SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 2016 – Page 8

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 1:6

Section 1:6–10

Paul rebuked the Galatians for turning away from the true gospel

In this section, Paul began his plea with the Galatians to turn back to the true gospel. He did this in several ways:

(a) He rebuked them for turning away from the true gospel.

(b) He condemned anyone who proclaimed any other gospel.

At this point in most of Paul’s other letters, he thanked God for his readers. The fact that he does not do that in Galatians shows how concerned and upset he was.

Some other possible headings for this section are:

Do not follow false teaching
-or-
Do not turn away from the true gospel
-or-
Follow the Good News We Gave You (God’s Word)
-or-
There Is No Other Gospel (New Revised Standard Version)

Paragraph 1:6–9

1:6a–c

In some languages, it will be more natural to put parts of 1:6a and 1:6c together. In order to do this, the order of some of the clauses in 1:6 will have to be changed. For example:

a I am very surprised at you. b God called you to live in the grace of Christ. a But you quickly started to desert him c and started to follow another gospel.

1:6a–b

the One who: The words the One who refer to God the Father. Paul claimed that the Galatians were not only deserting the true gospel. They were deserting God himself.

Some other ways to translate these words are:

him who
-or-
God who
-or-
God. He

1:6a

I am amazed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as amazed means “astonished” or “surprised.” The context determines whether the reaction is favorable or unfavorable. In this context it is unfavorable.

Paul had expected the Galatian believers to remain faithful to the true gospel. It was hard for him to believe that they were deserting the gospel. Translate this verb in a way that expresses a bad surprise. For example:

I am dismayed/disappointed
-or-
I am shocked (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
I am very surprised

how quickly you are deserting: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as deserting here refers to switching from one side/team to another. Here it refers to a change of religious belief and practice. It indicates that the Galatians had started “turning away from” or “abandoning” the true gospel. The Greek tense of this verb indicates that the “turning away” was not yet complete.

The phrase how quickly indicates that the Galatians started to turn away from the gospel soon after Paul had taught it to them.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

that you are turning away so soon (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
that you are so soon turning your backs on
-or-
that you are so quickly changing your minds and abandoning/leaving

1:6b

who called you by the grace of Christ:
There are at least two ways to interpret the phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as by the grace of Christ.

(1) It refers to the purpose for which God called us. God called us so that we should live in the grace of Christ. In other words, God called the Galatians to experience Christ’s kindness. For example:

called you to live in the grace of Christ (New International Version (2011))

(New International Version (2011), King James Version)

(2) It refers to the means by which God called us. God called us through/by the grace of Christ. For example:

called you by the grace of Christ (New International Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Interpretation (1) has more commentary support than interpretation (2). Many English versions literally translate this phrase as “in the grace of Christ.” So they may also be following interpretation (1), but that is not certain.

When you translate 1:6b, you may want to use the New International Version (2011) as your source text. It says:

called you to live in the grace of Christ (New International Version (2011))

Here the word “live” is used in a figurative sense. Some languages can translate this figurative sense as something like “experience the grace of Christ.” In other languages, this idea is expressed by one of the verbs related to the senses. For example: see, hear, touch, smell, taste/drink, or know the grace of Christ.

Some other ways to translate 1:6b are:

called you to live/experience/know the kindness of Christ
-or-
called you to experience/feel/taste the good that Christ does for us
-or-
invited you to know that Christ helps us
-or-
invited you to receive Christ’s kindness/help

called you: Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

invited you
-or-
summoned you

the grace of Christ: The phrase grace of Christ means “Christ’s kindness, generosity, or favor.” Christ shows his kindness to people who do not deserve it.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

Christ’s kindness
-or-
the kind/good things that Christ does for you

See also grace, Meaning 2 in the Glossary.

1:6c

and are turning to a different gospel: This phrase further explains what the Galatians were doing when they started to desert God. They started turning to a different gospel. This means that they started to believe, accept, and follow a message that was different from the true gospel.

The Berean Standard Bible uses two verbs, “deserting” (in 1:6a) and turning (here), to translate one Greek verb. Most English versions also use two verbs.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

and are accepting another gospel (Good News Translation)
-or-
and are following a different gospel (NET Bible)
-or-
You have believed another message (Contemporary English Version)

a different gospel: This phrase refers to a false gospel or false message. It contrasts with the true good news that Paul taught.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

a different kind of good news (God’s Word)
-or-
a different way that pretends to be the Good News (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
a different teaching that you think is good news

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 2:14

Paragraph 2:14–21

In this paragraph, Paul asked Peter and the other Jewish believers to live according to the true gospel. This meant that they had to reject the idea that they were justified by obeying the law. Paul emphasized that justification is by faith in Christ alone. Peter’s actions had implied that it was also necessary to keep the law. That would make Christ’s death meaningless and nullify the grace of God.

In 2:14c, Paul began to speak directly to Peter. There are at least three ways to interpret where Paul’s direct speech to Peter ends:

(1) It ends after verse 21.

(New International Version, New American Standard Bible, Contemporary English Version)

(2) It ends after verse 14. In verses 15–21, what Paul said to Peter is indirect speech.

(3) It ends after verse 16.

It is recommended that you follow option (1). In 2:15, it is possible that Paul began to also talk to the other people who were there. But he was still also talking to Peter. So Paul’s speech does not end until verse 21.

If you choose option (2), your translation should still show that Paul is indirectly speaking to Peter in 2:15–21. For example, at the beginning of 2:15, the Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English says:

And then I went on to explain that (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

2:14a

This verse begins with a Greek conjunction that is often translated as “but.” Most English versions translate it that way in order to show that there is a contrast between 2:11–13 and 2:14–21. The contrast is between Peter’s wrong way to think and act and the right way. Here is another way to show this contrast:

However

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 2:14a to 2:13b in a way that is natural in your language.

When I saw: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as I saw includes the meaning of “discovered” or “found out.” Paul discovered that Peter was acting hypocritically and rebuked him.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

When I discovered
-or-
When I noticed/observed

that they were not walking in line with: In Greek, this verb phrase is more literally “they were not walking straight to.” It means that “they did not act/live rightly.” When Peter, Barnabas, and other Jewish believers at Antioch separated themselves from the Gentile believers, they were not living according to the truth of the gospel.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

they were not walking a straight path in line with (Good News Translation)
-or-
that they were not following (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
that they were not really obeying (Contemporary English Version)

they were not walking: This phrase refers to the actions of Peter, Barnabas, and the other Jewish believers who had separated themselves from the Gentile believers.

the truth of the gospel: This phrase 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 message from God

Paul used this same phrase in 2:5b.

2:14b

I said to Cephas in front of them all: This clause introduces Paul’s words of rebuke to Cephas (Peter). One way to make it clear that Paul was rebuking Peter is:

I rebuked Peter in front of everyone and said

in front of them all: This phrase indicates that Paul rebuked Peter where everyone in the Antioch church would also hear what he said.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

publicly
-or-
so that everyone could hear (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

Peter’s actions had affected the whole church in Antioch. It was a serious problem. Paul had to rebuke Peter publicly.

2:14c

If you, who are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew: In this “if” clause, there is an embedded phrase who are a Jew. In some languages, it will be easier to put this embedded phrase first. For example:

You are a Jew. But if you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew

The clause If you…live like a Gentile was true. Peter was living like a Gentile in the sense that he was eating with Gentiles. He was not separating himself from Gentiles during meals like Jews were supposed to do. He was probably eating food that was not acceptable to Jews.

In some languages, it will be easier to translate this clause without using “if.” For example:

Even though you are a Jew, you are behaving like a Gentile and not like a Jew.
-or-

Peter, you are a Jew, but you live/act like a person who is not a Jew. You do not live/act like a Jew.

Notice that the phrase a Jew is repeated. In some languages, it is not necessary to repeat it. For example:

Peter, you are a Jew, but you live like a Gentile. (Contemporary English Version)

2:14d

how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?: This is a rhetorical question. It is a rebuke. When Peter stopped eating with the Gentile Christians, his actions implied (falsely) that believers needed to follow Jewish laws. In that way, he was forcing the Gentiles to obey those laws and thus to live like Jews. So Paul rebuked him for his behavior.

Some ways to translate this rebuke are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

How can you require Gentile believers to live like Jews?
-or-
So why do you now try to force those who are not Jewish to live like Jews? (New Century Version)

• As a statement. For example:

It’s wrong for you to force Gentile believers to live like Jews.

• As a command. For example:

You must not force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs!

Translate this rebuke in a natural way in your language.

compel: The word compel means “require.” It is the same word that Paul used in 2:3a.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

force
-or-
push

the Gentiles: In this clause the word Gentiles refers to non-Jewish Christians.

to live like Jews: The Greek word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as live like Jews refers to becoming Jewish.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

to become Jews
-or-
to follow Jewish customs (New International Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 3:25

3:25a

There is a contrast between 3:24 and 3:25. The contrast is between needing a guardian and no longer needing a guardian. Paul introduced this contrast with a Greek conjunction that most English versions translate as “but.” Another way to begin this clause is:

And (New Living Translation (2004))

The Berean Standard Bible has not translated this conjunction, and some other versions, such as the New International Version and Good News Translation, also do not translate it. In some languages, it will not be necessary to translate this conjunction either. Connect 3:25a to 3:24b in a way that is natural in your language.

Now that faith has come: This clause refers to the fact that the period of time has arrived when people have faith/belief in Jesus Christ to be justified. The time of the law is finished.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

Now the way of faith has come (New Century Version)
-or-
now that the time for believing in Christ has come
-or-
now that the time for faith is here (Good News Translation)
-or-
now Christ has come, and people believe in him to be justified

3:25b

we are no longer under a guardian: This clause indicates that we are no longer under the control/power of the law. The role of the law as our guardian has come to an end. The law was a temporary guardian.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

we are no longer under the control of a guardian (God’s Word)
-or-
the Law is no longer in charge of us (Good News Translation)
-or-
the law is finished being like someone who watches over us

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 4:28

Paragraph 4:28–31

In this paragraph, Paul showed the Galatians how the allegory about the free woman and the slave woman applied to their situation.

4:28a

Now: In this verse, Paul began to apply his allegory of the previous paragraph. Begin this verse in a way that shows that Paul is going to make an application. For example:

And so
-or-
So then
-or-
Here is the point

In some languages, you may not need to use a connecting word or phrase.

you, brothers: Paul used the pronoun you and the word brothers to directly address the Galatians. He wanted them to pay attention to what he was about to say.

Some ways to translate these words are:

you, my dear fellow believers
-or-
you, fellow believers in Christ
-or-
you, my dear friends

you: There is a textual issue here:

(1) Some Greek manuscripts have you. For example:

you (Good News Translation)

(Berean Standard Bible, English Standard Version, Contemporary English Version, God’s Word, New American Standard Bible, New Century Version, NET Bible, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation (2004), New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, Good News Translation)

(2) Other Greek manuscripts have we. For example:

we (Revised Standard Version)

(Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, King James Version, Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), with the majority of English versions.

4:28b

like Isaac: Isaac was the name of the son of Abraham and Sarah, the free woman whom Paul spoke of in 4:22–23. He was free. Paul compared the Galatian believers to Isaac.

Some ways to translate this phrase are:

just like Isaac, the son of the free woman
-or-
in the same way as Isaac

are children of promise: Isaac was born because of God’s promise to give Abraham a son. In the same way, the Gentiles have been born spiritually because of God’s promise to bless all nations through Abraham. The Gentiles are Abraham’s spiritual children. They are free.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

are counted as Abraham’s children because of God’s promise
-or-
you have become Abraham’s children because of the promise that God made

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 6:3

6:3a

In this verse, Paul described the basis for the three warnings/commands that precede it. He introduced this basis with a Greek conjunction that most English versions translate as “for.”

(a) This is the basis for the warning not to be conceited in 5:26a. In other words:

5:26a Do not become conceited…6:3a for/because if you think that you are something…, 6:3b you deceive yourself.

(b) This is the basis for the warning to watch yourself lest you be tempted in 6:1c–d. In other words:

6:1c–d Do not think that you are above being tempted…6:3a for/because if you think that you are something…6:3b you deceive yourself and can be tempted .

6:2a Bear one another’s burdens, 6:3 for/because you are not more important than other people.

Some other ways to begin this verse are:

I say these things because
-or-

Follow these commands, because

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 these preceding warnings/commands in a way that is natural in your language.

If anyone thinks he is something: This clause means “if anyone thinks that he is important.” He thinks that he is more important than other people

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

If anyone thinks he is important (New Century Version)
-or-
Someone who thinks himself important (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
If you think that you are an important/big person

when he is nothing: This clause means “when he is not an important person.” Some other ways to translate this clause are:

when he is not (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
but he is not important/big
-or-
but/when you are not an important person

6:3b

he deceives himself: Some other ways to translate this clause are:

he is only fooling himself (New Century Version)
-or-
you are wrong (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 1:17

1:17a

nor did I go up to Jerusalem to the apostles who came before me: This clause indicates that Paul did not go and get his message from the other apostles. These apostles were in Jerusalem. They had authority as the spiritual leaders of the church. It might be expected that Paul would go to them to learn the gospel. But he did not go to them.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
I did not go to Jerusalem and learn from those who were apostles before I was

go up to Jerusalem: The city of Jerusalem was built on a hill. So anyone going to the city had to walk up the hill.

In some languages, it is important to say whether people walk up or “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:

go to Jerusalem (Good News Translation)

The same Greek verb occurs in 1:18b and 2:1a.

apostles who came before me: This phrase refers to the leaders of the church in Jerusalem. These men had become apostles before Paul became an apostle. Three of them are mentioned by name in 2:9b (Cephas, John, and James, who was the brother of Jesus).

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

chosen to be apostles before I was chosen to be an apostle
-or-

became apostles before I became an apostle

The word “apostle” first occurs in 1:1a. See also apostle in the Glossary for more information.

1:17b

but: There is a contrast here. The contrast is between what Paul did not do (in 1:16c–17a) and what he did. 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
-or-
on the contrary
-or-
Instead (Good News Translation)

• With no conjunction.

I went into Arabia: This clause states what Paul did after God revealed Jesus to him. He went to Arabia.

Arabia is the name of a region. It was far away from Jerusalem. None of the apostles were in Arabia. This showed that God worked directly in Paul’s life apart from any connection to the apostles in Jerusalem. Paul’s point is that the gospel he preached came from God.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

I went immediately into Arabia (New International Version)
-or-
I went away to the region of Arabia

Notice the word “immediately” in the New International Version example above. This word actually occurs in 1:16 in Greek (the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “rush” there). In English it is more natural to put the word “immediately” with the action that a person does rather than the action that the person did not do.

1:17c

and later returned to Damascus: Damascus is the name of a city. It was also far from Jerusalem. It was on the road to Damascus that God first revealed Christ to Paul (Acts 9:1–19). When Paul left the region of Arabia, he went back to the city of Damascus. Paul did not say how long he stayed in Arabia before he returned to Damascus.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

and later I returned to the city of Damascus (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
and afterwards I went back to the city of Damascus
-or-
and then came back to Damascus (God’s Word)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 3:4

3:4a

Have you suffered so much for nothing: Before you translate 3:4a, there are two issues to consider:

Issue 1: The interpretation issue

There are three ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as suffered :

(1) It refers to the bad things that the Galatians had experienced. In other word, it refers to the persecution that they had suffered. In this interpretation, the verb is understood in a negative sense. It is likely that the Galatian believers had previously suffered for their faith because of persecution. For example:

Have you suffered so many things for nothing? (NET Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, English Standard Version, NET Bible, God’s Word, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, New Living Translation (1996), Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

(2) It refers to the good and bad things that they had experienced. In this interpretation, the verb is understood as either positive or negative experiences. For example:

Did you experience so many things in vain? (Revised Standard Version)

(3) It refers to the good experiences they have had since they believed in Christ. In this interpretation, the verb is understood in a positive sense. For example:

Have all your great experiences been in vain…? (New English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). “Suffered” is the normal meaning of this word in the New Testament. And this is the meaning that Paul intended in all other places in his letters where he used this word.

Issue 2: The rhetorical question

This is Paul’s fourth rhetorical question in this chapter. Like the other rhetorical questions, it is a rebuke. The Galatians suffered because they believed in Jesus. Paul rebukes them and says that if they turn away from that faith, they have suffered for nothing.

Some ways to translate this rebuke are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Did you suffer so much for nothing? (God’s Word)

• As a statement. For example:

You have suffered so much for the Good News. (New Living Translation (1996))

• As a command. For example:

Do not allow your suffering to be for nothing.

Use whichever form is most natural in your language.

for nothing: This word refers to something that is useless or without purpose.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

no use/value
-or-
in vain
-or-
wasted

3:4b

if it really was for nothing: Paul added this phrase to his rhetorical question to express his hope that the suffering of the Galatians was not in vain. It was not too late for them to return to the true gospel.

Some ways to translate this phrase are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Surely it was not in vain, was it? (New Living Translation (1996))

• As a statement. For example:

I do not believe that it was for nothing!
-or-
I hope not! (New Century Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 4:7

4:7a

So: Verse 4:7 is the conclusion of this paragraph: Believers are no longer slaves, but are sons and heirs. The Greek introduces this conclusion with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So.

Some other ways to connect this verse are:

Therefore (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
So then

you are no longer a slave, but a son: In this clause Paul stated that the believer’s status has changed. The believer is no longer a slave to the law. He is a son.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

You are no longer a slave but instead you are a child of God
-or-
You are not a slave anymore, rather you are a son
-or-
You are a son. You are no longer a slave.

you: In Greek, the pronoun you is singular. This form emphasizes that each believer is a son. In some languages, it may be more natural to use “we” or “you” plural. For example:

we are no longer slaves
-or-
you(plur) are no longer slaves

4:7b

and: The conjunction and introduces a second part of the conclusion. Not only are believers sons, they are also heirs.

Some other ways to connect this clause are:

also
-or-
So

since you are a son, you are also an heir through God: This sentence declares a truth and the consequence of that truth. The truth is that we are sons. There is no doubt about that. The consequence of that truth is that we are also heirs.

Some other ways to translate this sentence are:

since you are his child, God has made you his heir (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
because you are a son/child, God has made you his heir

an heir through God: The phrase an heir through God indicates that God is the one who made you his heir.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

God has made you his heir (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
everything he has belongs to you (New Living Translation (1996))

heir: This is the same word that Paul used in 3:29c. It refers to those who will receive an inheritance.

Some ways to translate this word are:

one who receives the inheritance
-or-
the person who receives the blessing

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 2016

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 1:6

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 2:14

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 3:25

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 4:28

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 6:3

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 1:17

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 3:4

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 4:7

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