4:24a

but also for us: Some words from 4:23a–b are implied here. The English language can omit them yet still indicate the correct meaning. Some languages must make some or all of the implied words explicit for the correct meaning. For example:

⌊they were written⌋ for us also
-or-
they apply to us as well

4:24b

to whom righteousness will be credited: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ will count to us

righteousness will be credited: The Greek is literally “to whom (it) is about to be counted.” For example:

to whom God will credit righteousness (New International Version)

But in some languages it is more natural to begin a new sentence here, as the English Standard Version does:

It will be counted to us… (English Standard Version)

will be credited: The Greek is literally “is about to be counted.” It indicates that soon God will certainly count believers as righteous. In English it is more clear to translate the Greek as a promise with the future tense. For example:

God will credit righteousness (New International Version)

Note that the New International Version also translates the Greek passive clause as an active clause.

The Greek does not imply that God has still not counted believers as righteous today (as with the present tense in 3:22 and 9:30). For example:

our faith too is to be ‘counted’ (Revised English Bible)

4:24c

for us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead: This clause tells the reader more about the people who Paul called “us” in 4:24a. It does not separate some people called “us” from other people called “us” here. For the correct meaning in some languages, translators must avoid the word who. For example:

We believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord.

believe in: To believe in someone means to agree to what someone stands for, to trust him, to rely on him, to be committed to him. See how your translated the word believe in 1:16.

Him who: The words Him who refers to God. In many languages translating the literal meaning will clearly refer to God. In some languages it will not be clear. If that is true in your language, make it clear. For example:

⌊God⌋, the one who
-or-

⌊God⌋. He

raised…from the dead: This phrase refers to God making Jesus alive again after he died and was put in the tomb. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

raised…from death (Good News Translation)
-or-
brought…back to life (God’s Word)
-or-
who caused that our Lord Jesus Christ resurrected after he had died
-or-
has caused to live from his death
-or-
raised from ⌊the place of⌋ the dead

See the similar phrase “resurrection from the dead” in 1:4 or “had raised from the dead” in John 12:1.

Jesus our Lord: See how you translated this phrase in 1:4.

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