SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2019 – Page 16

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 5:14

5:14a–c

The words in 5:14b–c are probably from an early Christian hymn. It is not a direct quotation from the OT. Paul quoted these words because they speak about the same things he has just said: we must expose the evil deeds of people so they will come to the light.

So it is said: This is a passive clause. If you need to translate this with an active verb, you can translate it as “people say.”

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

This is why ⌊people⌋ say:
-or-
This is the reason ⌊there is a song/poem⌋ with these words:
-or-
And so there is a saying which sounds like this:

In the words that Paul quotes, there are three metaphors for turning to God:

(a) waking from sleep,

(b) being raised from death,

You should try to translate all three of these metaphors as literally as possible. Add only as much of the implicit meaning as is necessary.

Wake up, O sleeper: The clause Wake up, O sleeper is a metaphor. The meaning of this metaphor is: “You are like a person who is asleep, because you are not aware of your sins. Become aware of your sins!”

O sleeper: The word O is not in the Greek text, but the Berean Standard Bible and some other English versions have included it. It is sometimes used in English poetry to add emphasis to what follows it.

He is speaking about someone who isn’t aware of his sin and needs to be forgiven. He is not speaking about someone who is actually asleep.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

Get up you sleeping ones!
-or-
You who are asleep, wake up!

If people would think that this is speaking of a person who is actually asleep then you may want to add some of the meaning in the text to make the meaning clear. For example:

You who are asleep ⌊spiritually⌋, wake up!
-or-
You who are ⌊like⌋ a sleeping person, Get up!
-or-
You who are ⌊unaware of your sins are like a person who is⌋ asleep. Wake up!

rise up from the dead: The clause rise up from the dead is also a metaphor. The meaning of this metaphor is: “You are like a person who is dead, because you are separated from God and do not have the new life that God gives. Come to God and get this new life!” (In 2:1 Paul also used the word “dead” as a metaphor.) He is not speaking to people who are literally dead.

In some languages a literal translation of this metaphor may be difficult to understand.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

You who are ⌊like⌋ dead people, rise up!

• Change the metaphor to a simile and make explicit the meaning. For example:

You who are separated from God like dead people, rise up and be saved

• Translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:

You who are separated from God, be saved
-or-
You who do not know God, accept Him!

and Christ will shine on you: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Christ will shine on you is yet another metaphor. Christ is like the sun. The idea is that Christ’s goodness and truth will be given to them (shine on them) giving them new life.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Christ will ⌊make his light⌋ shine in your heart.
-or-
…⌊the light of⌋ Christ will shine on you.
-or-
Christ will give his light ⌊of truth and goodness⌋ to you ⌊and change you⌋.

and: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and here introduces a result of doing what 14b says.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

⌊If you do these things,⌋ then as a result Christ will shine on you.
-or-
As a result ⌊of doing this⌋ Christ will give you his light ⌊of truth and goodness⌋

General Comment on 5:14b–c

The person being spoken to in 5:14b–c (“Wake up, O sleeper…”) is an unbeliever. In the Greek, the commands in 5:14b and the “you” in 5:14c are singular, as if one person is being spoken to. But these words are good for all people who are still “in the darkness.” If it is more natural in your language, you can translate these words as plural:

Wake up, O sleepers…Christ will shine on you (plur.).

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 6:13

6:13a

Therefore: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Therefore connects 6:12 as a reason for 6:13. We are fighting against spiritual forces (6:12). So, as a result, you should put on the armor of God.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

For this reason (God’s Word)
-or-
That is why (New Century Version)

take up the full armor of God: Paul repeated here almost the same words he used in 6:11. In 6:11 in the Greek text, Paul used a verb that means, “put on.” Here, he used a different verb that means, “pick up” or “take.” But these verbs mean almost the same thing, and you can translate it here using the same verb that you used in 6:11.

6:13b

so that when the day of evil comes: The phrase day of evil is a figure of speech. It refers to a time when suffering, trouble and bad things happen. This is any time that the Christian has to fight against evil. It is not the final battle between God and the forces of evil. It does not refer to a literal, single day.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

these evil days (God’s Word)
-or-
in the time of evil (New Living Translation (2004))

you will be able to stand your ground: The phrase you will be able here does not suggest potential or the possibility of doubt.

stand your ground: The phrase stand your ground is a figure of speech. The verb stand is the same verb as in 6:11b. It means “to oppose,” “to resist,” or “to fight back and not give in.”

Here are some other ways to translate stand your ground :

standing firm (New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version)
-or-
stand strong (New Century Version)

6:13c

and having done everything: There is an interpretation issue here. There are at least two ways to understand the Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as having done. It can mean:

(1) after accomplishing or doing everything to prepare for battle and resist an attack. For example:

and after you have done everything (New International Version)

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

(2) after overcoming, that is, after fighting the whole battle. For example:

And when you have finished the whole fight (New Century Version)

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

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This is the normal meaning of the verb and has good commentary support.

everything: Many English versions do not specify what is included in the word everything. Commentators differ as to the exact details of what everything includes. It probably includes all the things a soldier must do before a battle to prepare himself. Perhaps it also includes the things he would do during the battle. If possible, your translation should not be too specific. If you need to make it specific, you can say:

After you have done everything ⌊to prepare for battle⌋

to stand: As in 6:11b and 6:13b, to stand means “to oppose,” “to resist,” or “to fight back and not give in.” This phrase is a restatement of the overall goal of putting on the full armor of God. After having done everything necessary to prepare for the battles, at the end of the battles he will be left still standing victorious.

General Comment on 6:13

Here is a way to translate 6:13 using an “if-then” clause:

Therefore, put on/wear all the fight clothes God gives us. If you do, then when the bad time comes, you will stand strong and when the fight is over, you will still be standing strong.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2:4

Paragraph 2:4–10

Remember that in 2:1–3, Paul was talking about the way people were before they trusted in Jesus. Now that they are believers, these things are no longer true. Make sure that this is clear in your translation.

2:4

But: The conjunction But introduces a contrast with 2:1–3. One contrast is that we believers were dead in sins (2:1), but God made us alive (2:5a). Another contrast is that we deserved God’s anger and punishment (2:3d), but instead God shows us mercy and grace (2:5a–b). Translate this conjunction in a way that naturally introduces these contrasts in your language.

Here are some other ways to translate this conjunction:

Nevertheless
-or-
In spite of this
-or-
However

because of His great love for us: The word love here refers to God’s affection and concern for his people. See how you translated love in 1:4c. Also see love, meaning 2 in the Glossary for more information.

God, who is rich in mercy: As in 1:7c, Paul here used the word rich in a figurative sense to mean “abundant” or “great.”

mercy: The word mercy here refers to God being kind or compassionate to people in serious need. So the phrase “rich in mercy” means that God shows great mercy or compassion to people. See mercy in the Glossary for more information.

General Comment on 2:4

Some English versions change the order of the verses parts for this verse. For example:

But God’s mercy is so abundant, and his love for us is so great, (Good News Translation)
-or-
But God’s mercy is great, and he loved us very much. (New Century Version)
-or-
But God was very merciful to us

Translate the order of this verse in a way that is natural for your language.

2:5–6

In 2:5–6, Paul used three Greek verbs. These verbs describe three events that happen to us as we are “together with Christ”:

(a) God made us alive together with Christ,

(b) God raised us up together with Christ,

There are at least two ways to interpret these events:

(1) Paul was speaking metaphorically. He compared what God does for us believers spiritually with what he did to Christ physically. These events happen when people trust in Christ.

(2) Paul was speaking literally. God will one day resurrect believers just as he resurrected Christ. These events are in the future and will happen when Christ returns, but Paul speaks of them as already having happened.

The discussion below follows interpretation (1).

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 3:14

Paragraph 3:14–19

In this paragraph Paul prayed the prayer he almost began in 3:1. (See the note at 3:1.) He began this paragraph with the words “for this reason” which are the same words he used at the beginning of 3:1. The Berean Standard Bible indicates this connection by using ellipses here (as it did in 3:1).

3:14

for this reason: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for this reason introduces Paul’s response to all that he had said in chapter 2 and his expansion on part of chapter 2 in 3:1–13. The idea is this:

⌊As I think of God’s great plan,⌋ this is the reason
-or-

⌊When I think of all that God has done,⌋ this is the reason
-or-
When I think of the wisdom and scope of God’s plan, I fall to my knees… (New Living Translation (1996))

See how you translated this phrase in 3:1a.

I bow my knees before the Father: The phrase bow my knees refers to the way Jewish people prayed to God. They bowed down on their knees instead of standing up. So in this context, bow my knees represents the act of praying. You may need to complete the thought. For example:

I kneel…⌊and pray for you⌋ before the Father.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

I fall to my knees and pray to the Father (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
I bow in prayer before the Father (New Century Version)
-or-
I pray to the Father

the Father: It should be clear in your translation that this is a reference to God, the Father. One way to make this clear in the translation is:

I pray to our (incl.) ⌊heavenly⌋ Father

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 4:25

Paragraph 4:25–28

In this paragraph, Paul gave many commands that talk about specific kinds of behavior that Christians should not do and kinds of behavior that Christians should do.

4:25a

Therefore: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible has translated Therefore connects the previous paragraph (4:20–24) as a basis for the commands in this paragraph. It indicates the following: since we have new lives, as a result or therefore, we must act like it. Some other ways Therefore has been translated include:

So (New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version)
-or-
So then (God’s Word)
-or-
then (Good News Translation)
-or-
For that reason

Translate the conjunction in a way that is natural in your language.

each of you must put off falsehood: The phrase put off falsehood is a figure of speech. It is the same verb as in 4:22a, “put off your old self.” It means to “stop lying” or “stop telling lies.” If it would not be natural in your language to use this figure of speech, you may want to translate it directly. For example:

stop telling lies (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
No more lying (Good News Translation)

4:25b

speak truthfully to his neighbor: In this verse neighbor means “fellow Christian,” because Paul goes on to say that they are all members of one body (see 4:4).

A more general way to translate neighbor is “each other.” For example:

Stop lying and start telling each other the truth. (Contemporary English Version)

4:25c

for we are all members of one another: Paul has referred often to this metaphor of believers as members of one another.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

members together in the body of Christ (Good News Translation)

See how you translated this metaphor in 4:4a, 4:12b, 4:16a.

General Comment on 4:25a–c

In some languages, it may be natural to reorder 25a–c. For example:

25c We are Christ’s body, we are like his hands and legs. 25a Therefore, don’t lie to your brothers and sisters, 25b ⌊rather⌋ speak the truth ⌊to them⌋.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 5:25

Paragraph 5:25–33

In the previous paragraph Paul talked about the duties that a wife has toward her husband. In this paragraph, Paul discusses the duties a husband has toward his wife.

5:25a

Husbands, love your wives: Translate this command in a way that is natural in your language. For example:

You married men, each of you should love his wife

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

Your translation should not suggest that Paul is giving approval of a man having more than one wife.

5:25b

just as Christ loved the church: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as just as mean that a husband should love his wife in the same way that Christ loved the church (his people).

loved: The verb loved is in the past tense. But you may want to translate the verb “love” using the present tense “he loves the church” to avoid suggesting that he loved believers only in the past. See love, meaning 1 in the Glossary for more information.

church: The church is the group of all believers in Christ throughout the world. See how you translated church in 5:23b. See church in the Glossary for more information.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

all his followers
-or-
all his people

gave Himself up for her: The verb gave…up means that Christ gave his life for the church, that is, he died for it. See how you translated gave Himself up for (us) in 5:2b.

for her: The pronoun her refers to the church. The Greek pronoun is singular and feminine and it is translated by the English versions as her or “it.” (The Berean Standard Bible uses her here and in 5:26 and 5:27, all referring to the church.)

Since “the church” refers to all people who are believers in Jesus, in many languages it is more natural to use “them” instead of her. For example:

just as Christ loved his group/people and gave himself up for them

In some languages it may be best to use “us (incl.),” so that the readers do not think that Paul was not part of the church:

just as Christ loved us (incl.), his group/people, and gave his life as a sacrifice for us (incl.)

for: the word for means “for the benefit of.” Christ died for the benefit of the church (his people).

Here are some other ways to translate the phrase “for her”:

for your/their good
-or-
thinking of
-or-
in order to save us (incl.) /you

General Comment on 5:25a–b

In some languages, it is more natural to change the order of 25a–b. For example:

25b As Christ loved his people and died so that they would be in a good state, 25a so you men need to love your wives.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 6:24

6:24a

Grace: Paul used the word Grace to wish for God’s blessing on people and to wish them well. Grace means that God favors people or that he is kind to people even though they are unable to repay him.

See how you translated Grace in 1:2. See grace, Meaning 1 in the Glossary for more information.

to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ: The phrase all who love refers to believers who are continue to love and remain faithful to Jesus Christ.

Lord Jesus Christ: See how you translated this phrase in 6:23.

6:24b

undying love: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as undying love is literally “incorruptible (love).” In this context it means “sincere love” or “love which does not end.”

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

love that never ends (New Century Version)
-or-
love that goes on forever

General Comment on 6:24a–b

In some languages, it is more natural to change the order of 6:24a–b. For example:

(24b) you people who continue on loving our (incl.) Lord Jesus Christ, (24a) ⌊I want that⌋ God would be good to you

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 1:6

1:6a

to the praise of His glorious grace: The phrase to the praise of His glorious grace tells us the purpose of all that God has done: he chose us and made us his children “in order that we should praise him for his grace.” Similar phrases are in 1:12b and 1:14c.

His glorious grace: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as glorious means “wonderful” or “very great.” See also glory, Meaning 4, in the Glossary for more information.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

his wonderful grace
-or-
the greatness of his grace
-or-
his important grace

grace: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as grace means “showing kindness or generosity to someone who does not deserve it.”

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

kindness (God’s Word)
-or-
gracious/generous help

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

1:6b

freely given: The phrase freely given is a single Greek verb meaning “to give generously.” In other words, God showed us a great amount of kindness, and he did not make us earn his kindness. Instead, he showed us his kindness generously, abundantly and freely.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

he has poured out on us (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
he has generously/abundantly given to us

in the Beloved One: The phrase in the Beloved One refers to Jesus whom God loves. It is through Jesus, by means of what he has done for us, that God gives us his grace. Be careful that the way you translate this does not imply that there are others whom he does not love.

Here are some other ways to translate in the Beloved One include:

his dearly loved Son (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
in Christ, the One he loves (New Century Version)

Beloved: See how you translated “love” in 1:4c. See love, Meaning 1 in the Glossary for more information.

General Comment on 1:6a–b

In some languages it may be more natural to reverse the order of 1:6a–b. For example:

6b God was very kind to us because of the Son he dearly loves, 6a and so we should praise God. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
God has graciously helped us by means of his beloved ⌊Son’s actions⌋, and so we should praise God for that help

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2019

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 5:14

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 6:13

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2:4

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 3:14

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 4:25

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 5:25

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 6:24

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 1:6

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