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.

© 2020 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 Romans 1:31

1:31

They are senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless: The Greek words are literally “not-understanding, not-keeping-their-word, not-having-affection, not-having-mercy.” If possible, use words that show the meaning of “not” or “without” each time here. For example:

no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy (New International Version (2011))
-or-
unthinking, unfaithful to their word/promises, unaffectionate, unmerciful

senseless: The Greek word here refers to not being able to understand things well. It is the same word as the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “foolish” in 1:21. See how you translated this word in 1:21.

faithless: Here this word refers to making promises but not doing as promised. Here are other ways to translate this word:

untrustworthy (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
they do not keep their promises (Good News Translation)
-or-
break their promises (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Concerning what they say they will do, they do not do (it)

heartless:
The Greek word here refers to not having good feelings toward others or not caring for others. Here are other ways to translate this word:

without natural affection (King James Version)
-or-
hardhearted (BDAG)

merciless: This word means “without pity or mercy.” These people show no mercy to others. Here are other ways to translate this word:

no mercy (New International Version (2011))
-or-
no…pity for others (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:2

3:2a

Much in every way: Paul answered the two rhetorical questions of 3:1 here. This answer indicates that the Jews have great advantages and that circumcision has value. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

Great in every respect. (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
Yes, great benefits!

These words are not a full sentence. In some languages this must be a full sentence. For example:

Yes, there are great benefits! (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
There are all kinds of advantages. (God’s Word)
-or-
It is good in a lot of ways! (Contemporary English Version)

3:2b

First of all:
There are two interpretations of the Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as First of all :

(1) It means first in a list. But Paul did not continue his list. For example:

In the first place (Good News Translation)

(Berean Standard Bible, English Standard Version, Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New American Bible, Revised Edition, Revised English Bible)

(2) It means first in importance. The meaning is similar to Mark 12:28: “Which is the first of all the commandments?” For example:

The most important thing is this: (New Century Version)

(King James Version, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the Greek grammar supports it.

3:2c

they have been entrusted with the very words of God: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as they refers to the Jews. This phrase indicates that God gave his words to the ancestors of the Jews. They were to watch over and guard it. They were to prevent anyone from changing it. They were also to follow it and teach it.

This clause is passive. Some languages must translate it as an active clause. For example:

God entrusted them with his word (God’s Word)
-or-

⌊God⌋ gave his word to the Jews to watch over

the very words of God: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the very words means “sayings,” “spoken messages,” or “messages that a divine being speaks.” These words would include things that God said to Abraham, Moses, the prophets and others in the Old Testament. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the things that God said/promised
-or-
God’s message

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 4:3

4:3a

For: The conjunction For introduces support for Abraham not being able to boast before God in 4:2c. For example:

because (New Century Version)

In some languages it is more natural to omit the conjunction and allow the context to imply the connection.

what does the Scripture say?: This is a rhetorical question. It functions to emphasize what God’s word says about Abraham. Here are some ways to translate this:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

What does Scripture say? (God’s Word)

• As a statement. For example:

Indeed, the Scriptures say
-or-
the Scriptures certainly tell us

the Scripture: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Scripture is literally “writing.” In the New Testament, this word always refers to something written in the Old Testament. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the sacred writings
-or-
the writings ⌊which are⌋ holy
-or-
God’s message that they wrote

See how you translated the word Scripture in 1:2.

4:3b

4:3b–c is a quote from Genesis 15:6. 4:3a does not explicitly introduce the quote from the Old Testament. In some languages it is more natural to explicitly introduce the quote. For example:

It says,…

Also see the second meaning line in the Display of 4:3a.

Abraham believed God: Here Paul used the word believed to refer to accepting what God said as true. This refers to Abraham believing that God would one day fulfill the promise that God told him. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

Abraham trusted God to ⌊fulfill his promise⌋
-or-
Abraham believed God’s promise to him
-or-
Abraham had faith in God ⌊to fulfill his promise⌋

4:3c

and it was credited to him as righteousness: The word it refers to “Abraham believed God.” Some languages need to use a different word or phrase. For example:

and that was counted to him as righteousness
-or-
and that belief was counted to him as righteousness

it was credited to him as righteousness: The phrase it was credited indicates that God thought about Abraham believing him and so gave him the status of righteous. God called Abraham righteous because Abraham believed what God told him. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

it was reckoned to him as righteousness (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
it was counted to him as righteousness (English Standard Version)
-or-
he was declared to be a righteous person because of that belief of his

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

God counted him as righteous
-or-
because of his faith God accepted him as righteous (Good News Translation)
-or-
because of his faith God said he was straight in his sight

as righteousness: The word righteousness refers to the status of being right. Here it indicates that a person’s relationship with God is right. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

as a just man
-or-
to be right ⌊with God⌋

General Comment on 4:3b–c

These words are a quote found in Genesis 15:6. If you indicate the location of quotes from the Old Testament with cross-references, you may want to do so here.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 5:10

5:10a

For: Here this word introduces a sentence that has similar phrases to 5:9 but says something a little different. For the correct meaning in some languages, it is better to omit this word, as some English versions do.

if, when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son: Here the word if introduces a situation that is true. If this first part is true, that supports the second part (“how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life”) to also be true.

Here the word if does not indicate that when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him 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: when we were enemies, we were reconciled to him by the death of his Son, therefore
-or-
it is true that when we were enemies, we were reconciled to him by the death of his Son, therefore
-or-
when we were enemies we were reconciled to him by the death of his Son, therefore

we were enemies of God: The Greek is more literally “being enemies,” but it clearly implies here that we were hostile toward God and so enemies against him. Some languages will need to make that clear here, as the Berean Standard Bible does. For example:

we were enemies ⌊with/against God⌋

we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊he⌋ reconciled us to God by his death
-or-
the death of his Son restored our relationship with God (God’s Word)
-or-
Christ reconciled us to God by dying for us (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

reconciled: This word means “end anger and re-establish a good relationship.” Jesus, by his death, made the way to end God’s anger against our sins and restored our relationship with him.

through the death of His Son: Jesus dying made the way for us to be reconciled to God, because he took the punishment for our sins. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

by the death of his Son (English Standard Version)
-or-
because his Son died for us (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
because of His son allowing Himself to be killed
-or-
because of his Child/Son having died because of us (incl.)

the death of His Son: The noun death describes an event. Some languages must use a verb. See the examples above.

His Son: This phrase refers to Jesus. See how you translated it in 1:3.

5:10b

how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!: The comparison (how much more) emphasizes that shall /will we be saved is true, just as we have been reconciled is true. See how you translated the words how much more in 5:9.

having been reconciled: This clause in Greek is literally “we/us having been reconciled.” The context implies that we are still reconciled at the present time.

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

he reconciled us ⌊to God⌋
-or-
he reconciled us ⌊and God⌋

shall we be saved through His life!: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

his life will save us

This clause refers to what Christ does for us in the present and will do in the future, because he always lives to intercede for us (Hebrews 7:24–25). The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as through is often translated as “in.” The word “in” implies that we share in Christ’s life.

Paul used the word life here to contrast to “death” in 5:10a. You should keep that meaning in your translation here. But the noun life describes an event. Some languages must use a verb. For example:

he will save us because he lives

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 6:21

6:21a–b

What fruit did you reap at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed?: There are two ways to interpret where the question mark goes:

(1) It should occur after the word ashamed. For example:

What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? (New International Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, Good News Translation, New American Standard Bible, King James Version, New American Bible, Revised Edition, NET Bible, GNT3)

(2) It should occur after the phrase at that time. For example:

and what did you gain from living like that? Experiences of which you are now ashamed (New Jerusalem Bible)

(New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, Revised English Bible, GNT4,5)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because interpretation (2) forces the plural Greek relative pronoun to connect to the singular fruit, but that is not good Greek grammar.

This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes that those deeds that the believers were now ashamed of did not benefit them. Translate this clause with that meaning. Here are some ways:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? (New American Standard Bible)

• As a statement. For example:

you were getting no ⌊good⌋ fruit from the things ⌊you did⌋ then that you are now ashamed of

6:21a

The Greek of 6:21a begins with a word that is usually translated as “but.” Here, it probably does not indicate contrast. Rather, it was likely used to show that Paul continued to speak about the same kinds of things as he had before this verse. Some languages will not see contrast here to 6:20. For example:

What… (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version)
-or-
And what… (Revised English Bible)

What fruit: Here the word fruit is a metaphor that refers to the results of people’s deeds. Paul questioned what good result could have possibly come from the things they were now ashamed of. Some languages do not use the word fruit to refer to the results of deeds. For example:

what did you gain
-or-
good thing/way

did you reap: Like harvesting fruit, this phrase asks what benefit the believers received from those evil deeds. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

were you gaining
-or-
were you receiving

The Greek tense indicates that they were doing those things over a period of time. But in some languages it is more natural to refer generally to that time, only implying that this occurred over a period of time. For example:

did you gain
-or-
did you receive

at that time: Here this phrase refers to the time before the believers in Rome believed in Jesus, when they were enslaved to sin (6:20).

6:21b

the things of which you are now ashamed: The word things here refers to deeds of impurity, lawlessness and other kinds of sin. The believers in Rome were now ashamed of those deeds.

now: Here this word refers to the time that Paul wrote to the believers in Rome.

ashamed: The word ashamed refers to feeling humiliation, moral discomfort, or loss of self-respect when that person has done something wrong.

6:21c

The Greek of 6:21c begins with a word that is usually translated as “for.” Here this word introduces why the believers were ashamed. Some languages can omit this word and still connect 6:21c to 6:21b with the right meaning.

The outcome of those things is death: Here the word outcome refers to the end or result of those deeds that the believers were now ashamed of. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

Those things result in death! (New International Version)
-or-
the result of those things is death! (English Standard Version)
-or-
they lead to death

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 8:5

Paragraph 8:5–8

8:5a–d

This verse describes two groups of people: those who do not believe in Jesus (8:5a–b) and those who believe in him (8:5c–d).

8:5a

The Greek of 8:5a begins with a word that is usually translated as “For.” This word introduces a sentence that explains something about what Paul said in 8:4. In some languages, it may be most natural to omit this word and leave the connection to 8:4 implicit, as the Berean Standard Bible does.

Those who live according to the flesh: The Greek is literally “the ones being according to flesh.” It indicates that this group of people always follow human nature. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

the ones/people who exist ⌊only⌋ according to human nature
-or-
Those who live as their human nature tells them to (Good News Translation)
-or-
whoever live according to the desires of the body

flesh: This word refers to having a body, with its needs and passions. See how you translated this word in 8:4.

8:5b

set their minds on the things of the flesh: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as set their minds on refers to thinking a certain way about, or having a strong opinion about, or supporting a cause. Here it probably refers to being focused on things related to the body. This includes such things as food, drink, sex, survival, and power over others. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

are concerned with the things of the flesh (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
are thinking only of the deeds of the human nature
-or-
think only about things of the natural self

8:5c

those who live according to the Spirit: The Greek is literally “the ones according to spirit/Spirit.” The verb live is implied from 8:5a. It indicates that this group of people follow the Holy Spirit. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

the ones/people who exist according to the ⌊Holy⌋ Spirit
-or-
Those who live as the Spirit tells them to (Good News Translation)
-or-
whoever live according to the Spirit

8:5d

set their minds on the things of the Spirit: Here the word Spirit refers to the Holy Spirit. This group of people are focused on the thoughts and deeds that the Holy Spirit wants us to think or do. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

are concerned with the things of the Spirit
-or-
are thinking of the thoughts and deeds that please the ⌊Holy⌋ Spirit
-or-
think only about things that the ⌊Holy⌋ Spirit wants

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 8:37

8:37a

No: The Greek word is literally “but.” For example:

But (New American Standard Bible)

However, in contrast to 8:36, many English versions prefer No here.

(Good News Translation🙂 in all these things we have complete victory: The phrase in all these things is emphasized by being first in the clause. In some languages it must be in its usual place. For example:

we have complete victory in all these things

(Good News Translation🙂 in all these things: The words these things refer to the situations in 8:35. In some languages “those” would be more clear. For example:

in all those things

The word in indicates that believers experience those situations. For example:

when we experience any of those things/situations

(Good News Translation🙂 we have complete victory: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Good News Translation translates as we have complete victory :

(1) It means we overwhelmingly conquer. For example:

we conquer overwhelmingly (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

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

(2) It means we conquer and gain something else. For example:

we have won more than a victory (Contemporary English Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, English Standard Version, King James Version, Contemporary English Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the Greek prefix indicates completeness rather than something more than just conquering.

8:37b

through Him who loved us: Here the word through indicates that Jesus enables us to be more than conquerors. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

by the power of him who loved us (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
because of him who loved us

Him: It is likely that Paul meant Jesus here (8:35). But you should translate this word as “he” or “him” here.

loved: The Greek tense usually refers to a past event. Here it probably refers to the love that Jesus showed to us by dying on the cross for us. The past tense here does not imply that Jesus no longer loves us.

In some languages using the past tense would clearly indicate that Jesus no longer loves us. If that is true in your language, use the present tense. For example:

loves (Contemporary English Version)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020