SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2019 – Page 19

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.

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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.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 4:8

4:8

Paul used a quotation from Psalm 68:18 although the wording is a little different. He used this quotation to support what he had just said about Christ giving gifts. In this psalm, the writer described a Jewish king who had defeated his enemies and returned in victory. In a parade to celebrate his victory, he went up the hill to Mount Zion in Jerusalem. During the parade, he forced some of the enemy soldiers he had captured to follow along behind him and implied in this passage is that from the plunder he gave gifts to his followers/soldiers.

4:8a

This is why: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translated This is why indicates that Paul used the quote in 4:8b–c to support what he has just said in 4:7.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

This is supported by
-or-
Therefore (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
As (Contemporary English Version)

it says: The pronoun it here refers to the Scriptures. In some languages it is not natural to say that a book says. So you may want to translate this:

we read words in God’s Book like this
-or-
they/someone wrote in the Book of God”

4:8b

When He ascended on high: Psalm 68 describes how the victorious king went up Mount Zion (a hill in Jerusalem) followed by the enemies he had captured. Paul saw this as a picture of Christ ascending to heaven. Just as the king won a victory and then went up to a high place, so also Christ won a victory (over sin and death) and then went up to a high place (God’s right side in heaven).

Since this is a quotation from the Psalms, you should translate on high in 4:8b in a general way. In the Psalm, on high refers to Mount Zion, so do not translate it “to heaven” here. Also, the pronoun He in this quotation should not be translated “Christ” because Psalm 68 does not mention the word “Christ.”

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

When He went up to a high place
-or-
If He ascended going to a high place (Uma back translation)

4:8c

He led captives away: The phrase He led captives away means that the king brought many prisoners along with him.

captives: The word captives refers to enemies the king had captured in a battle. These enemies then became prisoners of the king.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

he led a crowd of captives (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
he led away many prisoners (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
He brought along behind him many prisoners

4:8d

and gave gifts to men: The verb gave here is different from the verb in the psalm which is “received gifts,” but the translator must of course translate what Paul wrote in this verse. The word gifts here refers to material gifts, so you should not translate it “special abilities,” but rather something general like:

good things
-or-
blessings

to men: In the context of this quotation, to men refers to the king’s followers. It does not refer to his enemies in 4:8c. It should be clear in your translation that the reference is not to his enemies here. For example:

and gave gifts to his people (New Living Translation (2004))

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 5:8

5:8a–b

you were once darkness, but now you are light: Paul contrasted the way they once were in the past before they were Christians, with the way they now are, now that they are Christians.

darkness…light: The words darkness and light are metaphors here. Many languages use darkness and light as metaphors. In this context, darkness refers to being disobedient and separated from the will and purposes of God. Here, light represents having true knowledge about the will and purposes of God.

Paul uses this metaphor for several verses here, and often in his writings. You should try to keep the metaphors of light and dark, if possible.

5:8a

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For introduces the reason that the Ephesians should not be partners with evil people. They should not be partners because they are now in the light.

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

you were once darkness: Here are some ways to translate this clause:

You used to be like people living in the dark (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
your hearts were dark
-or-
you lived/dwelt in the dark
-or-
the darkness ⌊of disobedience and sin⌋ controlled you

5:8b

but now you are light: Here are some ways to translate this clause:

now you have light ⌊from the Lord⌋ (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
now you have ⌊entered⌋ God’s light ⌊of truth and goodness⌋
-or-
now God has made your hearts bright ⌊with purity and truth⌋

Use expressions that are natural and clear in your language.

in the Lord: The phrase in the Lord means:

since you have become the Lord’s people
-or-
in union with the Lord (Jesus)
-or-
since you have become united to the Lord

Lord: Here the word Lord refers to Jesus. When Paul used the word Lord in his letters, he almost always meant the Lord Jesus.

5:8c

Walk: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as Walk means “behave.” See how you translated “walk/live” in 2:2a, 2:10c and 4:1b.)

as children of light: The phrase children of light here contrasts with the “sons of disobedience” in 5:6b. It refers to people who live in the light of God’s truth, that is, “people who behave as God wants.” All believers are children of light : they have turned away from their sins (darkness) and have come to Christ (light). For example:

people who belong to the light (Good News Translation)

Here are some other ways to translate “Walk as children of light”:

So act like people of the light (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
So you must live like people who belong to the light (Good News Translation)
-or-
Live as children who have light. (God’s Word)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 6:7

6:7a

Serve with good will: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as with good will means “enthusiastically” or “cheerfully.” Here, it means slaves should do their work willingly and happily, not just because they have to do it.

Here are some ways to translate this word:

• As an adverb. For example:

Work happily
-or-
Work willingly

• As a verb. For example:

Be-happy doing your work

• As an idiom: If your language has an idiom that means to do something with a cheerful willing attitude, you can use that. For example:

Let your heart dance while you do your work

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Work with enthusiasm (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Do your work as slaves cheerfully (Good News Translation)
-or-
Serve eagerly (God’s Word)

6:7b

as to the Lord and not to men: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as as to the Lord and not to men means that a Christian slave serves the Lord, even when he is doing daily work for his master.

Here are some ways to translate this phrase:

Consider that you are doing your work for the Lord, not just for people
-or-
When you do your work, think this: you are working for the Lord, you are not just working for your master

the Lord: Here Lord refers to Christ (6:5c, 6:6b).

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 1:21

1:21a

far above: The phrase far above means that Christ is higher in rank than all other rulers. He is superior to them.

If you wish to begin a new sentence here, you can say:

He is far above (God’s Word)
-or-
Christ rules there above (Good News Translation)

all rule and authority, power and dominion: This list refers to all ranks of supernatural, spiritual beings. The list does not refer to earthly rulers. The meaning is that Christ is superior to all good angels and evil spirits however great they are.

dominion: The word dominion refers to the ruling power of angels. It is similar in meaning to “authority” and “power.”

Here are some other ways to translate this list of terms:

all heavenly rulers, authorities, powers, and lords (Good News Translation)
-or-
any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else (New Living Translation (2004))

It is possible to translate these four terms by one, two or three terms. See the Display for some examples.

1:21b

every name: The word name here means “title.” It refers to a word that is attached to a person’s name to show their rank or profession, or to give them honor. Some common titles in English are “Doctor,” “Captain,” and “Mayor.” God gave Jesus a title for his task that is more important than any other title/name. This means that Jesus’ authority is superior to that of any other person.

that is named: This is a passive. The “names” referred to in this verse are given by man. If it is not clear in your translation who is giving these names, you can add:

given ⌊by man⌋

Some ways to translate this verb are:

• As a passive verb. For example:

and all other names that can be named (God’s Word)

• As an active verb. For example:

his name is greater than all other names ⌊that people⌋ can give
-or-
he has a title superior to all titles (Good News Translation)

1:21c

not only in the present age but also in the one to come: This long clause means that Jesus’ authority is greater than the authority of anyone or anything that exists today or that will come in the future. For example:

He rules over all beings in this world and will rule in the future world as well. (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 3:8

3:8a

Though: The Berean Standard Bible has supplied the word Though in order to emphasize Paul’s amazement that God would choose him to do this task. The Greek text begins 3:8a with an emphatic “To me,” as in the Revised Standard Version. Try to find a natural way in the language to show this emphasis. Some other versions do this by adding “but” or “yet” at the beginning of 3:8b. For example:

I am the least of all God’s people. Yet, God showed me his kindness… (God’s Word)
-or-
I am the least important of all God’s people. But God was kind… (Contemporary English Version)

I am less than the least: The phrase less than the least is a strong statement that means “the very least” or “the most unimportant.”

Paul humbly said that he was not important. Try to find a strong expression in your language. Be careful that your translation does not mean that Paul was physically smaller or weaker than other believers. In some languages the correct idea can be expressed by an idiom, such as:

I am behind all God’s people
-or-
I am lower than all God’s people

If your language makes comparisons by contrasting one phrase with another, you may need to translate this phrase in a different way. For example:

All of God’s people might have a name, but I have no name, I am underneath everyone.

all the saints: A literal English translation of the Greek is “holy ones.” It means “people set apart for God.” This Greek word refers to every believer. See how you translated this same expression in 2:19b.

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

3:8b

this grace was given me: This clause is a passive. God gave this grace to Paul.

this grace: The meaning of grace here is “privilege, special work.” Here it refers to Paul’s work as an apostle and preacher of the gospel.

The phrase this grace is a short way of saying the same thing Paul just said in 3:7a: “This work of preaching the gospel that God in his grace gave me.”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

he graciously gave me the privilege (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
God showed me his kindness by allowing me (God’s Word)

See grace, Meaning 4 in the Glossary for more information.

3:8c

to preach: The word preach means to publicly tell or announce a message. See how you translated “preached” in 2:17a.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

to announce
-or-
to declare publicly

to the Gentiles: Here the word Gentiles refers to people who are not Jews. See how you translated Gentiles in 3:6c.

unsearchable riches of Christ: The word unsearchable means “too great/big to be understood or imagined.”

riches of Christ: The phrase riches of Christ refers to the spiritual blessings of Christ, not just to material wealth. These spiritual riches may refer to:

(1) riches which Christ gives. For example:

endless treasures available to them in Christ (New Living Translation (2004))

(2) riches which Christ possesses, that is, his divine glory and perfection.

Most versions use words that could be understood either way. If you must choose, follow interpretation (1).

In your translation, avoid any word that refers only to material wealth.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

immeasurable wealth of Christ (God’s Word)
-or-
because of Christ there are blessings that cannot be measured (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the riches of Christ, which are too great to understand fully (New Century Version)
-or-
The unimaginable blessings of Christ

Also, see how you translated riches in 1:7c and 1:18c.

Step into the multitudes of languages of the Bible and join the worldwide conversation!

Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2019

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 5:29

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 1:10

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2:19

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 4:8

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 5:8

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 6:7

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 1:21

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 3:8

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