SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2019 – Page 9

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 6:3

6:3a

that it may go well with you: This verse continues the Old Testament quotation that started in 6:2a.

Here are some other ways to say that it may go well with you :

that everything that happens to you will be good
-or-
that your life may be full of blessings

6:3b

and that you may have a long life: The clause that you may have a long life means “that you will live a long time.” For example:

you may live a long time (Good News Translation)

There may be an idiom in your language to express a person living till old age.

on the earth: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as on the earth is literally “in the land.” In the original quotation in Exodus 20:12, “land” refers to Canaan, but here it refers to the earth where we live. In your translation, it may be more natural to leave this implicit. For example:

and you will have a long and happy life (Contemporary English Version)

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 1:17

1:17a

that: The word that here introduces what Paul prayed for. Many English versions start a new sentence here and add the words “I ask” or “I pray” because they are implied from 1:16. For example:

I keep asking that (New International Version)

the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father: These two phrases form a parallelism. They both refer to God the Father. This should be clear in your translation. See the second meaning line of the Display for ways you can make this explicit.

the glorious Father: A literal English translation of the Greek is “Father of glory.”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the Father who has great glory
-or-
the Father who is very great
-or-
the Father who is wonderful/majestic

See how you translated “glorious grace” in 1:6a and “glory” in 1:12b and 1:14c. Also see glory, Meaning 4 in the Glossary for more information.

1:17b

a spirit of wisdom: There are several ways to interpret the word spirit here. It may refer to:

(1) the spirit of man. According to this interpretation, the phrase spirit of wisdom means “spiritual wisdom” or “thinking in a wise way.” For example:

I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ…may give you spiritual wisdom…. (NET Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, NET Bible, King James Version, God’s Word, New Century Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version, Revised English Bible, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, English Standard Version)

(2) the Holy Spirit. For example:

I ask the glorious Father and God of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you his Spirit. The Spirit will make you wise and let you understand… (Contemporary English Version)

(New International Version, Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) and the majority of English translations. In some languages, it will be more natural to translate spirit of wisdom as “spiritually wise.”

and revelation: The word revelation generally refers to something that has been made known. In this context it refers to God making himself known to people. In some languages, it will be more natural to translate the noun revelation as the verb “reveal.” Paul prayed that God would reveal himself to the Ephesian Christians. For example:

reveal God to you (Good News Translation)

1:17c

in your knowledge of Him: In this context, the pronoun Him refers to God the Father. If this is not clear in your translation, you may want to make it explicit. You can say for example:

in your knowledge of ⌊God⌋
-or-
as it regards the way that you know ⌊God⌋

General Comment on 1:17

You may need to translate this verse as several sentences, as in the second meaning line of the Display.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 3:4

3:4a

In reading this, then: The word this refers to the writing Paul referred to in 3:3b.

then: The Berean Standard Bible has supplied the word then because it is good English style. It should only be translated if it would be natural to do so in your language.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

When/if you read this…
-or-
As you read this ⌊earlier passage⌋…

3:4b

you will be able to understand my insight: In the Greek text, the phrase you will be able to understand my insight is in the present tense.

So here is another way to translate this phrase:

you can understand my insight

my insight: The phrase my insight refers to Paul’s ability to see and understand God’s formerly unknown plan concerning Christ.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

you can perceive my insight (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
you can see that I truly understand (New Century Version)

mystery of Christ: The word mystery means “something that has not been explained.” In this context, mystery of Christ can mean “the secret (plan) put into effect by Christ.”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the secret purpose of Christ (Revised English Bible)
-or-
God’s secret plan carried out by Christ,
-or-
the hidden plan concerning Christ
-or-
the secret plan that tells about Christ

Also, see how you translated “the mystery of his will” in 1:9a and “the mystery” in 3:3a.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 4:15

4:15a

Instead: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Instead indicates a contrast with 4:14. Instead of being like children who are deceived by lies, we need to speak the truth so that we will grow up and become mature.

speaking the truth in love: The clause speaking the truth means that we should tell others the true teaching about Christ. It implies more than speaking true words instead of lies. It implies speaking about Christ.

in love: This means we should speak the truth in a loving manner, or that we should speak the truth and show love to others. See how you translated in love in 4:2b. See love, meaning 2 in the Glossary for more information.

4:15b

we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself: The phrase in all things here means “in every way.” So, many English versions translate it that way (Good News Translation, Revised Standard Version, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, New Century Version, English Standard Version).

grow up into Christ Himself: To grow up into Christ Himself refers to our becoming mature and becoming like Christ in our behavior.

Here is another way to translate these words:

we will grow in every way and be more like Christ (Contemporary English Version)

“Speaking the truth in love” (4:15a) is the means or way in which we grow up into Christ. Some English versions make this explicit. For example:

Instead, by speaking the truth in a spirit of love, we must grow up in every way to Christ (Good News Translation)
-or-
Instead, as we lovingly speak the truth, we will grow up completely in our relationship to Christ (God’s Word)

grow: The form of this verb in Greek shows that Paul wants his readers to grow. For example:

we should grow up into Christ
-or-

let us grow up into Christ
-or-
we must grow up… (Good News Translation)

Here are some other ways to translate this:

let us become more and more like Christ
-or-
We must develop into very mature ⌊people⌋ like he/Christ is

who is the head: Paul used the word head in a metaphorical sense to mean that Christ is our chief or leader.

You may want to translate this as a separate sentence. For example:

Christ is the head ⌊of his followers⌋.
-or-
Christ is the chief ⌊of all his people/believers⌋.

See how you translated head in 1:22b.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 5:15

Paragraph 5:15–17

In 5:15, 5:17 and 5:18, Paul gives three pairs of commands:

5:15 “walk…not as unwise but as wise”

5:17 “do not be foolish, but understand…”

5:18 “do not get drunk…. Instead, be filled with the Spirit” (Revised Standard Version).

In each case Paul gives a negative command (something to not do) followed by “but” or “Instead,” then a positive command (something to do). Think how to translate these commands naturally in your language. Here are some possibilities:

• In some languages, it will be better to use a conjunction other than “but” to link the negative and positive commands, for example:

Do not behave like unwise people; instead, behave like wise people.

• In some languages, it is best to use no conjunction at all, for example:

Do not behave like unwise people. Behave like wise people!

• In some languages, it is more natural to put the positive first. For example:

Behave like wise people; do not behave as unwise people.

5:15a

Pay careful attention: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Pay careful attention is literally “Therefore look/see carefully,” which is a Greek way of telling them “to pay or give attention to” something. Paul is giving a warning to his audience about how they should live their lives.

then: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as then is a logical connector that introduces an appeal based on what he has said in the earlier part of chapter 5. This word is not a time word. It can be translated as:

therefore (NET Bible)
-or-
so (New Century Version)
-or-
so then (God’s Word)

walk: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as walk means “to behave or live.” See the notes on “walk” in 2:2a, 2:10c, 4:1b and 5:8c.

5:15b

unwise…wise: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as wise refers to the ability to understand what happens and decide on the right action. So unwise has the opposite meaning. Here is another way to translate the word unwise :

foolish people (God’s Word)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 6:14

Paragraph 6:14–20

In this paragraph, Paul used six metaphors to describe the way a Christian should prepare himself to fight against Satan. Paul based these metaphors on the armor a Roman soldier wore. The specific pieces of armor are:

(a) belt (6:14b)

(b) breastplate (6:14c)

(d) shield (6:16b–c)

(e) helmet (6:17a)

(f) sword (6:17b)

In many places in the world, people do not know what breastplates, helmets, shields and other armor of the Roman soldiers looked like. So you may want to put a picture of a Roman soldier in your Bible translation at this place when it is printed.

6:14a

Stand firm then: The clause Stand firm then introduces a list of instructions on how to stand firm. These are his concluding appeals on the basis of what he had said before. So you can translate it as:

So then, take your stand! (God’s Word)
-or-
So stand ready (Good News Translation)
-or-
Therefore prepare yourselves

In some languages, it may be more natural to translate this command as a statement. For example:

Therefore, here is how you are to prepare yourselves ⌊to resist Satan⌋.

6:14b

with the belt of truth buckled around your waist: A belt was made of pieces of leather. It was probably a wide belt, not just some thin strings of leather. See the belt of a soldier in the picture at Section 6:10–20.

In Paul’s time, a soldier used a belt to tie his loose clothing round his waist. He did this so that he could move faster and more freely in battle. A belt also helped to protect the soldier’s waist.

The phrase belt of truth is also a metaphor. Paul compared truth to a belt.

One way to fully explain this metaphor is like this: The truth that God gives you is like a Roman soldier’s belt. The belt holds up his long clothes so that he is able to run and fight. God’s truth supports you in your fight with Satan.

belt of truth buckled: The Greek text is literally “having tied your waist with truth.” Notice that the word belt does not occur in Greek.

Some languages may be like Greek and have a verb like “tie” to indicate this action. Other languages will have to translate this as the Berean Standard Bible and supply the word belt. Another simple way to say this is:

the rope to tie your waist

truth: Paul did not specifically say what aspect of truth he was talking about. Scholars interpret this in two ways:

(1) “God’s truth” or “the truth about God”

(2) “tell the truth” or “be truthful”

If you can translate without specifying the type of truth, it is better to do so. If you must make a choice, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

In some languages, the word “true” may be more natural than the word truth. If this is the case in your language, you could say something like:

do what you know to be true

Here are some ways to translate 6:14b:

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

Take truth and tie your waist with it.
-or-
Tie the belt round your waist. The belt is ⌊God’s⌋ truth.

• Make the metaphor a simile. For example:

Fasten truth around your waist like a belt. (God’s Word)
-or-
Live according to what is true. This will be like tying a ⌊soldier’s⌋ belt round your waist.

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

⌊As a soldier⌋ ties a belt round his waist ⌊to prepare himself to fight⌋, ⌊follow God’s⌋ truth ⌊to prepare yourself⌋ ⌊to fight against the devil⌋.

6:14c

with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed: A breastplate was a piece of armor that a Roman soldier wore on his chest, and sometimes it also extended to cover his back. It protected him from the enemy’s swords, arrows and spears. It was made of tough leather or metal. See the breastplate of a soldier in the picture at Section 6:10–20.

This is a metaphor. Paul compared righteousness to a breastplate. One way to fully explain this metaphor is like this: “Just as a breastplate protects a soldier in a battle, so your confidence in the truth of Christ making you righteous will protect you when Satan attacks you.”

righteousness: Paul did not specifically say what aspect of righteousness he was talking about. Scholars interpret this in two ways:

(1) God’s righteousness or God considers a believer as righteous because of Christ. For example:

let God’s justice protect you like armor

(Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word)

(2) The believer does what is right or the believer has behavior that is righteous/upright. For example:

the protection of right living on your chest

(New Century Version, Revised English Bible)

If you can translate without specifying the type of righteousness, it is better to do so. Many English versions do this (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation and others). If you must make a choice, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). See righteous in the Glossary.

Here are some ways to translate 6:14c:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

Put on Christ’s right behavior as your breastplate.
-or-
Put on the breastplate. The breastplate is Christ’s right behavior.

• Make the metaphor a simile. For example:

Christ behaved righteously ⌊for you⌋. Realizing this will be like putting on a breastplate.

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

⌊As a soldier⌋ puts on a breastplate ⌊to protect himself in battle⌋, depend on Christ’s righteousness ⌊to protect you when the devil attacks⌋.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2:5

2:5a

made us alive with Christ: The clause made us alive with Christ is a metaphor. It refers to a Christian’s spiritual life. When we believe in Christ, God gives us a new, spiritual life just as he gave Christ a new life.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

brought us to life with Christ (Good News Translation)
-or-
gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
God gave us Christ and we live through/because of him

when we were dead in our trespasses: As in 2:1, the word dead is a metaphor and refers to spiritual death. The word trespasses is a synonym of “sin.” So the phrase means that “because of our sins, we were like dead people.”

In many languages, it is better to translate this as a simile. For example:

we were like dead people
-or-
it was as if we were dead

In some languages, it may be necessary to make the point of comparison explicit. For example:

we were as unable to please God as a dead person is unable to please God

trespasses: As stated above, the word trespasses means “sins.”

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

sins (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
disobedience (Good News Translation)
-or-
the things we did against God (New Century Version)

2:5b

It is by grace: The Berean Standard Bible has supplied the words It is to emphasize the word grace here. Try to keep this emphasis in your translation.

grace: Here grace means “showing kindness or generosity to someone.”

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

special favor (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
wonderful kindness (Contemporary English Version)

See how you translated grace in 1:2, 1:6a, and 1:7c. Also see grace, Meaning 2 in the Glossary.

you have been saved!: This is a passive form. If your language would not use a passive verb here, you may need to say:

God saved you (plur.)

saved!: To be saved means to be rescued from danger. In this case, God is rescuing believers from the spiritual danger of being punished for their sins. See save, Word 1, in the Glossary for more information.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 3:15

3:15

from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name: The phrase from whom refers back to God the Father in 3:14. God is the one from whom each family in heaven and on earth derives its name.

whom: In the Berean Standard Bible, whom refers to God. (See the discussion on “whole family” below.)

every family: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as every generally means “all.” So there is an interpretation issue here. This phrase can mean:

(1) each or every family. For example:

…from whom every family in heaven and on the earth is named. (NET Bible)

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

According to this interpretation, the phrase translated as every family refers to human beings as well as angels.

(2) every family. For example:

Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. (King James Version)

(New International Version, King James Version, God’s Word)

According to this interpretation, the phrase translated as every family refers to the whole family of believers: both those in heaven and those on earth.

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

family in heaven and on earth: The phrase family in heaven and on earth is a figure of speech. The phrase in heaven refers to angels (beings who are spiritual or in heaven). The phrase on earth refers to humans (beings who are on earth).

The angels and humans are referred to as belonging to families. Here the word family refers to extended families like “clans” or “races,” or even “nations” of people. (It does not refer to the more common meaning of family consisting of a father, mother and their children.)

Since angels are not normally considered to be in families, the word family may cause some problems. For examples of ways to translate the phrase family in heaven and on earth, see below.

derives its name: The phrase derives its name is a figurative way to say that God gives every heavenly being and every human being its life and character. He is the Creator of everything in heaven and earth. He causes every group to exist.

Be careful to avoid a translation that gives the impression that God has given every family its surname.

Here are some ways to translate this phrase:

the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
All beings in heaven and on earth receive their life from him. (Contemporary English Version)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2019

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 6:3

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 1:17

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 3:4

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 4:15

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 5:15

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 6:14

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 2:5

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ephesians 3:15

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