SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 2016

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 2:4

2:4a

This issue arose: This phrase is not in the Greek. Most commentators agree that in 2:4–5, Paul was responding to the pressure to have Titus circumcised. In 2:4, Paul began a sentence that he never finished. To make it a complete sentence, the Berean Standard Bible has added some words at the beginning of this verse. Some other English versions do the same. For example:

This matter arose (New International Version)
-or-
We talked about this problem (New Century Version)
-or-
Even that question came up only (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
although some wanted it done (Good News Translation)

issue The word issue in the Berean Standard Bible refers to the issue of circumcision. In some languages, it may be necessary to make this more explicit. For example:

We talked about the issue of circumcision
-or-
But some people wanted him to get circumcised.

because some false brothers: The term false brothers refers to Jews who pretended to be Christian brothers. In fact, they were not Christian brothers. Their message was also a false message.

Some other ways to translate this term are:

false/fake Christian brothers
-or-
those who pretended to be followers (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
some men who pretended to be our brothers in Christ

had come in under false pretenses: In the Greek, the words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as had come in under false pretenses is actually two separate phrases. The Greek literally says “the false brothers brought in secretly, came in by stealth.” There are two ways to interpret the Greek word literally translated as “brought in secretly”:

(1) It has an active sense and describes what the false brothers themselves did. They brought themselves secretly into the meeting. According to this interpretation, this word and the Greek word that is literally “came in by stealth” refer to the same action. Most English versions that follow this interpretation translate both Greek words as one English verb. For example:

had sneaked in among us (Contemporary English Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, NET Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible, New Living Translation (1996), Contemporary English Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

(2) It has a passive sense and describes what other people did for the false brothers. Other people brought the false brothers into the meeting secretly. According to this interpretation, this word refers to a different action than the Greek word literally translated as “came in by stealth.” Most English versions that follow this interpretation translate the two Greek words with two different English expressions. For example:

False Christians were brought in. They slipped in (God’s Word)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The phrase had come in under false pretenses suggests that the false brothers came into the meeting of their own initiative.

You should use a verb that describes the actions of spies/traitors who “sneak” into groups and their meetings.

Some other ways to translate this entire expression are:

these men slipped into our group (Good News Translation)
-or-
some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks (New International Version)
-or-
some false brothers had secretly joined/attended our meeting
-or-
some false believers had come into our group secretly. They came in (New Century Version)

2:4b

to spy on: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to spy on means “to watch or observe.” The context determines whether it was for good or for evil. In this context, the false brothers certainly came to watch with evil intentions. They wanted to destroy the freedom of the new Christians. In some languages, it may be good to make this more explicit. For example:

to spy on us and take away (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
as spies. They had come to take away (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
to observe us and destroy/remove

our freedom in Christ Jesus: This clause refers to the freedom that believers have, because they believe in Christ Jesus, from obeying the law of Moses. As believers in Christ, the Galatians were not obligated to be circumcised as the Jews who were under the law were. They were free from those types of religious laws.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

the freedom that Christ Jesus had given us (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
We are free ?from the law because we believe? in Christ Jesus

Christ Jesus: In 1:1c, 1:3, and 1:12c, the order of this phrase is “Jesus Christ.” This is the first time the order is Christ Jesus. In most English translations and other national language translations, “Jesus Christ” and “Christ Jesus” are translated in the same order as they occur in the Greek.

Remember that Christ is a title, and Jesus is a name. Some languages will always put a title before a name. So, in some languages, it may be natural always to use the same order.

2:4c

in order to: The words in order to introduce the purpose for the false brothers’ action in 2:4b. Paul is saying:

4b The false brothers wanted to take our liberty away from us 4c in order that they could make us slaves.

In some languages, it will be natural to begin a new sentence here. For example:

They wanted to make us like slaves.

enslave us: This clause means that the false brothers wanted to make the Galatian believers slaves to the law of Moses. The false brothers wanted Gentile Christians to follow all the rules of the Jewish law. They especially wanted them to be circumcised. If Gentile Christians did what the false brothers wanted, they would become like slaves who are required to obey a master.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

to make us slaves ?to the law?
-or-
They wanted to enslave us and force us to follow their Jewish regulations. (New Living Translation (2004))

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Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 3:15

Section 3:15–25

The law did not cancel God’s promise to Abraham

This section has two parts. In the first part (3:15–18), Paul explained what the law was not intended to do. It was not intended to cancel or replace the blessing that God had promised to give to Abraham.

In the second part (3:19–25), Paul explained what the law was meant to do, how it was given, and how it was limited. It was limited as to what it could accomplish in people’s lives. And it was limited as to the time period during which it would govern God’s people.

Some other examples for a heading for this section are:

The law and the promise
-or-
The promise preceded the law
-or-
The law does not change the promise

Paragraph 3:15–18

3:15a

Brothers: The word Brothers refers to the Galatian believers. Paul used this word to show that he loved them, even though he had just rebuked them.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

?My? ?dear? fellow believers
-or-
Fellow believers ?in Christ?
-or-

?My? ?dear? friends
-or-
Relatives

let me put this in human terms: This clause indicates that Paul wanted to explain something. He wanted to further explain that believing is more important than doing/obeying the law. He did this by giving them an example from everyday life.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

Here is an example from one of our customs
-or-
I will speak about something that happens on the earth so you will understand what I want to say
-or-
I will explain to you what I want to say by using something that you already know

3:15b

Even a human covenant: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as covenant refers to an official agreement or contract. The contract is between two individuals or two groups. Previously, these agreements/promises could be verbal. In today’s world, such agreements are written documents that are signed by both parties.

One example is a loan document. In this document, a person who has borrowed money and the person who loaned the money agree to the terms of paying back the loan.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

With a human contract
-or-
Even with a letter of promise between two people
-or-
When two people make an agreement

Some English versions translate the word covenant as “will.” This refers to a “last will” or “testament.” The problem with the English word “will” is that the person who made the will must die before the will comes into effect. God would not make a will, but he did make contracts/promises.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 4:18

4:18a

it is good to be zealous: There are several ways to interpret the Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as it is good to be zealous. The two main ones are:

(1) It is passive. It is always good for the Galatians to be shown interest in by other people. To state it in an active way, it is good when other people show an interest in the Galatians. For example:

It is good for people to show interest in you (New Century Version)

(English Standard Version, NET Bible, Revised Standard Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible)

(2) It is middle with an active sense. It is good when the Galatians show an interest in issues. For example:

It is…good to give your attention to something worthwhile (Contemporary English Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (1996), New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Paul was saying that it is fine if other people show an interest in the Galatians, but their motives must be good. The motives of the false teachers were not good. So Paul warned the Galatians not to trust them.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

• As a passive. For example:

It is…good to be made much of (English Standard Version)
-or-
It is good when you are shown a deep interest in ?by someone?

• As an active. For example:

It is good when ?someone? shows a deep interest in you
-or-
It is good when ?people? show concern for you

if it serves a noble purpose: This phrase refers to a person’s motive/intentions. It is the opposite of “not in a good way” in 4:17a.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

but only if their purpose is good (New Century Version)
-or-
if their motives are good

4:18b

at any time, and not only when I am with you: This clause indicates that it is good for people to show real concern for the Galatians at all times. It should not only happen when Paul is with them. And it should not only be Paul who shows concern for them.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

all the time, not just when I’m with you (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-

?This should happen? even when I am not with you.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 5:19

Paragraph 5:19–21

In this paragraph, Paul reminded the Galatians that they should not live sinful lives. He gave a list of examples of sinful actions. The list can be divided into several groups: sexual sins, wrong relationships to spiritual powers other than God, wrong relationships between people, and drunken living.

Paul’s list is not intended as a complete list of sins. Paul listed sins that represent the kinds of actions that come from the sinful nature. There are many more such sins.

5:19a

In 5:19, Paul began a new topic. He introduced this new topic with a Greek conjunction that most English versions translate as “now.” In this context, “now” is not a time word.

The Berean Standard Bible has not translated this conjunction, and some other versions, such as the New International Version and New Living Translation (2004), also do not translate it. In some languages, it will not be necessary to translate this conjunction either. Connect 5:19a to 5:18b in a way that is natural in your language.

The acts of the flesh are obvious: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as acts of the flesh refers to the sinful actions/deeds that a person does when he follows/obeys his corrupt human nature.

The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as obvious means “are clearly seen.”

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

The wrong things the sinful self does are clear (New Century Version)
-or-
Anyone can see the behaviour that belongs to the unspiritual nature (Revised English Bible)
-or-
When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Now, the effects of the corrupt nature are obvious (God’s Word)

See flesh, Meaning 5 in the Glossary.

5:19b

Paul’s list of sinful actions begins here. Some ways to introduce this list are:

For example:
-or-
They are deeds such as:
-or-
The sinful nature shows itself in

sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery: In Greek, the three words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery all refer to sexual sins. They include sins of thought, sins of actions, and sinful desires.

In some languages, it will be possible to translate these three Greek words with three words or phrases. In other languages, it may be possible to use two terms to translate these three Greek terms.

sexual immorality: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sexual immorality refers to having sexual relations with someone you are not married to.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

fornication/adultery
-or-
being sexually unfaithful (New Century Version)
-or-
immoral…actions (Good News Translation)
-or-
all kinds of immoral behavior with someone who is not your spouse

impurity: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as impurity is more literally “uncleanness.” In the Bible, immoral acts are referred to as “unclean.” This word refers to any shameful or wrong activity in the area of sex.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

indecency
-or-
filthy thoughts (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
filthy…actions (Good News Translation)
-or-
disgusting sexual habits/thoughts

debauchery: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as debauchery refers to indulging in wrong sexual desires, or being preoccupied with illicit sexual acts.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

perversion/indecency
-or-
taking part in sexual sins (New Century Version)
-or-
shameful deeds (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
indecent actions (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 1:7

1:7a

which is not even a gospel: This clause indicates that the “different gospel” is not the gospel at all. It is not good news. A different gospel does not really exist.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

Actually, there is no “other gospel,” (Good News Translation)
-or-
not that there really is another gospel (NET Bible)
-or-
but is not the Good News at all (New Living Translation (2004))

1:7b

Evidently: The Greek phrase that Berean Standard Bible here translates as Evidently is more literally “if not” or “except.” In most of the other places in the New Testament where this phrase occurs, it is translated as “except.” In those places, this phrase introduces an exception to the previous clause. Here this phrase also introduces an exception.

Some ways to connect 1:7a and 1:7b are:

• Use the word except. This option probably follows the Greek most closely. It introduces 1:7b as an exception to 1:7a. For example:

7a There is no other gospel 7b except ?in the minds/thinking of? some who trouble you 7c and want to distort the gospel of Christ.

• Use a conjunction such as but or however. For example:

7a not that there really is another gospel, 7b but there are some who are disturbing you 7c and wanting to distort the gospel of Christ (NET Bible)

If you follow this option, you may want to change the order of some of the clauses in 7b and 7c. For example:

7a not that there really is another gospel. 7b But there are some who 7c want to distort the gospel of Christ ?into another gospel? . 7b They are disturbing you.

• Use no conjunction or other word to introduce 1:7b. For example:

7a But what some people are calling good news is not really good news at all. 7b They are confusing you. 7c They want to distort the Good News about Christ. (God’s Word)

some people are troubling you: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as troubling also means “confuse.” This verb is in the present tense. When Paul wrote this letter, some men (who were false teachers) were in the process of trying to confuse the Galatians.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

some people are confusing you (New Century Version)
-or-
You are being fooled by those… (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
some people are causing you trouble (Contemporary English Version)

1:7c

and trying to distort the gospel of Christ: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as distort means to change a good thing into a bad thing.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

and trying to change the gospel of Christ (Good News Translation)
-or-
and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ (New International Version)
-or-
by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ (New Living Translation (2004))

the gospel of Christ: This phrase means the Good News about Christ.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

the message about Christ
-or-
the Good News about Christ (God’s Word)

See gospel in the Glossary for more information.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 2:15

2:15–16

In these verses, Paul reminded Peter of the issues that they had already agreed upon. They agreed that Christ accepted both Jews and non-Jews through faith in him. It is impossible to be justified by obeying the law.

2:15

We who: The Greek pronoun that the Berean Standard Bible translates as We who is emphatic.

Another way to translate this Greek word is:

As for us, we

Paul used this pronoun to identify those who know God. He included himself, Peter, and all Jewish Christians.

We: Note that if you consider verses 15–21 to be direct speech, the pronoun We here is inclusive. If you consider these verses to be indirect speech, then the We is exclusive, since Paul would be reporting to the Galatians what he went on to tell Peter.

are Jews by birth: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as by birth implies that being born a Jew was a special privilege. It was special because it was only to the Jews that God had given the law.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

were born Jews
-or-
were born Jews ?and had the law?
-or-
are Jews ?and know God? because our parents are Jews

and not Gentile “sinners”: The Jews commonly used the expression “Gentile sinners” to show their disdain for anyone who was not a Jew. This phrase referred to those who did not know God and lived without the law.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

and not Gentile sinners ?who do not know God?
-or-

?we do not have? evil behavior like those who do not know ?the law of? God

This traditional attitude of the Jews was not something that Paul would agree with after he met Jesus and understood the gospel. One way to make this clear is:

and not “Gentile sinners,” as they are called (Good News Translation)

Gentile: Here the word Gentile refers to those who did not know God. This is in contrast to the Jews who did know God.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 3:26

Section 3:26–4:7

A child of God is not a slave of the law

In the previous section, Paul talked about people from a Jewish background. In this section, he returned to focus on the non-Jews whom he had talked about earlier.

This section has two parts. In the first one (3:26 to 3:29), Paul reminded the non-Jewish Christians in Galatia that they had become children of God through faith. When people become children of God, there is no longer a difference between Jew or non-Jew, male or female, slave or free. He further pointed out that once people have become children of God, they are entitled to all the blessings of the new life in Christ.

In the second part (4:1 to 4:7), Paul compared the time under the law to a time of slavery. But when Christ came, he freed people from slavery. The time under the law ended. So believers in Jesus Christ are God’s sons. They are not slaves to the law. It is no longer necessary to follow the law.

Some other examples for a heading for this section are:

By faith we are sons of God and are rescued from the law
-or-
You are not slaves but children of God
-or-
No longer prisoners to the law but sons

Paragraph 3:26–29

3:26

In 3:26, Paul further explained the faith in Christ that he had talked about in 3:24–25. He introduced this further explanation with a Greek conjunction that most English versions translate as “for.” Here is another way to translate this conjunction:

So (New International Version)

The Berean Standard Bible has not translated this conjunction, and some other versions, such as the Good News Translation and God’s Word, also do not translate it. In some languages, it will not be necessary to translate this conjunction either. Connect 3:26 to 3:25b in a way that is natural in your language.

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus: There are two ways to interpret how the phrase in Christ Jesus fits in this clause:

(1) It modifies the whole clause. This means that the believer is united with Christ and this makes him a son/child. For example:

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. (New International Version (2011))

(New International Version (2011), NET Bible, Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, English Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) It modifies through faith. It states that the object of faith is Jesus Christ. For example:

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (New International Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, Contemporary English Version, Good News Translation, God’s Word, New Century Version, New Living Translation (2004), Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Here Paul used the phrase in Christ as in other passages to mean “in union with Christ.”

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

In/Through Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith ?in him? .
-or-
All of you who are united with Christ Jesus are sons of God because you believe ?in Christ? .

sons of God: This phrase refers to all people who believe in Christ. They are both male and female. After a person has believed in Christ, God considers him as his child.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

children of God (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
sons and daughters of God

through faith: Some other ways to translate through faith are:

because of your faith (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
because you believe ?in Jesus?
-or-
by believing (God’s Word)

A similar phrase also occurs in 3:14d. See also faith, Meaning 1 in the Glossary.

Christ Jesus: In the phrase Christ Jesus, Christ is his title and Jesus is his personal name. One way to show this is:

the Christ/Messiah Jesus

In 1:1c, Paul used the phrase “Jesus Christ.” Both Christ Jesus and “Jesus Christ” refer to the same person. Either order may be used in your translation.

This phrase also occurs in 3:14a. You should translate it here as you did there.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 4:29

4:29

In 4:29, Paul used a story from the Old Testament to represent what was happening in Galatia. The story from the Old Testament is about Abraham’s two sons Ishmael and Isaac. He called Ishmael “the son born according to the flesh.” Ishmael represents the false teachers. Ishmael persecuted Isaac, who was born “by the Spirit.” In the same way, the false teachers were persecuting the believers in Galatia.

In some languages, it may be more natural to make parts of this verse explicit. Compare the Berean Standard Bible and the New Living Translation (2004) below.

a At that time, however, b the son born by the flesh c persecuted the son born by the Spirit. d It is the same now. (Berean Standard Bible)

d But you are now being persecuted by those who want you to keep the law, a just as Ishmael, b the child born by human effort, c persecuted Isaac, the child born by the power of the Spirit. (New Living Translation (2004))

4:29a

At that time: This phrase introduces a comparison between what happened at the time of Isaac and what was happening in Galatia.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

Just like at that time
-or-
And what happened then
-or-
just as at that time (English Standard Version)

however: There is some contrast between 4:28 and 4:29. The contrast is between the way we would expect people to treat the children of promise and the way they actually treat them. The Greek indicates this contrast with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as however.

Another way to introduce 4:29 is:

But

Many English versions do not translate this conjunction. In some languages, it will not be necessary to translate this conjunction either.

4:29b

the son born by the flesh: This clause refers to Abraham’s son Ishmael. He was the son of Hagar. Here Ishmael represents the false teachers.

The phrase by the flesh refers to the fact that the child was conceived and born in the normal, human way. Abraham tried to fulfill God’s promise on his own. He did that by taking the slave woman Hagar and having a child with her. It is the same phrase that Paul used in 4:23a.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

The son who was born in the normal way (New Century Version)
-or-
he who was born in a human attempt to fulfill God’s promise
-or-
the son of Hagar who was born because of the plan of people
-or-
the one who had only a natural birth

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

4:29c

persecuted: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as persecuted means “cause to suffer.”

Some other ways to translate this verb are:

made trouble (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
treated…badly (New Century Version)
-or-
caused to suffer
-or-
was cruel to

This verb also occurs in 1:13b

the son born by the Spirit: This clause refers to Isaac. Here Isaac represents the believers in Galatia.

The phrase by the Spirit refers to the fact that Isaac was born because of God’s promise to Abraham. God’s Spirit allowed the elderly Sarah to become pregnant. Believers, who are also children of the promise, receive life through God’s Spirit.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

him who was born because of ?the work of? the Spirit
-or-
him who was born by means ?of the power/help? of God’s Spirit
-or-
Isaac, the one who came by means of the Spirit fulfilling God’s promise

the Spirit: This phrase refers to the Spirit of God.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

the Holy Spirit
-or-
the Spirit of God

See Spirit, Meaning 1 in the Glossary.

4:29d

It is the same now: This clause states that the situation between Ishmael and Isaac was similar to the situation in Galatia. The Galatian believers, like Isaac, were persecuted by those who were slaves to the law.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

That’s exactly what’s happening now. (God’s Word)
-or-
The same thing is happening today. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
It is the same today. (New Century Version)
-or-
It’s just like that now.

In some languages, it will be more natural to put this phrase with 4:29a. For example:

a What happened then d is like what is happening now.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 2016

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 2:4

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 3:15

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 4:18

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 5:19

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 1:7

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 2:15

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 3:26

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 4:29

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