SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020 – Page 19

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 14:3

14:3a

The one who eats everything must not belittle: This is a command to The one who eats. He or she must not despise those who think they must not eat certain foods. For example:

The one who eats must not despise (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

The one who eats everything: This phrase refers to the person who believes he can eat any food (14:2a). In some languages a literal translation would not make that meaning clear. If that is true in your language, make it clear. For example:

the one who eats ⌊anything⌋

belittle: This word refers to considering someone to be worthless. Here are other ways to translate this word:

have contempt for
-or-
look down on (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
call worthless

the one who does not: The Greek is literally “the one not eating.” It refers to the person who believes it is not right for him to eat certain foods, so he does not eat them. In some languages a literal translation would not make that meaning clear. If that is true in your language, make it clear.

the one who does not eat ⌊certain foods⌋
-or-
the one who avoids ⌊some kinds of food⌋

General Comment on 14:3a

The words “eats” and “does” are in the English present tense. They indicate what is usually done by these two people. In some languages using the way to indicate habitual action would be the best translation.

14:3b

judge: Here this phrase refers to considering someone to be a bad person. It does not refer here to what a judge does in a courtroom. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

condemn (New International Version)
-or-
consider as a bad person
-or-
criticize (God’s Word)

14:3c

for: Here this word introduces the reason why believers should not despise or pass judgment on other believers. For example:

because (New Jerusalem Bible)

accepted: The Greek word refers to bringing in someone into your group of friends and accepting him or her. See how you translated this word in 14:1.

him: Here this word refers to both the believer who eats all foods and the believer who does not eat certain foods. It refers to both men and women. For example:

them (New International Version (2011))

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 15:12

15:12a

This quote is from Isaiah 11:10. If you indicate the location of quotes from the Old Testament with cross-references, you may want to do so here.

And once more, Isaiah says: This refers to what Isaiah wrote in Scripture. If you added the implied information about the quotes in 15:9–11 being from Scripture, you may want to include it here too. For example:

And also ⌊in the Scriptures⌋ Isaiah said

(alt:) the shoot of Jesse: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that is translated as shoot :

(1) It refers to a shoot from the root and it is a figure of speech for a descendant. For example:

descendant (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, New Living Translation (2004))

(2) It refers to a root.

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

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the BDAG supports it. Either way this phrase is a title for the Messiah/Christ.

Jesse: Jesse was King David’s father. The phrase “the shoot of Jesse” is used in the book of Isaiah as a reference to the Messiah. If readers of your translation will not be familiar with who Jesse is or this title for the Messiah, you may want to explain it in a footnote. Here are some example footnotes:

Jesse was King David’s father.
-or-
The words “the shoot of Jesse” are a title for the Messiah. Jesse was King David’s father.

will appear: The Greek word is more literally “will be.” It indicates that, in the future to when this was first said, the shoot of Jesse will exist. In English “there is” is the most natural translation. For example:

There will be the shoot of Jesse

But in many languages following this English translation would not indicate the correct meaning. A verb other than “be” may be needed. For example:

will arrive
-or-
will come (English Standard Version)

In some languages continuing the figurative language from “the shoot of Jesse” would be more natural. For example:

The shoot of Jesse will arise

15:12b

One who will arise to rule over the Gentiles: The Greek of 15:12b begins with a word that is often translated “and” or “also.” Here the word introduces something more about the shoot of Jesse. It emphasizes the words that follow and says they are as important or possibly more important than what was just said. For example:

indeed, one who will arise to rule

One who will arise to rule: The Greek is present tense here, but this event occurs at the same time as the future event of “there will be the shoot of Jesse” (15:12a). You should probably use the same tense here as you did in the clause about the shoot of Jesse.

will arise to rule: The words will arise refers to standing up from sitting or lying down. Here it is a figure of speech that means “comes to do” something. The purpose of this man arising is to rule. Here are other ways to translate this word:

appears ⌊and begins⌋ to rule
-or-
takes on the work of ruling

15:12c

in Him the Gentiles will put their hope: The phrase in Him is emphasized by being first in the clause. In some languages the phrase must be in its normal place. For example:

the Gentiles will put their hope in him

Some of these languages can emphasize this phrase in another way. For example:

the Gentiles will put their hope in him indeed
-or-
the Gentiles will put their hope, hey, in him

in Him…hope: These Gentiles will believe in God and his Messiah, and so they will have hope that he will fulfill his other promises in Scripture.

Some languages must say what is hoped for, more than just hoping in Him. If that is true in your language, refer to fulfillment of God’s promises that are not yet fulfilled. For example:

hope in his ⌊promises⌋
-or-
hope that he ⌊will fulfill his promises⌋

This is a quote from what is now called the Old Testament. You should not refer to anything that is specifically Christian or from the New Testament.

the Gentiles: Here this refers to Gentiles as a kind of person. It does not imply all Gentiles. In English omitting the word the refers to the kind of person called Gentiles but does not imply all of them. For example:

Gentiles

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 16:11

16:11a

Herodion: This name refers to a man.

fellow countryman: See how you translated this phrase in 16:7.

16:11b

those from the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord: Like at 16:10, the words from the household of refers to the family of Narcissus but not Narcissus himself. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus (English Standard Version)
-or-
those of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord’s fellowship (Revised English Bible)
-or-
the believers in the Lord living in the house of Narcissus

Narcissus: This name refers to a man.

who are in the Lord: The phrase in the Lord indicates here that only some of the family and slaves of Narcissus believed in the Lord Jesus. See the above examples.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 1:12

1:12a

that is: Here the Greek phrase indicates that Paul wanted to add to what he said in 1:11. Not only did he expect to encourage the believers in Rome (1:11) but he also expected that he and they would encourage each other (1:12). For example:

or rather (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Look, it is like-this

Your translation should not imply that what Paul said in 1:11 was incorrect.

that you and I may be mutually encouraged: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ may encourage you (plur.) and I together

mutually: Here this word refers to being together and experiencing the same thing. See the above example.

encouraged: This word refers to helping someone to have more hope about something or to have more confidence to do something. Here are other ways to translate this word:

help (New Century Version)
-or-
strengthen
-or-
help in that-which-strengthens

1:12b

by each other’s faith: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as by each other’s faith is literally “through the faith in one another, both yours and mine.” Paul said “both yours and mine” to be clear that he included himself when he said each other here. One of them talking about his or her faith would encourage the others, including Paul.

faith: To have faith in a person refers to believing in him, who he is, and who he claims to be. See how you translated this word in 1:5.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2:12

Paragraph 2:12–16

2:12a

The Greek begins with a conjunction that is usually translated as “for.” The Berean Standard Bible does not translate this conjunction. It introduces a reason or an explanation of what Paul said in 2:11. If it would be more natural in your language to translate this word, here are other ways to translate it:

Because
-or-
Here’s the reason: (God’s Word)
-or-
Indeed
-or-
The fact is

All who sin: The word sin means “do wrong against someone,” either by breaking a law or going against what is expected to be done. Here it includes doing wrong against God.

apart from the law: This phrase describes people who do not use the Jewish law to rule their lives. This Jewish law is in the first five books of the Old Testament. It is sometimes called “the Law of Moses” (for example, Luke 2:22), because God gave these laws to Moses.

In some languages a literal translation would not refer to the Jewish law. If that is true in your language, indicate clearly which law this is. For example:

do not have the Law of Moses (Good News Translation)
-or-
don’t know about God’s Law (God’s Word)

You may want a footnote to explain where these laws are. Here is an example footnote:

This refers to the laws God gave Moses. They are in the first five books of the Old Testament.

2:12b

will also perish apart from the law: This indicates that God will judge the non-Jews by what they know about God but not by the Jewish law. He will see that they are guilty of sinning against him, so they will experience death and destruction as punishment for their sins. Here are other ways to translate these words:

will also perish without the law (English Standard Version)
-or-
will die without reference to the Law (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
will perish outside the law (Revised English Bible)

In some languages a literal translation would not have the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to include some implied information to explain the text. For example:

will also perish ⌊because they were guilty before God even if he judges them⌋ without using the law ⌊of Moses⌋
-or-
will also perish ⌊because they sinned against God even⌋ without ⌊God judging⌋ them by the law ⌊of the Jews⌋

perish: Here this word refers to dying but also implies destruction or ruin. Here are other ways to translate this word:

be destroyed (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
die in ruin/destruction

2:12c

under the law: This phrase describes people who use the Jewish law to rule their lives. Translate the word law so that it refers to the Jewish law here. You may want to:

• Allow 2:12a–b to explain that it is the Jewish law and do not explain it again here. For example:

under that law

• Translate it here as you did in 2:12a. For example:

have the law of Moses
-or-
know about God’s Law

2:12d

will be judged by the law: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ will judge them according to the law ⌊of Moses⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:15

3:15

Their feet are swift to shed blood: This is a figure of speech. It indicates that these people are always ready to hurt or kill others. The words Their feet are swift indicate that they are ready to run toward any opportunity to hurt or kill others. In some languages a literal translation would not have that meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain in your translation the part that is unclear. For example:

Their feet are swift ⌊to find someone⌋ to hurt or kill
-or-
They are swift to shed blood
-or-
They are quick to hurt or kill someone

You may then want to tell the literal saying in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

Literally: “Their feet are swift to shed blood.”

• Translate the literal meaning and explain it in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

This saying indicates that these people are always ready to hurt or kill others. They are ready to run to any opportunity to do so.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 4:16

Paragraph 4:16–17

4:16a

Therefore: This word introduces a conclusion about what Paul wrote in 4:13–15. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

And so (Good News Translation)
-or-
For this reason (NET Bible)

the promise comes by faith: The Greek is more literally “of faith.” There is an implied subject and verb. In English the implied subject is translated the promise and refers to God’s promise, as in 4:13a. The promise was given to Abraham because of his faith. Here are some other ways to translate this:

people receive God’s promise by having faith (New Century Version)
-or-
the promise is received by faith (New Living Translation (2004))

the promise: The word promise refers back to the same promise of 4:13–14. In some languages it is more clear to refer back to it. For example:

that promise

4:16b

so that it may rest on grace: Faith was the basis for God making the promise to Abraham. The purpose was so that he might give it according to grace. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

so that the promise may rest on grace (English Standard Version)
-or-
and the purpose is that the promise may rest on grace

This purpose has become true already. In some languages it must be translated as result for the correct meaning. For example:

so that the promise rests on grace

may rest on grace: The Greek is literally “(it may be) according to grace.” God promised to give Abraham and his descendants the world because he wanted to, not because he needed to. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

it will be based on his grace
-or-
it would be clear that his grace…is the origin, not their own deeds
-or-
this might be possible by means of his kindness
-or-
It is given as a free gift (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
it can be a gift (God’s Word)

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:

as a free gift (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
his great kindness (Contemporary English Version)

4:16c

and: Here the word and indicates that 4:16c expresses a second purpose (after the first one in 4:16b). In some languages it is more clear to introduce the clause again. For example:

and ⌊in order that it⌋

guaranteed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as guaranteed means “valid, sure, legally secure.” God will certainly give the world to Abraham and those who have faith like his. Here are other ways to translate this word:

secure (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
certain (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
assured (Contemporary English Version)

4:16d–e

not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham: Paul had two groups of Abraham’s spiritual children in mind, those who are of the law (Jewish believers) and those who are of the faith of Abraham (non-Jewish believers).

The phrases not only and but also emphasizes the second group. Some Jews thought that a person had to become a Jew first (by following the Law of Moses) for God to accept him or her. But Paul emphasized here that God accepts everyone who has the same faith as Abraham, even if they do not follow the law of Moses. Consider how to translate that emphasis.

4:16d

those who are of the law: The Greek is literally “the (one) of the law.” It is similar to “those who live by the law” in 4:14a. The word of indicates that this person is connected to the law of Moses. It refers to the Jews. Translate it in a similar way to the phrase in 4:14a.

This phrase refers generally to Jews. The singular emphasizes that this statement is true for each person. In some languages it is more natural to use the plural in a general reference. For example:

to the adherent of the law (English Standard Version)
-or-
people who have/possess the laws ⌊of Moses⌋

The context implies that these people also believe in God. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly imply they do not believe. If that is true in your language, add the implied information. For example:

the adherent of the law ⌊who believes⌋
-or-
someone who has the law ⌊of Moses⌋ ⌊and believes in God⌋

4:16e

those who are of the faith of Abraham: This phrase refers to those who believe in God as Abraham did. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

anyone who lives with faith like that of Abraham (New Century Version)
-or-
all who are Abraham’s descendants because they have faith, just as he did (Contemporary English Version)

4:16f

He is the father of us all: This clause tells the reader more about Abraham. In some languages a literal translation would not have the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, consider how to translate the correct meaning. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here, as the Berean Standard Bible does.

the father of us all: The word father is a figure of speech here, similar to its use in 4:11–12. God chose to bless the world through Abraham. That choice was based upon Abraham’s faith in God. In that way he became the father (or ancestor) for all those who later believe, because he was the first one to do so. So the meaning of father here is broader than just in terms of a father to child kind of descent.

In some languages translating father literally would imply a literal ancestor. If that is true in your language, indicate that it has a figurative meaning. For example:

⌊like⌋ the father of us all
-or-
whom ⌊God made to be thought of as⌋ the father of us all
-or-
as-if the ancestor of us all
-or-
whom we consider as father of us all ⌊in faith⌋
-or-
the spiritual father of us all (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 6:2

6:2a

Certainly not!: The Greek is literally “May it not be.” It indicates a very strong “no.” Believers are not to continue sinning so that God will be more gracious to them. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

Not at all!
-or-
By no means! (English Standard Version)
-or-
Of course not! (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
No, indeed!

The words you use here should support that believers are not to continue sinning so that God will be more gracious to them. See how you translated this phrase in 3:4 or 3:31.

6:2b

How can we who died to sin live in it any longer?: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as can is literally the future tense. There are two ways to interpret it:

(1) It indicates that believers must not still live in sin. For example:

We have died to sin; how could we go on living in it? (New Jerusalem Bible)

(New Jerusalem Bible, King James Version)

(2) It indicates that believers are unable to still live in sin. For example:

How is it possible that we who died to sin still live in it?

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

It is difficult to decide which interpretation is best. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because 6:3–4 seems to be an exhortation to live in the new way of life as a Christian, which allows that living in sin might be possible for Christians.

How can we…live in it any longer?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes that believers cannot or should not still live in sin. Translate this clause with that meaning. Here are some ways:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

how could we go on living in it? (New Jerusalem Bible)

• As a statement. For example:

It is wrong to suppose/expect that we should still live in it/sin.

• As a command. For example:

Do not suppose/expect that we should still live in it/sin.

live in it any longer: This figure of speech speaks of sin as if it were a place to live. By living in this place, it indicates that we are controlled by sin.

Some languages can translate this figure of speech literally and the meaning of the translation is correct. But in some languages the correct meaning must be translated in another way. For example:

still live under sin’s influence (God’s Word)
-or-
still obey/follow it
-or-
go on sinning (Contemporary English Version)

we who died to sin: The clause we who died to sin refers to all believers. In some languages the word who would wrongly indicate that only some believers have died to sin. If that is true in your language, translate in a way that refers to all believers. For example:

We have died to sin, ⌊so⌋ how can we still live in it?

Also, the words “we have died to sin” is a true statement. Those words are not being questioned. In some languages they must be separated from the question. For example:

We have died to sin. ⌊So⌋ how can we still live in it?

died to sin: This figure of speech indicates that sin no longer has power over us. Some languages must change this metaphor into a simile. For example:

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

sin: The singular word sin refers to sin as a concept. Here its power to make people sin is implied. In some languages, a different translation is necessary to make that clear. For example:

sins
-or-

⌊the power of⌋ sin

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020