3:31a

Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Certainly not!: This is a rhetorical question and its answer. Some Jews probably asked this question after hearing Paul preach on this. The question and answer emphasize that we do not overthrow the law by this faith. Translate this clause with that meaning. Here are some ways to do that:

• Using a rhetorical question. For example:

Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! (New International Version)
-or-
So do we destroy the law by following the way of faith? No! (New Century Version)

• Using a statement. For example:

Therefore we should certainly not say that this faith destroys the Law ⌊of Moses⌋ !
-or-
So, God makes us straight in his sight just because of our faith. But let’s not say/think like this: we discard the Lord’s Law. Don’t!

then: The Greek word is literally “therefore,” but then is more natural in English here.

nullify: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as nullify means “to make ineffective/useless.” It is the same Greek word translated “nullify” in 3:3. Here are other ways to translate this word:

cancel
-or-
made pointless (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
overthrow (English Standard Version)
-or-
destroy/ruin

Certainly not!: The Greek is literally “May it not be.” This phrase indicates a very strong “no.” See how you translated it in 3:4.

Note that “certainly” in the first As a statement example above translates the words Certainly not! here. If you used “certainly” there, do not translate these words here.

3:31b

Instead: The Greek word is literally “but.” It indicates contrast and emphasis. In some languages the contrast of “but” is already indicated by the phrase “Certainly not” in 3:31a. If that is true in your language, translate without the contrast here. For example:

Indeed

we uphold the law: Here the word uphold indicates that Paul and the believers in Jesus supported the law of Moses as holy and good. Paul did not imply bad things about the law when he talked about righteousness by faith. He wanted people to understand its correct role in the life of a believer. This clause does not indicate that believers must follow every rule in the law of Moses, including the rules about what foods to eat and offering sacrifices. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

we support the law ⌊of Moses⌋
-or-
we believe/say that the law ⌊of Moses⌋ is still valid/important

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