SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 2002 – Page 2

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 4:2

Section 4:2–9

Paul taught the Philippians how to find peace

Paul asked the believers in Philippi to behave peaceably toward one another. This was important, especially in the context of suffering for their faith. As a way to help them do that, he encouraged them to help one another, to be happy, to pray rather than worry, and to focus on thinking about good things.

Paragraph 4:2–3

Paul pleaded with two of the women among the Philippian believers to be at peace with one another. And he asked another believer to help them agree together.

4:2

I urge: This means “to ask strongly, to plead, to beg someone to do something.”

Euodia and Syntyche: These were two female members of the church in Philippi. They were obviously strongly disagreeing with each other about something.

agree with each other: Paul was asking these women to stop arguing and to agree with one another. He wanted them to be at peace with each other.

In 2:1–2 Paul had already pleaded with the whole church to agree with each other. This is the same expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “being like-minded” in 2:2. In this verse, Paul was pleading with two of the church members by name to do the same thing.

in the Lord: In this context Paul used this expression to mean “because you belong to the Lord Jesus.”

© 2002 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 Philippians 1:21

Paragraph 1:21–26

Paul wanted very much to go and be with Christ, but it was more necessary for the Philippian believers that he continue living.

1:21a

For: This word introduces the reason why Paul hoped that he would always glorify Christ. It means “since” or “because.”

to me: In Greek this is an emphatic pronoun. In this verse it is put at the beginning of the sentence for added emphasis. It indicates a change in topic. Paul was now focusing on his personal situation. If you have emphatic pronouns in your language, you may be able to use one here.

to live is Christ: In Greek this is a short and dramatic statement. For Paul, the whole purpose of being alive was to know Christ, to love him, to serve him and to honor him. In some languages, however, a literal translation of the phrase to live is Christ will be meaningless or it may even have a wrong meaning. If this is a problem in your language, it may be possible to say:

If I continue to live ⌊it will be to honor⌋ Christ.
-or-

⌊ The meaning of⌋my life is ⌊to know⌋ Christ.

1:21b

to die is gain: Paul meant that for him to die would be better that continuing to live because then he would be with Christ. However, if you translate the phrase to die is gain literally, your readers may not understand this. You could restate it as:

dying will be even better for me

Other possible translations that include more implicit information are:

when I die, that will be better ⌊for me because then I will be with Christ⌋
-or-
when I die, it will result in something that is better ⌊than living on earth.⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 3:2

3:2

Most commentators agree that the three warnings in this verse all refer to the same group of people. These warnings are about “dogs,” “men who do evil,” and “mutilators.” These apparently were a group of Jews who had become Christians. They were called Judaizers. They were teaching that all Christians had to obey the Jewish laws in order to be true Christians. Paul strongly opposed this teaching and emphasized that people became members of God’s people through spiritual, not physical, change.

3:2a

Watch out for: This means “beware of.” It was a warning to not believe what the Judaizers taught. Some translations say: “do not be deceived by…” or “do not believe….”

those dogs: Jews often referred to Gentiles as dogs. This was because Jews considered dogs to be unclean animals, and they thought that Gentiles were also ritually unclean. See also Psalm 22:16 and Mark 7:24–30. In this verse Paul turned the idea around. He was saying that the Judaizers were evil and were like dogs. They were like pagans because their teaching was completely wrong.

In some languages, using the term dogs may give some other meaning that is not appropriate for this context. It may be possible to use a general term for “dangerous, dirty animal” or it may be best to translate the meaning without the metaphor. For example, it may be possible to translate the phrase those dogs as:

those who act like nonbelievers

3:2b

those workers of evil: This makes it clear that the term “dogs” refers to people who are workers of evil. It does not refer to a second group of people.

General Comment on 3:2a–b

In some languages it may be helpful to change the order of these two phrases. For example:

beware of those who do evil things, who are ⌊like a pack of⌋ dirty dogs

3:2c

those mutilators of the flesh: This is a third description of the same group of people. They are described as mutilators, literally “the mutilation” or “the cutting up.” This is a play on the Greek word for “circumcision,” which literally means “the cutting around.”

“Circumcision” is the cutting off of a band of skin, called the foreskin, from around the end of the penis. One of the Jewish laws stated that all Jewish males and converts to Judaism had to be circumcised as a symbol that they belonged to God. The Judaizers were teaching that non-Jewish converts to Christianity must also be circumcised. Here in 3:2c Paul opposed this teaching. He said the Judaizers were like people who destroy something by cutting it up or chopping it into pieces. Paul was saying that circumcision was no longer necessary to become part of God’s people and so he used this forceful language to speak against these people by calling them mutilators of the flesh.

In some cultures where circumcision is not known, it would be helpful to explain the custom of circumcising people in a footnote or in a glossary. Make sure it is clear that they did not cut off the whole penis but only the small ring of skin around the end of it. If it is not proper in your culture to refer to sex organs, make sure you use acceptable terms here.

In most languages it will not be possible to keep Paul’s play on words in the translation. But look for some way to make a contrast between “circumcision” (or “cutting around”) and “mutilation” (or “cutting up”).

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 4:13

4:13

I can do all things: There are two ways to understand all things in this context:

(1) all the conditions Paul has just mentioned; (Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version)

(2) all things in general; (Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, NET Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Paul was able to be content in all situations that he had just mentioned.

Christ who gives me strength: Paul was referring to Christ, who gave him the strength to face any situation.

General Comment on 4:13

Paul did not mean that he could physically do anything or do things like live without food, but that Christ would strengthen him to continue to trust him even when he did not have enough food.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 2:2

2:2

After the subordinate clauses in 2:1, where Paul was stating things that were true about the Philippians, in 2:2, he stated what he wanted the Philippians to do as a result of what was true in 2:1. In 2:2a, Paul told the Philippians what they were to do and in the rest of the verse how they were to do it.

Remember that, if you split 2:1 into a number of short sentences, you may need to include an introductory phrase like “Since all these things are true…” in order to connect 2:2 correctly to 2:1.

Several translations supply a phrase like “I urge you” at the beginning of 2:2 to help bring out some of the emotional force of Paul’s appeal.

2:2a

make my joy complete: Paul was already joyful, but he meant that he would have more joy or complete joy if the Philippians did as he instructed in the rest of this verse. Some translations make this clearer by saying “make me even more joyful.”

2:2b

2:2b means almost the same as 2:2d. They repeat the same main idea to emphasize Paul’s desire that the Philippians should be united spiritually.

being like-minded: A literal translation is “think the same thing.” Paul wanted the Philippians to agree with one another and to have the same intentions and purposes. What Paul said in the following clauses (2:2c–4b) may make it clear what he meant by the phrase being like-minded.

If your language has one way to talk about an outward agreement (in words) and another way to talk about agreement in feeling or truly agreeing in the heart, you should choose the second way here.

2:2c

having the same love: This seems to imply that Paul wanted all the Philippians to love each other deeply.

2:2d

being united in spirit: The phrase being united in spirit means “having the same attitude, agreeing together from the heart.”

and purpose: This literally means “thinking the one thing.” It has essentially the same meaning as “being one in spirit.” Paul wanted them all to have the mind of Christ; that is, to think like Christ did.

General Comment on 2:2b–d

A way of combining these parts of the verse could be:

Agree together in your hearts and souls by the way you think and by the way you love one another.

General Comment on 2:2

In some languages it may be helpful to reorder this verse. For example:

I urge you b to agree completely with one another, c love one another equally d and be united in your hearts and minds. a If you do this, I will be completely happy.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 3:13

3:13a

Brothers: The term Brothers here refers to other Christians, fellow believers, not to literal Brothers. You might translate this as “brothers and sisters,” “older and younger siblings” or “relatives.” The term Brothers also occurs in 1:12, 3:1, 3:17, 4:1, 4:8. See the note on 1:12a.

I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it: Paul was saying in other words what he had already said in 3:12a. He had not yet become all that God wanted him to be.

consider: This means “to regard, believe, say.” But here Paul referred to more than just his opinion of himself. He knew that he had not yet achieved what God wanted him to be.

taken hold of it: See the note on 3:12c.

3:13b

one thing I do: Paul was introducing the main thing that he wanted to do. He was about to explain what he wanted more than anything else. He did this by comparing himself to a man running a race to win a prize.

3:13c

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead: The phrase what is behind refers to Paul’s past, particularly to the things he used to boast about (3:5–6). This would include what happened before he became a Christian, and perhaps even some of what happened after he became a Christian.

Forgetting: Paul did not want to concentrate on his past. This does not mean he would completely forget but that it would not be the main thing he thought about. He compared this to a man running a race and not looking back to see who was close behind him or how far he had run. Make sure that your translation clearly means that Paul intended to forget these things. You might need to use a word meaning “ignoring,” or you might need to use a negative like “not concentrating on” or “not paying any attention to.”

straining toward what is ahead: This also is using the metaphor of a race. The runner pushes himself forward as fast as he can. He tries to be the first to reach the finish line. The meaning here is that Paul was disciplining himself to become more like Christ, trying hard and doing his best to be what Christ wanted him to be.

If people run races in your culture, then it may be possible to use this metaphor. But if people in your culture do not know about racing, you may need to explain that in your translation. See the first meaning line of 3:13c in the Display. Or you may need to leave out the metaphor and translate only the meaning. For an example, see the second meaning line of 3:13c in the Display.

behind…ahead: Because Paul was using the metaphor of a race here, these words can be understood in two ways:

(a) position in space : That is, within Paul’s metaphor of the race, the word behind means “in back of” or “at the rear of,” and the word ahead means “in front of.”

(b) position in time : When Paul used the metaphor of a race, he was referring to his life. In this case, the word behind means “in the past, what happened before now,” and the word ahead means “in the future, what will happen later.”

Consider the following when you translate these words:

• In some languages, there may be words meaning “behind” and “ahead” which have the same dual meaning of space and time as the words do in Greek and English. If you have such words in your language, you should use them here.

• If you must decide which words to use, you should use sense (a) above, if you have used the metaphor of a race. Use sense (b) if you have not been able to retain the metaphor.

In some cultures the people think of the past as figuratively in front of them or “ahead,” because they can visualize what has already happened. They then think of the future as “behind,” something unknown that they cannot visualize. If this is true in your language, you need to be careful to use the correct terms so people understand what Paul was saying.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 1:11

1:11a

filled with the fruit of righteousness: This further explains the meaning of being “pure” and “blameless.” While “pure” and “blameless” imply the absence of sinful thoughts and actions, filled with the fruit of righteousness implies the presence of good thoughts and actions. Some translations (for example, Good News Translation) begin a new sentence with this phrase. For example:

Then you will be filled…

The idea of filled is figurative in this verse. It means “to be characterized by.” You may not be able to keep this figure of speech. Ways to translate this verb nonfiguratively will be discussed after the note on fruit of righteousness.

fruit of righteousness: The expression fruit of righteousness can be understood in two ways:

(1) fruit that consists of righteousness; righteousness is used in an ethical sense and refers to right conduct/behavior. (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)

(2) fruit that is produced by righteousness; righteousness is used in a legal sense and refers to a believer’s right standing before God (God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004))

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

General Comment on 1:11a

In many languages if the expression “filled with the fruit of righteousness” is translated literally it will not give the correct meaning. If this is true in your language, you should translate this part of the verse nonfiguratively. For example:

righteousness will characterize all you do
-or-
you will behave in a completely righteous manner

1:11b

through Jesus Christ: This means that a person’s life is righteous because of the power that Jesus Christ gives. A believer can only be righteous because Jesus Christ helps him to be.

General Comment on 1:11a–b

In some languages it may be better to make Jesus Christ the subject of 1:11a–b. For example:

Jesus Christ will fill you with the fruit of righteousness.
-or-
Jesus Christ will help you to do every good/right thing.

1:11c

to the glory and praise of God: Biblical scholars do not agree about how this phrase relates to the rest of the verse. There are three possible interpretations:

(1) It relates to the phrase “filled with the fruit of righteousness.” For example: “I pray that you may be filled with the fruit of righteousness for the glory and praise of God.” (Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)

(2) It connects with Paul’s prayer in 1:9a–11b. For example: “I pray that all of this may happen in you for the glory and praise of God.” This seems to be the interpretation of the New International Version.

(3) It relates to all of Paul’s thanksgiving and prayer (1:3–11) and is like a doxology. For example: “I end my thanksgiving and prayer with the desire that people glorify and praise God.”

Many English versions do not make a clear choice. However, it is recommended that you follow option (1), which has the best support among versions and commentators.

to the glory…of God: This means that the purpose is that people would honor God and tell others that he is great.

to the…praise of God: This means that the purpose is that people would thank God and speak well of him. Praise comes from those who are grateful that God is great and that he blesses them.

In some languages it may be necessary to combine the ideas of “glory” and praise into one phrase. Consider how, in your language, you would refer to giving respect to an honored guest, such as a king or a president. Some of those words may be appropriate in this phrase.

This phrase is at the end of Paul’s prayer, and in some languages it is necessary to clearly show where the prayer ends. In English we do this with “Amen.” You may need to end this verse with a phrase like:

That is what I am praying for you.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 2:13

2:13a

For: This connecting word indicates that what follows shows how the believers can do what they are instructed in 2:12. They can work out their salvation because God is working within them.

works in you: God causes things to happen in and among his people.

in you: The Greek phrase usually translated as in you has been understood in two ways:

(1) God works within individual believers;

(2) The emphasis is not on individual believers but on the community of God’s people. God works among them.

It is recommended that you follow the first interpretation (1).

2:13b

to will and to act: This means to want to do something (or to be willing to do it) and also to actually do it. Some ways to translate along with 2:13a are:

God makes you willing ⌊to obey⌋…
-or-
God renews how you think so you are willing to do what he wants.
-or-
God makes you want to do his purpose, and able to do it.

on behalf of His good purpose: His refers to God. The Greek is literally “for his [God’s] good pleasure.” Commentators do not agree about how this phrase relates to the rest of the verse. There are two possibilities:

(1) It relates to the verbs “will” and “act.” God both causes his people to want to do what pleases him and enables them to do what he wants. (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)

(2) It relates to the verb “works” in 2:13a. God works in us in accordance with his own purpose. (NET Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible)

The main difficulty with the second interpretation is that it does not say what God makes believers able and willing to do. It is recommended that you follow the first interpretation (1). God works within each believer to enable him both to want to do and to actually do what pleases him.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 2002