SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2019 – Page 15

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).

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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

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 5:13

5:13a

But everything exposed by the light becomes visible: This sentence continues to explain the metaphor of light. Paul is also further explaining what he meant by “expose them” in 5:11b.

The meaning of the figure of speech can be explained like this: “When we shine light on something, people can clearly see what it looks like. In the same way, when people do evil deeds in secret and we tell them what God’s Word says, it is as if we are bringing their deeds out into the light. We make them see how evil their deeds are in God’s eyes.”

You should retain this figure of light because Paul used it throughout this section.

everything: The word everything refers to the things done in secret in 5:12.

Here are some other ways to translate 5:13:

And when all things are brought out to the light, then their true nature is clearly revealed (Good News Translation)
-or-
But the light will show what these things are really like (Contemporary English Version)

5:13b

The Berean Standard Bible includes this verse part at the end of verse 13 (see also King James Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version). Many other English versions include this verse part at the beginning of verse 14 (see New International Version, Contemporary English Version, English Standard Version, Good News Translation, God’s Word, New American Bible, Revised Edition, NET Bible, New Revised Standard Version). It may be best to follow the numbering system that is used in the major version in your area.

for everything that is illuminated becomes a light itself: Scholars have different views on the meaning of this clause. The meaning depends on whether the Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as illuminated has a passive or active meaning:

(1) The verb has a passive meaning. The clause means that anything that has been revealed (by the light) is light or becomes light. Another way of saying it is: the darkness in things is replaced by the light so the things are transformed into light. The Revised English Bible has perhaps the clearest translation of this interpretation:

whatever is exposed to the light itself becomes light (Revised English Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New American Standard Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible, New Century Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

(2) The verb has an active meaning. The clause means that light reveals/shows what the dark things are really like. This is what light always does. For example:

Light shows up everything (Contemporary English Version)

(New International Version, New Living Translation (2004), NET Bible, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, English Standard Version, King James Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

Paul was thinking of the Ephesian Christians who were in darkness, but were now living in God’s light (5:8). When God’s light shines on the hearts of unbelievers, they stop doing their evil deeds. They come to the light and they become “children of light,” too. Here is one way to translate this:

For when the light shines on anything that is dark, that thing ⌊does not stay dark but⌋ becomes light/bright also.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 6:12

6:12a

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For here introduces the basis or reason for the previous statement. What Paul said in 6:12 was the basis for what he told the Ephesians in 6:11, “take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Not all English versions translate this conjunction. Translate For in a way that is natural in your language.

Here are some other ways to translate this in English:

Because
-or-
The reason ⌊I say this is that⌋

our struggle is not against flesh and blood: In this context, struggle refers to a fight or conflict. Paul was saying that we do fight, but that we are not fighting against other people.

You may want to change the noun struggle into a verb. For example:

we are not fighting against human beings (Good News Translation)

But make sure that your translation is clear: Paul was not saying “we are not fighting…” He said that we do fight, but we don’t fight against ordinary people. For example:

⌊For it is like we are in a battle.⌋ But it is not people we are fighting. No, we are fighting…

flesh and blood: The phrase flesh and blood is a figure of speech that refers to human beings or people. See flesh, Meaning 4, in the Glossary for more information.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

people on earth (New Century Version)
-or-
human beings (Good News Translation)

Here is another way to translate all of 6:12a:

The fight we are in, is not a fight with people of the earth, no it’s with…

6:12b–c

against the rulers…the authorities…the powers…the spiritual forces: This list of four terms refers to all ranks of evil spirits that are ruling our world. The list does not refer to earthly rulers. This list is very similar to the list in 1:21a. See how you translated them there.

Also see the notes below for more information on these four terms and for translation advice at the end of this note.

6:12b

against: Paul repeated the word against four times in this sentence: “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers…against the spiritual forces….” This repetition is emphatic. Look for ways to communicate this emphasis in your language. Perhaps you will want to repeat the verb “fight,” for example:

⌊We are fighting⌋ ⌊the invisible⌋ ones who have authority and power. ⌊We are fighting⌋ the chiefs of darkness that rule in this world. ⌊We are fighting⌋ all kinds of evil spirits that control the sky.

Or you could repeat the first clause:

⌊We are fighting⌋ against the rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world, and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. ⌊It is against all these that we are fighting.⌋

rulers…authorities: The first two words Paul used, rulers and authorities, are the same words he used in 1:21a and 3:10b. The words rulers and authorities in this verse refer to all types of evil spirit beings.

powers of this world’s darkness: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates of this world’s darkness is literally “of this darkness.”

There is an interpretation issue here.

(1) Most versions translate this phrase so that “dark/darkness” refers to the world. For example:

against mighty powers in this dark world (New Living Translation (2004))

(Berean Standard Bible, New Living Translation (2004), New International Version, Revised Standard Version. NET Bible, God’s Word, New Century Version, New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) Another interpretation is the darkness refers to “this age.” For example:

this dark age (Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow (1) as it is supported by a majority of translations.

The word darkness is a metaphor for evil here, as in 5:8–11. This phrase means “the world-chiefs or powerful spiritual beings who rule this dark (evil) world.” See world, Meaning 2 in the Glossary for more information.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

mighty powers in this dark world (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the powers who govern this world of darkness (God’s Word)

6:12c

spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms: The phrase spiritual forces of evil is another way of saying evil spirits or demons. These evil spirits are in the heavenly realms.

Here are some other ways to translate spiritual forces of evil :

spiritual powers of evil (New Century Version)
-or-
evil spirits (New Living Translation (2004))

in the heavenly realms: The phrase the heavenly realms refer to the area above the earth where the spirits were thought to live. This does not refer to heaven where God is. The term in the heavenly realms also occurs in 3:10b.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

above the earth from the very headquarters of evil (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
In the spiritual world (Contemporary English Version)

General Comment on 6:12a–c

It is not necessary to find an equivalent term in your language for each of these four terms listed above. It is possible to translate these four terms by one, two or three terms. For example:

Because our enemy is not human but the leader of demons and all his servants and they are all bad/evil; their place is there in the sky. They have supernatural power and some of them have authority and they rule over all people in darkness here in this world.
-or-
For we are not fighting against people, but we are fighting against evil supernatural powers that dwell above the earth. These spiritual forces rule over people during these dark days in which we live.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2:3

2:3a

All of us: In 2:1–2, Paul was talking about the Ephesian Christians, who were not Jews. But in this verse he includes himself also. So the phrase All of us refers to both Jews and non-Jews.

lived among them: The pronoun them refers to those people who are disobedient in 2:2c.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

were like them (Good News Translation)
-or-
behaved like them
-or-
as they did so we (incl.) also did

at one time: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as at one time is one word in Greek and it means “in the past.” It refers to a time before they believed in Christ.

This time word can also be put earlier in the clause. For example:

In the past all of us lived like them (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh (Revised Standard Version)

2:3b

fulfilling the cravings of our flesh: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as fulfilling literally means “doing” or “making.” In this context it means to do the sinful things we desire to do.

cravings: The word cravings refers to very strong desires. In this context, it refers to lusts or selfish desires.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

desires to sin
-or-
ungodly wants

flesh: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as flesh refers to the evil/selfish character of humans. See flesh, Meaning 6 in the Glossary for more information.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

doing whatever suited the wishes of our own bodies and minds (Good News Translation)
-or-
following the passions and desires of our evil nature (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
trying to please our sinful selves (New Century Version)

2:3c

This verse part restates the same idea that is found in 2:3b.

indulging its desires and thoughts: The pronoun its refers to the sinful nature in 2:3b.

indulging: The Greek participle that the Berean Standard Bible translates as indulging is literally “doing.” It is another way of expressing “fulfilling” in 2:3b. People did whatever their sinful nature caused them to want to do.

desires and thoughts: The phrase desires and thoughts is similar in meaning to “cravings” in 2:3b.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

doing the evil we want to do and think about

2:3d

Like the rest: The phrase Like the rest means that the Ephesians and Jews were just like all the other people in the world.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

just like everyone else (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
We were the same as all other people (New Century Version)
-or-
as they did so have all of us (incl.) done

by nature: The phrase by nature refers to the condition that believers were in before God showed them mercy. They were naturally sinful.

Here are some other ways this phrase has been translated:

We were born with an evil nature (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
In our natural condition (Good News Translation)

children of wrath: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as children of wrath is a Jewish figure of speech that means “deserving of or subject to God’s wrath.” The word wrath means “anger.” In the New Testament, the word translated as wrath often represents the idea of punishment. So the idea of punishment is also implied in this phrase. See the second meaning line of the display for an example of including this implied information.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

subject to God’s anger (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
destined to suffer God’s anger (Good News Translation)
-or-
people whom God would punish

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 3:13

3:13a

So I ask you: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a So is the conjunction that is often translated as “therefore.” Some other versions place this conjunction after I ask you because it is good English style. You should place it in this sentence where it is most natural in your language.

So: The conjunction So refers back to what Paul has said in 3:2–12. So, Paul made his request here based on what he had said in 3:2–12: “So since God has given me this wonderful job of preaching to you Gentiles, and since you Gentiles who believe have many blessings, I request…”

Some English versions do not translate this word So. However, here are some other ways to translate this word:

then (Good News Translation)
-or-
therefore (New International Version)
-or-
For this reason (NET Bible)

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

I ask you: Some other ways to say I ask you are:

I request…
-or-
I urge that you ⌊please⌋…
-or-
I want you to

not to be discouraged: To be discouraged means “to cause to lose heart” or “to give up.” For example:

do not lose heart (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
do not give up

If your language has an idiom that means to be discouraged, you should consider using it here.

because of my sufferings for you: Paul was in prison and was suffering for preaching the gospel to the Ephesians and other Gentiles. The Ephesian Christians might have become discouraged when they heard this, so Paul asked them not to be discouraged.

Just how Paul was suffering was not made explicit. It was probably physical and spiritual. Your translation should be in a general sense that includes all kinds of suffering.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

when I suffer for you (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
by the troubles I suffer for you (God’s Word)

3:13b

which are your glory: There are two ways to interpret the clause which are your glory here:

(1) It gives a reason for the Ephesians to feel proud. They should be proud that Paul was willing to be imprisoned for the gospel, For example:

you should feel honored (New Living Translation (2004))

(2) It is for the benefit or good of the Ephesians. For example,

it is all for your benefit (Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

glory: Here glory refers to “honor.” Honor came to the Ephesians because Paul was willing to suffer imprisonment for preaching to them and other Gentiles. See how you translated glory in 1:12b and 1:14c. See glory, Meaning 3 in the Glossary for more information.

Section 3:14–21

Paul prayed again for the believers at Ephesus

In this section, Paul resumed his prayer for the Ephesian Christians. He asked God to strengthen them by the Holy Spirit so that Christ could live in them. He prayed that they would love each other, and that they would know how much Christ loved them, even though he loved them more than people could understand. Paul finished his prayer by praising God for his great power.

Here are some other titles for this section:

Paul prayed that God would strengthen the Ephesians
-or-
Paul’s prayer for spiritual strength and love for the Ephesians

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 4:24

4:24a

to put on the new self: The clause put on the new self is a figure of speech. It means to “start behaving like the new person God made you to be (when you became a Christian).” Just like a person puts on new, clean clothes, so we are to start living a new, clean life. This is the same image as “put off your old self” in 4:22a.

You should translate it in a way that is consistent with how you translated 4:22a.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

to become a new person (God’s Word)
-or-
make you into a new person (Contemporary English Version)

created to be like God: This is a passive clause. If it is more natural in your language to use an active verb, you can say:

which God created/made to be like himself
-or-
God created your new self to be like himself

4:24b

in true righteousness and holiness: There are two issues which you must decide before you translate this part of the verse.

The first issue is how this phrase is connected to 4:24a. The SSA considers this phrase to state the ways in which the new man is to be like God. He is to be truly righteous and truly holy. A good model to follow is the New Century Version which says:

24a That new person is made to be like God—24b made to be truly good and holy (New Century Version)

The second issue to decide is how the word true is connected to righteousness and holiness. A literal English translation of the Greek text is “in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” Scholars differ about how to connect “truth” to righteousness and holiness. Some of the main alternatives are:

(1) Truth goes with both righteousness and holiness. For example:

truly righteous and holy (God’s Word)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Revised Standard Version, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, New Century Version)

(2) Truth goes with only holiness. For example:

in righteousness and true holiness (King James Version)

(Contemporary English Version, King James Version)

(3) Truth is the source of righteousness and holiness. For example:

in righteousness and holiness that comes from truth (NET Bible)

(NET Bible, UBS Handbook)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) and the majority of English versions.

In many languages it will not be clear to translate the phrase in true righteousness and holiness literally. It may be best to begin a new sentence instead. For example:

Your behavior should be truly righteous and holy.

righteousness and holiness: The words righteousness and holiness are very similar in meaning. The word righteousness means “morally upright,” “straight,” “pleasing to God.” Another way righteousness has been translated is:

upright (Good News Translation)

See righteous in the Glossary for more information.

holiness: The word holiness means “morally clean and pure.” See how you translated “holy” in 2:21b and 3:5c. See holy, Meaning 5 in the Glossary.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 5:24

5:24a

Now: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Now is normally translated “but.” Here, however, scholars do not agree about the meaning of this conjunction. There are three possibilities:

(1) It indicates that Paul resumed his theme of submitting and marks the connection to that theme. For example:

Now as the church submits to Christ…

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, probably English Standard Version)

(2) It marks a contrast and means “but.” Christ is the savior of the church, (not the husband). But the wife should still submit to her husband. For example:

But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

(NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible)

(3) It marks the conclusion of the paragraph on submitting and means “so” or “therefore.” For example:

And so wives must submit themselves completely to their husbands… (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation, King James Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), as it best fits the context. But there is strong support for (2) so if your national translation follows (2) you may want to follow their interpretation.

submits: See how you translated submit in 5:21a and 5:22.

5:24b

submit: See how you translated submit in 5:21a and 5:22. There is a similarity here between how the church submits to Christ (5:24a) and how wives should submit to their husbands (5:24b). Translate in a way that shows this comparison.

General Comment on 5:24a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of the clauses in this verse. For example:

24b Wives should submit to their husbands in everything 24a as the church submits to Christ. (Good News Translation)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2019

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 3:2

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 4:13

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 5:13

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 6:12

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2:3

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 3:13

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 4:24

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 5:24

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