SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020 – Page 18

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2:13

2:13a

For: This conjunction introduces an explanation of 2:12c–d.

the hearers of the law: Compared to 2:13b, the word hearers refers to people who have heard the Jewish law but do not try to follow it.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly imply that they obeyed the law as well. If that is true in your language, make it clear that they heard it but did not obey it. For example:

people who ⌊only⌋ listen to the law
-or-
those who hear the law ⌊but do not follow/obey it⌋

who are righteous before God: Here the word righteous means “being in a right relation with.” God has declared this person right before him. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

the ones that God will justify (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
make us right with God (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
whom God counts as righteous in his sight

2:13b

who will be declared righteous: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause here. For example:

that God will justify (New Jerusalem Bible)

declared righteous: This word indicates that God decides that a person is acceptable to him. Here are other ways to translate this word:

justified (English Standard Version)
-or-
have God’s approval (God’s Word)

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:16

3:16

ruin and misery lie in their wake: This clause indicates that these people cause ruin and misery for others wherever they go. They destroy people and their things and cause them to suffer. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

they leave a path of ruin and misery
-or-
Everywhere they go they cause ruin and misery (New Century Version)
-or-
Wherever they go they destroy and they bring hardship
-or-
their whole lives they destroy/ruin others and cause suffering

in their wake: Here the word wake is a figure of speech, referring to the aftermath of one’s daily actions. See the examples above.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 4:17

4:17a

As it is written: This phrase introduces a quote from the Old Testament. Paul quoted what God said to Abraham (Genesis 17:5). You may want to include some or all of this implied information. For example:

As it is written ⌊in God’s Word⌋
-or-
as Scripture says (God’s Word)
-or-

⌊It is⌋ like what the Scriptures say ⌊when God told him⌋

See how you translated this phrase in 1:17 or 3:4.

4:17b–c

“I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the presence of God, in whom he believed: There are several ways to interpret the connection of in the presence of God, in whom he believed to the rest of the Greek text:

(1) It connects to Abraham being the father of us all (4:16f). For example:

“I have made you the father of many nations”). He is our father in the presence of God whom he believed (NET Bible)

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

(2) It connects to the faith of Abraham (4:16e). For example:

the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, 17 as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”)—in the presence of the God in whom he believed (New Revised Standard Version)

(New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, God’s Word)

(3) It connects to the promise to Abraham (4:16a). For example:

“I have made you father of many nations.” So the promise is good in the sight of God, in whom Abraham believed (Good News Translation)

(Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, English Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because that is the closest connection and seems the most natural.

I have made you a father of many nations: These words are a quote found in Genesis 17:5. If you indicate the location of quotes from the Old Testament with cross-references, you may want to do so here.

4:17b

I have made you a father of many nations: This quote is from Genesis 17:5. In Abraham’s story in the book of Genesis, God caused Abraham to have many descendants. Many of them became the founders of new nations.

I have appointed you to be father of many nations (Revised English Bible)
-or-
I will make you the ancestor of many kinds of people

You should translate this clause with its meaning in Genesis 17:5. You should not explicitly translate Paul’s figurative use of father (4:11–16) here.

a father: The Greek refers generally to being a father or ancestor. But it does not imply one of many “fathers.” Consider how to translate that meaning. For example:

the father (English Standard Version)
-or-
father (Good News Translation)
-or-
the ancestor (Contemporary English Version)

nations: Here the word nations refers to people grouped by language and culture. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

people-groups
-or-
language-groups

4:17c

in the presence of God: This phrase probably connects to “the father of many nations” (4:17b). It indicates that God considered Abraham to be the father of many nations. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

This is true before God (New Century Version)
-or-
in the sight/eyes of God

It is also possible that this phrase connects to “the father of us all” in 4:16f. For example:

He is our father in the sight of God (New International Version)
-or-
Abraham is our father in the eyes of God (New Jerusalem Bible)

in whom he believed: This clause tells the reader more about God. It does not separate God from other gods. For the correct meaning in some languages, translators must avoid the word whom. For example:

Abraham believed in him.

4:17d

the God who gives life to the dead: This clause tells the reader more about God. It does not separate God from other gods. For the correct meaning in some languages, translators must avoid the word who. For example:

He gives life to the dead.

gives life to the dead: God has power to make people live again after they die. Here are other ways to translate these words:

raises the dead to life (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
brings the dead back to life (New Living Translation (2004))

4:17e

and calls: The word “who” is implied from 4:17d. God calls here.

calls into being what does not yet exist: The Greek is literally “calling the things not being as being.” There are two ways to interpret the Greek here:

(1) It indicates that God speaks and things that did not exist now exist. For example:

who creates new things out of nothing (New Living Translation (2004))

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version (2011), Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, English Standard Version, Revised English Bible, God’s Word, New American Standard Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)

(1) It indicates that God refers to things as existing that do not yet exist. For example, when God promised Abraham in Genesis 17:5 that he would be the father of many nations, those nations did not yet exist. For example:

calls things that are not as though they were (New International Version (1984))

(New International Version (1984), King James Version)

It is recommended that you follow (1) because both Greek words “gives life” (4:17d) and calls probably refer generally to any time God chooses to do those things. Here the word calls does not refer only to calling Abraham the father of many nations. Here are other ways to translate this according to interpretation (1):

calls into being things that were not (New International Version (2011))
-or-
whose command brings into being what did not exist (Good News Translation)
-or-
those things that do not exist ⌊that God wants to exist⌋, he says “may they exist” and they exist

what does not yet exist: Here the word what refers to all that God created, including the nations. Consider how to translate with that meaning.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 6:3

6:3a–c

Or: This word probably introduces another way (after 6:2) to strengthen Paul’s point about not continuing in sin (6:1).

aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes that the believers in Rome know that all believers are baptized into his death or that they should easily agree with Paul’s words here. It is not a rebuke. Translate this clause with that meaning. Here are some ways:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Have you forgotten that when we were baptized into union with Christ Jesus we were baptized into his death? (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Maybe you do not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

• As a statement. For example:

You cannot have forgotten that all of us, when we were baptised into Christ Jesus, were baptised into his death. (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Maybe you do not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death.

• As a command. For example:

Do not forget that all of us, when we were baptized into Christ Jesus, were baptized into his death.
-or-
You must remember that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death.

6:3b

all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus: Here the word who introduces something more that Paul wanted to say about the phrase all of us. It does not separate some believers from other believers. For the correct meaning in some languages, translators must avoid the word who. For example:

All of us have been baptized into Christ Jesus. Do you not know that we were baptized into his death?

who were baptized: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. Refer generally to other believers baptizing them. For example:

whom ⌊someone/they⌋ baptized

into Christ Jesus: Usually, the phrase after “baptized” is “in the name of Jesus Christ.” Here it is likely that Paul meant something different than “in the name of,” which refers to his authority. Here into probably indicates that believers have a strong relationship with Jesus. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

into union with Christ Jesus (Good News Translation)
-or-
joined with Christ Jesus (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
united/tied-together with Jesu-Cristo
-or-
in our 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.

6:3c

were baptized into His death: This refers to the same baptism as in 6:3b. It is not a separate baptism. In some languages this clause must be translated differently to indicate that. For example:

⌊it/they⌋ baptized ⌊us⌋ into his death
-or-

⌊that baptism also⌋ baptized ⌊us⌋ into his death

were baptized: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. See the examples above.

into His death: Here into probably indicates that believers have a strong connection with Jesus’ death. It implies that believers are dead to sin’s rule in their lives. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

into union with his death (Good News Translation)
-or-
joined him in his death (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
united/tied-together with him in his death
-or-
died together with Him

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 7:12

7:12a

So then: This introduces Paul’s conclusion and final answer to “is the law sin?” (7:7).

law: Here this word refers to God’s laws in the Old Testament.

holy: Here this word indicates that the laws come to us from God, and they have the same character as God. There is nothing wrong in God’s laws.

7:12b

the commandment: This phrase probably refers to the individual commands within the laws of God or of the command to not covet (7:7) representing all the laws. Translate this phrase as you have in 7:8–11.

holy: Translate this word as you did in 7:12a.

righteous: This word indicates that the commandment expresses the right command.

good: Like God is good (Mark 10:18), so also his commandment is good.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 8:19

8:19a

The Greek of 8:19a begins with the same word that the Berean Standard Bible omitted in 8:18a, which is usually translated as “For.” This word introduces a sentence that supports what Paul said in 8:18. In some languages, it may be more natural to omit this word and leave the connection with 8:18c implicit, as the Berean Standard Bible does.

The creation waits in eager expectation: These words are a figure of speech. Some languages cannot speak of creation waiting like a person waits. If that is true in your language, add the word “like.” For example:

the creation is ⌊like a person⌋ waiting in eager expectation

The creation: This phrase refers to all that God made. Here it probably implies not counting people or angels. See how you translated this word in 1:20.

eager: This word refers to being interested in something happening and wanting it to happen soon. See how you translated this word in 1:15.

expectation: Here this word refers to wanting something to happen.

8:19b

the revelation of the sons of God: This refers to believers being glorified (8:17). It probably implies when believers get glorified bodies. What the glorified bodies are is not known, but will be revealed at this time.

In some languages it is more natural to translate the revelation of as a clause with a verb. For example:

when ⌊God⌋ will reveal the ⌊glorified⌋ sons of God

the sons of God: The word sons refers to all believers, men and women, boys and girls, as it did in 8:15. 8:16 has “children of God.”

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 9:12

9:12a

Some English versions place the words of 9:12a at the end of 9:11c. However, the Greek NT 5 has the words of 9:12a at the beginning of 9:12. The Berean Standard Bible follows this guidance. If the major language translation has it there, you may want to put your translation of 9:12a there.

not by works but by Him who calls: In some languages it is more natural to have the by part of this phrase before the not by reason. And some languages will use “and” instead of but. For example:

by him who calls and not by works

works: Here this word refers to actions or deeds, not things produced by a job or paid work. Here it refers to the actions or deeds of people, not God’s.

calls: Here the word calls means “chooses to be given a special benefit or purpose.” God chose Jacob to begin the nation of Israel. See how you translated this word in 1:6 or 8:28.

9:12b

she was told: This clause is passive. God spoke to her. Some languages must use an active clause here. For example:

⌊God/he⌋ told her

This clause introduces a quote from Scripture. Some language translations always introduce quotes from Scripture in their translations. For example:

⌊In the Holy Book,⌋ she was told
-or-

⌊In Scripture,⌋ ⌊God/he⌋ told her

The older will serve the younger: This sentence is found in Genesis 25:23. In the Hebrew culture (and many other cultures) the older sibling ruled the younger siblings. But God, to show his choice, would have the older sibling, Esau, server the younger sibling, Jacob, instead.

If you indicate the location of quotes from the Old Testament with cross-references, you may want to do so here.

serve: Here this word refers to doing the work of someone else because he or she was told to do it. Jacob’s descendants would make Esau’s descendants their servants. Here are other ways to translate this word:

be servant (Revised English Bible)
-or-
the younger one would rule his brother

General Comment on 9:11a–12b

It may be clearer in some languages to have the choice (9:12b) before the circumstances (9:11a–b) and purpose of the timing (9:11c–12:a). For example:

11-12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger,” in order that God’s plan of election might stand, not by works but by him who calls, even though the twins were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad
-or-

11-12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger,” in order that God’s plan of election might stand. That choice was not made by works but by him who calls, even though the twins were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad.

Note that if you do this, you will need to combine the verse references into one reference.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 10:11

10:11a

It is just as: These words introduce support for what Paul said in 10:10.

the Scripture says: This clause introduces what God said in the Scripture. Some languages must refer to the actual speaker rather than a book for speaking. For example:

⌊in⌋ Scripture ⌊God⌋ said

10:11b

This is a quote of Isaiah 28:16. If you indicate the location of quotes from the Old Testament with cross-references, you may want to do so here.

Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame: This quote also occurs in 9:33d, but here Paul added the word Anyone. See how you translated the words believes in Him will never be put to shame in 9:33d.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020