SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2019 – Page 11

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 5:18

Paragraph 5:18–20

5:18a

Do not get drunk on wine: Paul used the word wine here but Paul’s main point is that we should not get drunk. His main point is not whether it is wine or beer or something else that we drink that causes us to get drunk. (Note also that Paul did not forbid his readers to drink any wine at all. Wine was a common drink in Paul’s time.)

In some languages, it might be better to say:

Do not drink intoxicating drinks to get drunk
-or-
don’t give your heart to getting drunk

5:18b

which leads to reckless indiscretion: Paul is explaining here why believers should not get drunk. The result of continuing to get drunk is uncontrolled behavior and a ruined life.

reckless indiscretion: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as reckless indiscretion means “uncontrolled behavior that spoils a person’s life.” In your translation you can focus either on the “uncontrolled behavior,” or on “the ruin” that it causes.

Here are some examples focusing on uncontrolled behavior:

which leads to wild living (God’s Word)
-or-

⌊getting drunk⌋ makes people act in wild, reckless ways

Some examples focusing on the result of a ruined life:

because that will ruin your life (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-

⌊getting drunk⌋ will lead you to act in ways that will spoil/ruin your life

5:18c

Instead: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Instead shows a contrast between 5:18a–b and 5:18c.

Here are some other ways to translate this conjunction:

but (NET Bible)
-or-
rather
-or-
But rather

Translate it in a way that is natural in your language.

be filled with the Spirit: The word filled is a figure of speech. If a person drinks a lot of wine, it will control him and cause him to behave in unacceptable ways. In the same way, we should let the Holy Spirit “fill” us and control us and tell us what to do. If we let the Holy Spirit control us, our behavior will be pleasing to God.

Here is one way to translate this:

let the Holy Spirit fill and control you (New Living Translation (1996))

In some languages it may be more natural to say this:

Allow the Holy Spirit to fill you ⌊with his power⌋.

In others languages it is better not to use the word “fill” at all, but to translate the meaning:

Let the Holy Spirit control/rule you.

You should translate be filled with the Spirit in a way that is natural in your language.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 6:17

6:17a

And take: The verb take here implies the meaning “put on” or “wear.”

Some other ways to translate take are:

Put on (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Accept (Good News Translation)
-or-
wear

the helmet of salvation: A helmet is the piece of armor that a soldier wore on his head to protect it. It was made of metal. See the helmet of a soldier in the picture at Section 6:10–20.

This is also a metaphor. Paul compared salvation to a helmet. One way to fully explain this metaphor is like this: “Just as a helmet protects and saves a soldier in a battle, so let the fact that God saved you be like a helmet of protection when Satan attacks you.”

salvation: The word salvation means that God has saved us and will save us from Satan’s power. See 1 Thessalonians 5:8 where Paul says that “the hope of salvation” is our helmet. See save, Word 2 in the Glossary for more information.

Here are some other ways to translate 6:17a:

• Keep the metaphor. Some ways to express the metaphor are:

Put on ⌊God’s⌋ salvation as your helmet.
-or-
Put on the helmet. The helmet is ⌊God’s⌋ salvation.

• Make the metaphor a simile. For example:

Let God’s saving power be like a helmet (Contemporary English Version)

• Give the full meaning of the metaphor. For example:

⌊As a soldier⌋ puts on a helmet ⌊to protect his head in battle⌋, let the fact that God saved you be like a helmet of protection from ⌊the devil⌋.

6:17b

and the sword of the Spirit: The sword of the Spirit is part of the metaphor and refers to God’s powerful word that the Holy Spirit enables you to use. It is like a sword that is used to attack the enemy. It is used as a metaphor and described below.

sword: A sword is a large, long knife which soldiers used in battle. A sword was sharpened on both edges. See the sword of a soldier in the picture at Section 6:10–20.

which is the word of God: Here the word of God refers to the written word of God. It is the Bible or scriptures.

The meaning of this metaphor can be fully described like this: “When Satan attacks you, you must use God’s Word (by reading it, quoting it, speaking it). This is like a sword that you can use to fight against Satan.”

Here are some ways to translate 6:17b:

• Keep the metaphor. Some ways to express the metaphor are:

Take the sword that the Spirit gives. The sword is the word of God.

• Make the metaphor a simile. For example:

Take the word of God that is like a sword that the Spirit gives.

• Give the full meaning of the metaphor. For example:

⌊As a soldier⌋ grasps a sword ⌊to defend himself⌋, use God’s word ⌊to defend yourself⌋. It is from the ⌊Holy⌋ Spirit.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2:8

2:8a

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For here introduces a repetition and expansion of what Paul has already said and specifically concerning what he said in 5b and 7b concerning God’s grace.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

As I said before
-or-
My point again is that
-or-
I mean that (New Century Version)

it is by grace you have been saved: This clause means that God saves us because of his grace/kindness. The phrase by grace is emphasized in Greek. The Berean Standard Bible shows this emphasis by adding it is to by grace. This clause is almost identical to 2:5b.

grace: Here, grace means “showing kindness or generosity to someone. See how you translated grace in 2:5b Also, see grace, Meaning 2 in the Glossary for more information.

saved: To be saved means to be rescued from danger. See how you translated saved in 2:5b. Also, see save, Word 1 in the Glossary for more information.

through faith: The word faith refers here to the action of trusting and believing in someone. God saves us because we believe in Christ.

See how you translated faith in 1:15b. Also see faith, Meaning 1 in the Glossary for more information.

Here are some ways of translating this phrase:

by means of believing ⌊in Jesus Christ⌋
-or-
Because you trust in Jesus Christ

2:8b

and this not from yourselves: The word this refers to the clause “you have been saved” in 2:8a. The clause and this not from yourselves means that God does not save you because of anything good that you have done.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

and this is not your own doing (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
And you can’t take credit for this (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
and not anything you have done on your own (Contemporary English Version)

General Comment on 2:8b -c

Some English versions, like the New International Version, have a “—” at the beginning of 2:8b and another at the end of 2:8c. This is to show the reader that 2:8b–c is a comment inserted here by Paul. Other English versions, like the Berean Standard Bible, do not do this, so it is recommended that you do not place a “—” at the beginning of 2:8b and another at the end of 2:8c.

2:8c

it is the gift of God: The word it refers to being saved by God. Salvation is God’s gift to everyone. The God’s Word makes this explicit:

Being saved is a gift from God (God’s Word)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 3:18

3:18–19a

In 3:18–19a, Paul prayed about two things regarding God’s love.

He prayed that:

(a) the Ephesians would be able to understand that Christ’s love is very, very great (3:18),

and he prayed that:

(b) the Ephesians would know Christ’s love (3:19b).

3:18a–b

will have power…to comprehend: The clause will have power…to comprehend means “that you may have the ability to understand/know” or “that you may be able to understand.”

3:18a

together with all the saints: The word saints means “people set apart for God.” See the note on 1:15c for more information and Holy, Meaning 1, special use in the Glossary.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

so that you, together with all God’s people, may have the power to understand (Good News Translation)
-or-
This way, with all of God’s people you will be able to understand (God’s Word)
-or-
So that all of you believers will strongly recognize/realize

3:18b

the length and width and height and depth: The phrase length and width and height and depth is a figure of speech that compares love to an object that we can see and measure. It means that Christ’s love is “very, very great.”

It may be difficult in your language to speak of love being wide and long. So, in that case, think how you would describe love that is extremely great. For example:

love which has no end/limits
-or-
love which we can never measure
-or-
we can never finish describing how much he loves us

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 4:29

Paragraph 4:29–32

In this paragraph, Paul gave additional commands about proper Christian behavior for the Ephesians. He lists speaking words that encourage others, being careful not to grieve the Holy Spirit, getting rid of bad behavior, and being kind to others and forgiving others.

4:29a

Let no unwholesome talk: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as unwholesome talk is literally “corrupt talk.” It refers to words that hurt other people. It may include things like profanity, talking in rude or coarse ways, insulting people and saying hateful things about people.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

foul or abusive language (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
say anything that would hurt ⌊another person⌋ (God’s Word)

come out of your mouths: The clause come out of your mouths is a figure of speech that simply means that we should not say or speak unwholesome things. This sentence may be unnatural if you translate it literally in your language. Translate this in a natural way in your language. For example:

Do not let harmful talk be on your tongue/lips
-or-
Never say profane things

4:29b

but: The conjunction but here introduces a contrast. In 4:29a Paul told the Ephesians what they should not do. Here he is telling them what they should do. Translate this contrast in a way that is natural in your language.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

instead
-or-
but rather

only what is helpful: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as what is helpful is literally “any good (word).”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

good and helpful (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
what is good (God’s Word)
-or-

⌊say⌋ only what helps other people

for building up the one in need: The phrase for building up means to “encourage” or to “make stronger/mature ⌊in their faith⌋.” See how you translated the similar phrase “built up” in 4:12b.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

to become stronger ⌊in their faith⌋
-or-
that cause others to trust Christ/God more
-or-
that help others to be more mature ⌊in their relationship/walk with Christ⌋
-or-
that they would stand strong ⌊in Christ⌋

4:29c

bringing grace to those who listen: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as bringing grace is literally “give grace.” It means to “do good” or “give help.”

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
so that what you say will do good to those who hear you (Good News Translation)

See grace, Meaning 5 in the Glossary for more information.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 5:29

5:29a

Indeed: The Greek conjunction that that Berean Standard Bible has translated as Indeed is usually translated as “for” (Revised Standard Version, NET Bible, English Standard Version). It introduces something that is the basis or reason for the previous statement. What Paul said here in 5:29 was the reason for what he told husbands to do in 5:28.

Some English versions do not translate this conjunction. Translate it in a way that is natural in your language for introducing a reason or basis for what he said before.

Here are some other ways to translate this conjunction:

⌊I say “as their own bodies”⌋ because
-or-
The reason ⌊I say this is⌋
-or-
Because/For ⌊we know that⌋

no one: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as no one refers back to “husbands” in 5:28.

Here are some other ways to translate this expression:

no man (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
none of us (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version)

hated his own body: This is literally “hated his own flesh.” See flesh, Meaning 1 in the Glossary for more information.

but he nourishes and cherishes it: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as cherishes is literally “cherishes” (Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version). It is a general term that refers to providing clothing and shelter for himself.

5:29b

just as Christ does the church: The verb does refers to “cares for” in 5:29a. Paul is making a comparison here. A man cares for his own body like Christ cares for the church.

Here are some other ways to translate these words:

in the same way that Christ loves and cares for the church
-or-
as Christ takes care of his people/followers

church: The church is the group of all believers in Christ throughout the world. See how you translated church in 5:27a. See church in the Glossary for more information.

General Comment on 5:29b

Some English versions end 5:29b with a dash “—.” This is to show that the following verse, 5:30 is a comment inserted by the author. Most versions translate this verse without a dash, as the Berean Standard Bible also does. Translate it in a way that is natural in your language.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 1:10

1:10

This verse tells us God’s plan. He plans to unite everything in the universe under one ruler; that is, under Christ.

1:10a

as a plan: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as as a plan is literally “for (a) stewardship.” It refers to God completing his secret plan referred to in verse 9.

Here are some ways to translate this phrase:

carry out his plan (New Century Version)
-or-
do all that he had planned (Contemporary English Version)

for the fullness of time: The clause for the fullness of time means “when everything is completed and the time that God chose comes.” This refers to the future, when Christ returns to earth and begins to rule as the chief/ruler over everything.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

when the time is right (Good News Translation)
-or-
when the right time comes

1:10b

to bring…together: The clause bring…together is the translation of one Greek verb. The verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as bring…together is literally, “to sum up.”

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
he would bring-together/unite all things…and cause Christ to rule over them (SSA)
-or-
God will unite everything and Christ will be the leader/chief

all things in heaven and on earth: The phrase all things in heaven and on earth here refers to everything and everyone that has been created. It includes things that are both physical and spiritual.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

all creation
-or-
everything ⌊that has been created⌋

in Christ: Here the phrase in Christ means that Christ is “ruler,” “chief” or “leader” of everything. Just as the head controls the body, even so Christ will control everything in heaven and earth.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

under the authority of Christ (New Living Translation (2004))

General Comment on 1:9–10

In some languages it may be better to combine 1:9 and 1:10, so that it will be clear to the reader at the beginning what God’s plan is. For example:

9b God was pleased 9a to reveal to us his plan, ⌊which previously was not known to mankind⌋. 10b ⌊His plan is this:⌋ he will unite all things in heaven and earth under one chief—Christ. 9b ⌊From long ago⌋ God decided to accomplish this plan by means of Christ, 10a and when the right time comes, he will carry out this plan.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2:19

2:19a

Therefore: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible here translates as Therefore means that Paul is concluding and summarizing what he has said in 2:11–18.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

So then (Good News Translation)
-or-
That is why (God’s Word)
-or-
And so because of this

strangers and foreigners: The word strangers refers to people who visit a country, but do not live there. The word foreigners refers to those who have come to live in a country, though they are not full citizens of it.

Before the Gentiles became Christians, they were like foreigners to God’s people. They were excluded from God’s people the same way foreigners and aliens are excluded from the people they are living among. (Paul used the word strangers in 2:12 also.)

If your language has only one word for both of these, do not try to distinguish them, but use the one word. For example:

outsiders

Some languages translate foreigners as a phrase, such as “not part of God’s people.” So to say, “no longer strangers and foreigners” makes a complicated sentence with two negatives, such as “You are no longer not a part of God’s people.” To avoid this you can make two sentences, for example:

In the past it was like you were on the outside, you were not part of God’s people. But now you are no longer like that.

2:19b

but fellow citizens with the saints: This clause contrasts with 2:19a. To be fellow citizens means to be members of the same country. This is another comparison. They are now members of God’s people.

Here are some ways to translate this phrase:

⌊It is like⌋ you are from the same tribe as all the rest of God’s people.
-or-
You are one group with God’s people.
-or-
But rather you and God’s people are in the same group

the saints: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as the saints means “people set apart for God.” This Greek word refers to every believer.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

God’s people (New International Version)
-or-
people who belong to God

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

2:19c

members of God’s household: The phrase members of God’s household is also a comparison. The meaning is the same as the comparison in 2:19b. The Gentiles who believe in Christ are no longer foreigners or outsiders. They are God’s children, just the same as Jews who believe in Christ. Jews and Gentiles are all brothers and sisters, part of the same family.

Here is another way this phrase can be translated:

members of God’s family (New Living Translation (2004))

2:20–22

In 2:20–22, Paul used the idea of a house or building as a metaphor for the Church/believers. There are three parts of this metaphor:

(a) Believers are the bricks (or boards or sticks) of the house.

(b) The apostles and prophets are the foundation.

You should keep this figure of speech in your translation. You may want to change it to a simile, for example, “Christ is like a cornerstone.”

Also, think about what houses are like in your area. You may want to adapt Paul’s figure of speech so that it will communicate clearly in your language. Perhaps you can say that Christ is like the rock on which the house posts stand and the apostles and prophets are like the house posts. Or perhaps you can say that Christ is the big central post, and the apostles and prophets are the main horizontal beams.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2019

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 5:18

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 6:17

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2:8

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 3:18

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 4:29

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 5:29

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 1:10

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2:19

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