SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021 – Page 55

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 15:19

Paragraph 15:19–21

15:19a

James stopped quoting scripture in 15:18, so the pronoun “my” refers to himself and not God. In some languages this change would be made clearer by introducing this verse to indicate James spoke for himself here. For example:

⌊James continued,⌋ “It is my…
-or-

⌊James, speaking for himself, said⌋ “It is my…
-or-

⌊James then said,⌋ “It is my…

It is my judgment: There are two issues:

Issue 1: Meaning

The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as judgment has several possible meanings here:

(1) to have an opinion;

(2) to decide something;

(3) to formally decide as a judge.

The right meaning depends on how much authority James had over this meeting. But the Greek words and the context are not clear about that. 15:22–23 probably indicate that the apostles and elders were the ones who decided what the Gentile believers should do or not do. They decided to follow what James suggested here. So probably meaning (1) or (2) is correct.

The phrase It is my judgment is vague in English as to whether it follows (1), (2), or (3). Other ways to translate this phrase according to interpretation (1) or (2) are:

It is my opinion (Good News Translation)
-or-
I recommend

Issue 2: Emphasis

In the Greek, the pronoun “I” is emphasized. The Berean Standard Bible uses the phrase It is my to indicate that emphasis. Other ways to translate this are:

It is my own opinion
-or-
I myself recommend

15:19b

we should not cause trouble: The Greek is literally “not to trouble.” It indicates a general rule for any believer not to cause difficulties for the Gentile believers. It implies that James rejects the proposed requirement for the Gentile believers to follow the laws of Moses. Other ways to translate this are:

we should not trouble (Good News Translation)
-or-
we should impose no irksome restrictions (Revised English Bible)
-or-
we should not bother (New Century Version)
-or-
I don’t think we should place burdens (Contemporary English Version)

who are turning to God: This refers to changing allegiance/loyalty from idols to God. Non-Jews believed in Jesus, repented, stopped worshiping idols, and began to worship God.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer only to a physical turning. If so, translate the correct meaning. For example:

who stopped worshiping idols and are now worshiping God
-or-
who left their old ways and are now following God
-or-
who now believe in God
-or-
who are now submitting ⌊themselves⌋ to God

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 16:10

16:10a–b

As soon as Paul had seen the vision, we got ready to leave: They may have waited until morning to get ready. But they may have packed their things and left immediately to find a ship, because ships often left very early in the morning. For example:

As soon as Paul had this vision, we got ready (Good News Translation)

16:10b

we: This pronoun probably indicates that Luke now joined Paul, Silas, and Timothy.

If this change from “they” (16:8) to we is confusing to readers in your language, explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

At this time Luke joined Paul, Silas, and Timothy. So Luke, as the author of Acts, started writing “we.”

16:10c

concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them: This clause indicates the reason for leaving at once. For example:

because we decided that God had called us to preach the Good News to the people there (Good News Translation)

God had called us to preach the gospel: The verb called indicates that God told them to preach the gospel in Macedonia. Other ways to translate this clause are:

God had summoned us to preach the gospel
-or-
God had instructed us to preach the gospel
-or-
God wanted us to preach the gospel

gospel: This refers to the message about Jesus Christ. See how you translated this word in 8:40 or 15:7.

General Comment on 16:10b–c

16:10c indicates the reason for Paul and his companions to leave at once (16:10b). In some languages it is necessary or more natural to have the reason first. For example:

10cwe concluded that God had called us to preach the gospel to them, so 10bwe got ready at once to leave for Macedonia

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 17:2

17:2a

As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue: Here the word custom refers to something that is usually done. Paul usually went to the synagogue in each town. He wanted to tell Jewish people first about Jesus. Then he would tell non-Jews about Jesus. Other ways to translate this clause are:

According to his usual habit Paul went to the synagogue. (Good News Translation)
-or-
Paul went into the synagogue ⌊first⌋ as he always did

See how you translated similar words in Luke 4:16 (“As was His custom, He entered the synagogue”).

17:2b

on three Sabbaths: This phrase indicates that Paul talked with the Jews in the synagogue for three successive worship days. For example:

for three consecutive Sabbaths (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
on three Sabbath days in a row

Sabbaths: The “Sabbath” was the day in the week when the Jews worshiped God. See how you translated this word in 16:13.

he reasoned with them from the Scriptures: The word reasoned indicates that Paul discussed the meaning of the Scriptures with the Jews. Other ways to translate this clause are:

he held discussions with the people, quoting…the Scriptures (Good News Translation)
-or-
he debated with them using the Scriptures

Scriptures: This refers to the Hebrew Bible. In it were prophecies concerning the Christ. Christians now call it the Old Testament. Christians then only referred to it as the Scriptures because the New Testament had not been collected yet.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 17:34

17:34a

But some joined him and believed: The Greek words here are literally “some men, having been glued/joined to him, believed.” The verb “glued/joined” indicates that the people who believed became devoted students of Paul’s teaching about Jesus. Other ways to translate this clause are:

there were some who attached themselves to him and became believers, (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Some people ⌊there⌋ devoted themselves to Paul ⌊and his teaching⌋, and believed.
-or-
Some people ⌊there⌋ devoted themselves to Paul ⌊and to what he taught⌋, and believed ⌊in Jesus⌋.

The Greek probably implies that the people became students of Paul first and then believed.

But some: Here the word some refers generally to people, because the list in 17:34b–c includes a woman. For example:

some of the people (New Century Version)

believed: Here the verb believed implies that the people believed in Jesus. For example:

put their faith in the Lord (Contemporary English Version)

17:34b

including Dionysius the Areopagite: The word including indicates that Dionysius was one of the people who believed. Other ways to translate this clause are:

among whom was Dionysius (Good News Translation)

the Areopagite: The phrase the Areopagite indicates that Dionysius was one of the men who participated in the city council of Athens, which was called the Areopagus. This word also occurs in 17:19. The Revised English Bible translates it here with the same phrase:

the Council of the Areopagus (Revised English Bible)

However, the Good News Translation uses an explanatory phrase in 17:19 (“the city council, the Areopagus”). The Good News Translation shortens it here to:

the council (Good News Translation)

17:34c

others who were with them: This phrase indicates that more people than just Dionysius and Damaris believed in Jesus. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

others besides (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
some other people (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 19:4

19:4a

John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance: The word of indicates that people had John the Baptist baptize them to show that they had repented of their sins. John also preached that the baptism was in expectation that the Messiah/Christ would soon come.

repentance: This word means “a change of a person’s mind, heart, or will.” In the Bible it refers specifically to a change of mind and heart about sin and about God. The person who repents is sorry for his past sins. He decides to stop sinning and to obey God. Some ways to translate repentance are:

changing heart/mind
-or-
rejecting sin

In some languages, you may have an idiom for this type of change. For example:

turning from sin to God
-or-
leaving sin behind

In some languages it will be more natural to translate repentance here with a verb or verb phrase. For example:

turned from their sins (Good News Translation)
-or-
Change your thinking/mind/heart

See how you translated this word in 5:31 or 13:24.

19:4b

He told the people to believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus: The phrase the One coming after him is emphasized in the Greek. If possible, emphasize it in your translation. For example:

He told the people that the one coming after him was to be believed in, that is, in Jesus.
-or-
The one coming after him was the person that he told the people to believe in, that is, in Jesus.

In some languages direct speech must be used. For example:

He told the people, ‘You must believe in the person who will come after me,’ that is, in Jesus.

the people: The crowds that heard John the Baptist preach were mostly Jewish, but some Gentiles may have gone and listened to him. You should not translate this phrase as “the Jews.”

believe in: This phrase refers to accepting as true what a person says about himself and what he stands for. Jesus claimed to be the Christ, and a Christian believes that he is the Christ. It implies accepting and obeying the person’s teachings and entrusting himself to that person. Consider how to translate this phrase.

the One coming after him: The word after refers to later in time. John began preaching before Jesus began his ministry.

that is, in Jesus: The phrase that is indicates that the phrase in Jesus explains the phrase “in the one coming after him.” For example:

namely Jesus (New Jerusalem Bible)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 19:36

19:36a–b

The Greek begins with a word that many English versions translate literally as “Therefore.” It introduces a conclusion of what the city clerk said in 19:35. The city clerk now told the crowd what they should do.

Since these things are undeniable, you ought to be calm: The word Since introduces the reason that the people should be quiet. For example:

Nobody can deny these things. So then, you must calm down (Good News Translation)

19:36a

these things are undeniable: This clause in Greek is literally “these (things) being undeniable.” The city clerk believed everyone would agree that the Ephesians guarded the temple and that the stone fell from heaven. Other ways to translate this clause are:

Nobody can contradict this (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Everybody knows/agrees that those things are true

19:36b

you ought to be calm: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as calm refers to being calm. It also refers to preventing oneself from doing something. Other ways to translate this clause are:

you must calm down (Good News Translation)
-or-
you must calm/restrain yourselves

ought to: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as ought to is literally “must.”

not do anything rash: The word rash refers to doing something without first thinking about the consequences of the action. If someone killed or hurt Paul because of Demetrius’ words, that person would still be responsible for those actions. Other ways to translate this clause are:

not do anything reckless (Good News Translation)
-or-
do not do anything unless you have thought about it first

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 20:27

20:27

For: This word introduces the explanation why he could say that he was “innocent of the blood of all” (20:26). For example:

because (New Century Version)

Some English versions allow the context to imply the connection and do not translate the Greek word.

I did not shrink back: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as shrink back means “remain silent” or “delay speaking about,” usually because of fear. Paul was not afraid of others. He always spoke God’s message. Other ways to translate this clause are:

I have not held back (Good News Translation)
-or-
I did not delay/postpone

See how you translated this clause in 20:20 (“(alt:) I have not been silent”).

declaring: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as declaring refers to fully and truthfully telling what happened. Paul fully and truthfully told the believers at Ephesus all of God’s message. Other ways to translate this word are:

report
-or-
reveal

See how you translated this word in 15:4 (“reported”).

the whole will of God: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as will means “plans” or “decisions.” Here it refers to God’s plan to save people, both Jew and Gentile, through Jesus. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the whole plan of God (God’s Word)
-or-
everything about God’s plan ⌊for saving people⌋
-or-
all that God has planned

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 21:21

21:21a–e

they are under the impression: Here the Jerusalem elders told Paul about the rumors about his teaching. The rumors were different than what Paul had actually been teaching.

In some languages the implied information will be clear. But in some languages the implied information must be explicit in your translation for the correct meaning. For example:

They had been ⌊wrongly⌋ informed
-or-
they have heard rumors that…

they: This refers to the Jewish believers of Judea mentioned in 21:20.

21:21b

all the Jews who live among the Gentiles: This phrase refers to Jewish believers who did not live in Judea. They lived in other countries among the non-Jewish peoples. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

all Jews living among the gentiles (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
all the Jews living among non-Jewish people (God’s Word)
-or-
the Jewish people who dwell as foreigners in the places/countries of the non-Jewish peoples

the Gentiles: See how you translated this phrase in 21:19.

21:21c

to forsake Moses: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to forsake means “rebel” or “abandon.” Here it refers to rejecting or ignoring the law of Moses. Other ways to translate this clause are:

to disregard the Law of Moses (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
to abandon the Law of Moses (Good News Translation)
-or-
to turn their backs on the laws of Moses (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
they should stop keeping the law of Moses

Moses: Here the name Moses refers to the “law of Moses.” See the examples above.

21:21d–e

telling them not to circumcise their children or observe our customs: This clause gives two examples of “to turn away from Moses.” Other ways to translate this clause are:

in that you tell them not to circumcise…
-or-
They claim that you are telling them not to circumcise their sons or to follow our customs. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-

Specifically, you tell them not to circumcise…

circumcise: The word circumcise means to cut off the loose skin at the end of a boy’s or man’s penis. In the Jewish custom, a man who specialized in doing circumcision would perform this operation. For a newborn boy, the father himself might do it. Among the Jews, circumcision was an important custom that must be done for every male.

In some cultures, it is acceptable to use a word or phrase that means “cut off the loose skin at the end of a boy’s penis.” In other cultures, it is necessary to use a euphemism to describe this event. Some examples are:

cut the skin
-or-
mark ⌊the body to show he belongs to God⌋
-or-
receive the mark

In some cultures people do not circumcise babies, and in some cultures they do not circumcise males. In other cultures circumcision may be done for different reasons than Jewish circumcision. If that is true in your culture, you may want to include a footnote to explain the Jewish custom. An example footnote is:

Circumcision is the cutting off of the flap of skin at the end of the penis. Every male Jew was required to be circumcised. Circumcision was the sign that he was a member of the community with whom God had made the covenant with the Jews.

their children: Because only male children were circumcised, you could translate this as “their sons.”

our customs: This phrase refers to Jewish religious customs required by the law of Moses. Circumcision was one of these customs. It would include other practices and rituals associated with the law of Moses. As an alternative, the BDAG calls it the “way of life.” Other ways to translate this phrase are:

customary practices (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
rules for living ⌊that he/Moses gave to us⌋

General Comment on 21:21a–e

In some languages it will be more natural to use direct speech to report what people said Paul taught. For example, you might say:

They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles, “Turn away from Moses. Do not circumcise your children or live according to Jewish customs.”

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021