SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 2002 – Page 4

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 1:28

1:28a

without being frightened: It may be helpful to translate this as a command. For example:

Do not have [any] fear [of those who oppose you.]
-or-
Do not [let your enemies] frighten you [at all.]

in any way: The phrase in any way gives emphasis. The Good News Translation shows this emphasis by using two verbs:

don’t be afraid…always be courageous (Good News Translation)

Two translation suggestions that express this emphasis are:

Do not let your enemies find any way to frighten you.
-or-
Do not be afraid of them at all.

those who oppose you: This refers to people who were enemies of the gospel and therefore opposed those who believed in Christ. Possible translations are:

those who persecute you
-or-
those who cause you trouble

The enemies mentioned here in 1:27–28 were probably non-Christians who were persecuting the believers in Philippi as they had persecuted Paul when he was in Philippi (Acts 16).

1:28b

This is a clear sign: In other words: “This is proof to your enemies.” The word This refers back to the phrase “without being frightened” in 1:28a. The believers were not afraid to be faithful to God even though they suffered. This fearlessness was a sign that God controlled their lives and therefore that those who opposed the believers were opposing God.

their destruction: This implies that God would eternally destroy them. The word destruction refers to spiritual ruin. It means that they would not live eternally with God.

of your salvation: This implies that God would give the Philippians eternal life.

It may be more natural in your language to reverse these last two clauses. For example:

God will save you but he will destroy them.

1:28c

and it is from God: This can be understood in three main ways:

(1) God was the one who caused all this to happen. In this case the word it (Greek touto) refers in a general way to all of 1:28, to the courage of the believers and what their courage proved. God caused them not to be afraid and so gave evidence that he would destroy the enemies and save the believers. (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Revised Standard Version)

(2) God is the one who gave the sign. The Greek word touto specifically refers back to the word “sign”. (Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, God’s Word)

(3) God is the one who will save the believers and destroy their enemies. (New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version and New International Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

© 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.
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SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 3:9

3:9a

and: This is a further purpose for which Paul considered everything as if it were rubbish.

be found in Him: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as be found was used idiomatically to refer to someone being in a certain place or situation. The meaning is “be in fact in him,” “prove to be in him” or “turn out to be in him.” It did not refer to someone else finding Paul in some way.

Some translation ideas for this part of the verse are:

so that I might belong to him
-or-
so that I might live in unity with him
-or-
so that I might be joined together with him

3:9b

not having my own righteousness: Paul had learned that nothing he could do as a good Jew could make him truly righteous as far as God was concerned, even if he appeared “righteous” to other people. So he no longer wanted this kind of false righteousness.

righteousness: In the context of 3:9b, this refers to Paul’s attempt to earn a right relationship to God by behaving in a morally upright manner. Before he became a Christian, Paul had thought that his own efforts would make him acceptable to God. See “righteousness”, under “just”, sense C4 in Key Biblical Terms.

from the law: Paul was referring to the time in the past when he tried to be right with God by keeping the Jewish laws. Notice in 3:6b he used a similar phrase “righteousness in the law” (that is, “what is right in terms of the law”). In that verse Paul claimed that he was faultless in that kind of righteousness. But here in 3:9b he stated that he had rejected that righteousness. Then in 3:9c–d he contrasted it with the righteousness that a person receives by trusting in Christ.

Some translation ideas for “my own righteousness from the law” are:

my own righteousness that comes from ⌊obeying⌋ the law
-or-
for ⌊God to consider⌋ me righteous because ⌊I did⌋ what the law says

3:9c

that which is through faith in Christ: This refers to that true righteousness, which a person receives by trusting in Christ. Paul explained this further in 3:9d.

3:9d

the righteousness from God on the basis of faith: Here Paul made it clear what kind of righteousness he had been talking about in 3:9c. It is the righteousness that God gives to those who trust in Christ. A person is not righteous because of how he behaves or because people consider him good or right. He is truly righteous when God declares him so because he trusts in Christ.

on the basis of faith: You could translate this as “for those who believe.” It refers to those who trust Christ to save them. Notice that this is very similar to 3:9c.

General Comment on 3:9c–d

As 3:9c and 3:9d overlap in meaning, in some languages it may be better to combine them. For example:

God gives me a right relationship with him that is for those who believe in Christ.
-or-
God declares me righteous because I trust in Christ.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 4:20

4:20

To our God and Father be glory: This phrase is like a prayer. It expresses the desire that people would glorify God, that is, praise him and acknowledge that he is great and glorious. See the note on 1:11c.

our God and Father: The word our modifies both God and Father. It means that God is the God we worship and that he is like a father to us. See the note on 1:2 on “our Father.”

forever and ever: God’s people should praise him forever, without end, for all ages to come.

Amen: This is from a Hebrew word which means to approve and confirm as true what someone has just said. In many languages people will already be familiar with it and so it is possible to transliterate it. Otherwise it can be translated “This is true” or “Let it be so.”

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 1:7

1:7a

In Greek this verse begins with a conjunction meaning “just as, for.” The Berean Standard Bible moves it to the beginning of 1:7b to make more natural English, but if it is more natural in your language to use such a connection in 1:7a, you should do so.

It is right: This means “it is proper, it is appropriate, it is good.” In some languages it may be better to put it in the negative; for example, “it is not strange.”

feel this way: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates feel is translated as “think” in most contexts. It refers to the activity of the mind and will, and is not just an emotion. The phrase this way refers back to all the things that Paul had said about why he was thankful for the Philippians in 1:3–6.

I have you in my heart: This Greek idiom means “I love you very much.”

1:7b–c

For in my chains and in my defense and confirmation of the gospel: The Greek is literally “in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.” Neither the Greek nor the Berean Standard Bible translation means that Paul was in prison at one time and proclaimed the gospel at another time. Even while he was in prison, he was proclaiming the gospel. It is therefore better not to follow the Good News Translation here (“both now that I am in prison and also while I was free to defend…”).

1:7b

in my chains: The phrase in…chains translates a Greek idiom for being in prison. But it also implies that the guards literally tied Paul up or chained him to something so he could not escape.

1:7c

my defense and confirmation of the gospel: It is possible to interpret this phrase two ways:

(1) It refers to a court trial. Paul defended the gospel and proved its truth in a Roman court.

(2) It refers more generally to any time Paul was explaining the gospel and showing why it was true.

Paul may have had both of these in mind, and in some languages the translation can allow for both interpretations. However, if you must choose, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

my defense…of the gospel: This means that Paul was explaining why the gospel was not false. He tried to remove objections and to show that criticisms of the gospel were wrong.

confirmation of the gospel: This means basically the same thing as “defense…of the gospel,” but from a positive angle: Paul was explaining why the gospel was true. In your translation, you may need to combine the ideas “defense” and confirmation into one phrase. For example:

explaining to enemies of the good news why it is true beyond doubt

1:7d

you are all partners in grace with me: In Greek this literally says “sharers of me of grace.” It is therefore not clear how the word meaning “of me” (or “my”) is connected to the rest of the phrase. There are two possibilities:

(1) It is connected to the word “sharers.” This means that Paul and the Philippians shared together in God’s grace. The word grace thus refers to God’s goodness toward Paul and the Philippians, a goodness that he showed in letting them work for him. For example:

We have shared together the blessings of God (New Living Translation (2004))

(2) It is connected to the word grace. In this case “my” grace means the special grace that God gave to Paul as an apostle. The Philippians shared in Paul’s grace by supporting him financially. For example:

All of you have helped in the work that God has given me (Contemporary English Version)

It is recommended that you follow the first interpretation (1). God was kind to both Paul and the Philippians and gave them the privilege of working together to spread the gospel.

General Comment on 1:7b–d

It may be clearer in some languages to alter the order of the phrases in 1:7b–d and to place 1:7d before 1:7b–c. One way to do this would be:

God is kindly allowing us to work together ⌊in telling the good news about Jesus Christ,⌋ whether I am in prison or whether I am defending the good news and proving/showing that the good news is true.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 2:9

Paragraph 2:9–11

After Christ had obediently humbled himself, God exalted Christ and gave him the highest possible honor and authority. By using this example, Paul implied that God would also honor those of his people who obediently humbled themselves.

2:9a

Therefore: In 2:6–8 Christ humbled himself. In 2:9–11 God exalted him. So the main connection between 2:6–8 and 2:9–11 is that 2:9–11 is the result of 2:6–8: Christ obediently humbled himself, and as a result God exalted him.

However, a literal translation of the Greek here is “therefore also.” This is an unusual combination of Greek words that shows that there is also a contrast between 2:6–8 and 2:9–11. This contrast is highly dramatic. Look for a way to make this contrast exciting in your language.

God exalted Him to the highest place: God gave Jesus the highest honor he could give anyone. He gave him the position of the greatest possible honor and authority.

The speakers of some languages have incorrectly imagined that God put Jesus’ dead body in an important position. If the readers of your translation might think this, you will need to make explicit the information that God first caused Jesus to live again. See the Display on 2:9b.

Look for an expression in your language that indicates the greatest possible honor. Other translation ideas are:

God gave him greatness beyond measure.
-or-
God made him very, very great.

In some languages it is necessary to show who or what Jesus is greater than. (2:9b and 2:10 indicate this.) For example:

God made him greater than everything and everyone.

2:9b

and gave Him the name above all names: God gave Jesus the name that has greater honor and authority than all other names. God gave him a title or rank that is greater than that of anyone or anything else. He made him to be Lord of all.

name: This may refer to a specific name or to the reputation or rank that God gave Jesus. But even if name refers to a specific or literal name, the idea of rank or position is also included. See Romans 1:5; 1 Timothy 6:1 and Hebrews 1:4 for other examples of the word name. The position God gave to Jesus was one of lordship, authority, power and dignity.

In some languages a person’s name is not associated with his position or authority. If this is so in your language, you will need to make this clear in another way. See the second Meaning Line in the Display on 2:9b for another suggestion.

General Comment on 2:9

There are two ways to understand how the two clauses in 2:9 (“God exalted Him…and gave Him the name”) relate to each other:

(1) God exalted Jesus to the highest place, that is, he gave him the name that is above every name (see SSA). This also has good support in the commentaries. One way to translate this would be:

God exalted him by giving him the greatest name. (God’s Word)

(2) God exalted Jesus to the highest place, and he also gave him the name that is above every name. “Exalting” and “giving a name” are thus two separate things God did for Jesus. This is not stated explicitly in most translations but is the natural reading. (Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, NET Bible, New Living Translation (2004) and Contemporary English Version)

It is likely that the two actions in 2:9 are two ways of speaking about the same thing. So interpretation (1) is preferred here.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 3:20

3:20a

But: In 3:20, Paul contrasted Christians with the people he had just been talking about in 3:18–19. These people were only interested in things affecting life on earth, but Christians do not belong to earth, they are citizens of heaven, and so they focus on things in heaven.

our citizenship is in heaven: This implies that those who believe in Christ really belong to heaven, not earth. The way they act on earth should show that heaven is their homeland, not earth.

our: Paul meant “as for us….” He was contrasting the true believer’s attitude with the attitude of those he described in 3:18–19. The word our includes Paul and those he was writing to.

citizenship: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as citizenship can have several meanings:

(1) It means “citizenship”; (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New American Standard Bible, Good News Translation, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version)

(2) It means “state,” “commonwealth,” “homeland”; (Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow the first option (1). Paul was reminding the Philippians that all believers were citizens of heaven, not earth. When you translate the word citizenship, think of how you would normally say that you are loyal citizens of your country.

In some languages there may be no word that means “citizen.” If this is true in your language, you could translate this part of the verse:

Heaven is where we(incl.) really belong.

3:20b

we eagerly await: Paul and the Philippians were looking forward to something that they very much wanted and expected to happen. So they were eager and impatient to see it happen.

a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ: This was whom Paul and the Philippians were eagerly awaiting. They were impatiently looking forward to the day when Christ would return from heaven.

Savior: This refers to someone who would come and save God’s people.

from there: That is, from heaven.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 1:18

1:18a

What then is the issue?: The Greek here is an idiomatic expression something like the English slang “So what?” It does not expect an answer. In the Berean Standard Bible it is translated as a rhetorical question implying the answer “It doesn’t really matter.” Paul meant that he was not disturbed and troubled (as his rivals expected he would be) because some believers were preaching the gospel out of envy. Instead, he was just glad that they were preaching the good news.

If you have rhetorical questions in your language and you can use one here, make sure the answer is clear to the reader. If it is not clear, you may need to add an explicit answer, such as “It doesn’t matter.” Or, you may need to avoid the rhetorical question (see the third Meaning Line in the Display).

1:18b

that in every way: If your language uses different words to distinguish between two alternatives and more than two alternatives, you should choose the word indicating two alternatives.

whether by false motives or true: Some people were preaching the gospel for the wrong reasons and some for the right reasons.

false motives: The Greek word translated by the Berean Standard Bible as false motives means doing something just for appearance or show, or hiding the real reason for doing something. This refers to the people mentioned in 1:15a and 1:17.

true: The Greek word translated by the Berean Standard Bible as true is literally “in truth.” It refers to doing something for the reason you say you are doing it; that is, genuinely or sincerely. This refers to the people mentioned in 1:15b and 1:16.

1:18c

Christ is preached: In some languages it will be necessary to use an active verb and supply a subject for the verb “preach.” If this is necessary for you, you should choose something that clearly refers back to those about whom Paul had just been speaking. See second and third Meaning lines in the Display.

General Comment on 1:18a–d

In some languages it may be necessary to alter the order of the parts of the verse. Here are two sample translations:

a But this is not important. c What is important is that people are preaching the good news about Christ, b whether they have the right reason or not. d And I am very glad about that.
-or-

a They are doing this, but I am not upset. b Maybe they are preaching because they want to help me, or maybe they are preaching because they don’t want to help me. But either way d I am happy, c because they are preaching the good news about Christ.

Section 1:18e–26

Paul rejoiced because he expected that what was happening would lead to good, whether he lived or died

Paul wanted to bring honor to Christ whether he lived or died. He knew that dying and being with Christ would be the supreme good, but he also wanted to be with the Philippians to help them grow in their faith. And he expected that God would let him continue living and helping others.

Paragraph 1:18e–20

Paul rejoiced because he knew that the result of what was happening to him would be good, whether he continued to live or he died.

1:18e

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice: This phrase connects this section with the previous one. Paul was happy, not only because people were preaching the gospel, but also because he believed that what was happening to him would turn out for good.

Some translations put the phrase Yes, and I will continue to rejoice at the beginning of 1:19 rather than at the end of 1:18 (Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible). You should consider making this adjustment to the verse numbers if this is what your national language version does.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 2:29

2:29

In this verse Paul strongly exhorted the Philippians to accept Epaphroditus back happily. It is not clear why Paul had to encourage them to do this. It is possible that he thought that the Philippians might have been angry at Epaphroditus for returning so soon. They had expected him to stay and care for Paul. Thus Paul tried to assure them of how valuable Epaphroditus had been to him, and to convince them that the change of plans was truly what God wanted. Or Paul may simply have been encouraging them to joyfully accept Epaphroditus back, which he expected they would do, as 2:28b implies.

2:29a

Welcome him in the Lord with great joy: The Philippians should receive Epaphroditus back very happily as their Christian brother.

in the Lord: There are several ways to understand this phrase. The two main ones are:

(1) The Philippians should receive Epaphroditus as a brother in the Lord, because he too belonged to the Lord. (Good News Translation, Revised English Bible)

(2) They should welcome Epaphroditus as they should welcome another Christian, in an appropriate manner. (See SSA). (Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, Contemporary English Version)

Most English versions are ambiguous and it may be possible for you to leave this phrase ambiguous in your translation too. The Display illustrates interpretation (1). If you wish to follow the second interpretation (2), you could say:

Welcome him with great joy in the way you should welcome another believer.

2:29b

honor men like him: The phrase honor men like him means that they should honor him and other men also. Paul reminded the Philippians that they should respect Epaphroditus and other men who were like him.

men like him: This refers to Christians who were faithful to the Lord as Epaphroditus had been. The Greek phrase literally means “such ones.” So you could translate this so as to include women as well as men.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 2002