SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2019

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2:7

2:7a

in order that: The conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in order that introduces the purpose for which God saved people (2:4–6). God saved people in order to show how great his grace is.

Here are some other ways to translate this conjunction:

so (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
for the purpose that
-or-
God did that so

You should translate it in a way that is natural in your language.

in the coming ages: The phrase in the coming ages refers to the future. It may refer to the present church age, or it may refer to the time after Christ’s second coming, or both. The exact time period should not be made explicit.

Here are some other ways this phrase has been translated:

for all time to come (Good News Translation)
-or-
for all future time (New Century Version)
-or-
in all future ages (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
in future years

2:7b

He might display: The Greek text does not indicate to whom God would show his great grace. Some commentators say he will show it to people. Other commentators say God will show his grace to both people and angels. If you must make it explicit, you can translate in a general way such as:

to the world
-or-
to people

might display: The phrase might display expresses potential and means “would be able to show.” It does not express doubt.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

could show (New Century Version)
-or-
would exhibit/manifest
-or-
will make clear
-or-
will make known

the surpassing riches of His grace: As in 1:7c and 2:4, Paul here used the word riches in a figurative sense to mean “abundant” or “great.” This means that God’s grace/kindness to us is so great that nothing can be compared with it. His grace/kindness is greater than anything else.

grace: Here, grace means that God shows his generous kindness to people. See how you translated grace in 2:5b. Also, see grace, Meaning 2 in the Glossary for more information.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

extraordinary greatness of his grace (Good News Translation)
-or-
incredible wealth of his grace (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
He is very generous to us

2:7c

demonstrated by His kindness to us in Christ Jesus: The clause demonstrated by His kindness to us means that God shows his great grace through his kindness to us.

kindness: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as kindness also means “goodness.” It is used only here and in Romans 11:22 and 2 Corinthians 6:6. It is a different Greek word than the word for “love” or “grace.”

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

kindly acts toward us
-or-

kind way of helping us
-or-

being good to us

in Christ Jesus: The phrase in Christ Jesus represents the means by which God would show his love for us.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

because of what Christ Jesus has done (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
By what Christ Jesus has done for us.

General Comment on 2:7a–c

In some languages, it may be helpful to reorder verse parts 7a, 7b, and 7c. The example below has the verse parts in the following order: 7c, 7a, 7b. For example:

7c He showed us his kindness through Christ Jesus, 7a so that for all time to come 7b people will be able to see the greatness of his grace.

The second meaning line in the display shows another example of reordering 2:7a–c.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 3:17

3:17a

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts: There are different views about how this clause is related to 3:16.

(1) It is a second request that Paul prays for. So dwell is parallel with “strengthen,” that is, “I pray that God will strengthen you…and I pray that Christ may dwell….” For example,

I pray that Christ will live in your hearts (New Century Version)

(Good News Translation, New Century Version, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version)

(2) It is the purpose or result of what Paul prays in 3:16: “I pray that God will strengthen you…so that Christ will dwell….” For example,

so that Christ may live in your hearts

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), though both interpretations have strong support.

dwell in your hearts: The verb dwell has the meaning of “live permanently,” “settle down.”

in your hearts: In the New Testament, the word “heart” refers figuratively to the whole inner life of a person. It includes the mind, will, and emotions. You should use the expression in your language that refers to the inner part of man. In some languages people say ‘mind,’ ‘throat,’ ‘liver,’ or ‘stomach.’

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Christ will make his home in your hearts (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
and I pray that Christ will make his home in your hearts (Good News Translation)
-or-

⌊I also pray⌋ that Christ may control your whole/inner being

3:17b

through faith: The phrase through faith means “because you believe in Christ.” See faith, Meaning 1 in the Glossary for more information.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

as you trust in him (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
because you believe in him
-or-
because of your faith (Contemporary English Version)

General Comment on 3:17a–b

In some languages, it may be natural to change the order of 17a–b. For example:

⌊I pray that⌋ 17b through your believing, 17a Christ would come and live in your inside stomachs.

3:17c

Some English versions add the words “And I pray that” here, and in 3:16a, to make the translation clearer. See how you translated this clause in 3:16a and then decide if it would be natural in your language to translate it here.

being rooted and grounded in love: The words rooted and grounded are both metaphors referring to “strength.” The word rooted refers to the roots of a tree holding the tree steady. The word grounded refers to the foundation of a house making the house firm. The roots of a tree hold the tree steady, and the foundation of a house makes the house established/firm. In the same way, love makes Christians strong.

When you translate these words you may need to:

• translate the meaning directly. For example:

love will make you strong and keep you from falling

• translate the metaphors as similes. For example:

love is like the roots which make a tree stand firm or like the foundation on which a house stands

Both possibilities are shown in the Display. You should choose the option that is most natural in your language.

in love: There is an interpretation issue here. Scholars do not agree about what Paul meant here. There are two possibilities:

(a) Paul wrote about both our love for God and our love for other people.

(b) Paul wrote about God’s love for us (as in 3:18–19b). (Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004))

Both interpretations make sense. As we come to love God and others, and as we learn how much God loves us, that love makes our hearts strong. You may want to follow your national translation in deciding which interpretation to choose.

The Display follows interpretation (a). If you want to follow interpretation (b), you could say:

I pray that you will come to really know how much God loves you, so this will make you firm and keep you from falling.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 4:28

4:28a

He who has been stealing must steal no longer: Paul is speaking to the Ephesians who would have been thieves before their conversion to Christianity. Paul is reminding the Ephesians that stealing is not acceptable behavior for Christians.

In the Greek text, this is a direct declarative statement. Some English versions translate it as a conditional statement. If it is more natural in your language, you may want to translate this sentence in a conditional form. For example:

If you are a thief, quit stealing. (New Living Translation (2004))

must steal no longer: Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

must stop stealing (New Century Version)
-or-
quit stealing (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
must stop robbing (Good News Translation)

4:28b

but must: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as but must is literally “but rather.” It is used to show a strong contrast between 4:28a and 4:28b. Translate this phrase is a way that would naturally show a strong contrast in your language.

work…with his own hands: To work…with his own hands is a figure of speech that means “to work for his daily food,” “to work to support himself,” or “to work so he can buy (or make or grow) the things he needs to live.” The thief formerly used his hands to steal, but now he should use his hands to do honest, good, and hard work.

Most people use their hands when they work, for example, farmers and carpenters. But Paul does not mean that former thieves must do only manual work (work with their hands) and no other kind of work.

In some languages, it may not be necessary to explicitly translate the phrase with his own hands. For example:

They should earn an honest living for themselves. (New Century Version)

doing good: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as doing good is literally “at (something) good.” Commentators are divided as to what it means in this context. The main two interpretations are:

(a) It refers to “honest work.” For example:

doing honest work… (Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, English Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New Century Version)

(b) It refers to good or useful work. For example:

They should do something good… (Berean Standard Bible, God’s Word, New International Version, New Living Translation (2004), NET Bible)

Since both interpretations have good translation and commentary support, either one is acceptable. You may want to follow the interpretation of your national translation.

4:28c

that he may have something to share with the one in need: The phrase the one in need refers to people who are poor and in need of food and clothing.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

and then give generously to others in need (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
so you will have something to give to people in need (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
If he does that, he will be able to give to people who don’t have things.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 5:28

5:28a

In the same way: There is implied information here. The husbands are to love their wives in the same way as Christ loved the church. If this is not clear in the translation you may want to include the implied information. For example:

In the same way ⌊that Christ loved the church⌋ so a husband should love his wife.”

husbands ought to love their wives: This means that each husband should love his own wife. In areas where there is polygamy, it may be better to use a singular subject instead of a plural. For example:

…each man should love his own wife as he loves his own body.

This fits well with the singular verb (loves himself) that follows in 5:28b.

as their own bodies: These words mean that a husband should love his wife just like he loves his own body. When Paul says that a husband loves his own body, he means that he does things to protect himself from harm. He wants to survive, and so he does what helps him survive and live well. (as mentioned in 5:29a). If it is not natural in your language to talk about loving your body, you can translate this as:

as he loves himself (Contemporary English Version)

5:28b

He who loves his wife loves himself: There is implied information here. Paul is making a comparison by referring back to the metaphor of 5:23: The husband is the head of his wife just as Christ is the head of the church. Using that metaphor, Paul reminds the Ephesians that a husband is united to his wife in the same way that Christ is united to the church. So, figuratively, the wife is the “body” of her husband just as the church is the “body” of Christ.

In translating this sentence, it may be helpful to show that Paul is making a comparison. For example:

When a man loves his wife, it is like he loves himself too.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 1:9

1:9a

He has made known to us: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as made known means “revealed” or “showed.” Paul is saying here that God revealed to believers the “mystery of his will.”

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

revealed (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
shown (Contemporary English Version)

mystery of His will: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as mystery means “something which was previously hidden from man that God has now revealed to him.” The next verse (1:10) tells us what this mystery is.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

God’s hidden plan
-or-
the plan that God had hidden in his heart
-or-
God’s purpose that no one knew about in the past
-or-
God’s plan that was previously not known ⌊to mankind/anybody⌋
-or-
God’s plan that he has now made known ⌊to believers⌋

1:9b

according to His good pleasure: This phrase is similar to the phrase, “according to the good pleasure of His will” in 1:5b. As in 1:5b, it may be easier to understand if you change the noun pleasure into a verb. For example:

it pleased God to reveal his plan to us
-or-
God delighted in revealing his plan to us

See how you translated the similar phrase in 1:5b.

which He purposed in Christ: There is an interpretation issue here. The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in Christ is literally “in him.” Scholars are divided as to whom the “him” refers. These views are:

(1) It refers to Christ. This means God decided to reveal his plan through or by means of Christ. For example:

and he planned to do it through Christ (New Century Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New Century Version, Revised English Bible, New International Version, Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, Contemporary English Version, Good News Translation, God’s Word, NET Bible, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) It refers to God himself. This means God decided to reveal his plan through or by means of himself or his own work. For example:

which he has purposed in himself (King James Version)

The New American Standard Bible leaves it ambiguous, using “in him.” The New Living Translation (2004) says:

God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ. (New Living Translation (2004))

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The majority of versions support this interpretation.

The phrase which He purposed in Christ means “God decided to reveal his plan through (or by means of) Christ.” That is, God decided to reveal his plan by means of what Christ would do.

Here are some other ways to translate which He purposed in Christ :

which he decided to accomplish through Christ
-or-
That he planned to do by means of Christ
-or-
That he planned to do through what Jesus would do

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2:18

2:18

For through Him: The phrase For through Him refers to Christ dying on the cross for people. The New Living Translation (2004) makes this explicit:

because of what Christ has done for us (New Living Translation (2004))

we both: The phrase we both refers to the Jews and the Gentiles. If it is not clear to whom this phrase refers you may want to make it clearer in the translation.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

both we ⌊Jews⌋ and you ⌊Gentiles⌋
-or-
we ⌊who are Jews⌋ and you ⌊who are not Jews⌋
-or-
we (incl.) all, both ⌊Jews and Gentiles⌋

have access to the Father: The word access means we have the right to enter God’s presence here on earth. Paul meant that believers can talk with God in this life because they have a good relationship with him. Paul was not talking here about believers going to heaven after they died.

If there is a special word in your language that indicates entering the presence of a chief/ruler, you may want to use it here.

It is possible to translate the word access as a verb. For example:

all of us can come to the Father (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
all of us…are able to come…into the presence of the Father (Good News Translation)
-or-
Jewish and non-Jewish people can go to the Father (God’s Word)

by one Spirit: The phrase by one Spirit in this context means “the same Holy Spirit.” It is the same Holy Spirit who leads both Jews and Gentiles to God.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

we all can approach God by ⌊the power of⌋ the same Holy Spirit
-or-
both ⌊Jews and Gentiles⌋ can approach ⌊God our⌋ Father with the help of the same Holy Spirit

Paragraph 2:19–22

In this next paragraph, Paul used three comparisons to describe the unity of Jewish and Gentile believers in Christ. He said that they are like:

(a) citizens of the same country (19a–b)

(b) members of the same family (19c)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 4:7

Paragraph 4:7–16

In 4:4–6 Paul talked about the things that unite Christians. These are things that we have in common. But in 4:7 he talked about special abilities that some Christians have and that others do not have. We all have the same Spirit, we all worship the same Lord, and so on. But to each of us, Christ has given different special abilities.

4:7a

Now: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Now marks a contrast and a transition. In 4:4–6 Paul talked about what Christians have in common. In this paragraph he talked about special abilities that Christ gives to individual believers. Indicate this contrast in a way that is natural in your language.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

However (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
And yet
-or-

⌊Although we are united in these ways⌋ yet

to each one of us grace: Here the word grace means “the ability which Christ gives to do a special task.” Some of these tasks are described in 4:11. It does not mean “mercy.”

Here are some other ways to translate the word grace:

special gift (Good News Translation)
-or-
favor (God’s Word)
-or-
generous gift/enabling
-or-
gracious empowering

In some languages it is translated as:

power to do a work

See grace, Meaning 3 in the Glossary for more information.

has been given: The phrase has been given is passive. Christ is the one who has given to us these gifts/abilities.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

he has given each one of us a special gift (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Christ gave each of us a gracious gift/ability

4:7b

according to the measure of the gift of Christ: The words according to the measure means “to measure out,” “to distribute,” or “to divide.” Christ decides which gift each Christian should receive. He does not give the same abilities to every Christian.

Here are some other ways to translate the words according to the measure :

as…divided (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
as…measured out (God’s Word)
-or-
as…distributed

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 5:7

5:7

Therefore: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Therefore introduces an appeal on the basis of what Paul said in 5:3–6. It indicates the following: God will punish immoral people, therefore, we must not participate in their evil deeds.

Here are some other ways to translate this conjunction:

So (Good News Translation)
-or-
For that reason

Many versions do not translate the conjunction in 5:7. Translate it in a way that is natural in your language.

do not be partakers with them: The clause do not be partakers with them means that they should not join these people when they do evil things.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

So have nothing at all to do with such people. (Good News Translation)
-or-
Don’t participate in the things these people do (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
do not be part of their group
-or-
If people behave in those ways, then don’t be with them.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2019

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2:7

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 3:17

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 4:28

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 5:28

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 1:9

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2:18

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 4:7

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 5:7

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