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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BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 1:3

1:3a–4c

In these two verses, Paul told what the gospel from God is about. The gospel is about Jesus. Here are four things Paul said about the gospel in 1:3–4.

(a) God’s Son became a human being.

(b) His Son was a descendant of King David.

(d) The name of God’s Son is Jesus. He is the Christ, and he is our Lord.

1:3a

regarding His Son: This phrase connects to the word gospel in 1:1c, which the Berean Standard Bible repeats in 1:2a. Here this phrase does not connect to “the holy Scriptures” in 1:2b. In some languages the connection back to 1:1c will need to be made explicit. For example:

⌊the gospel⌋ concerning his Son

In the Greek, the sentence continues from 1:2b. In some languages it would be more natural to begin a new sentence here. For example:

⌊The/That gospel⌋ concerns his Son

regarding: This word indicates that this gospel is about God’s Son, Jesus. Here are other ways to translate this word:

concerning (English Standard Version)
-or-
about (New Living Translation (2004))

His Son: The phrase His Son refers to Jesus. He is God’s Son. It indicates that the relationship between God and Jesus is similar to the relationship of human fathers and their sons. They have a Father-Son kind of relationship. They love each other, and sons obey their fathers. This term also implies that Jesus has the same nature as God.

God does not have a physical body, and he did not cause Jesus to exist the way a human father causes a son to exist. Jesus existed eternally as the Son with his Father.

In some languages a literal translation gives the wrong meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Translate literally and explain its correct meaning in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

This title refers to Jesus. It indicates the relationship between God and Jesus is similar to the relationship of human fathers and sons. It also implies that Jesus and God are the same kind of being. Jesus has been God’s Son for all eternity.

• Explain its meaning of an eternal relationship of a son to a father. For example:

his ⌊divine/heavenly⌋ Son
-or-
the ⌊eternal⌋ Most Beloved of God as a Son

In some languages there is no single word for Son. If that is true in your language, use a more general word, such as “child.” For example:

his Child
-or-
the Child of God

Other verses will usually make clear that Jesus was a male child. If you use a descriptive phrase such as “male child of God,” be sure that this phrase does not imply that God had another child who was female.

General Comment on 1:2a–3a

1:2a–b is extra information about the gospel. In 1:3a he resumed his discussion about the gospel from 1:1c. In some languages the extra information must be in a separate sentence. Consider how to indicate that in your translation. For example:

1c sent out to preach his Good News. 2a God promised this Good News long ago 2b through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. 3a The Good News is about his Son. (New Living Translation (2004))

1:3b

who was a descendant of David: Here the Greek clause is literally “the one having come from the seed/semen of David.” For example:

the one born from the seed of David
-or-
the one descended from David

This clause further describes God’s Son. It does not separate this Son from other Sons. For the correct meaning in some languages, translators must avoid the word who. For example:

He was a descendant of David.
-or-
He was born of David’s line.
-or-
He descended from David.

was a descendant of David: Jesus was born in the family line of David many generations later (Matthew 1:2–16, Luke 3:23–31). Some languages have a term to refer to ancestors from the distant past.

David: The Greek spelling of this name is Dauid. David was a great king. He ruled over Israel about one thousand years before Jesus was born. Here are other ways to translate David :

⌊King⌋ David ⌊of old⌋
-or-
King Da’ud
-or-

⌊the great ruler⌋ David ⌊long ago⌋

according to: Here, this phrase means “with regard to.” When considering Jesus’ human ancestors, he was of the line of King David. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

as to (Good News Translation)
-or-
with reference to (NET Bible)
-or-
in terms of (New Jerusalem Bible)

the flesh: Here the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the flesh refers to the physical part of the life of people. Here it refers to the human origin of Jesus. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

a man (New Century Version)
-or-
his humanity (Good News Translation)
-or-
a human (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
And as for this Jesus, he became a human

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2:3

2:3a

So when you, O man, pass judgment on others, yet do the same things: In some languages it is more natural to have the term of address and description first in the clause. For example:

O man, you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself

O man: This is the same phrase as that Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “You” in 2:1. Translate this phrase as you did there.

2:3b

do you think you will escape God’s judgment?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes that this man should not expect to escape the judgment of God. Translate this with that meaning. Here are some ways:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

do you think you will escape God’s condemnation? (New Jerusalem Bible)

• As a statement. For example:

You are wrong to suppose/expect that you will escape the judgment of God

• As a command. For example:

Do not suppose/expect that you will escape the judgment of God

think: Here the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as think refers to thinking something to be true. Paul warned this man not to have the opinion that God will not punish those who judge others as bad yet do the same evil deeds. Here are other ways to translate this word:

suppose (English Standard Version)
-or-
believe
-or-
expect

escape: This word refers to avoiding danger in some way. This man perhaps thinks that he can prevent God from punishing him. Here are other ways to translate this word:

avoid (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
run away from

God’s judgment: In some languages, the word judgment must be translated as a verb. For example:

God’s judging you
-or-
on the day when God judges you

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:6

3:6a

Certainly not!: These are the same Greek phrase as in 3:4a. Translate it as you did there.

But this phrase answers the question in 3:5c. It does not connect to 3:5d. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate Paul disagreed with what he said in 3:5d. If that is true in your language, you may want to repeat some of 3:5c here. For example:

By no means ⌊should we say that God is unrighteous⌋ !

3:6b

In that case: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as In that case introduces a different conclusion than what was said before. The meaning of 3:6a is “By no means ⌊should we say that God is unrighteous⌋,” and now the meaning of 3:6b is “for, ⌊if God was unrighteous,⌋ how could he judge the world ⌊justly⌋ ?” Translate this conjunction with that meaning. Here are other ways to translate this word:

Otherwise, (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
If that were so, (New International Version)
-or-
If God is not just, (Good News Translation)

how could God judge the world?: This is a rhetorical question. It expects the answer “if God was not righteous, he could not judge people justly.” Translate this clause with that meaning. Here are some ways to do that:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

how can he judge the world? (Good News Translation)
-or-
how will God judge the world? (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
how would he be qualified to judge the world? (New Living Translation (2004))

• As a statement. For example:

It would mean that God could not be the judge of the world. (New Jerusalem Bible)

how could God judge: Many scholars say that this question is about how, not ability. It asks, “If God is not righteous, by what standard would he use to judge?” For example:

how will God judge (New American Standard Bible)

The English words “can” or could have a similar meaning here.

the world: Here this phrase refers to all people whoever lived. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer only to the earth. If that is true in your language, translate this as:

all people

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 4:7

4:7a

Blessed are they whose lawless acts are forgiven: This clause moves the phrase Blessed are to the beginning for poetic effect. In some languages, doing that is not natural. If that is true in your language:

• Use a poetic structure that your language has.

• Use normal word order with a passive clause. For example:

Those whose lawless deeds are forgiven are blessed

• Use normal word order with an active clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ blesses those whose lawless deeds are forgiven

they whose lawless acts are forgiven: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause here. For example:

those whom ⌊God/he⌋ forgives their lawless acts

lawless acts: This phrase refers to acts that break the law. Here the word “law” can refer to God’s laws in the OT or more generally to laws where you live. Here are some ways to translate this word:

law-breaking acts
-or-
breaking the law

4:7b

whose sins are covered: The phrase “blessed are those” is implied from 4:7a. In some languages this phrase must be made explicit for the correct meaning. For example:

and ⌊blessed are those⌋ whose sins are covered

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

whom ⌊God⌋ covers their sins

sins: This word refers to doing something that God said is wrong to do, or not doing something that God said they should do. See how you translated this word in 3:9.

are covered: Here the word covered is a figure of speech. It indicates that God no longer considers those sins as a problem. They are out of his sight as if he had buried them in the ground. The meaning is similar to “forgiven.” Here are some ways to translate the figure of speech:

• Use a figure of speech. For example:

are put out of sight (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
are blotted out (Revised English Bible)

• Translate without using a figure of speech. For example:

are pardoned (Good News Translation)
-or-
are forgotten (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
he is no longer bringing-to-mind

General Comment on 4:7a–b

4:7b is similar in meaning to “whose lawless acts are forgiven” in 4:7a. Hebrew poetry (as here) repeats meaning to emphasize it. In some languages repeating meaning implies a different meaning, such as expressing anger. If that is true in your language, translate in a way that emphasizes the correct meaning. For example:

Blessed are those whose lawless acts and sins are indeed covered and forgiven

Also, in some languages “lawless acts” and “sins” would be translated by the same term. If that is true in your language, use only the one term. For example:

Blessed are those whose sins are indeed covered and forgiven

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 5:14

5:14a

Nevertheless: This word indicates that 5:14a contrasts with 5:13b. For example:

But (Good News Translation)

death reigned: This clause speaks of death as if it were a person. It indicates that all the people who lived between Adam and Moses died, because they all sinned. Some languages can translate the figure of speech literally and people will understand the correct meaning. For example:

death ruled (Good News Translation)

But some languages must translate the meaning of the figure of speech. For example:

death still had power over all who lived (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
everyone had to die (New Century Version)

5:14b

even over those who did not sin in the way that Adam transgressed: God told Adam to not eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam disobeyed God and later died as a result. Everyone else after Adam also died, even those who did not disobey God in the way Adam did. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam (New International Version)
-or-
even over those who did not sin in the same way that Adam did when he disobeyed God’s command (Good News Translation)

even over: Here the word even indicates that Paul included people who sinned in ways that were different than Adam’s sin. Here are other ways to translate this word:

including
-or-
as well as

sin: This word in Greek refers to doing something wrong or bad. It is a more general word than “transgression.”

transgressed: This word in Greek refers to breaking a law, rule, or command. See the examples above.

5:14c

He is a pattern of the One to come: The phrase He is a pattern of the One to come refers to Jesus. The word pattern indicates here that Adam did something that was like Jesus: they both did something that affected all people. But their deeds were very different. Adam introduced sin and death. Jesus introduced salvation. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

who was a type of the one who was to come (English Standard Version)
-or-
he is like a picture/shadow of the man/person who was to come ⌊later⌋
-or-
he is like the one who came later in one way

You should avoid translations that indicate that Adam was generally like or the same as Jesus.

He is a pattern: This clause tells the reader more about Adam. It does not separate this Adam from other Adams.

is a pattern: The Greek verb has the present tense ending and so means is. It indicates that this statement is true then and now. Consider how to translate that meaning.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 7:2

7:2a

For instance: These words introduce an example of the law binding a person (7:1b). For example:

For example, (New International Version)

a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives: Here the words bound by law refers to the law requiring the woman to remain married to her husband. She must behave as a woman married to a man. She is not free to marry another man. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

a married woman is tied to her husband by the law
-or-
a married woman is required by law to behave as married to her husband

This clause is passive. The law binds her to her husband. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

the law binds/ties a married woman to her husband
-or-
when a woman marries, the law binds her to her husband (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the law says that she must/ought to be one with her husband

7:2b

she is released from the law of marriage: Here the word released indicates that the law no longer requires the woman to remain married to her husband. She is free to marry another man. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

she is untied from the law to be married to her husband
-or-
she is no longer required by the law of marriage to behave as married to him

This clause is passive. The law frees her from her marriage to her husband. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

the law of marriage unties her
-or-
the laws of marriage no longer apply to her (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
that law no longer has authority over her

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 8:9

Paragraph 8:9–11

8:9a

You: In the Greek the meaning of You is emphasized. For example:

as for you

however: There is contrast between “those controlled by the flesh” (8:8) and “you are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit.” For example:

But (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

But some languages will not see contrast here. For example:

And

are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit: In some languages it is more natural to put the negated part last. For example:

are in the Spirit and not in the flesh

by the flesh: Translate this phrase as you did in 8:8.

by the Spirit: The word by here indicates a focus upon and an allegiance to something. Here it indicates that believers live with a focus upon and an allegiance to the Spirit. In this case the person controlled by the Spirit is oriented toward the desires of the Spirit and allows himself to be led by him. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

have a relationship with the Holy Spirit
-or-
are connected to the Spirit

the Spirit: This refers to the Holy Spirit here.

8:9b

if the Spirit of God lives in you: Here the word if introduces a situation that is true. If this first part is true, that supports the then-clause (“You…are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit,” 8:9a).

In some languages, using an if -clause would have a different meaning. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. For example:

since the Spirit of God dwells in you (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
should the Spirit of God live in you
-or-
if ⌊you agree that⌋ the Spirit of God lives in you ⌊and I know that you do⌋

the Spirit of God lives in you: The word lives indicates that the Holy Spirit is always present in the life of a believer. He counsels the believer as to what to do. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

you have the Spirit of God living in you (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the Holy Spirit remains in you
-or-
the Spirit of God dwells in your hearts/liver/insides

If you have translated 1 Corinthians 3:16, see how you translated this clause there.

8:9c

And: This Greek word indicates that the topic from 8:7 continues and there is new information about people who do not have the Holy Spirit living in them. There is possibly contrast between those who have the Holy Spirit (8:9b) and those who do not (8:9c). For example:

And (New International Version, Berean Standard Bible)
-or-
But (New Century Version)

if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ: This refers to people who do not believe in Jesus. The word have here refers to being in a relationship with the Spirit of Christ. It is similar in meaning to “the Spirit of God dwells in you,” but looks at that relationship from the side of the believer. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

the person who does not have the Spirit of Christ ⌊living in him⌋
-or-
the person in whom the Holy Spirit is not staying

the Spirit of Christ: This phrase also refers to the Holy Spirit. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer to a different spirit. If that is true in your language, indicate that this phrase refers again to the Holy Spirit. For example:

⌊that⌋ Spirit of ⌊Jesus⌋ Christ
-or-

⌊that⌋ Spirit, ⌊he/who is also the Spirit⌋ of Christ

If you have translated 1 Peter 1:11, see how you translated this phrase there.

he does not belong to Christ: The people who do not believe in Jesus, they do not have the Holy Spirit living in them and they are not Jesus’ people. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

he is not of him
-or-
he is not Cristo’s person

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020