9:23a
What if He did this to: The Greek begins with the word “and.” It shows that 9:23 is another purpose, in addition to showing his wrath (9:22a) and making known his power (9:22b). For example:
And that (King James Version)
If you have ended 9:22 with a question mark or full stop, you should indicate that the thought from the main clause continues here. For example:
And he also wanted to…. (Good News Translation)
As mentioned in the note on 9:22–24, this is one long question in the Greek. For example, the Berean Standard Bible makes 9:23–24 into a question too. But Paul was not questioning what he said in 9:23–24, so in some languages a statement would make the meaning more clear here. For example:
23 This was to make known the riches of his glory to the vessels of mercy, which he has prepared previously for glory, 24 namely, us whom he has called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles. (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
Note that the New American Bible, Revised Edition adds the words “This was” at the beginning of 9:23 to make the correct connection to 9:22.
the riches of His glory: Here the word riches refers to an abundance of God’s glory. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
his abundant glory (Good News Translation)
-or-
his incomparable glory/praiseworthiness
If you have translated Ephesians 1:18, 3:16, or Colossians 1:27, see how you translated this phrase there.
glory: The word glory refers literally to a very bright light. In this context it implies power, majesty, and greatness. Here are other ways to translate this word:
majesty
-or-
greatness
See how you translated this word in 3:23 or 9:4.
to: Here this Greek word indicates that God will make known his great glory to his people (here in this verse they are called “vessels of mercy”). For example:
upon vessels of mercy (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
to the vessels of mercy (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
the vessels of His mercy: The word vessels refers to things a potter makes, as in 9:21–22. Here it is a metaphor for people upon whom God has mercy.
In some languages the meaning of the metaphor will not be clear. If that is true in your language, you may want to:
• Translate the literal meaning and explain it in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:
The words “vessels of His mercy” refers to people upon whom God has mercy.
• Translate without the metaphor. For example:
people to whom God has mercy
You may then want to indicate what the literal words are in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:
Literally “vessels of His mercy.”
9:23b
whom He prepared in advance: Here the word whom introduces something more Paul said about the vessels of mercy. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that God prepared only some vessels of mercy beforehand. If that is true in your language, translate in a way that indicates that God prepared all the vessels of mercy beforehand. For example:
and he has prepared them beforehand
-or-
He prepared them beforehand
He prepared in advance: In the metaphor of vessels, the phrase in advance refers to the potter making them some time before he planned to use them. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
he has prepared beforehand (English Standard Version)
-or-
he made ready earlier
for glory: The word for introduces the purpose for God preparing the vessels of mercy beforehand. He will give them glory.
glory: This refers to the glory that God will give his people (for example, 2:10) and that his people will share in Jesus’ glory (for example, 8:17). See how you translated this word in 8:17 or 9:23a.
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