SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2019

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 1:4

1:4a

For: There is an issue with the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For. Scholars have various views about the way in which this Greek word connects 1:3 and 1:4. Here are the three main interpretations:

(1) The Greek word introduces some of the specific blessings that God has given us. In 1:3, Paul made the general statement that God has blessed us with every blessing. Beginning with 1:4, he tells specifically what some of these blessings are. An example of this interpretation is the New Century Version, which says:

3b God has given us every spiritual blessing…. 4 That is, in Christ, he chose us before the world was made…. (New Century Version)

(New Century Version, New Jerusalem Bible footnote)

(2) The Greek word indicates the reason that God blessed us. All the blessings in 1:3 come to us because God chose us before he made the world. So according to this interpretation, the Greek word should be translated as “for” or “because.” For example:

For he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world… (NET Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, NET Bible, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

(3) The Greek word indicates that the manner in which God has blessed us is the same as the manner in which he chose us. God has blessed us in Christ just as he chose us in Christ. According to this interpretation, the Greek word should be translated as “just as” or “even as.” For example:

…just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world… (New American Standard Bible)

(Revised Standard Version, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, English Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

Here are some other ways to translate following interpretation (1):

• Translate the Greek word with a word or a phrase to explicitly show the connection between 1:3 and 1:4. For example:

specifically
-or-
that is (New Century Version)

• Do not translate the Greek word and leave the connection implicit.

The Display gives an example of each.

He chose us in Him: The pronoun He refers to God. The pronoun Him refers to Christ.

In order to make the meaning of He chose us clear you may need to say:

he chose us to be his people.

in Him: Most commentators agree that the phrase in Him indicates the reason God chose us.

Here is one way to translate:

God chose us because of Christ.

before the foundation of the world: In some languages, the meaning of before the foundation of the world will be clearer if you change the noun foundation into a verb and add the agent, who is God. For example:

before God created the world

Also consider whether it would be more natural in your language to put this clause at the beginning rather than at the end of the sentence. For example:

Before God created the world, he chose us…

world: Here the word world refers to the entire universe. It includes both the heavens and the earth. See world, Meaning 2 in the Glossary for more information.

1:4b

to be holy and blameless in His presence: Because this sentence that began in 1:4a is already long, you could break it and start a new sentence here by saying:

⌊He did this so that we should⌋ be holy and blameless in his presence.

to be: The verb to be indicates the purpose God chose us.

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

He chose us in order that we should be holy and blameless.
-or-
He chose us so that we should be holy and blameless.

holy: Here holy “means pure, clean and without any sin.” See holy, Meaning 2 in the Glossary.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

without sin
-or-
pure spiritually

blameless: The word blameless means that there is nothing bad in a person’s behavior that God (or other people) could find fault with.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

without blame (New Century Version
-or-
without fault (Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
innocent (Contemporary English Version)

in His presence: The pronoun His refers to God. This is literally “before him.”

Here are some other ways to translate 1:4b:

that he will consider us to be holy and innocent
-or-
holy and blameless when we stand before him
-or-

he will see us as holy and innocent

1:4c

In love: There are different views as to whether the phrase In love relates to what precedes or what follows:

(1) In love goes with 1:5. According to this interpretation, In love gives the reason why God decided to adopt us. One way to translate this phrase is, “because of his love” or “because he loves us.” For example:

Because of his love he had already decided to adopt us… (God’s Word)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New American Standard Bible, New Century Version, God’s Word, English Standard Version)

(2) In love goes with 1:4. According to this interpretation, In love further describes the life for which God has chosen us, that is, we should be full of love. The Revised English Bible follows this interpretation:

he chose us in Christ to be his people, to be without blemish in his sight, to be full of love (Revised English Bible)

(New Jerusalem Bible, New Revised Standard Version, King James Version, Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004), NET Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

love: The word love here refers to God’s great affection and concern for his people. See love, Meaning 1 in the Glossary for more information.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2:13

2:13a–b

you who once were far away have been brought near: There is implied information here. In many languages it will be clearer to translate “far away from God ” and “near to God.”

Paul used far and near as a figure of speech here. This means that previously, they had no relationship with God (they were far away from God), but when they believed, they did have a relationship with God (they were near to God). If this figure of speech is not clear in your language, you may want to use different words, such as:

In the past you had no relationship with God, but now you have a good/close relationship with him…
-or-
In the past you were spiritually separated from God, but now you are joined/united with him…

2:13a

But now: The phrase But now marks a strong contrast, as in 2:4. The contrast is between how the Ephesians were before they knew God and how they were as believers in Christ Jesus. Show this contrast in a way that is natural in your language.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

In contrast, now
-or-
However, at this time

in Christ Jesus: See how you translated in Christ Jesus in 1:1d and 2:6b and in Christ in 1:3b, 1:9b, and 1:12a.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

you have been united with Christ Jesus (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
in union with Christ Jesus (GNB)
-or-
through Christ Jesus (God’s Word)

2:13b

brought near: The phrase brought near is a passive. It means that God has brought the Ephesians near to himself. In some languages, it may be necessary to make some of this explicit. For example:

⌊God⌋ has brought you near
-or-
Christ…brought you near God (Contemporary English Version)

blood of Christ: The phrase blood of Christ refers to the death of Jesus. For example:

But Christ offered his life’s blood as a sacrifice and brought you near God. (Contemporary English Version)

You may need to add more information to complete the idea of Jesus’ blood referring to his death.

Here are some ways to translate this phrase:

…you have been brought near ⌊to God⌋ through the blood ⌊which⌋ Christ ⌊shed/poured out⌋ ⌊when he died⌋.
-or-
…you have been brought near ⌊to God⌋ by ⌊trusting in what⌋ Christ ⌊accomplished for us⌋ ⌊when he shed⌋ his blood ⌊when he died⌋.
-or-
…God has brought you near ⌊to himself⌋ through the blood ⌊which⌋ Christ ⌊bled⌋ ⌊when he died⌋.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 4:2

4:2–4

In 4:1 Paul urged the Ephesians to behave in a way that pleased God. In 4:2–4 he listed some specific types of behavior that please God.

4:2a

with all: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as with all means “in every situation” or “at all times.” It is connected to both “humble” and “gentle.”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

in everything/all ⌊you do⌋
-or-
Always (Contemporary English Version)

humility: The word humility means to be unassuming, without arrogance. It could also be translated as “without pride.” Some languages have idioms for this. For example:

have a low heart/head
-or-
bring yourself down

gentleness: The word gentleness means “without harshness, not easily irritated, with courtesy.” Acting with gentleness is the opposite of taking revenge, getting even or demanding your own rights.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

considerate
-or-
not demanding
-or-
not harsh

4:2b

with patience: The word patience means “being slow to get angry or complain” or “being long-suffering.” There may be an idiom in your language to express this, for example:

having a long heart

bearing with one another in love: The phrase bearing with one another means “be tolerant or patient with one another.”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

accepting each other (New Century Version)
-or-
be tolerant of others
-or-
endure the wrongs of others

Some languages have idioms for this.

in love: The phrase in love refers to being tolerant of others “because of love,” or “because you love them.” For example:

…because of your love (New Living Translation (2004))

See love, meaning 2 in the Glossary for more information.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 5:2

5:2a

and walk in love: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as walk in love refers to the loving quality of our daily actions. All our actions should be controlled by our love for others.

In many languages it is not natural to say and walk in love. It may also be unnatural to say:

be full of love (Living Bible)
-or-
be controlled by love (Good News Translation)

Instead, you may want to translate love as a verb and say:

love one another
-or-
Love people

See love, meaning 2 in the Glossary for more information. For other references to “walk,” see notes on 2:2a, 2:10c, 4:1b.

5:2b

just as: The phrase just as here means “in the same way as.”

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

following the example of (New Living Translation (2004))

Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us: The two past tense verbs, loved and gave Himself up refer to what Christ did in the past.

Here is another way to translate this sentence:

Christ showed his love for us by dying for us

You may want to translate the verb “love” using the present tense to avoid suggesting that he loved us only in the past. For example:

he loves us

gave Himself up for us: The phrase gave Himself up for us refers to Christ willingly dying on the cross for us. Some other ways this phrase may be translated include:

offered his life for us (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
gave his life for us (Good News Translation)
-or-
he died to help/save us

5:2c

as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God: The phrase as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God is a metaphor. Priests burned sacrifices to God, and the smell of the smoke was fragrant/sweet and pleased God. In the same way, Christ gave himself as a sacrifice to die to redeem mankind, and what he did pleased God.

It may be clearer for your translation to translate this metaphor as a simile. For example:

it was like a fragrant offering to God which pleased him

fragrant: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as fragrant is literally “sweet-smelling.” It also implies that Christ’s sacrifice on the cross was pleasing to God. One model to follow here is the Good News Translation that has translated fragrant with both meanings:

as a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice that pleases God (Good News Translation)

sacrificial offering: The words offering and sacrificial are similar in meaning and in this verse can be treated as a doublet. This means that you can translate both words by one term in your language. For example:

He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. (New Living Translation (2004))

General Comment on 5:2a–c

In some languages, it may be natural to change the order of 5:2a–c. For example:

5:2b Just as Christ loved us and gave his body 5:2c as a nice smelling offering to God for us, 5:2a so you are to love people.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 6:1

Section 6:1–4

Paul gave advice to children and their parents

The first relationship that Paul talked about was the marriage relationship (5:21–33). In this section, Paul talked about another relationship: that of children and parents. Children should obey their parents, and parents should train their children with love and Christian discipline.

Here are some other examples for a heading for this section:

Paul’s advice to children and parents (God’s Word)
-or-
Children should obey their parents

Paragraph 6:1–4

6:1–2

In 5:21–24 Paul told Christians to “submit” to one another and told wives to “submit” to their husbands. In 5:33 he told wives to “respect” their husbands. Now in 6:1, he tells children to “obey” and “honor” their parents. These words are similar in meaning. To respect or honor someone means to recognize/consider that person is worthy to love and obey. To submit to a person means to be willing to be under that person’s authority, to yield our rights to that person. To obey a person means to do what that person says.

6:1a

Children: Here the word Children refers to children whose parents are still taking care of them.

obey your parents in the Lord: There are differing views as to the meaning of the phrase in the Lord. Here are two of these views:

(1) It means that children should obey their parents “because they (the children) are united to the Lord” or “because they belong to the Lord.” For example:

because you belong to the Lord (New Living Translation (2004))

(New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version God’s Word)

(2) It means that children should obey their parents because it is the will of the Lord. For example:

as the Lord wants (New Century Version)

(New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Most English versions translate this phrase literally, and it is not possible to tell which interpretation they follow.

Lord: Here, the word Lord refers to Jesus.

6:1b

for: In the Greek 1b begins with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for. This conjunction introduces the basis for his command in 1a.

Here are some other possible ways to introduce this basis:

Because
-or-
My reason ⌊for this command⌋ is that

this is right: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as right in this context means “conforming to God’s standard, just, right, proper.” The clause “for this is right” may need to be expanded. Some examples are:

for this is the right thing to do
-or-
because this is the correct thing that you should do
-or-
because this is what you should do
-or-
Because this is the right behavior to do

See righteous in the Glossary for more information.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 1:15

Section 1:15–23

Paul prayed for the believers at Ephesus

Paul started the next section by thanking God for the faith and love of the Christians in Ephesus. Then he prayed that they might know God better. Specifically, he prayed that they might know the good things that they can hope for in the future, the blessings that God has promised to his people and the greatness of God’s power. This is the power that raised Jesus from death and put him in the place of highest honor in heaven.

In Greek this whole section is one very long sentence. You will probably need to break it into several shorter sentences in your translation.

Here are some other examples for a heading for this section:

Paul’s prayer (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)
-or-
Paul’s prayer for spiritual wisdom (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Thanksgiving and prayer (New International Version)

Paragraph 1:15–23

1:15a

For this reason: The Berean Standard Bible translates the Greek phrase here as For this reason. It refers to everything that God has done for us in 1:3–14.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

That is why (New Century Version)
-or-
Because of all this
-or-
Because of everything that God has done
-or-
Therefore

The phrase For this reason is connected to 1:16a. The meaning is:

1:15a Because of all this…1:16a I have not stopped giving thanks for you.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse:

• Repeat some form of 1:16a after 1:15a. For example:

1:15a Because of everything that God has done, ⌊I thank him⌋. 1:15b–c Ever since I heard that you believe in the Lord Jesus and love all the saints, 1:16a I never stop giving thanks for you.

• Translate it literally. For example:

1:15a Because of everything that God has done, 1:15b-c and ever since I heard that you believe in the Lord Jesus and love all the saints, 1:16a I never stop giving thanks for you.

• Move 1:15a to the end of verse 15. For example:

1:15b I, too, have heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus 1:15c and your love for all of God’s people. 1:15a For this reason… (God’s Word)

• Move 1:15a to the beginning of verse 1:16. The Contemporary English Version does this by translating For this reason as “So” at the beginning of 1:16:

1:15b I have heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus 1:15c and your love for all of God’s people. 1:16a So I never stop being grateful for you,… (Contemporary English Version)

1:15b

your faith in the Lord Jesus: The word faith refers here to the action of trusting and believing in Jesus.

Here are some other ways to translate the word faith in this context:

confidence
-or-
trust

In many languages, the noun faith will be clearer if you translate it as a verb. For example:

you trusted/believed in the Lord Jesus

See faith, Meaning 1, in the Glossary for more information.

Lord Jesus: The word Lord is a translation of the Greek word that means “lord, master or leader.” It is a term of respect. In this verse, it is a title associated with Jesus.

1:15c

your love for all the saints: The word love here is a noun in the Greek text. It refers to man’s affection and concern for other believers. If it is more natural in your language to translate love as a verb, you can say:

you love all of God’s people

See love, Meaning 2 in the Glossary for more information.

saints: The word saints means “people set apart for God.” It does not refer to a special group of “holy people.” All Christians are saints.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

God’s people
-or-
people who belong to God

See Holy, Meaning 1, special use, in the Glossary for more information.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 3:2

3:2a

Surely you have heard: This phrase expresses a strong assumption or a certainty. Paul was saying that he was sure that the Ephesian believers knew of his ministry of preaching the gospel.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Certainly you have heard (God’s Word)
-or-
Since you have heard
-or-
I am sure that you have heard

3:2b

stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you: The Greek word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as stewardship refers to how something is put into effect, accomplished, administered or caused to be done. Paul was talking about his job of being an apostle and preaching the gospel.

Here is another way to translate this word:

special responsibility (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
God sent me to preach

of God’s grace that was given to me for you: The phrase of God’s grace that was given to me for you can be interpreted in a number of ways:

(1) It refers to the Good News of God’s saving grace. For example:

God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles. (New Living Translation (2004))

(New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word)

(2) It refers to Paul’s commission to evangelize the Gentiles. For example:

God in his grace has given me this work to do for your good. (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation, New Century Version, Contemporary English Version)

(3) It refers to Paul’s knowledge of the mystery given to him. For example:

You have heard of the knowledge of the mystery God so graciously gave me to proclaim to you.

While both interpretations (1) and (2) have good support among English translations and commentators, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 4:13

4:13a-d

In the Greek text, 4:13 contains three phrases each of which start with the same preposition eis, “to”:

• to become unified…

• to become mature…

• to become perfect like Christ…

Commentators connect these phrases in many ways. The two main interpretations are:

(1) all three phrases are separate goals. For example:

13a This is to continue

13b
until all of us are united in our faith and in our knowledge about God’s Son,

13c
until we become mature,

13d
until we measure up to Christ, who is the standard. (God’s Word)

(Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, Contemporary English Version, God’s Word)

(2) the first two phrases are separate goals, and the third phrase further describes the second. For example:

13a This work must continue

13b until we are all joined together in the same faith and in the same knowledge of the Son of God.

13c We must become like a mature person, 13d growing until we become like Christ and have his perfection. (New Century Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The three goals for the church are that they shall:

(a) be united in their faith and knowledge of Christ (4:13b),

(b) become mature believers (4:13c) and

4:13a

until: The word until here means that this is the goal of what Paul said in 4:11–12. Christ gave special abilities to some believers (4:11) in order to prepare all believers to work for him (4:12a) and to make us all united (4:12b). This will continue until we all become united (4:13b), mature (4:13c) and like Christ (4:13d).

we all: The words we all refer to all of us who are believers.

4:13b

reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God: Here, faith and knowledge are the means of our coming to unity. We become united because we believe in the Son of God and know him. In some languages, it will be clearer to translate these three abstract nouns (unity, faith, knowledge) as verbs. These are discussed below.

reach unity in the faith: Here, reach unity means “to come together like one,” “to become joined together as one” or “to become united.”

the faith: Here the faith refers to a general belief or trust in something or someone. There are two main interpretations.

(1) This refers to belief in the true Christian teachings. If you follow this interpretation, you could say:

by believing in the truth/teaching ⌊about Christ⌋ and knowing the Son of God

(2) This refers to belief in the Son of God. Some commentators say that “Son of God” is the object of both “knowledge” and faith. If you follow this interpretation, you could say:

by believing in the Son of God and knowing him

In 4:5a, Paul listed “one faith” and its meaning was “belief in the true Christian teachings.” The context suggested that the faith has the same meaning here. So, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

See faith, Meaning 1 in the Glossary for more information.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

are united by our faith and by our understanding of the Son of God. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
are all joined together in the same faith and in the same knowledge of the Son of God. (New Century Version)

the Son of God: The phrase the Son of God is a title for Jesus. This title was often used to refer to a savior who would be a descendant of King David. God would send this savior to rescue his people. This person was often referred to as the “Messiah” or “Christ.”

The title the Son of God also indicates that Jesus has the same nature and character as God. The relationship between God the Father and Jesus, his Son, is similar in some way to the relationship between human fathers and sons. God the Father does not have a physical body. He did not have a sexual relationship with Mary that resulted in her becoming pregnant and giving birth to Jesus. The Son of God existed eternally as the Son with his Father.

In areas where people do not understand the title the Son of God in this way, you may want to include a footnote that explains the correct meaning. Here is a suggested footnote:

This title refers to Jesus. It indicates that Jesus has the same nature and character as God. It does not mean that God the Father had a sexual relationship with Mary that resulted in her becoming pregnant and giving birth to Jesus. Mary became pregnant with Jesus in a miraculous way by the Holy Spirit of God.

In some languages, it is natural to speak of a son as a “child,” without specifying male or female. If that is true in your language, you may use a more general term, such as:

the Child of God

Other verses will usually make clear that Jesus was a male child. If you use a phrase such as “the male child of God,” be sure that it does not imply that God had another child who was female.

4:13c

as we mature: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as as we mature is literally “to a mature man.” The second goal of the church is to mature. Here, this refers to becoming fully grown, fully developed, like adults in our faith (in contrast to children in 4:14). The meaning is “mature as Christians.” For example:

mature in the Lord (New Living Translation (2004))

4:13d

to the full measure of the stature of Christ: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to the full measure of the stature of Christ is literally “at the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” It means “to become exactly like Christ, who is perfect.”

Paul is using a metaphor here, comparing the physical maturity of children to the spiritual maturity of Christians. Just as a child grows up until he becomes an adult like his parents, so we Christians are to grow up in our faith until we are like Christ.

In some languages people may not understand the meaning of the metaphor. If that is true in your language, consider translating the meaning directly. For example:

and become completely mature, just as Christ is

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
until we measure up to Christ, who is the standard (God’s Word)
-or-
grow up and be strong the way Christ is strong

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2019

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 1:4

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2:13

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 4:2

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 5:2

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 6:1

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 1:15

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 3:2

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 4:13

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