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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SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 1:21

Paragraph 1:21–23

1:21a

For: This word introduces an explanation for why people are without excuse.

although they knew God: The word although introduces something that is true and contrasts it with something else. Here the clause they knew God is contrasted with what Paul said in 1:21b. For example:

they knew God, but…

they knew God: This clause refers to what people can know about God by looking at the world. It does not refer to full knowledge of God. It refers to the same thing as “what may be known about God” in 1:19a. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

They knew about God (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
they know that God exists

1:21b

they neither glorified Him as God: This clause indicates that people did not praise God or show respect to him because he is God and the Creator. They did not say things like “You are God” to him. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

they did not praise him saying, “You are God”
-or-
they did not honor him as is proper for God
-or-
they knew that He is worthy to be honored, but they didn’t honor Him

nor gave thanks to Him: In some languages it is more natural to use “said” instead of gave. People should be thankful to God, because he has given them life and all good things.

1:21c

but: The Greek word indicates contrast but both 1:21b and 1:21c are bad things, so some languages would not indicate contrast here. For example:

Their thoughts… (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
and

they became futile in their thinking: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as became futile means “do and think things that are worth nothing.” Here are other ways to translate this clause:

Their thinking became useless (New Century Version)
-or-
their thinking became foolish

1:21d

and darkened in their foolish hearts: This is a metaphor that means “they became unable to understand.” These people were not able to understand moral, ethical, or spiritual truth. This clause is passive. Some languages must translate it as something other than a passive clause. For example:

⌊God/he⌋ filled their foolish minds with darkness
-or-

⌊God⌋ made their foolish hearts unable to understand
-or-
their foolish minds became full of darkness
-or-
their foolish hearts became unable to understand

their foolish hearts: In some languages the word foolish cannot connect directly to hearts. If that is true in your language, translate naturally. For example:

their hearts are foolish
-or-
they are foolish and their hearts were darkened

foolish: The Greek word here refers to not being able to understand things well. It implies that such a person does things that do not make much sense. Here are other ways to translate this word:

senseless (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
stupid (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
which is without wisdom/understanding

hearts: In Greek, the word hearts refers figuratively to the inner person, which includes the mind, the emotions, and the will. In some languages, another body part is used to describe this. For example:

liver
-or-
stomach
-or-
throat

If a literal translation of hearts (or another body part) would not refer to the inner person, you should translate the meaning directly. For example:

insides
-or-
minds

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2:21

2:21a–23b

These verses are the then-clause of the if-clause in 2:17–20. Paul probably expected any religious Jew or Jewish Christian to agree that he or she is like the person described in the if-clause. Now he asked if they follow that religion properly. Or were they hypocritical, saying what was good but doing evil?

Paul used four rhetorical questions and an accusation to point out possible ways of being hypocritical. If they were being hypocritical, these rhetorical questions and accusation were a rebuke to them to stop doing those evil deeds. Consider how to translate that meaning here.

2:21a

you, then, who teach others: The word then connects to the if-clause of 2:17–20. See the above note.

In some languages the word then must be first in the clause. For example:

then you who teach others

General Comment on 2:17a–2:21a

The if-clause begins in 2:17a and continues to 2:20c. Such a long if-clause may not be natural or easy to follow in some languages. If that is true in your language, you may want to use grammar or words that indicate the possibility of 2:17a–20c and put the if-clause at the beginning of 2:21a. For example:

17a But you may call yourself a Jew…. 19a and you may be convinced that you are a guide for the blind…20c having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth. 21a ⌊If you think like that⌋, then you who teach others…

2:21b

do you not teach yourself?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes that this person should teach himself. That is, he should follow or obey what he teaches. Translate this clause with that meaning. Here are some ways:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

why don’t you teach yourself? (Good News Translation)
-or-
do you obey/follow what you teach?

• As a statement. For example:

you do not obey/follow what you teach
-or-
maybe you do not teach yourself

2:21c

preach: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as preach means “announce important information or news in public.” Here are other ways to translate this word:

announce
-or-
proclaim (Revised English Bible)

stealing: This refers to taking other people’s possessions when they do not want you to. It usually implies taking them secretly.

2:21d

do you steal?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes that this person should not steal. Translate this clause with that meaning. Here are some ways:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

but do you yourself steal? (Good News Translation)

• As a statement. For example:

you yourself steal
-or-
maybe it is you who steals ⌊things⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:24

3:24a

and are justified freely: This clause continues to describe how there is no distinction (3:22c). There is some contrast between all people sinning and God justifying those who have accepted his gift of grace. For example:

But…all are put right with him (Good News Translation)

are justified: This verb means “declare righteous.” It indicates that God decides that a person is acceptable to him. The present tense probably indicates that when a person believes, God declares him righteous. See how you translated the word justified in 3:20.

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

⌊God⌋ has declared righteous

freely: This phrase means “without cost.” God does not demand payment from people for being kind to them. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

by the free gift (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
as a gift (English Standard Version)

by His grace: Here the word grace indicates that God did something kind. He wants to help people. People do not deserve this help. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

by an act of his kindness (God’s Word)
-or-
with undeserved kindness (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
because of God’s favor to us

See also grace, sense A2 in Key Biblical Terms.

3:24b

through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Here the word in indicates that Jesus is the person who accomplishes the redemption. Jesus redeemed us by his death and resurrection. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

through the price Christ Jesus paid to set us free [from sin] (God’s Word)
-or-
He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
by-means-of what Cristo Jesus has done to redeem us
-or-
because of the redeeming of Kristus Yesus
-or-
because Jesus Christ paid for our sins

through the redemption: The word redemption means “to set someone free,” as when a person sets a captive free by paying a price. All people are captive to sin. When we believe in Jesus, he sets us free because his death and resurrection was the payment acceptable to God. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

through being set free (New Jerusalem Bible)

See also redeem, sense B.1(c) in Key Biblical Terms.

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

Jesus, who/he is the Christ

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 4:25

4:25a

He was delivered over: This clause further describes Jesus. It does not separate this Jesus from other Jesuses. This clause is also passive. Some languages must translate it as an active clause. For example:

God gave Jesus to die (Contemporary English Version)
-or-

⌊God⌋ ⌊put⌋ Jesus in the hands of ⌊killers⌋
-or-
God handed-Jesus -over to die

delivered over: This verb phrase indicates here that God put Jesus into the hands of certain people so that they would kill him. See the examples above.

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

(1) It means on account of here. Jesus died for the sake of doing something about our sins. This is the meaning of the English word for here.

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition, Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version, King James Version)

(2) It means because of here. Jesus died because we sinned.

(Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, NET Bible, New American Standard Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because it seems a better fit here.

trespasses: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as trespasses means “failures” or “errors.” Here it refers to failures to do as God says, implying that there will be consequences for those failures. It is similar in meaning to “sins,” but is more general. Here are other ways to translate trespasses :

offences (King James Version)
-or-
failures (God’s Word)
-or-
misdeeds (Revised English Bible)

In some languages one term is used for both “failures” and “sins.” If that is true in your language, use that term here.

4:25b

was raised: Some languages must translate the phrase was raised as an active clause. For example:

⌊whom he/God⌋ raised
-or-

⌊he/God⌋ raised

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

(1) It means on account of here. Jesus was raised to life for the sake of justifying us. This is the meaning of the English word for here.

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, King James Version)

(2) It means so that here. Jesus was raise for the purpose of justifying us.

(Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)

(3) It means because of here. Jesus was raised because we were justified.

(New American Standard Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Interpretation (2) is very similar in meaning to interpretation (1), but the Greek lexicons do not say that the Greek word introduces purpose. Interpretation (3) indicates an incorrect relationship between the two events.

our justification: The word justification indicates that God decides that a person is acceptable to him. When people believe that Jesus died for their sins, God forgives them, accepts them, and considers them as righteous. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

putting us right with God
-or-
making us right in his sight
-or-
receiving God’s approval
-or-
declaring us righteous

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 6:11

6:11a

So you too must count yourselves: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as count refers to thinking about something and deciding it is true. It implies doing as was decided. Paul wanted the believers in Rome to think of themselves as dead to sin and alive to God. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

you must think of yourselves as (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
you must see yourselves as (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
consider yourselves (English Standard Version)

dead to sin: Here, this figure of speech refers to completely ignoring the temptation of sin. Some languages must change this metaphor into a simile. For example:

as a dead person to sin
-or-
as if dead to sin ⌊telling us what to do⌋
-or-
as if dead ⌊to the commands⌋ to sin

See how you translated a similar phrase (“died to sin”) in 6:2.

6:11b

alive to God: Here the word to indicates that believers must live to honor and glorify God, and to do as God wants them to. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

living for God (God’s Word)
-or-
living for ⌊the glory of⌋ God
-or-
as being alive where our serving God is concerned
-or-
We now live to do the will of God

See how you translated a similar phrase (“lives to God”) in 6:10.

in Christ Jesus: Here the word in indicates that believers are joined with Jesus in a close relationship. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

in union with Christ Jesus (Revised English Bible)
-or-
because of our being-united-with Cristo Jesus
-or-
because we are walking with Christ
-or-
because of my connection with Kristus Yesus

Christ Jesus:
The order of the words Christ Jesus emphasizes that Jesus is the Christ/Messiah. See how you translated this phrase in 1:1 or 6:3.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 7:20

7:20a

And: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as And is often translated as “but.” It often introduces a new thought, but here Paul repeated some of what he said in 7:16–17 but in a slightly different way.

if I do what I do not want: See how you translated this clause in 7:16a.

7:20b–c

it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it: See how you translated these clauses in 7:17.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 8:27

8:27a

He who searches our hearts: This refers to God. In some languages this will not be clear. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain in the text. For example:

God, who searches our hearts

This change makes who searches our hearts describe God rather than define to whom the word he refers. Some languages must avoid who in this case for the correct meaning. For example:

God searches our hearts and

searches: Here this word indicates that God carefully examines hearts. It does not refer to looking for something that is lost. Here are other ways to translate this word:

sees into (Good News Translation)
-or-
knows (New Living Translation (2004))

hearts: This refers to generally to the hearts of all people. For example:

all hearts (New Living Translation (2004))

The word hearts refers here to the inner being of people, which includes the mind, the emotions, and the will. Use your usual word for that meaning. For example:

insides/liver
-or-
mind and will

See how you translated this word in 1:21 or 6:17.

8:27b

mind: The Greek word here is translated as “the mind” in 8:6 and 8:7. Here it probably refers to the mind generally, as many English versions and scholars translate. God knows what the Holy Spirit is thinking when he groans on our behalf.

8:27c

saints: The Greek word can mean “holy people,” “people dedicated/consecrated to God,” or “people whom God has made holy.” Here it probably implies all of these meanings. In the New Testament, this word refers to all Christians, not to any special group of Christians. See how you translated this word in 1:7.

8:27d

the will of God: Here the word will refers to what God wants to happen. See how you translated this word in 2:18.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020