(1) It means righteousness here. God does what is right. For example:
he is righteous (Good News Translation)
(Berean Standard Bible, English Standard Version, Revised Standard Version, New International Version (2011), Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition, King James Version, NET Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)
(2) It means justice here. God judges in a right way, according to what is right and wrong. For example:
his justice (Revised English Bible)
(New International Version (1984), Revised English Bible)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the BDAG and L&N support it.
See how you translated this word in 1:17 or 3:5.
3:25d
because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand: The Greek is literally “because of the passing by of the previously occurred sins.” In the past God did not immediately judge and punish sins. He waited for Jesus to atone for sins for those who believed in Jesus. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
because in his forbearance he had overlooked the sins of the past (Revised English Bible)
-or-
In his patience God waited to deal with sins committed in the past. (God’s Word)
-or-
when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past (New Living Translation (2004))
in His forbearance: This phrase is the first phrase of 3:26 in the UBS Handbook Greek New Testament. But it connects to “he passed over former sins,” and the King James Version put it in 3:25, so many English versions put it in 3:25.
The Greek is literally “in the forbearance of God.” The word forbearance means “being patient with.” God patiently waited for Jesus to atone for sins while people continued to sin. See the examples above.
the sins committed beforehand: These are the wrongdoings of people who lived during the time of God’s first covenant before Jesus died and God resurrected him.
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