SIL Translator’s Notes on Colossians 2001 – Page 11

SIL Translator’s Notes on Colossians 1:11

1:11

This verse is still part of the long sentence in Greek which began at 1:9. Many English versions begin a new sentence here (Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, God’s Word, New Century Version, New Living Translation (2004), Revised English Bible). One way to do this is to use a phrase like “We ask God…” to show that this verse is still part of Paul’s prayer.

1:11a

being strengthened with all power: Paul was praying that God would strengthen the Colossian Christians. The words being strengthened are in the present tense in Greek, so you could translate them:

⌊We pray that God⌋ will always/continually strengthen you…

according to His glorious might: The phrase according to implies how much God is able to strengthen people. Paul was saying: “Since God’s power is limitless, there is no limit to how much he can strengthen you.”

His glorious might: The Greek text literally says “the might of his glory.” The word glorious clearly shows that the power comes from the all-powerful/almighty God. One way to translate His glorious might is “his power which is so wonderful” (see 1:11–12 in the UBS Handbook Handbook).

1:11b

so that you may have full endurance and patience: A literal translation of the Greek is “into all endurance and patience.” Most English versions translate this as the goal or purpose of 1:11a, that is, “We pray that God will strengthen you…, so that you will have great endurance and patience” (see Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, God’s Word, New Century Version, New Living Translation (2004), Revised English Bible, SSA).

endurance and patience: The two Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates endurance and patience are similar in meaning. They both refer to the way a Christian should behave when he faces a difficult situation, especially when he suffers because people persecute him for being a Christian.

endurance: This means being steadfast/faithful. It means not giving up, even in times of suffering and persecution.

patience: This means being patient with those who are persecuting you, that is, enduring their persecution patiently and not being angry at them.

It is possible to consider the two nouns “endurance” and patience together as the Good News Translation has done:

So that you may be able to endure everything with patience. (Good News Translation)

and joyfully: A literal translation of the Greek is “with joy.” This phrase “with joy” can be connected to the words before it or the word after it:

(1) Some translations connect the words “with joy” to “endurance and patience” in 1:11b. For example:

to patiently endure everything with joy (God’s Word)

(God’s Word, Revised Standard Version, Contemporary English Version, King James Version, SSA)

(2) Other versions connect the words “with joy” to “giving thanks” in 1:12a. For example:

and joyfully giving thanks to the Father (Berean Standard Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, Good News Translation, New International Version, New Century Version, NET Bible, New Living Translation (2004), New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible).

There are several other places in the NT where the NT authors connect the idea of “joy” with trials or suffering. For example, see 2 Corinthians 8:1, 1 Thessalonians 1:6, Matthew 5:11–12. But in the NT the word “joy” is not usually connected to thanksgiving. Therefore it is recommended that you follow the first option (1) above.

© 2001 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Colossians 2:14

2:14a

having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees: Scholars understand this in one of two ways:

(1) The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the debt is literally “record of debts” in Greek. Here it is used as a figure of speech. Paul was using legal language to explain how God sets people free from the guilt that is the result of sin. In the court, a person’s debts were written either on a papyrus or on a clay tablet. When the debts were paid, the papyrus or clay tablet was wiped clean and there was no more record of debts or charges against the person.

(2) The Berean Standard Bible phrase the debt refers to the written Jewish law with all of its many regulations. Paul was saying that the law was against us and opposed to us because God condemned the people who did not obey these regulations. Therefore, when Christ died on the cross, God broke the power that the law has.

There are valid reasons to choose either of these interpretations. The Display follows the first option (1) for the following reasons:

(a) The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates the debt was a common term used in Greek courts. It was a written statement of the charges against a person. The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates decrees usually referred to an official proclamation of the charges against the person. Therefore, it appears to refer to the official written statement of the charges against sinners.

(b) The words that Paul used about the document being canceled and “taken away” seem too strong to refer to what happened to the law of Moses when Christ died. Jesus himself said that he did not come to destroy the Law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17).

canceled: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates canceled means “to erase, wipe out.” When God forgives someone, it is as if he “erases” everything that was written down about that person—all his sins and guilt.

that stood against us: In Greek Paul says that “the debt ascribed to us in the decrees” was against us and “stood opposed to us” (New International Version). These two phrases are similar and it is difficult to find a difference between them. So most modern English versions combine them into one phrase, like the Berean Standard Bible’s stood against us. (See Good News Translation, God’s Word, Revised Standard Version, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation (2004).) Unless you have a clear way to make a difference between the two phrases, you should follow one of these versions. For example:

the charges which were brought against us (God’s Word)

2:14b

nailing it to the cross!: This is another figure of speech. There were no lists of sins nailed to the cross on which Jesus died. However, when Christ was nailed to the cross he suffered the punishment for the sins of all people. So it was as if everyone’s sins were nailed to the cross in the body of Christ. If your readers are confused by this figure of speech, you could try translating this part of the verse without using the figure of speech; see the second meaning line in the Display for one way to do this.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Colossians 3:23

3:23

In 3:23, Paul continued to instruct slaves about the attitude they should show in their work.

3:23a

work at it with your whole being: This means, “to work eagerly, enthusiastically, willingly.”

3:23b

for the Lord and not for men: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates for means “as if for,” that is, Paul was telling the slaves that they should do their work as if they were doing it for the Lord, not for people.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Colossians 1:22

1:22a

But now: In this verse Paul contrasted the way the Colossians were before they believed in Christ with the way they were now, that is, after they had become believers.

He has reconciled you: See the note on 1:20a. You should translate the word reconciled here the same way as you did in 1:20.

He: There are a number of pronouns in the Greek text of this verse and it is not clear to whom they refer. Scholars do not agree about who is the subject of the verb “reconciled.” It could be either God or Christ. Most commentators and English versions prefer God as the subject, and this is consistent with all that the NT teaches. So it is recommended that you clarify that God is the subject in your translation.

1:22b

by Christ’s physical body through death: This is similar to what Paul said in 1:20c. God reconciled the Colossians to himself by means of Christ’s…death.

Christ’s physical body: The Greek literally says, “the body of his flesh” (see Revised Standard Version). Paul was emphasizing that Christ had a physical body, a human body.

1:22c

to present you holy, unblemished, and blameless in His presence: This states the purpose of 1:22a. God had reconciled the Colossians to himself in order to present them holy, unblemished, and blameless. The subject of this part of the verse is the same as the subject of 1:22a, that is, God. See the note on 1:22a. So Paul was saying, “God has reconciled you…in order that he ⌊God⌋ can present you…”

to present you…in His presence: This means, “to cause you to be in his presence,” or “to bring you to be where he is.” Scholars do not agree about when this happens:

(1) Many scholars say that these words refer to the future, that is, to the day when God will judge everyone.

(2) Some scholars believe that Paul was writing about something that is already true. By means of Christ’s death, God has already brought those who believe in him into his presence and caused them to be holy and pure.

(Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004))

Both these interpretations are true, and are taught elsewhere in the Bible. Many English versions are ambiguous because the Greek text could mean either. The Display follows the first interpretation (1), since most commentaries prefer it.

holy, unblemished, and blameless:
: Paul uses three words or phrases that mean almost the same thing.

holy: The Greek word hagios that the Berean Standard Bible translates holy normally means “dedicated to God.” In this context, the meaning is “pure.” (See “holy” in Key Biblical Terms and meaning 2 in the glossary).

unblemished: The Greek word amōmos that the Berean Standard Bible translates unblemished is a term that is used to describe an animal that has no cuts, bruises, or other physical problems—an animal that is acceptable as a sacrifice (1 Peter 1:19; Exodus 12:5). Here it means “morally pure, having no sins.”

blameless: The Greek word anegklētos which the Berean Standard Bible translates blameless means that no one can accuse believers before God and say they are guilty of sinning.

If your language does not have three different terms for these concepts, there are several ways you can combine them. The main reason Paul used three separate words with similar meanings was to strengthen his statement. The SSA suggests that the meaning is simply, “in order that you should be completely holy.” Another way to translate these three terms is:

completely pure and without blame in any way

SIL Translator’s Notes on Colossians 3:2

3:2a

Set your minds on things above: This means almost the same thing as 3:1b. The slight difference is that “strive for” in 3:1b refers to strongly desiring things above, whereas Set your minds on in 3:2a refers to constantly thinking about things above, making them the center of your attention. However, if it is difficult to make such a distinction in your translation, you can use a synonym or even repeat the same words, if that is natural.

3:2b

not on earthly things: This contrasts with “things above” in 3:2a. Paul was telling the Colossians that they should not constantly think about earthly things. This refers to “things associated with this world.” There are two ways to interpret this:

(1) It could refer to the evil way people on earth behave (see SSA).

(2) It could refer more generally to ordinary activities of daily living.

Both of these interpretations are possible. Most English versions imply the second interpretation. The first interpretation above (1) seems to show this contrast most clearly, and so the Display follows it.

If you want to follow the second interpretation (2), you could say:

Always think about the things that concern your new life from God in heaven. Do not constantly think about the things of this world.

Whichever way you translate this phrase, you should make sure that it clearly contrasts with 3:2a.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Colossians 4:9

4:9a

Onesimus: This is probably the same Onesimus that Paul wrote about in his letter to Philemon. Onesimus had been a slave of Philemon before he ran away to Rome where he met Paul and became a Christian.

4:9b

our faithful…brother: See the note on this in 1:2a.

beloved brother: See the note on 4:7b.

who is one of you: This probably means that Onesimus was also from Colossae, so it can be translated “your fellow townsman, one of your own people.”

SIL Translator’s Notes on Colossians 1:1

Section 1:1–2

Paul greeted the Colossian believers

Paragraph 1:1–2

1:1a

Paul: Greek people usually began letters by just writing their name, as Paul did here. Then they would state the name of the person to whom they were writing. Today people do not usually start letters in this way, so you may need to use a greeting that is more natural in your language. For example, you could use a phrase in which Paul refers to himself in the first person. For example:

I, Paul, write this letter.
-or-

This letter is from me, Paul,

1:1b

apostle: An apostle was a person whom Jesus had appointed or commissioned to represent him and to teach his message with authority. See the term “apostle” in the glossary and in Key Biblical Terms. If the term you choose for apostle means simply “messenger,” make sure that it does not refer to a person who only delivers a message and then has no further responsibility for the message. An apostle not only taught the message about Christ, but he also had the authority to act on behalf of Christ. He was an ambassador for Christ.

Christ Jesus: In this letter Paul usually referred to Jesus by the name Christ Jesus or “Christ.” He used “Jesus Christ” only once (1:3). The Greek word christos, which is written “Christ” in English, means “Messiah.” However, by the time Paul wrote this letter, people were already using the word “Christ” as another name for Jesus, rather than a title. Most scholars, therefore, believe that there is no difference in meaning between the terms “Christ Jesus” and “Jesus Christ.”

Most English versions (as well as other national language translations) translate “Jesus Christ” and “Christ Jesus” using the same order as the Greek text in each instance. Throughout the Display, the names “Christ Jesus” and “Jesus Christ” follow the word order of the Greek text.

But if the people who read your translation would be confused by the different order of the names, you may decide to use the more familiar order “Jesus Christ” here and in the other places where the Greek text has “Christ Jesus.”

by the will of God: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates the will of God means what God wants and desires. Paul wanted to clarify that when he called himself an apostle, it was not because he had decided that for himself. It was God who had chosen him to be an apostle of Christ Jesus.

Paul was emphasizing his authority by using the phrases “apostle of Christ Jesus” and by the will of God together. You should connect these two phrases in a way that shows this emphasis. The SSA has expressed the relationship between the two phrases as:

an apostle who represents/was-appointed-by Christ Jesus, because God chose ⌊me in order that I should be an apostle⌋

1:1c

Timothy: Timothy was with Paul when he was writing this letter. One possible reason his name was mentioned here may be that Paul dictated the letter to Timothy and Timothy wrote down what he said, but we do not know that for certain. Biblical scholars generally agree that Paul alone was the author of the letter and that Timothy did not contribute to the content.

One way you could translate this part of the verse to avoid implying that Timothy was a co-author would be to say:

I, Paul, together with our(incl.) brother Timothy, am sending this letter to you…

brother: Since God is the Father of all Christians, all Christians are like brothers and sisters. Therefore, people in the NT frequently use the word brother when referring to a fellow Christian. You should translate this term literally in your translation if possible. However, in some languages the word brother can only refer to a blood relative. If this is a problem in your language, you could use a term meaning “fellow Christian.”

SIL Translator’s Notes on Colossians 2:4

2:4a

I say this: The word this refers back to what Paul had been saying earlier in 1:24–2:3, especially how very important Christ is (2:3). In some languages it may be better to translate this:

I have written this to you
-or-
I have told you these things in my letter…

2:4b

so that no one will deceive you by smooth rhetoric: Paul had heard that there were people in Colossae who were teaching a false message. (See the Introduction to these Notes.) These teachers wanted to deceive the Colossian Christians, that is, to lead them astray, to cause them to believe their wrong teachings.

smooth rhetoric: This means they tried to make their teaching sound true and reasonable, so that other people would believe what they said.

General Comment about 2:4

One way to translate 2:4 is:

I am saying these things to you so that no one will persuade you to believe their false teachings, even if what they teach sounds believable.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Colossians 2001