SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2019

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 1:8

1:8a

that He lavished on us: The word lavished means, “gave in great quantity.” Paul used strong words to show how great is God’s grace towards us. Try to find strong expressions in your language.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

He showed us his kindness to a very great extent.
-or-
he poured out his kindness (God’s Word)
-or-
he gave to us in such large measure (Good News Translation)

1:8b

with all wisdom and understanding: There are different views about whether the phrase with all wisdom and understanding belongs to the words before it or the words after it. Furthermore, there are different views about whether Paul was talking about God’s wisdom and understanding or man’s wisdom and understanding. Some of these views are:

(1) It refers to “lavished” in 1:8a and shows two further gifts that God gives to us. For example:

8a He has showered his kindness on us, 8b along with all wisdom and understanding. (New Living Translation (2004))

(Revised English Bible, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

(2) It refers to “lavished” in 1:8a and to God’s wisdom; that is, in all his wisdom and understanding God lavished his grace on us. For example:

7c…according to the riches of his grace 8a that he lavished on us 8b in all wisdom and insight (NET Bible)

(NET Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, King James Version)

(3) It refers to “made known” in 1:9 and to God, that is, in his wisdom God made known to us his plan. For example:

8b God has great wisdom and understanding, 9 and by what Christ has done, God has shown us his own mysterious ways. (Contemporary English Version)

(Good News Translation, Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, New Century Version, Contemporary English Version, English Standard Version)

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

all: The word all here means “all kinds of.” God has given us all kinds of wisdom and understanding.

wisdom: The word wisdom refers to the quality of being wise and acting wisely. Someone who has wisdom is someone who has good sense and can correctly decide which is the right way to think and act.

If your language would prefer an adjective here rather than the noun wisdom, you could say something like:

God makes us to be very wise…

understanding: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as understanding refers to the ability to understand or know something. It is slightly different from the word “wisdom.”

Here is another way to translate this word:

insight (Good News Translation)

If your language would prefer a verb here rather than the noun understanding, you could say something like:

and to know all kinds of things
-or-
and to understand/comprehend all kinds of things

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2:17

2:17a

preached peace: The word preached means publicly told or announced a message.

peace: The word peace here has a more general meaning than in 2:14–15. In this context it refers to the message of salvation. Christ came into the world and preached that there is now peace between man and God. Some English versions make this association with the message of salvation explicit.

Here are some other ways to translate the phrase “preached peace”:

So Christ came and preached the Good News of peace to all (Good News Translation)
-or-
He brought this Good News of peace to you (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
He announced that his death would do away with that hostility/hatred between the two

you who were far away: The pronoun you refers to the Ephesians who were Gentiles. This is stating their condition before they believed in Christ.

far away: As in 2:13a–b, the phrase far away is a figure of speech that means that they were “far away ⌊from God⌋.” They did not have a close relationship with God.

If this figure of speech is not clear in your language, you may want to use different words, such as:

you who had no relationship with God
-or-
you who were spiritually separated from God

See how you translated far away in 2:13a–b.

2:17b

peace: The Greek text repeats the word peace in 2:17a and 2:17b. If it is not natural to repeat this word in your language, here is a way you can translate this:

Christ came and preached peace to you who were far away from God, and to those who were near to God. (New Century Version)

to those who were near: The phrase those who were near refers to the Jews. Since Paul was also a Jew, it is possible to translate this clause using a first person plural pronoun (us). For example:

to us ⌊Jews⌋ who were near

near: The word near (like the expression “far away” in 2:17a) is a figure of speech here. The Jews were near to God because they had a special relationship with him. He had chosen them to be his special people. It does not mean that they were physically near or close to God.

If this figure of speech is not clear in your language, you may want to use different words, such as:

those people who had a close relationship with him
-or-
the ⌊Jews⌋ who are his chosen/special people

Here is another way to translate 2:17:

To you non-Jews who are far and to you Jews who are near, he came and said this, “Live in peace ⌊together⌋.”

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 4:6

4:6a

one God and Father of all: The words God and Father refer to the same Person. You can say:

There is only one God, and he is the Father of all of us.
-or-

⌊We all worship⌋ the same God who is the Father of us all.

all: There are at least three ways to understand the word all.

(1) It means all believers.

(2) It means all people whether believers or not. For example:

there is one God and Father of all people (Good News Translation)

(3) It means all things or all creation. For example:

There is one God and Father of everything. (New Century Version)

Many versions say only all, and it is not possible to tell which interpretation they follow. If you want to make the all explicit, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), which many commentaries support. It is true that God is the God of all people, and he is over all people. However, because Paul is speaking of the unity of the church in these verses, he probably means all Christians, whether Jew or Gentile. So you could translate all as:

all of us
-or-
all his people

4:6b

who is over all: The phrase who is over all means that God rules over all his people. He owns us all. For example:

of all people (Good News Translation)

through all: The phrase through all means that God does his work through all his people.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

works through all (Good News Translation)
-or-
he works by using all of us (Contemporary English Version)

in all: The phrase in all means that God lives/dwells in all his people by his Spirit. For example:

and he lives in all of us (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 5:6

Paragraph 5:6–14

Some English versions begin a new paragraph at 5:6. Others begin a new paragraph at 5:8.

In this paragraph, Paul used the words “darkness” and “light” in a metaphorical sense. These words will be discussed further below.

5:6a

Let no one deceive you: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as deceive means “to trick someone into believing something that is false or bad.” In this context, Paul meant this: If any people tell you that Christians are permitted to do these sinful things (mentioned in 5:3–5), do not believe them!

Here is another way to translate Let no one deceive you :

Don’t be fooled (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
“Do not let anyone make you believe ⌊their lies⌋.”

with empty words: The phrase empty words refers to words that are useless, foolish or lies. In this context it refers to excusing the sinful behavior listed by Paul in 5:3–5. Excusing the sinful behavior means saying that it is ok for people to behave in these ways (God won’t punish them for it). For example:

excuse these sins (New Living Translation (2004))

General Comment on 5:5a

In some language, it may be necessary to make the phrase “empty words” more clear. For example:

People may behave that way but if people lie and say that God will not punish them for such behavior, don’t believe them.

5:6b

for because of such things: The phrase such things refers to the sins listed in 5:3–5. This should be made clear in your translation.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

such things ⌊I just mentioned⌋
-or-
because of sins like these (God’s Word)
-or-
because of these very things (Good News Translation)
-or-

⌊Because⌋ if people behave in these ways

the wrath of God is coming: the wrath of God means “God shows that he is angry” or “God punishes.” Paul was talking about God doing something, not just feeling angry. (See note on “children of wrath” at 2:3d for more discussion on wrath.)

is coming: When Paul said God’s wrath is coming, he probably means it will come soon. For example:

God’s anger will come. (Good News Translation)

In many languages you cannot talk about wrath or anger coming. You may have an idiom in your language, such as:

“God ⌊will⌋ strike them with punishment.”

You may have an idiom like the English:

God’s anger falls on them

Or you may need to translate wrath in an active way:

God will punish them

on the sons of disobedience: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as the sons of disobedience refers to people who disobey God. It also refers back to the people described as “immoral, impure, and greedy” in 5:5b.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

those who do not obey him (Good News Translation)
-or-
the people who do not do what God commands

General Comment on 5:6

In some languages, it may be necessary to make parts of 5:6 explicit. For example:

People may behave in those ways, but if people lie and say that God will not punish them for such behavior, don’t believe them. If people are disobedient and behave in such ways, then God will be angry and truly strike ⌊them⌋.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 6:5

Section 6:5–9

Paul gave advice to slaves and their masters

The third relationship that Paul talked about is that of slaves and masters. The slave must remember that when he serves his master, he is serving Christ, and he will receive his reward from Christ. The master must remember that the slave’s master in heaven is his own master too.

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

Paul’s advice to slaves and masters (God’s Word)
-or-
Slaves/Servants should obey their masters

Paragraph 6:5–9

6:5a

Slaves: Paul switched from talking to fathers to talking to slaves in Ephesus who were Christians. In the town of Ephesus, slaves were people who worked in the houses of their masters.

In your translation you should use a natural way to show that Paul began talking to a different group of people. For example:

To those who are slaves, I say…
-or-
Now you servants….

obey: The word obey means “do what somebody says to do” or “carry out someone’s orders.” For example:

Slaves, you should do what your masters tell you to do.

earthly masters: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as earthly masters is literally “masters according to the flesh.” These are in contrast to the master in heaven (6:9). In Greek, the word for “master” and “Lord” is the same word. Paul told slaves to obey their “masters in the flesh ” so they would not mistakenly think he meant “obey the Lord” here. See flesh, Meaning 2 in the Glossary for more information.

masters: The “master” was the person who had bought and who owned the slave.

Here are some other ways to translate the word masters :

owners
-or-
bosses

6:5b

with respect and fear: The words respect and fear are a doublet. Both words mean respect/honor. (Here fear does not mean “to be afraid of.”) You can translate this:

respect them and honor/obey them
-or-
really respect them

Perhaps your language has an idiom that describes the attitude a slave should have, for example:

always bow your head to them

sincerity of heart: The phrase sincerity of heart means “honestly,” “with no hidden motives” or “with one heart.”

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

with a good heart

Or if it is clearer, you can translate it in a negative way. For example:

do not obey them with half a heart
-or-
do not just pretend to respect them
-or-
be as loyal to them (Contemporary English Version)

6:5c

just as you would obey Christ: This is a comparison. Paul is comparing their service of their masters to their obedience to Christ. He is saying that slaves should obey their masters in the same way that they would obey Christ.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Be as sincere as you are when you obey Christ. (God’s Word)
-or-
be as loyal to them as you are to Christ (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 1:19

1:19a

the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe: This is the third thing that Paul prayed that the Ephesians would know.

the surpassing greatness of His power: The phrase surpassing greatness means that God’s power is so strong that no other power can compare with it. His power is greater than all other power.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

incredible greatness of God’s power (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
unlimited greatness of his power (God’s Word)
-or-
great and mighty power that God has (Contemporary English Version)

to us: A literal English translation of the Greek is “toward us.”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

power which helps us
-or-
power which he uses on our behalf

1:19b

These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength: Paul means that the power that God uses to help us is the same power that God used to raise Christ from death and to take him up to heaven (1:20a–b).

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

This is the same mighty power (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
This power working in us is the same as the mighty strength (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 3:6

3:6

In this verse, Paul finally explained what God’s mystery/plan is. God’s plan is to call both Gentiles and Jews to be his people and to make them equal partners in the church.

Paul described the relationship between Gentile and Jewish believers by three nouns, all of which have the same prefix “joint,” meaning “together”:

(a) joint-heirs : The Gentiles now receive the same blessings from God that the Jews receive. (3:6c)

(b) joint-body : Gentiles and Jews are now united in one body, the church. (3:6d)

In some languages it may be possible to use similar wording for all three of these. This may help your readers to see the similarity between these terms. For example:

heirs together…members together…sharers together (New International Version)
-or-
fellow heirs…fellow members…fellow partakers (NET Bible)
-or-
have the same inheritance…belong to the same body…share the same promise (God’s Word)

3:6a

This mystery is that: In order to show that Paul has arrived at his main point, the Berean Standard Bible begins 3:6 with the clause This mystery is that…This is a good model to follow. Other English versions do similar things. For example:

And this is the secret plan… (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
And the meaning of that hidden/secret talk is this

mystery: The word mystery means “something that has not been explained.” This refers to God’s plan that was unknown to man in the past. It also occurred in 3:3a and 3:4b.

3:6b

through the gospel: The phrase through the gospel is connected to the three clauses:

(a) Gentiles and Jews have become joint-heirs,

(b) members of the same body and

Some ways to translate through the gospel are:

by means of your believing the gospel
-or-

because you believed the gospel
-or-
the good news has given (Contemporary English Version)

See gospel in the Glossary for more information.

General Comment on 3:6b

The Berean Standard Bible has the phrase “through the gospel” at the beginning of 3:6b. However, in the Greek text, the phrase “through the gospel” occurs at the end of 3:6. For example:

This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. (English Standard Version)

Insert this phrase in 3:6 where it would be natural to do so in your language.

3:6c

the Gentiles: Here the word Gentiles refers to people who are not Jews. See how you translated “Gentiles” in 2:11a and 3:1c. Also, see Gentiles, Meaning 1 in the Glossary for more information.

are fellow heirs: An “heir” is a person who has the right to inherit things from his parents or other relatives. The phrase fellow heirs is just one word in Greek: “joint-heirs.” Some English versions add the implied words “with Israel.” Other versions such as Good News Translation say:

with the Jews (Good News Translation)

When Paul says that the Gentiles are joint-heirs, he means that Gentiles believers will have an equal share with Jewish believers in all the good things God has for his children.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

have the same inheritance as Jewish people do (God’s Word)
-or-
have a part with the Jews in God’s blessings (Good News Translation)

3:6d

fellow members of the body: A literal English translation of the Greek is “joint-body.” This is a figure of speech. Gentile and Jewish believers are like part of the same body. This implies that they are members of the same group. They are united as one new people.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Both are part of the same body (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
They belong to the same body (God’s Word, New Century Version)
-or-
They both are now united as one people

3:6e

fellow partakers of the promise: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as fellow partakers of the promise is literally “joint-sharers of the promise.” This means almost the same thing as “fellow heirs” which was used earlier in 3:6c. Both Gentiles and Jews equally share all that God promises and gives to his children. The word promise is singular, and it sums up all that God has promised his people. For example:

promise of blessings (New Living Translation (2004))

in Christ Jesus: The phrase in Christ Jesus means “through Christ Jesus” For example:

the promise that God made through Christ Jesus (Good News Translation)

Through our union with Christ, God’s plan has been fulfilled. These words are connected to the preceding words “the promise”: God made the promise through Christ Jesus.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

and share the same promise that God made in Christ Jesus (God’s Word)
-or-
both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
and share the same promise that God made to us (incl.) because we are united with Christ Jesus

General Comment on 3:6a–e

Here is another way to translate 3:6a–e:

6a That hidden talk is like this: 6e That which God promised to give us (incl.) 6b through the good news of Christ Jesus, 6c,e he didn’t just promise us (excl.) Israel people alone, no, he also promised it to you Gentiles, 6d thereby making us (incl.) all into one body.

Paragraph 3:7–13

In the previous verses 3:3–6, Paul talked about God’s mystery/plan. However, beginning in 3:7, he changed topics. Here he talked about his work preaching the gospel to the Gentiles.

Even though Paul was not one of the twelve apostles, God gave him the work of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles. God intended that through the church, made up of Jews and Gentiles, all the angels and evil spirits would see his wisdom. So Paul urged the Christians not to be discouraged by the fact that he was suffering in prison. He reminded them that it was for their honor that he was suffering in prison.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 4:17

Section 4:17–32

We should change our behavior

Paul urged the Christians to stop doing the evil deeds that they used to do before they knew God. He urged them to start doing the good things that people who know Christ should do. He gave examples of old (former) behavior that they must stop doing, for example: lying, theft, anger and slander. Instead they must be kind, tender and forgiving.

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

Live as God’s people (God’s Word)
-or-
The old life and the new life (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Don’t live as pagans but as God’s people

Paragraph 4:17–19

4:17a

So: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So connects all that Paul has previously taught to the advice that follows. It is similar to 4:1a, where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “then.” Because God had done so much for the Ephesians, therefore they must not live as they formerly had.

Here are some other ways to translate this conjunction:

Therefore
-or-
On the basis of that

Some versions do not translate the conjunction. Translate it in a way that is natural in your language.

I tell you this: The words I tell you this show that Paul was emphasising what he said.

this: The word this refers to the advice that he is about to give to his readers. It does not refer to that which Paul had already said. If your language would not use the word this in such a way, you may need to say something like:

So here is what I want to tell you
-or-
So I tell you

insist on it in the Lord: To insist means “to advise, warn, strongly urge.” Paul said that he is speaking in the name of the Lord, that is with the Lord’s authority.

the Lord: Here the word Lord refers to Jesus.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

With the Lord’s authority (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
In the Lord’s name (Good News Translation)

General Comment on 4:17a

One way you can translate 4:17a is like this:

So now listen to these words of mine! With the authority that the Lord gave me, I advise you to…

4:17b

that you must no longer walk: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as walk refers to our daily actions and our behavior. Some ways to translate this word are:

act
-or-
behave

(For other references to “walk,” see notes on 2:2a, 2:10c, 4:1b.)

as the Gentiles do: Here the word Gentiles does not mean simply non-Jewish people. Rather, Paul used it to refer to people who do not know God.

Here are some other ways to translate the word Gentiles :

heathen (Good News Translation)
-or-
pagan (Revised English Bible)

Both of these are words that refer to people who do not know God or believe in God. See Gentiles, Meaning 2 in the Glossary.

4:17c

in the futility of their thinking: The phrase in the futility of their thinking means that that which the pagans think is worthless, empty and a waste of time.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

whose thoughts are worthless (Good News Translation)
-or-
for they are hopelessly confused (New Living Translation (2004))

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2019

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 1:8

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2:17

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 4:6

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 5:6

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 6:5

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 1:19

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 3:6

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 4:17

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