SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 1:1

Paragraph 1:1–6

1:1a

Paul: The author of this letter is named Paul. He began this letter with his name. This was the normal way to begin a letter at that time in that region.

Paul did not use a sentence here. In some languages it is more natural to introduce the writer in a different way. For example:

From Paul, (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
This letter is from Paul, (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-

⌊I,⌋ Paul, ⌊am writing this letter.⌋ ⌊I am⌋

a servant of: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as servant refers to a slave. Here, this phrase indicates that Paul belonged to Jesus as his slave. Paul served him and completely submitted himself to the authority of Jesus.

People often despised servants or slaves. But when someone called himself a slave of Jesus, as Paul did here, he was not ashamed of it. You may have more than one word to describe servants or slaves. Choose the one that indicates or implies the believer’s good relationship to Jesus. That is why many English versions use the word servant instead of slave.

Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

a slave of (NET Bible)
-or-
a worker of/for

If you have translated other books, see how you translated this word in Galatians 1:10, Philippians 1:1, Titus 1:1, or James 1:1.

In some languages, it will be best to translate the word servant as a verb. For example:

I serve
-or-
I completely submit to
-or-
I do the work of

Christ Jesus: There is a textual issue here about the order of the words Christ Jesus :

(1) The correct order is Christ Jesus.

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

(2) The correct order is Jesus Christ.

(Revised Standard Version, King James Version, God’s Word)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) because the UBS Handbook Greek New Testament supports it.

The order of the words Christ Jesus emphasizes that Jesus is the Christ/Messiah. However, in some languages the order Christ Jesus is not natural. If that is true in your language, emphasize, if possible, the fact that Jesus is the Christ in a natural way. For example:

Jesus, ⌊who/he is the⌋ Christ
-or-
Jesus, the Messiah,

Christ: This name is spelled “Christos” in the Greek language. (The Greek sound spelled ‘ch’ here is similar to a ‘k’ but without making the air stop in the mouth.) Spell the name as people in your language say it, or use the name from the common language in your region.

The word Christ was used as a title. It was the Greek translation of the Hebrew word “Messiah.” It means “the anointed one.” In the Jewish culture a person was anointed by pouring oil on top of his head in a ceremony. This was done to show that God chose him for a special task/job. In the Old Testament, some were anointed to be priests, some to be kings, and some to be prophets. In the Old Testament, “the anointed one” refers to the person whom God promised would save/free his people and rule them.

Here are other ways to translate Christ :

• Use a title or a descriptive phrase in your language that has the same meaning as Christ. For example:

⌊God’s⌋ Anointed/Chosen One
-or-
the Messiah
-or-
Promised Deliverer
-or-
the Rescuer-King whom God appointed

• Transliterate Christ and include a phrase that explains the meaning. For example:

Karisiti, the appointed one
-or-
Cristo, the King whom God promised to send

• Transliterate Christ and indicate in some way that it is a title. For example:

the Kirisita

If you do not indicate the meaning of Christ in your translation, you may want to include a footnote to explain it. For example:

The word/title “Christ” refers to the one whom God had promised to send. He would be both king and savior.

Or you may want to explain the meaning in a glossary.

1:1b

called to be an apostle: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as called to be an apostle is literally “(a) called apostle.” Here the word called means “chosen to be given a special benefit or purpose.” God invited Paul to do the work of an apostle (1 Timothy 1:1). Here are other ways to translate this word:

⌊his⌋ appointed apostle
-or-
an apostle by ⌊God’s⌋ call/choice

Some languages must use a verb here. For example:

called as an apostle (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
called by God to be an apostle (Revised English Bible)
-or-

⌊God⌋ invited me to be an apostle
-or-
an apostle whom ⌊he/God⌋ chose

an apostle: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as apostle means a “representative” or “messenger.” It refers to a person whom someone sends with his authority. He is sent to give a message or accomplish a particular task. Here, the word apostle refers to Paul whom Jesus sent as his messenger. Paul’s message was the gospel about Jesus. Here are other ways to translate apostle :

• Translate the meaning. For example:

his/Jesus’ ⌊special⌋ representative
-or-
Christ’s/his messenger
-or-
a man whom Jesus Christ sent (on a mission)
-or-
a person with authority ⌊from Jesus Christ to do his work⌋

• Use the common word for the word apostle if it is already in use. For example:

apostol

Use the same term for apostle as you used in the Gospels. (See Mark 6:30 or Luke 6:13.) Be sure that the term you choose for apostle is different from your terms for prophet (1:2) and angel (8:38).

1:1c

This clause also describes Paul (1:1a). God set him apart for the preaching of the gospel. In Greek and the Berean Standard Bible, the sentence continues from 1:1b. But in some languages, a new sentence would be more clear. For example:

God set me apart for his gospel

set apart for the gospel of God: The phrase set apart indicates that God chose Paul from among a group of people to do a specific task. He chose Paul to be a messenger to tell the gospel to the non-Jews (1:5). Here are other ways to translate these words:

separated to serve the gospel of God
-or-

⌊he/Jesus/God⌋ caused me to dedicate all my life for the gospel of God

This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

God set me apart for the gospel ⌊about Jesus⌋

See how you translated the phrase set apart in Acts 13:2 or Galatians 1:15.

for: Here the word for introduces a purpose clause. God set Paul apart from other work for the purpose of preaching or sharing the gospel. Here are other ways to translate for :

in order that
-or-

The reason he chose me to be an apostle was so that
-or-

to speak/tell God’s good news

the gospel of God: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as gospel means “good news” or “announcement of a message that people consider very good.” Here, it refers to the good news that God sent Jesus to save us from wrongdoing and reconcile us to God. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

good/sweet news from God
-or-
God’s message/report that causes joy
-or-
good news ⌊about Jesus Christ⌋ that God sent

of God: The word of here indicates that the gospel is from God. See the examples above.

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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 Romans 1:15

1:15

I am so eager: The word eager refers to being interested in doing something and wanting to do it soon. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

my eagerness (Revised English Bible)
-or-
I want so much (New Century Version)
-or-
my thinking is eager

In some languages an idiom is used for this meaning. For example:

my insides are raised up

preach the gospel: The Greek word here means “announce good news” or “proclaim the gospel.” Preaching is often done before a group of people. Here it refers to telling others the good news of Jesus as Savior. Here are other ways to translate this Greek word:

declare the gospel (Revised English Bible)
-or-
preach the Good News (Good News Translation)

See how you translated gospel in 1:1.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2:15

2:15a

So they: The Greek word is literally “who” and the Greek sentence continues from 2:14. The word “who” refers back to the Gentiles (2:14a). The Berean Standard Bible and many English versions begin a new sentence here for more natural English and therefore translate the Greek word as So they.

But the Gentiles are not purposely going around and showing this. It is their deeds that show that the principles of God’s law are in their hearts. For example:

Their conduct (Good News Translation)

show: The present tense here indicates that Gentiles show this throughout their lives. Consider how to indicate that in your language.

the work of the law is written on their hearts: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ wrote the work of the law on their hearts

the work of the law: This phrase refers to doing good deeds and avoiding bad deeds, following the principles of God’s law. Examples are: “honor your father and mother” (Exodus 20:12) and “do not murder” (Exodus 20:13). Gentiles did not have the exact words of the Old Testament but they behaved in similar ways. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the requirements of the law (New International Version)
-or-
the effect of the Law (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
what the law requires (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
what is right and wrong, just as the law commands (New Century Version)
-or-
the good which the law says to do

law: Here this word refers to the laws that God gave to the Jews. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer to laws in general. If that is true in your language, explain it in the text. For example:

God’s law (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the law ⌊of Moses⌋

is written on their hearts: The phrase is written on is used as a metaphor here. It means “exists in.” The Gentiles often behave as if they already know how God wants them to behave. In some languages a literal translation would not be natural. If that is true in your language, translate without the metaphor. For example:

is in their hearts
-or-
they know

their hearts: Here the word hearts refers figuratively to the inner being, which includes the mind, the emotions, and the will. In some languages a literal translation would not refer to the inner being. If that is true in your language, you may want to use the word or phrase that has the right meaning. For example:

their insides/livers
-or-
their mind and will

2:15b

their consciences also bearing witness: This indicates that the consciences of Gentiles also show that the principles of God’s law are written on their hearts. Here are other ways to translate these words:

Their consciences also show that this is true (Good News Translation)
-or-
to this their conscience gives supporting witness (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Their minds also confirm that that is true

consciences: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as consciences refers to the record of past deeds that a person has in his mind and causes him to feel ashamed or guilty when he does something wrong. It also makes him feel good when he does what is right. Here are other ways to translate this word:

Their minds also confirm that that is true, because their minds are the very-thing that tells them whether what they are doing is good or bad.
-or-
they say in their hearts: “That action is wrong,” or they say: “That action is good.”
-or-
They know in their minds what is good and what is bad to do.

2:15c–d

and their thoughts either accusing or defending them: The word and indicates here that the thoughts of the Gentiles also show that the principles of God’s law are written on their hearts.

their thoughts either accusing or defending them: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as thoughts is literally “between-one-another thoughts.” It refers to the thoughts of Gentiles, some which accuse them when they have done wrong, and some which commend them when they have done right. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them (New International Version (2011))
-or-
thoughts that say they did wrong or sometimes even say they did right
-or-
their minds tell them whether what they are doing is bad or good
-or-
think “That action is wrong,” or “That action is good.”

2:15c

thoughts either accusing: In some languages the word thoughts cannot go with the word accusing. See the above examples.

2:15d

or defending them: Here the Greek includes a word that is usually translated as “even.” The Berean Standard Bible omits this word. It indicates that much more often the thoughts of Gentiles accuse them and their thoughts only occasionally “defend them.”

defending: Here the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as defending refers to explaining behavior so that someone else will see that that behavior was acceptable. In this case, a Gentile might give reasons why he thinks that what he did was a good deed. Here are other ways to translate this word:

excuse (English Standard Version)
-or-
tell them they are doing right (New Living Translation (2004))

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:18

3:18

There is no fear of God before their eyes: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as fear can also mean “reverence.” The meaning of “reverence” is probably implied along with the meaning of fear here. These people are not afraid of God and do not respect him either.

But many languages do not have a word that has both Greek meanings. If that is true in your language, translate the meaning of fear. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

They have no fear of God at all (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
They are not afraid of God ⌊and his judgment⌋
-or-
they also do not think that they should be afraid to sin against God

before their eyes: This is a figure of speech. What is in front of a person’s eyes that determines where he goes. So Paul indicated that the fear of God did not in any way determine how these people lived. See the above examples.

General Comment on 3:18

These words are similar to the words found in Psalm 36:1.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 4:19

4:19a

Without weakening in his faith: This clause indicates that Abraham continued believing in God well. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

his faith did not decrease
-or-
Abraham did not stop believing
-or-
his faith was still strong
-or-
his believing ⌊in God⌋ did not fall/move

his: This word refers to Abraham here. In some languages 4:18d might imply that his here refers to God. If that is true in your language, use the name here. For example:

Abraham’s

4:19b

In this verse part, Paul speaks of Abraham’s body as if it were dead. The Berean Standard Bible translates the meaning of this metaphor with the phrase “the decrepitness of his body.” In order to comment directly on the metaphor, the notes use the English Standard Version in this verse part.

(English Standard Version🙂 when he considered his own body:
The word considered means “thought about.” For example:

he contemplated his own body (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
when he thought of his body (Good News Translation)

(English Standard Version🙂 which was as good as dead: There is a textual issue here:

(1) The Greek is having been dead. For example:

as good as dead (New International Version)

(Revised Standard Version, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, English Standard Version, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, New Century Version)

(2) The Greek is already having been dead. For example:

which was already as good as dead (New Revised Standard Version)

(Good News Translation, New Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, God’s Word, King James Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), because it is harder to find a reason for a copyist to omit it if it was originally there than finding a reason for a copyist to add it.

(English Standard Version🙂 which: This word introduces how Paul described Abraham’s body. In some languages a different word or phrase must be used for the correct meaning. This also may require a new sentence. For example:

It was as good as dead

(English Standard Version🙂 was as good as dead: The Greek is more literally “having been dead.” It is a figure of speech here. It indicates that Abraham was too old to produce child. Here are other ways to translate these words:

as dead (NET Bible)
-or-
it was no longer possible for him to have any children
-or-
which was too old to father a child
-or-
much past the age for having children (New Century Version)

4:19c

(since he was about a hundred years old): This clause is background information: additional information that is not a main part of what Paul was talking about. So the Berean Standard Bible and some other English versions put this clause in parentheses to indicate that. It explains “good as dead” in 4:19b. Here are other ways to punctuate this clause:

—since he was about a hundred years old— (New International Version)
-or-
because he was about a hundred years old, (Revised Standard Version)

In some languages, it is more natural to begin a sentence with background information. See General Comment at 4:19d.

he was about a hundred years old: This phrase refers to how many years Abraham had lived about the time that Sarah became pregnant. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

Abraham’s age was close to a hundred years
-or-
his years were about 100

4:19d

the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb: The Greek word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as lifelessness is literally “deadness.” Here it implies “unable to have children.” Paul used this word instead of the usual Greek word for lifelessness to connect it to “as good as dead” in 4:19b.

In some languages a literal translation would have the correct meaning. For example:

the deadness of Sarah’s womb (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
that Sarah’s womb was dead (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb (New Living Translation (2004))

But in some languages a literal translation would not have the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. For example:

Sarah was unable to have children (God’s Word)
-or-
Sara his wife was barren
-or-
she could not give birth

Sarah’s womb: This phrase refers to the place where a baby lives and grows before the mother gives birth. Some languages have a polite way to refer to this place. For example:

Sarah’s tummy/stomach

Also see the examples above.

Sarah’s: Sarah was Abraham’s wife. In some languages people would not know that. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain that here. For example:

⌊his wife⌋ Sarah’s

General Comment on 4:19a–d

4:19b–d is background information to 4:19a. In some languages it is more natural to have the background information first. For example:

19b When he acknowledged his own body, which was as good as dead 19c (since he was about a hundred years old), 19d or when he acknowledged the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb, 19a he did not weaken in faith.
-or-

19b He acknowledged his own body as good as dead 19c because he was about a hundred years old, 19d and acknowledged Sarah’s womb also as good as dead, 19a but he did not weaken in faith.

General Comment on 4:18a–19d

People of some language groups are not familiar with the story of Abraham, and so the purpose of 4:18 may not be clear until reading 4:19. If that is true of people in your language, you may want to have the words of 4:19 first. For example:

19b When he acknowledged his own body, which was as good as dead 19c (since he was about a hundred years old), 19d or when he acknowledged the barrenness of Sarah’s womb, 19a he did not weaken in faith. 18a In hope he believed against hope, 18b that he should become the father of many nations, 18c as he had been told, 18d “So shall your offspring be.”

You will then need to mark these two verses as 18-19.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 6:5

Paragraph 6:5–7

6:5a–b

if we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection: Here, the word if introduces a situation that is true. If this first part is true, that supports the second part (we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection).

Here the word if does not indicate that we have been united with Him like this in His death might not be true. In some languages a literal translation would indicate this incorrect meaning. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning without using if. For example:

consider this : we have been united with him like this in his death, therefore we will also certainly be united with him in his resurrection
-or-

it is true that we have been united with him like this in his death, therefore we will also certainly be united with him in his resurrection
-or-
we have been united with him like this in his death, therefore we will also certainly be united with him in his resurrection

6:5a

For: This word introduces support for what Paul said in 6:4 and also an explanation of it. Some languages can omit this word and the connection is still clear.

we have been united with Him: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause here. For example:

⌊God⌋ has united us with him

united with Him: Here this phrase refers to symbolically/mystically sharing with Jesus in his experience of death. We are joined to Jesus in some way. We have not yet died physically like he did. But something about his death is true for us now as well. Here are other ways to translate this word:

joined (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
become one (Good News Translation)
-or-
connected

like this in His death: Here the word in indicates that His death was the situation in which God united us with Jesus. We share some of the characteristics of his death.

like this: Here the words like this indicate that the death that believers share is in many ways like the death of Jesus, but is not the same in all ways.

6:5b

we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection: The Berean Standard Bible adds the words united with Him. They are clearly implied from 6:5a. This clause is what Paul said is also true based on what he said in 6:5a. For example:

⌊then⌋ we will also certainly be united with him in his resurrection
-or-

in the same way we… (Good News Translation)
-or-

so we… (New Jerusalem Bible)

in His resurrection: The word resurrection refers to God making Jesus alive again after he was dead. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

in being raised from death like he was
-or-
when ⌊God⌋ raises us from the dead like ⌊he⌋ raised him/Jesus/Christ
-or-
when ⌊God⌋ causes us to live again after we die, like ⌊he⌋ did with him/Jesus

See how you translated the word resurrection in 1:4 or 4:24 (“raised from the dead”).

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 7:14

7:14a

In Greek, 7:14a begins with a word that is usually translated as “for.” This word introduces a sentence that supports 7:12–13. The law is good and it is also from the Holy Spirit. In some languages, it may be more natural to omit this world, as the Berean Standard Bible does.

the law is spiritual: Here the word spiritual indicates that God, through the Holy Spirit, gave the law. It contrasts with “unspiritual” in 7:14b. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

the law…comes from God’s Spirit
-or-
the Holy Spirit is the source of the law
-or-
the laws of God are the things of the/our spirit

7:14b

I am unspiritual: Here the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as unspiritual refers to being of the physical side of life. It often opposes what God wants. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

I am carnal (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
I am a creature of this world
-or-
I am merely a human (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
I am just a weak human

See how you translated the word “flesh” in 7:5.

7:14c

sold as a slave to sin: This clause further describes Paul (“I”). The words “I am” are implied from 7:14b. Some languages may need “and” in front of this clause. For example:

⌊and⌋ ⌊I am⌋ sold as a slave to sin

This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊and⌋ ⌊I am⌋ ⌊like⌋ ⌊a slave whom someone/they⌋ have sold to be under sin

This is a figure of speech. Because the word sold implies being sold as a slave, the Berean Standard Bible supplies the words as a slave. The word to indicates that Paul’s new master is sin. He is required to do as sin tells him. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

⌊and⌋ ⌊I am⌋ ⌊like⌋ a slave who has been sold to ⌊a new master,⌋ ⌊namely,⌋ sin

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 8:21

8:21a

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

(1) It means that here. It introduces what the hope (8:20) is.

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

(2) It means because here. It introduces the reason for the hope. For example:

because (Revised Standard Version)

(Revised Standard Version, King James Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because that seems to fit the context best.

the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay: This clause speaks of creation as if it were a person who is a slave. It indicates that all things of this creation corrupt or decay. It cannot produce things that last forever.

Some languages cannot use this figure of speech. If that is true in your language, translate without the figure of speech. For example:

all that was created will be-set-free in-the-future from the power of decay and death
-or-
the creation itself will be changed so that the things of it will no longer corrupt/decay

the creation itself will be set free: This clause is passive. Some languages must translate with an active clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ will set creation itself free
-or-
the creation itself, ⌊God⌋ will set it free

the creation itself: The word itself emphasizes the words the creation.

will be set free: The Greek has the word that means “also” here. For example:

also will be set free (New American Standard Bible)

set free: Here these words refer to removing creation from being like a slave to corruption. Here are other ways to translate these words:

liberated (New International Version)
-or-
freed (New Jerusalem Bible)

bondage: The Greek word refers to being a slave to someone or something. A slave must do what the master says. Here the creation always follows the way of corruption and so all the things of this creation corrupt or decay. Here are other ways to translate this word:

slavery (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
being tied

decay: This Greek word refers to what happens to things when they go bad, for example, meat spoils and wood rots. Here are other ways to translate this word:

corruption (English Standard Version)
-or-
spoil

8:21b

and brought into: The Greek word here is literally just into. It indicates that when God frees creation from slavery to corruption, it will also enter into the freedom that exists in the future glory of God’s adopted children. Creation will be free from corruption and be eternal. Here are other ways to translate this word:

and obtain (English Standard Version)
-or-
and share in (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

the glorious freedom: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translated as the glorious freedom is literally “the freedom of glory.” Here scholars understand the Greek grammar of the word “of” in a number of ways. A few scholars and many English versions think it means “described by” (as in the Berean Standard Bible). Other scholars think it means “belonging to” or “is associated with.” That would be the usual way to understand the use of the word “of” as in the English Standard Version:

the freedom of the glory… (English Standard Version)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020