I have been quite bold is emphatic in the Greek sentence order. The sentence itself actually begins “but quite boldly I wrote to you.” Bold may be expressed in a number of different ways—for example, “openly,” “without holding back,” “without omitting anything,” or “frankly.”

About certain subjects (Revised Standard Version, An American Translation* “on some points”) is understood by others to mean “in parts of this letter” (New American Bible; New English Bible “at times”).

Because of the privilege God has given me is literally “because of the grace which was given me by God” (“grace” is taken in the same sense here that it was in 1.5). Because of the privilege God has given me may also be rendered as “because God has given me the privilege of being a servant….” In some languages the closest equivalent of privilege may be “the wonderful work,” “the very special task,” or “has honored me by giving me the work of a servant.”

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 .