This verse is apparently intended to give the content of the message of faith. For this reason the particle with which Paul introduces this verse (Greek hoti) must have the force of “that” rather than of “because” (Revised Standard Version) or “for” (An American Translation*). The Good News Translation, Jerusalem Bible, New English Bible, and Moffatt have taken hoti to have the force of “that,” but because of the requirements of English style they have not rendered this word by any particular word in English.

Most translations render the first verb in this sentence as “confess”; in the Good News Translation it appears as declare and in An American Translation* as “acknowledge.”

It should be pointed out that Jesus is Lord was one of the earliest of the Christian confessions. Related to it is the affirmation that God raised him from the dead, the real basis for the belief that Jesus is Lord.

As indicated in the discussion of translation problems of verse 8, it is impossible to say in some languages declare with your lips. In some cases another figurative expression for the speech organs may be employed—for example, “declare with your mouth” or “declare with your throat.” In other cases it may be simpler to employ “to declare” or “to say.” However, merely “to say” may be entirely too weak, since the Greek itself implies “a declaration before others.” In some languages the closest equivalent may be “to say before all” or “to say openly.” Similarly, believe in your heart may be rendered in some languages as “believe in your liver” or “believe in your abdomen.” In still other languages the equivalent is “believe sincerely” or “believe strongly.”

The passive expression you will be saved may be rendered in this context as active: “God will save you.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Romans. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1973. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .