SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 2016 – Page 7

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 4:4

4:4a

But: There is a contrast between 4:3 and 4:4–5. The contrast is between the time when we were under the law and the time when we were redeemed from being under the law. The Berean Standard Bible indicates this contrast with the conjunction But.

when the time had fully come: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as when the time had fully come refers to the time that God had chosen to end the slavery. God decided when it was the right time for Jesus to come into the world.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

when the right time finally came (Good News Translation)
-or-
when God’s chosen time arrived
-or-
at the time which God had previously decided

4:4b

God sent His Son: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sent can also be translated as “sent out.” This verb implies that God’s Son, Jesus, was with God in heaven. God sent him from heaven to earth at the time he had chosen.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

God sent out his Son (NET Bible)
-or-
God sent his Son to come here
-or-
God sent his Son into the world (God’s Word)

His Son: See how you translated His Son at 1:16. For further information, see the note on this phrase at 1:16.

born of a woman: The clause born of a woman is an idiom. This idiom indicates that God’s Son became a human being.

Some ways to translate this phrase are:

a woman gave birth to him (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
he was born a human being
-or-
he became a human being by being born of a woman

4:4c

born under the law: The clause born under the law means that God’s Son, as a human being, was required to obey the law. As a Jewish boy, he was under the authority of the law of Moses.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

born under the authority of the law
-or-
he came under the control of God’s laws (God’s Word)
-or-
His Son obeyed the Law (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
born as a Jew who followed the law of Moses

© 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 5:5

5:5

In this verse, Paul wrote about the people who had not separated themselves from Christ. They continued to believe in Christ for justification. They had rejected circumcision as a means of justification. They would attain righteousness by means of faith in Christ.

But: Verse 5:5 begins with a conjunction that is normally translated as “for.” Understood that way, it would introduce the reason why people who try to be justified by the law have fallen away from grace (5:4b). Some English versions translate it that way. For example:

For (English Standard Version)

However, this conjunction can also be understood as introducing a contrast between “you” (who obey the law to be made right with God) and “we” (who believe in Christ to be made right with God). The Berean Standard Bible and some other English versions translate this conjunction as But in order to focus on the contrast.

Some other ways to begin 5:5 are:

But we
-or-
However, as for us
-or-
As for us (Good News Translation)

by faith: There are three ways to interpret what the phrase by faith is connected to:

(1) It is connected to righteousness:. According to this interpretation, “righteousness by faith” is in contrast with “justified by the law” in 5:4a. For example:

But we…eagerly wait to receive everything promised to us who are right with God through faith. (New Living Translation (1996))

(New Living Translation (1996), Contemporary English Version)

(2) It is connected with eagerly wait for. For example:

faith causes us to wait eagerly (God’s Word)

(Berean Standard Bible, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word)

(3) It is connected with the Spirit. For example:

The power of God’s Spirit working through our faith (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation)

Most English versions translate by faith literally and it is not possible to tell which interpretation they follow. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

The final goal of a believer’s life is righteousness. It is by means of faith in Christ that believers attain this righteousness.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

we are made right with God by our faith
-or-
we are righteous because we believe/trust

faith: See faith, Meaning 1 in the Glossary.

we: The pronoun we refers to Paul and the other people who were not following the law in order to be made righteous. These are the people who had not fallen away from grace. You may need to make this explicit. For example:

we who have not fallen away from grace , we
-or-

we who reject circumcision for justification , we

The we is neither completely inclusive nor completely exclusive. It includes the majority of the Galatians, but it excludes those who have fallen from grace. If a choice has to be made, it is best to use the inclusive form, because Paul still considered the Galatians to be his brothers in Christ.

eagerly await: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as eagerly await refers to waiting for and looking forward to the end of the age when Christ will return.

Some other ways to translate this verb are:

eagerly wait for the final day
-or-
wait for that day with our whole heart

through the Spirit: There are at least two ways to interpret what the phrase through the Spirit is connected to:

(1) It is connected to the verb eagerly await. According to this interpretation, the Holy Spirit helps us and encourages us to eagerly wait for the final day when we will be made completely righteous. For example:

this is what we wait for by the power of God’s Spirit (Good News Translation)

(Berean Standard Bible, Good News Translation, New Century Version)

(2) It is connected to the word hope. According to this interpretation, the Holy Spirit causes us to hope or be sure that God will make us righteous. For example:

the Spirit makes us sure (Contemporary English Version)

(Contemporary English Version)

Most English versions are literal and it is not possible to tell which interpretation they follow. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

In 3:3, Paul said that believers begin their lives with the Spirit. They must continue to live their lives and wait for the day when the Lord returns. They can do this through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

we, by the help of the Spirit, are eagerly waiting (TCNT)
-or-
through the power of the Holy Spirit
-or-
by the Spirit we wait eagerly for this hope (New Century Version)
-or-
the Holy Spirit helps/encourages us to wait for

the hope of righteousness: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as the hope of righteousness refers to the righteousness that believers hope to receive on judgment day. The word righteousness refers to being “upright,” “blameless” or “just” before God.

The word hope refers to something good that a person expects to happen. He is sure/certain that it will happen. In this context, believers expect to be declared righteous because God promised it. It is different from the modern use of the word “hope” in English.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

the righteousness for which we hope
-or-
the righteousness that we expect
-or-
the righteousness God has promised to us (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
we are eagerly waiting for God to declare us blameless. This is what we hope for/expect.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 6:11

Section 6:11–18

Paul repeated his warning not to listen to false teachers

This section is Paul’s conclusion to his letter. In this section he again contrasted circumcision and true faith. Those who teach that believers must be circumcised have a false basis for boasting. The only true basis for boasting is Christ’s death on the cross. Through the cross, believers are new creations in Christ. That is what matters. The Galatians should follow these truths. They must not follow false teachers who want to add circumcision to faith.

Paul ended his letter with a blessing/prayer.

Some other possible headings for this section are:

Final Warning and Benediction (English Standard Version)
-or-
Paul’s Final Advice (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Paul Summarizes His Teachings About Circumcision (God’s Word)

Paragraph 6:11–16

6:11

See what large letters I am using to write to you with my own hand!: This clause indicates that at this point in the letter to the Galatians, Paul himself started to write. Up to this point, Paul had an assistant write what he told him to write. This is what he normally did. The main purpose for Paul to start to write here with his own hand was to prove that he was indeed the person behind this letter.

Some other ways to translate this verse are:

See what big letters I make as I write to you now with my own hand! (Good News Translation)
-or-
Notice how big my writing is. I have written these words myself.
-or-
I myself am writing the last part of this letter. You can see it by the large letters that I am using.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 2:1

Section 2:1–10

The church leaders accepted Paul’s apostleship and his message

In this section, Paul explained to the Galatians one reason why they should hold firm to the gospel that he had taught them. He did this by telling them about the meeting that he had in Jerusalem with the apostles there. At this meeting, the apostles recognized Paul’s authority as an apostle. They also agreed that he preached the true gospel.

This meeting became necessary because of the message of some false teachers. These false teachers insisted that a person was not truly saved unless he also became circumcised and kept the laws of Moses. (See Acts 15:1–2 and Galatians 2:4.) At the meeting, the apostles agreed with Paul. They agreed that no one should force non-Jewish believers to be circumcised and obey the Law that God gave to Moses. This showed the Galatians that these teachers were wrong.

Some other possible headings for this section are:

Paul Was Accepted as an Apostle by the Leaders in Jerusalem (God’s Word)
-or-
The apostles accept Paul
-or-
Paul’s apostleship and message
-or-
The Jerusalem leaders recognized Paul’s apostleship and message

Paragraph 2:1–5

In this paragraph, Paul told about the meeting that he and Barnabas had with church leaders in Jerusalem. In this meeting, Paul wanted to see whether the leaders would accept the message that he was teaching to Gentiles. The fact that the leaders did not require Titus, a Greek, to be circumcised showed that they accepted Paul’s message. They accepted his message in spite of some opposition from false brothers.

2:1a

Fourteen years later: There are two ways to interpret the phrase Fourteen years later :

(1) It means fourteen years after Paul’s previous visit to Jerusalem to see Peter in 1:18.

(2) It means fourteen years from Paul’s conversion in 1:16.

If possible, you should translate as generally as in the Berean Standard Bible and the Greek. In other words, you should not specifically state from which event these fourteen years are counted. However, if you cannot leave it ambiguous, follow interpretation (1). Most scholars agree with interpretation (1).

Another way to translate this phrase is:

Then fourteen years after my visit to Jerusalem

I went up again to Jerusalem: The verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as went up indicates that the city of Jerusalem was built on a hill. So anyone going to Jerusalem had to walk up or ascend the hill.

In some languages, it is important to say whether people go up or go “down” when they travel. In other languages, this will be unusual or may be confusing. If it is confusing in your language, you should simply say:

I went to Jerusalem again (God’s Word)

The same Greek verb occurs in 1:18b.

again: The word again indicates that this was another visit that Paul made to Jerusalem.

Some ways to translate this entire clause are:

I ascended to Jerusalem again
-or-
I went back to Jerusalem once again
-or-
I returned to Jerusalem

accompanied by Barnabas: The word Barnabas is the name of a man. Barnabas had accompanied Paul on his mission trip to Galatia. He went again with Paul on this trip to Jerusalem.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

this time with Barnabas (New Century Version)
-or-
taking Barnabas as a companion
-or-
Barnabas went with me

2:1b

I took Titus along also: The verb took…along implies that Paul and Barnabas invited Titus to go with them to Jerusalem.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

and we took Titus with us (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
I also took Titus with me. (New Century Version)

Titus: Titus was a Greek man who became a Christian as a result of Paul’s ministry. As a Greek, a non-Jew, he was not circumcised.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 3:12

3:12a

The law, however, is not based on faith: In 3:12, Paul developed his argument that a person who is righteous by faith will live. He did this by stating that faith and the law do not go together. Paul introduced this contrast between “faith” (in 3:11b) and the law (in 3:12) by beginning this verse with a Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as however. Here are some other ways to introduce this contrast:

But (English Standard Version)
-or-
Yet (New King James Version)

Some English versions, such as the New International Version and the New Living Translation (2004), do not explicitly show this contrast with a conjunction. In some languages, no conjunction will be necessary here either. Connect 3:12a to 3:11b in a way that is natural in your language.

The law…is not based on faith: The word law refers to “obeying/keeping the law in order to be made right with God.” So this clause means that obeying the law is not a matter of faith/believing/trusting in Jesus. As the next clause says, obeying the law is a matter of what a person “does.” The law focuses only on doing things. The law excludes faith.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

The law does not depend on faith (New American Bible)
-or-

obeying the law is not a matter of having faith in God/Jesus.
-or-
Belief does not go together with obeying the law.
-or-
There is a difference between obeying the law and believing.

faith: See faith, Meaning 1 in the Glossary.

3:12b

on the contrary: There is a contrast between 3:12a and 3:12b–c. The contrast is between what the law is not (it is not of faith), and what the law is (it is doing/obeying the commandments). Languages have different ways to indicate this negative-positive type of contrast. Some of the ways are:

• With the conjunction “but.”

• With a conjunction other than “but.” This is a common way in English to show this type of contrast. For example:

rather (English Standard Version)
-or-
on the contrary (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version)
-or-
Instead (Good News Translation)

• With no conjunction. For example:

a The Law isn’t based on faith. c It promises life only to people who obey its commands. (Contemporary English Version)

In some languages, it may be necessary to include some implicit information to make this contrast more understandable. For example:

On the contrary, it is a matter of doing/obeying
-or-
Instead of faith, the law is based on obedience to it

3:12c

Verse 3:12c is a quote from Leviticus 18:5. In some languages, it may be good to make explicit that this is a quote from the Old Testament. For example:

as the scripture says (Good News Translation)

Paul quoted this Scripture to support his statement that obeying the law does not include faith. The law has always focused on what a person does.

The man who does these things will live by them: The phrase does these things means “does/obeys the commandments in the law of Moses.” The phrase will live by them means “will live well because of obeying these laws.” People who diligently obeyed all the laws of Moses would find a good life both here on earth and eternally.

Some other ways to translate this quote are:

He who does/obeys all the commandments will have a good life because he obeyed them.
-or-
Whoever does everything the Law requires will live. (Good News Translation)
-or-
A person who obeys these things will live because of them. (New Century Version)
-or-
If you wish to find life by obeying the law, you must obey all of its commands. (New Living Translation (1996))

The man who: This is a way to refer to people in general. You should use a natural way in your language to make a general statement.

Some possible ways are:

The person/people who
-or-
Anyone who
-or-
You who
-or-
He who

will live by them: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as will live by them means “will live well because of obeying these laws.” In the context of Leviticus, these words probably meant that people who diligently obeyed all the laws would find a good life here on earth. They would have peace within their community, and God would bless them. But this phrase could also refer to an eternal life with God.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

will live because of them (New Century Version)
-or-
will live because of the laws he obeys (God’s Word)
-or-
will have a good life because he did/obeyed all the laws

As with the words “will live” in 3:11b, languages have many ways to talk about will live here. Some other ways that languages may translate this phrase are:

will sit/stay well because he obeyed the laws
-or-
will walk well because of obeying the laws

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 4:15

4:15a

What then has become of your blessing: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as then introduces a conclusion in the form of a rhetorical question. This conclusion is based on some implied information. The following chart shows the implied information:

4:14c–d
You joyfully received me

implied

but now you would not do that

4:15a

So, you have lost your joy. What has become of it?

Some English versions do not translate this conjunction. For example:

What has happened to all your joy? (New International Version)

In some languages, it will not be necessary to translate this conjunction either. Connect 4:15a to 4:14d in a way that is natural in your language.

What…has become of your blessing?: This is a rhetorical question. Paul used this rhetorical question to encourage the Galatians to think about their present situation. They had been joyful when they first heard the gospel, but their joy had disappeared.

Some ways to translate this question are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

What has happened to all your joy? (New International Version)

• As a statement, followed by a question. For example:

You were very happy then, but where is that joy now? (New Century Version)
-or-
You were so happy! What has happened? (Good News Translation)

• As a statement. For example:

Consider this: you have lost the joy that you once had.

In some languages, it is more natural to put this rhetorical question after 4:15c. See the General Comment below under 4:15c for examples.

blessing: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as blessing refers to the state of well-being that results from having a right relationship with God.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

joy (New International Version)
-or-
happiness (NET Bible)

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

4:15b

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For introduces some more information. It is background information about the joy/blessedness that the Galatians felt when Paul first preached to them.

Another way to show what 4:15b is talking about is to put it before 4:15a. See the General Comment below under 4:15c for an example.

I can testify that: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as I can testify means “I am a witness.” Paul used it to introduce a statement that demonstrates the joy and love that the Galatians had for him.

Some other ways to translate this verb are:

I am a witness that
-or-
I know (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
I am sure that (Contemporary English Version)

4:15c

you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me: The clause torn out your eyes means “removed your eyes” or “taken out your eyes.” Paul used this expression to refer to the extreme acts that the Galatians would have done to provide for his needs. They would have sacrificed anything, even giving him their own eyes, if it could have helped him. Paul used this expression to remind the Galatians of the deep love they had for him.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

you would have pulled out your eyes and given them to me (NET Bible)
-or-
you would have taken out your own eyes and given them to me to show how much you loved me

General Comment on 4:14–15

In some languages, 4:15 will better connect to 4:14 if 4:15a is put after 4:15b–c. For example:

14b you did not scorn or despise me, 14c but you received me as if I were an angel of God, 14d You received me as if I were Christ Jesus. 15b I testify to you that, if possible, 15c you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. 15a What then has become of the joy you felt?

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 5:16

Paragraph 5:16–18

In this paragraph, Paul told the Galatians to allow the Holy Spirit to guide their lives. The Holy Spirit enables believers to not live sinful lives and not live as slaves to the law.

5:16a

So I say: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So I say introduces a further explanation of what 5:13–15 means.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

Let me explain further. (God’s Word)
-or-
What I mean is this: (Revised English Bible)
-or-
But I say, (English Standard Version)

This same Greek expression occurs in 4:1a, where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “What I am saying is.”

walk by the Spirit: This is a command. The word walk means “live” or “allow the Spirit to direct one’s life.” Paul wanted the Galatians to follow the Spirit’s leading.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

Live by following the Spirit. (New Century Version)
-or-
let the Holy Spirit guide your lives (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
submit yourselves to the Holy Spirit

Spirit: The word Spirit refers to the “Holy Spirit.” See Spirit, Meaning 1 in the Glossary.

5:16b

and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as will not gratify means “will not do” or “will not fulfill.” Those who follow the Spirit will not do what they would otherwise selfishly want to do.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

Then you will not do what your sinful selves want. (New Century Version)
-or-
you won’t obey your selfish desires (Contemporary English Version)

the desires of the flesh: This phrase refers to the desires/wants that come from our human nature.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

what your sinful nature craves (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
what your corrupt nature wants (God’s Word)
-or-
what your evil heart/mind wants
-or-
what you want because of your sinful nature

See flesh, Meaning 5 in the Glossary.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 1:4

1:4a

In this verse Paul introduced one of the themes in his letter: salvation is based on Christ’s death on the cross.

who: The pronoun who refers to Jesus. It connects verses 3 and 4. In some languages, it may be natural to make this connection by starting a new sentence that has Jesus as the subject. For example:

Jesus gave himself for our sins (New Century Version)

gave Himself: This phrase means that Jesus “voluntarily gave his life,” “willingly died,” or “chose to die” on the cross.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

Christ…gave himself as a sacrifice (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
He yielded/surrendered his life
-or-
Jesus was willing to be punished and killed

for our sins: This phrase means “to pay for our sins” or “to take the punishment for our sins.”

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

on account of our sins
-or-
so that our sins might be forgiven

sins: The word sins means the things that we do when we disobey God’s standard of what is right or good. Sins include acts, thoughts, and attitudes that are not what God wants or approves. A person can also sin by not doing what God wants him to do.

Use a general term that can include any wrongdoing against God. For example:

disobedience
-or-
wrong acts
-or-
offenses against God
-or-
evil deeds

In some languages it may be natural to translate the word sins with a phrase that includes a verb. For example:

wrong things that we have done

Here are problems to avoid:

(a) The term should not imply that only crimes like murder or stealing are sins. Actions like gossip and greed are also sins.

(b) The term should not include accidents or mistakes that are not against God’s will.

1:4b

to rescue us from the present evil age: This clause states the purpose of Jesus’ giving himself to die for our sins (1:4a). He gave himself in order to deliver us from the evil that dominates our world. He freed us from being slaves to sin.

Some other ways to express this purpose are:

4a Christ gave himself for our sins 4b in order to deliver us from the present evil age.
-or-

4a Christ gave himself for our sins 4b so that he might deliver us from the present evil age.

to rescue us: The phrase to rescue us means “to free us.”

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

to deliver us (English Standard Version)
-or-
to rescue us (New International Version)
-or-
to redeem us

This phrase does not mean that Jesus removes us from this world.

the present evil age: At times Paul used this phrase to refer to the evil period of time in which Christians lived. He also used it to refer to the evil way that people lived during this period. In this context, this phrase focuses on the sinful and wicked way of life in our world.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

the sinful way that people live in this world
-or-
this evil that is in this world
-or-
the wickedness that is now on the earth
-or-
the evil ways in which human beings think and act (SSA)

1:4c

according to the will of our God and Father: This clause gives the background and reason for Jesus giving his life to set us free (in 1:4a–b). It means that it was God’s will that Jesus die for our sins in order to deliver us.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

Christ did this to obey the will of our God and Father.
-or-
because that was what our God and Father wanted (God’s Word)

See the General Comment below for some other ways to translate this clause.

our God and Father: This phrase describes God in two ways: he is our God, and he is also our Father. It does not refer to two different beings.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

God our Father (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
our God, who is our Father
-or-
our Father God

General Comment on 1:4a–c

In some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of the clauses in this verse. For example:

4a Jesus gave his life for our sins, 4c just as God our Father planned, 4b in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-

4c Christ obeyed God our Father 4a and gave himself as a sacrifice for our sins 4b to rescue us from this evil world. (Contemporary English Version)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 2016

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 4:4

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 5:5

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 6:11

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 2:1

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 3:12

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 4:15

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 5:16

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 1:4

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