SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020 – Page 14

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 1:20

1:20a

For: This word introduces an explanation of the idea that what can be known about God is plain to people (1:19a).

since the creation of the world: This phrase indicates that all people who have lived on this earth, from creation until now, perceive who God is. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

ever since the creation of the world (English Standard Version)
-or-
from the creation of the world ⌊until now/today⌋

the creation of the world: This phrase refers to God creating the world and all of the other things that people can see, the sun, moon, stars, and such things. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

when God created/made the world/universe
-or-
when God made all that people/they can see

1:20b–c

God’s invisible qualities: The Greek is literally “the invisible (things) of God.” Here it refers to the kind of person God is. These are not things that someone can see directly. Immediately after this phrase Paul explained it as “his eternal power and divine nature.” Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

his invisible attributes (English Standard Version)
-or-
There are things about him that people cannot see (New Century Version)

His eternal power and divine nature: The Greek grammar indicates that the words His eternal power and divine nature describe what Paul meant with the words “the invisible (things) of God.” Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

that is to say his everlasting power and deity (Revised English Bible)
-or-
God’s invisible qualities: his eternal power and divine nature,

In some languages it is not natural to speak generally of something then specifically of the same thing. If that is true in your language, omit the word “qualities” (as the Berean Standard Bible translates). For example:

God’s eternal power and his divine nature, which people cannot see,

His eternal power: God’s power will never end. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

his everlasting power (Revised English Bible)
-or-
his strength that will not end
-or-
God has power that doesn’t leave

divine nature: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as divine nature refers to the characteristics of God. Here are other ways to translate this Greek word:

deity (Revised English Bible)
-or-
divinity (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
his godhood
-or-
what God is like

have been clearly seen, being understood: The Greek is literally “being understood are clearly seen.” This phrase indicates that people look at the world and understand that God is powerful and that he is God.

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

⌊people⌋ see and understand his invisible qualities, namely, his eternal power and divine nature,
-or-

⌊they all⌋ clearly perceive his invisible qualities, namely, his eternal power and divine nature,

from His workmanship: The word from here indicates that when people look at the things that God has made, they will realize that he has great power and that he is God. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

from what has been made (New International Version)
-or-
through what has been made (New American Standard Bible)

1:20d

so that: This phrase introduces the result of God’s “invisible qualities” being clearly seen (1:20b).

men are without excuse: The word excuse refers to an explanation of behavior when asked about that behavior. In this case, people knew about God but still were ungodly and unrighteous (1:18). They have no good reason for that bad behavior. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

they have no defense
-or-
they have no answer ⌊for their sins⌋
-or-
they have nothing with-which-to-answer God
-or-
No one is able to say ⌊to God⌋, “⌊I never knew about you,⌋ so why do you blame/accuse me ⌊of wrongdoing⌋ ?”

men: The word men refers here generally to people. Specifically, it refers to the people Paul was talking about in 1:18–19.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2:20

2:20a

The “if” from 2:17a in the Greek affects this verse as well. Consider how to make that connection clear in your language. See the note on “if” at 2:17a.

an instructor of the foolish: This phrase probably refers to teaching someone who is foolish. The Jews generally considered Gentiles to be foolish.

The word foolish means “lacking good sense” or “without understanding.” Some people lack good sense regarding spiritual matters; they chose to do deeds that are morally wrong. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

instruct those who have no spiritual wisdom (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
show foolish people what is right (New Century Version)

2:20b

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

(1) It has the literal meaning of infants or “children” here.

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, English Standard Version, King James Version, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, NET Bible)

(2) It has the figurative meaning of people immature in understanding or faith. The Jews sometimes referred to converts to Judaism with this word. For example:

immature (New American Standard Bible)

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

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because many English versions support it. In English it is also possible to understand the word infants in the sense of interpretation (2). But if the major language version in your area follows interpretation (2), you may want to follow that.

infants: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as infants refers to children approximately one to four years old.

2:20c

the embodiment of knowledge and truth: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as embodiment refers to the structure and shape of something. The laws that God gave to the Jews show his knowledge and the truth of all he spoke of. God’s truth is contained within the law. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the Law embodies all knowledge and all truth (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
God’s law which is the location of what is correct and true
-or-
true knowledge/teaching is only in the law ⌊of Moses⌋

knowledge and truth: In some languages these two words cannot be translated as nouns. If that is true in your language, translate the meaning using the proper kinds of words. For example:

knowing ⌊about God⌋ and those teachings are true
-or-
truly knowing ⌊about God⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:23

3:23a

for: This conjunction introduces the basis for saying “there is no distinction.” For example:

Because (God’s Word)

Some English versions omit this conjunction, perhaps because of the same conjunction occurring in 3:22c. They allow the context to indicate the connection.

all have sinned: This clause indicates that all people have done things that God does not want people to do.

In some languages the translation of sinned is very general and can include “made a mistake.” The context implies that these deeds are sins against people and God. In some languages the implied information must be explicit for the correct meaning. For example:

all have sinned ⌊against God⌋
-or-
all have sinned ⌊against people and God⌋

3:23b

fall short of the glory of God: Many English versions translate the literal meaning of the words of this clause. But scholars differ as to what this clause refers. Here are the two common ways to interpret this clause:

(1) Adam and Eve, the first man and woman, had glory from God before they sinned. They lost that glory when they sinned. All people after them are also sinners, so they too do not have that glory.

(2) It indicates that people have sinned, so God no longer approves or praises them.

If possible translate the literal meaning. You may then want to explain it in a footnote. The first example footnote below follows interpretation (1) but the second example footnote explains both.

This clause probably indicates that the first man and woman had glory from God before they sinned. They lost that glory when they sinned. All people after them are also sinners, so they too do not have that glory.
-or-
This clause may mean: 1) the first man and woman had glory from God before they sinned. They lost that glory when they sinned. All people after them are also sinners, so they too do not have that glory, or 2) people have sinned, so God no longer approves or praises them.

In some languages people cannot speak of falling short of glory. If that is true in your language, explain its meaning in your translation. For example:

fall short of ⌊God’s commands and so have lost⌋ the glory that comes from God
-or-
we cannot attain/reach God’s goodness

fall short of: This phrase refers to lacking something. People cannot obtain God’s glory. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

lack (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
cannot obtain/get
-or-
are not fit/worth to get/obtain

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 4:24

4:24a

but also for us: Some words from 4:23a–b are implied here. The English language can omit them yet still indicate the correct meaning. Some languages must make some or all of the implied words explicit for the correct meaning. For example:

⌊they were written⌋ for us also
-or-
they apply to us as well

4:24b

to whom righteousness will be credited: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ will count to us

righteousness will be credited: The Greek is literally “to whom (it) is about to be counted.” For example:

to whom God will credit righteousness (New International Version)

But in some languages it is more natural to begin a new sentence here, as the English Standard Version does:

It will be counted to us… (English Standard Version)

will be credited: The Greek is literally “is about to be counted.” It indicates that soon God will certainly count believers as righteous. In English it is more clear to translate the Greek as a promise with the future tense. For example:

God will credit righteousness (New International Version)

Note that the New International Version also translates the Greek passive clause as an active clause.

The Greek does not imply that God has still not counted believers as righteous today (as with the present tense in 3:22 and 9:30). For example:

our faith too is to be ‘counted’ (Revised English Bible)

4:24c

for us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead: This clause tells the reader more about the people who Paul called “us” in 4:24a. It does not separate some people called “us” from other people called “us” here. For the correct meaning in some languages, translators must avoid the word who. For example:

We believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord.

believe in: To believe in someone means to agree to what someone stands for, to trust him, to rely on him, to be committed to him. See how your translated the word believe in 1:16.

Him who: The words Him who refers to God. In many languages translating the literal meaning will clearly refer to God. In some languages it will not be clear. If that is true in your language, make it clear. For example:

⌊God⌋, the one who
-or-

⌊God⌋. He

raised…from the dead: This phrase refers to God making Jesus alive again after he died and was put in the tomb. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

raised…from death (Good News Translation)
-or-
brought…back to life (God’s Word)
-or-
who caused that our Lord Jesus Christ resurrected after he had died
-or-
has caused to live from his death
-or-
raised from ⌊the place of⌋ the dead

See the similar phrase “resurrection from the dead” in 1:4 or “had raised from the dead” in John 12:1.

Jesus our Lord: See how you translated this phrase in 1:4.

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