In these verses Paul makes a formal denial of the question raised in the previous verse: God has not rejected his people, a statement based on Psalm 94.14.

Whom he chose from the beginning (New English Bible “which he acknowledged of old as his own”; Jerusalem Bible “the people he chose specially long ago”; An American Translation* “which he had marked out from the first”) translates the same verb rendered had already chosen in 8.29. As a comparison of the Good News Translation and An American Translation* with the New English Bible and Jerusalem Bible clearly shows, the question is whether this choice took place before history began or whether it was a choice made in the course of history even though long ago. If one adopts the interpretation of a choice before history, the closest equivalent may be “whom he chose before he created the world.” The alternative interpretation may lead to a translation such as “whom he chose long, long ago.”

The passage quoted in verse 3 comes from 1 Kings 19.10, 14. The last part of this quotation literally reads “they are seeking my soul,” which is merely a Semitic way of saying they are trying to kill me.

Passage may be rendered in some languages as “what the scripture says (in that part where Elijah pleads with God)” or “… (in the story where Elijah pleads with God).”

An equivalent of pleads may be “speaks strongly” or “speaks … and urges.”

Torn down may be translated as “destroyed,” “caused to fall down,” or even “smashed.”

I am the only one left may be rendered as “I am the only prophet who remains.”

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 .