The word signs is used in Romans only here and in 4.11. The word translated miracles taken by itself would most naturally refer to a happening that evokes awe. However, signs and miracles is a set phrase which occurs frequently in biblical literature (some nine times in the book of Acts), and it is not possible to establish any significant difference between the two words.

In the Greek text, the expression of power occurs with both signs and miracles and with the Spirit, but in some languages there is simply no abstract expression of “power.” One can, however, reproduce something of the meaning of power by indicating the intensity or strength of some particular event. For that reason in some languages one may translate as “by means of powerful signs and miracles, and by means of what the Spirit did in a powerful way.”

In Greek the sentence beginning with and so is continued up to the end of verse 21.

In traveling all the way from Jerusalem to Illyricum is literally “from Jerusalem and around as far as Illyricum.” There is some ambiguity connected with the word “around.” It may be taken with Jerusalem and mean “from Jerusalem and its vicinity.” However, most commentators take it to mean “from Jerusalem (and in territories) around to Illyricum.” Illyricum (also known as Dalmatia) was a Roman province northwest of Macedonia, lying on the Adriatic Sea across from Italy.

Moreover, Paul’s words are ambiguous from another viewpoint. It is impossible to decide, on the basis of the Greek, whether he is saying that he actually went into the territory of Illyricum or just went as far as its southern and eastern boundary. In light of what is known elsewhere about Paul’s ministry, it is possible that he does not state that he actually went into Illyricum, but rather that he reached as far as that territory.

In traveling all the way from Jerusalem to Illyricum may be rendered as “every place I visited, from the city of Jerusalem to the country of Illyricum” or “during all the time that I was going from place to place, from Jerusalem to Illyricum.”

I have proclaimed fully the Good News is rendered by some translators as “I have completed the preaching of the good news” (An American Translation*). What Paul means by this is “I have preached the Good News everywhere.” The genitive expression “the Good News of Christ” means the Good News about Christ.

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 .