SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 2016 – Page 19

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 6:15

6:15a

For: Verse 6:15 further explains what Paul said in 6:14. Paul explained that being dead to the world means that the things of the world, such as circumcision, are no longer important. The Greek introduces this explanation with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For.

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

neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything: In Greek, this clause is more literally “neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision.” The Berean Standard Bible adds the word means to make the meaning clearer. It does not matter whether a person is circumcised or not. Paul had said this in 5:6 as well.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

It is not important if a man is circumcised or uncircumcised. (New Century Version)
-or-
Certainly, it doesn’t matter whether a person is circumcised or not. (God’s Word)
-or-
Circumcision is of no value, neither is not being circumcised of any value.

6:15b

What counts is a new creation: The phrase a new creation refers to the new creatures/people that God makes. God completely changes a person when he becomes a believer. The important thing is the change that God makes in believers. They live their lives through the power of the Spirit.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

All that matters is that you are a new person. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
what does matter is being a new creature (Good News Translation)
-or-
The important thing is being the new people God has made. (New Century Version)
-or-
What counts is whether we really have been changed into new and different people. (New Living Translation (1996))

© 2016 by SIL International®
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 2:5

2:5a

We did not give in to them for a moment: This clause means that Paul and some other people did not at all agree with the false teachers who wanted Gentile believers to be circumcised. They did not ask Gentile believers such as Titus to get circumcised.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

we did not yield/submit to them even a little bit
-or-
we refused to give in to them for even a minute
-or-
we did not at all accept what they wanted to do
-or-
we did not agree with them at all

In some languages, it may be natural to state this without using the word not. For example:

we completely disagreed with them
-or-
we were completely against them
-or-
we were absolutely opposed to them

not…for a moment: This phrase means “never” or “not at all.” Paul never accepted the teaching of the false brothers.

to them: The pronoun them refers to the false brothers in 2:4a.

2:5b

so that: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as so that indicates that 2:5b is the purpose for 2:5a. Paul refused to yield to the false teachers (2:5a) so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved (2:5b).

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

We wanted the truth of the Good News to continue for you. (New Century Version)
-or-

?We did that because? we wanted to preserve the truth of the gospel for you.

the truth of the gospel: This phrase refers to the “true gospel” as opposed to the “false gospel” that the false brothers taught. It means “the message of the true gospel” or “the truth that is the gospel.”

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

the true gospel
-or-
the true Good News
-or-
the true teaching that is the good news about Jesus

would remain: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as would remain means “might remain” or “might continue.” Paul did not want any false doctrines added to the true gospel. He did not want the true gospel changed in any way. He wanted the gospel to remain or “continue to be” the only message.

Some other ways to translate this verb are:

continue (New Century Version)
-or-
should be maintained (Revised English Bible)
-or-
would not be changed/distorted
-or-
would not be mixed ?with false teaching?

with you: Certain Gentiles had already received the true gospel. The Berean Standard Bible translates this phrase as with you to indicate that Paul wanted the true gospel to remain “with them.”

This phrase can also mean “for the sake/benefit of Gentile believers” like the Galatians. Paul did not want the good news of salvation by faith to be changed. He did not want the church to require Gentile believers to be circumcised. He fought hard to keep the gospel pure and unchanged for the benefit of Gentile believers like the Galatians. Here is another way to translate this phrase:

for you (English Standard Version)

General Comment on 2:5

The most prominent part of this verse is that the truth of the gospel be preserved for the Galatians. In some languages, it may be more natural to put 2:5b before 2:5a to show that prominence. For example:

5b We wanted the true gospel to be preserved for you, 5a so we never gave in to them.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 3:16

3:16a

Before Paul continued in 3:17 with the spiritual application of his example, he first explained in this verse, as background information, that Christ was the focus of the promise to Abraham. Paul introduced this background information 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 3:16a to 3:15b in a way that is natural in your language.

The promises were spoken to Abraham: Here Paul compared a “covenant” that men make (in 3:15b) to the promises that God made to Abraham. Paul had referred to that promise in 3:8d when he quoted Genesis 12:3.

The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as were spoken is passive. Some ways to translate this clause are:

• Use a passive clause. For example:

the promises were made to Abraham (Revised Standard Version)

• Use an active clause. For example:

God made his promises to Abraham (Good News Translation)

and to his seed: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as seed means “descendant” in this context. This word is singular. Paul used the singular of seed because he was referring to Jesus Christ. You must use a singular form for this word in your language. For example:

and to his descendant (Good News Translation)

3:16b

The Scripture does not say: In some languages, it may not be natural to speak of the Scripture as saying something. If that is the case in your language, you can say:

The scripture does not use the plural (Good News Translation)
-or-
God did not say (New Century Version)

“and to seeds,” meaning many: In this clause, Paul explained the last phrase of the Scripture quotation that he referred to in 3:16a. He said that Scripture did not use the plural seeds. It did not refer to many people. You must use a plural form for seeds here.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

“to his descendants,” as if it meant many of them
-or-
“and to your descendants.” That would mean many people. (New Century Version)

3:16c

but: There is a contrast between 3:16b and 3:16c. The contrast is between what Scripture did not say (“seeds”) and what it did say (seed). Languages have different ways to indicate this negative-positive order of contrast. Some of the ways are:

• With the conjunction “but.”

• With a conjunction other than “but.” For example:

Rather (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Instead

• With no conjunction. For example:

b The Scripture did not say “and to descendants.” c It said “and to your descendant.”

“and to your seed,” meaning One, who is Christ: In this clause Paul stated that Scripture used the singular word seed. This refers to one person. He explicitly said who is the one descendant of Abraham through whom the promise comes. That descendant is Jesus Christ.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

it says “to his descendant.” It is one person. That person is Christ.
-or-
God said, “and to your descendant.” That means only one person; that person is Christ. (New Century Version)

your seed: The Berean Standard Bible literally translates the Greek pronoun your here. However, in some languages, it may be more natural to use the pronoun “his” here. This will correspond better with the quote “his seed” in 3:16a. An example is given in the first Meaning Line of the Display.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 4:19

4:19a

My children: Paul used this phrase to remind the Galatians of their close relationship with him.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

My little children (English Standard Version)
-or-
My own children ?in Christ?

If the word children is only used literally and would be misunderstood, then you can say something like:

You are like my children

4:19b

for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth: This clause is a metaphor. In this metaphor, Paul compared his ministry among the Galatians to childbirth. Paul had brought the Galatians to Christ. This was like giving birth to a child. They are similar in that both are difficult and painful.

Paul had already done this one time during his first visit. But the Galatians were turning away from their faith. So he had to bring them to the truth again. It was like Paul was giving birth to them again.

Some ways to translate this clause are:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

I am suffering birth pains for you again (God’s Word)
-or-
again I feel the pain of childbirth for you (New Century Version)

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

I feel as if I’m going through labor pains for you again (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Like a woman who has pain when she gives birth, I am again suffering for you

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

I am suffering terrible pain on your behalf once more

until Christ is formed in you: This clause refers to Christ changing the lives of the Galatians. Paul stated that his birth pains would continue until the Galatians were mature in Christ.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

until you truly become like Christ (New Century Version)
-or-
until Christ is shown/revealed in you
-or-
until Christ’s nature is formed in you (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 5:20

5:20a

idolatry and sorcery: The two Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as idolatry and sorcery refer to a wrong relationship to spiritual powers other than God.

idolatry: The word idolatry refers to the worship of idols. It refers to worshiping false gods and their images or statues.

(In a broader sense, it also refers to honoring something above God. Paul says in Colossians 3:5 that greed is idolatry.)

Some other ways to translate this word are:

worshiping idols
-or-
worship of the shrine
-or-
worshiping that which it is not proper to worship

sorcery: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sorcery refers to the use of magic words, objects, or rituals to interact with spirits.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

witchcraft (New International Version)
-or-
calling on evil spirits
-or-
using the power which Satan gives

5:20b–21a

hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions: These words refer to wrong relationships between people. They result in conflict between people.

Paul used eight different words to describe these sinful actions. Some of these words are very close in meaning. In some languages, it may be possible to find eight words that match the general range of meaning of these eight sins. In other languages, one word or term may include the meaning of two of Paul’s words. In other words, in some languages, it may be possible to translate the eight Greek words with fewer than eight terms. The meanings of the words that Paul used should guide your choices of words.

5:20b

hatred: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hatred refers to being an enemy of someone and having hostile feelings and actions toward that person.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

People become enemies (Good News Translation)
-or-
enmity (English Standard Version)
-or-
people hate each other

discord: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as discord refers to fights and conflicts between people.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

making trouble (New Century Version)
-or-
quarrelling (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
people argue/fight

jealousy: The word jealousy refers to bad feelings toward another person because that person has something (including status or success) that you want. Some languages have idioms for these feelings, like “bitter stomach,” “black stomach,” or “evil eye.”

Some other ways to translate this word are:

being jealous
-or-
people are jealous/envious

5:20c

rage: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as rage refers to intense anger and a tendency to express that anger in a way that hurts other people.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

outbursts of anger (NET Bible)
-or-
being angry (New Century Version)
-or-
bad temper (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
anger (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
people are angry

rivalries: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as rivalries refers to a selfish desire to be more important than others.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

being selfish (New Century Version)
-or-
selfish ambition (New International Version)
-or-
selfishness (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
people want their own way

5:20d

divisions: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as divisions refers to people dividing into opposing groups. It refers to people separating themselves from people whom they do not agree with. They do this because they are angry with one another.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

conflict (God’s Word)
-or-
dissensions (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
making people angry with each other (New Century Version)

This word is very similar to the next word, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as factions.

factions: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as factions refers to people dividing into different groups that are against one another. People unite with those people whom they agree with, and they are against the group that they disagree with.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

causing divisions among people (New Century Version)
-or-
division (New Living Translation (2004))

General Comment on 5:20d

Because the words “dissensions” and “divisions” are so similar, it is possible in some languages to translate these two words as one term. For example:

people divide into opposing groups

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 2016

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 6:15

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 2:5

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 3:16

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 4:19

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 5:20

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