SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020 – Page 2

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 9:16

9:16a

So then: These words introduce a result that Paul wrote of based on what he wrote in 9:14–15. For example:

therefore (New International Version)

it does not depend on man’s desire or effort: The Greek is literally “not of the one desiring/willing nor of the one running.” This clause refers to the question of who receives God’s mercy. Which person receives it is not determined by what people want or what they do. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

it is not a matter of what any person wants or what any person does (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
God’s choice does not depend on a person’s desire or effort (God’s Word)
-or-
it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it. (New Living Translation (2004))

9:16b

but on God’s mercy: The Greek is literally “but of the one having mercy, God.” The word God makes clear who “the one having mercy” is. Like in 9:16a, these words connect to God’s mercy or God’s choosing to have mercy. Only God chooses upon whom he will have mercy. Here are other ways to translate these words:

it is only a matter of what the one/One having mercy decides, ⌊and he is⌋ God
-or-
but on God, the one who is merciful
-or-
it is the one who shows mercy ⌊to people⌋, that is, God ⌊decides⌋ ⌊this/that⌋

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 10:15

10:15a

And how can they preach unless they are sent?: This is a rhetorical question. It invites the reader to ponder how preachers would preach to a new group of people if no one has sent them. It implies that someone must first send the preachers so that they can preach to this new group of people. Translate with that meaning. Here are some ways:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
how can they preach about him, if someone has not sent them?

• As a statement. For example:

before someone can go and tell them, that person must be sent (New Century Version)
-or-
someone must send people to preach

they are sent: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “preach” clearly implies that someone with authority sends them with a message to tell others. The preachers do not go on their own. In some languages that must be made clear. For example:

they are sent ⌊by their leader/Lord⌋

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

⌊their leader/Lord⌋ sends them

General Comment on 10:14a–15a

The normal order is sending, preaching, hearing, believing, calling. Paul spoke of them in reverse order, probably to connect the quote of Isaiah 52:7a in Romans 10:15c to preaching at the end of his list (10:15a). In many languages the order that Paul spoke in can be translated naturally and be easily understood. In some languages it is much more natural to follow the normal order of things. For example:

14-15 How then are they to preach unless they are sent? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how will they call on him in whom they have not believed? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
-or-

14-15 So then, if someone is not sent, how can he preach ⌊the Lord’s message⌋ ? And if he does not preach, how can they hear? And if they do not hear, how can they believe in him? And if they do not believe, how can they call on him? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

10:15b

As it is written: This phrase introduces a quote from the Old Testament. Paul quoted what God said to the nation of Israel. See how you translated this phrase in 1:17 or 9:33.

10:15c

These words are similar to the words in the first part of Isaiah 52:7. They are similar enough that the English versions put quote marks around it.

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news:
Here the word How does not make this clause a question. It implies that the feet are very beautiful. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

it is a beautiful sight/thing when someone walks bringing good news
-or-
The coming of one who brings good news exceedingly causes-happiness!

How beautiful are the feet of those: Here the word feet indicate that these people have traveled a long way on foot to bring good news. In some languages a literal translation would not indicate that. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. For example:

The people who come on foot bringing good news are beautiful

beautiful: This is a figure of speech. It indicates that the arrival of such news is a blessing to the hearers. Here are other ways to translate this word:

wonderful (Good News Translation)
-or-
welcome (Revised English Bible)
-or-
are a blessing

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 11:26

11:26a

And so: This phrase indicates that the full number of Gentiles must come in for all of Israel to be saved.

all Israel will be saved: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ will save all Israel

all Israel: This phrase probably refers to the people of Israel as a nation.

saved: This word refers to being rescued from something harmful or dangerous. Here it refers to rescue from God’s anger at the final judgment. See how you translated this word in 5:10 or 11:14.

11:26b

as it is written: This clause introduces quotes from Scripture. The verses he quoted were written hundreds of years before Paul wrote the letter to the Romans. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate the words were written at the same time as Paul wrote here. If that is true in your language, indicate it was long before Paul wrote. For example:

as it was written ⌊long ago⌋

This clause refers to what was written in the Old Testament. Some languages must make that explicit to make that clear. For example:

As scripture says (Good News Translation)

This clause is passive. The prophet wrote what God told him to write. Some languages must use an active clause here. For example:

the prophet wrote ⌊long ago⌋
-or-
what God caused-to-be-written saying,
-or-
It is like it says in the Holy Book

See how you translated this clause in 1:17 or 11:8.

The Deliverer: This title refers to someone who would save others from danger. Here are other ways to translate this title:

The Savior (Good News Translation)
-or-
The one who rescues (New Living Translation (2004))

Since this is an Old Testament quote, you should not name Jesus here.

Zion: Zion is the name of the hill in Jerusalem southwest of the temple. In the Old Testament, Mount Zion was symbolic for God’s holy city, Jerusalem. See how you translated this word in 9:33.

11:26c

He will remove godlessness from Jacob: There is no conjunction to begin this clause. In some languages an “and” would be more natural. For example:

and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob (King James Version)

Or you may want to use a full stop instead of a comma at the end of 11:26b and start a new sentence here.

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

(1) It refers to removing something.

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, English Standard Version, God’s Word, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, New Century Version)

(2) It refers to turning aside something. For example:

turn…away (New International Version)

(New International Version, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New Living Translation (2004))

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because it seems unlikely that Paul claimed here that Israel was mostly unaffected by ungodliness and God turned it aside to keep them that way.

godlessness: This word refers to doing or saying things that show no reverence or respect for God. Here are other ways to translate this word:

impiety
-or-
doing or saying things that dishonor/disrespect God

See how you translated this word in 1:18.

Jacob: Here this name is symbolic for his descendants, the Jews. For example:

Jacob’s descendants (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 13:1

Section 13:1–7

Paul taught about government officials/leaders

In this section, Paul told believers that they must submit to government officials, because God gave the officials the authority to rule. Fighting the government is fighting the thing that God put in place. Only people who do evil need to fear the government. The believer must do good. The government will approve those deeds. But if the believer does what is wrong, he or she should fear the government. It makes happen God’s anger against those who do evil. Submitting to the government helps avoid God’s anger and keeps our conscience clear.

Believers also should pay government taxes and fees. They should respect and honor the leaders.

Here are other possible headings for this section:

Our attitude toward the government
-or-
Our relationship with the government

Paragraph 13:1–5

13:1a

Everyone must submit himself to: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as submit…to :

(1) It means to submit here.

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, New American Standard Bible, King James Version, New American Bible, Revised Edition, English Standard Version, New Living Translation (2004), NET Bible, Revised English Bible, New Century Version)

(2) It means to obey here. For example:

Everyone must obey (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the scholars clearly indicate the Greek word means “to submit” here.

Everyone must submit himself: This is a third person (as in “he” or “she”) command to submit to governing authorities as their leaders. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

Every person must submit (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Everyone must be underneath

This last example is a figure of speech in some languages for being in submission to someone.

Everyone: Paul wrote to the believers in Rome. This phrase refers to them. If possible, avoid a phrase that purposely indicates all the people of a country, such as “all people.”

must submit: This refers to being under the authority of someone. He or she has the power to tell us what we should do. See the examples above.

the governing authorities: The Greek is more literally “superior/higher authorities.” It refers in general to people in the government who have the power to tell you what to do or what not to do. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

higher authorities (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
those with authority in the government

13:1b

for: Here this word introduces a reason for submitting to governing authorities.

there is no authority except that which is from God: The words there is introduce something that exists. No authority exists except (authority that comes) from God. Some languages cannot introduce such things with there is. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

no authority exists without God giving it
-or-
all authority comes from God (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Only God can give authority to anyone (Contemporary English Version)

13:1c

The authorities that exist have been appointed by God: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

God has instituted those that exist

The authorities that exist: The Greek is more literally “the existing ones.” It refers to the authorities that Paul mentioned in 13:1a. For example:

the existing authorities (Good News Translation)

This verse is true at any time, not just when Paul wrote it. Your translation should not limit it to only “at that time.”

appointed: This word refers to putting something in its place. In this case it refers to causing the authority to exist. Here are other ways to translate this word:

established (New International Version)
-or-
put there (Good News Translation)
-or-
instituted (English Standard Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 14:19

Paragraph 14:19–23

14:19a

So then: The Greek here means “as a result” or “therefore.”

let us pursue what leads to peace: The word pursue indicates that we are to work hard at making peace. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

we must pursue the things that cause peace ⌊with others⌋
-or-
we must make every effort to do the things that bring peace

what leads to peace: The Greek is literally “the (things) of peace.” It refers to doing things that cause peace with others. See the above examples.

14:19b

to mutual edification: The words “Let us pursue what leads” are implied here. In some languages it is more natural or more clear to repeat them. For example:

⌊let us pursue what leads⌋ to mutual edification

mutual: This word refers to doing things for each other.

edification: Here this word refers to strengthening or encouraging others so that they live in faith better. Here are other ways to translate this word:

upbuilding (English Standard Version)
-or-
help strengthen (Good News Translation)
-or-
help each other have a strong faith (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 15:28

15:28a

So after: In many languages the word So must be first in the clause. For example:

Therefore, when (New American Standard Bible)

this service: Here this word refers to taking the money to the poor believers in Jerusalem (15:25–26). For example:

this task (New International Version)

In some languages “that” or “those things” would indicate the correct reference.

15:28b

have safely delivered: The Greek word here is literally “having sealed.” It indicates that the full amount of the money was given to the believers in Jerusalem. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

officially turned over (God’s Word)
-or-
in full

this bounty: The Greek is literally “this fruit.” It refers to the money that Greek churches are sending to the poor believers in Jerusalem. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

this harvest (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
this contribution (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
this money (New Living Translation (2004))

15:28c

I will set off to Spain by way of you: It is implied here that Paul would leave Jerusalem to go to Spain. The phrase by way of you indicates that Paul planned to stop in Rome on his way to Spain. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

I will go to Spain and visit you on the way (New International Version)
-or-
I shall visit you on the way to Spain (New Jerusalem Bible)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 16:27

16:27

to the only wise God be glory forever: This resumes what Paul was about to say concerning God at 16:25 (“to Him…”). See the examples at the General Comment below for ways to translate with that meaning in mind.

to the only wise God be glory: This phrase indicates that Paul declared that God should get glory. With this saying Paul praised God. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

may there be glory to the only wise God
-or-
glory should go to the only wise God
-or-
may glory belong to the only wise God

See how you translated be glory in 11:36.

the only wise God: The word only indicates that the God of the Jews and Christians is the only god who is wise. It also does not claim that there are other gods.

wise: The word wise refers to skillful application of knowledge to a situation or deed. See how you translated this word in 1:14 or 16:19.

glory: The word glory refers literally to a very bright light. In this context it implies power, majesty, and greatness. Here are other ways to translate this word:

splendor
-or-
radiance
-or-
greatness

See how you translated this word in 1:23 or 11:36.

through Jesus Christ: The word through here indicates that God has glory because of what Jesus Christ did on earth.

Amen: The word Amen is a Hebrew word that means “even so” or “it is true.” The Greek borrowed the Hebrew word. English borrowed this word as well. It is used to agree with what was said. Paul wrote this expecting his readers to agree as well. See how you translated this word in 1:25 or 15:33.

General Comment on 16:25a–27

16:25b–26d is a description of how God is able to strengthen believers and also says things about the gospel, its revelation and purpose. It interrupts Paul declaring that God should get glory (“to him…to the only wise God be glory”).

This is one sentence of 52 words in the Greek (and one sentence of 73 words in the Berean Standard Bible). In some languages it is not natural to interrupt the main point with a long description. In some languages a sentence over 50 words long will be hard to understand. If either is true in your language, you may want to translate 16:25a–27 as a number of sentences. You may also want to avoid interrupting the main point. For example:

25-27 Now, he is able to strengthen you by my gospel and by the proclamation of Jesus Christ. ⌊That gospel and proclamation⌋ are according to the revelation of the mystery that was concealed for ages past but now is revealed. ⌊That gospel and proclamation⌋ have been made known through the writings of the prophets, by the command of the eternal God. The purpose is to lead all nations to the obedience that comes from faith. To him, the only wise God, be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.
-or-

25-27 Now, to ⌊God be glory⌋ ! He is able to strengthen you by my gospel and by the proclamation of Jesus Christ. ⌊Those two things⌋ are according to the revelation of the mystery that was concealed for ages past but now is revealed. ⌊They⌋ have been made known through the writings of the prophets, by the command of the eternal God. The purpose is to lead all nations to the obedience that comes from faith. To him, the only wise God, be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 1:28

Paragraph 1:28–32

1:28a–c

Furthermore: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Furthermore is literally “and.” It indicates that Paul said more about the people he spoke about in 1:18–27.

since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done: Here the word since introduces the reason (they did not see fit to acknowledge God, 1:28a) for the result (He gave them…, 1:28b–c). It does not connect back to 1:27. In some languages using “therefore” at the end of 1:28a would indicate the right connection. For example:

28a they did not see fit to acknowledge God, therefore 28b God gave them up to a depraved mind to do what ought not to be done

1:28a

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

(1) It means as here. For example:

just as (New International Version (2011))

(New International Version (2011), New American Standard Bible, King James Version, NET Bible)

(2) It means since here. For example:

Because (Good News Translation)

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

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because Paul used the Greek root word that means “proved” here and in 1:28b as a point of comparison.

they: Here the word they refers to the people of 1:18–27, not just the men. For example:

those people (Good News Translation)

did not see fit: The Greek words here are more literally “did not approve.” This phrase refers to thinking about whether something is good or bad and deciding it is bad. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

refuse (Good News Translation)
-or-
decided it was worthless

to acknowledge God: Here this phrase refers to continuing to believe that God exists and is involved in their lives and requires something from them. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

admit/confess God in their thinking
-or-
they recognize/consider that God exists

1:28b

He gave them up: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as gave…up refers to putting someone under the control of something or someone else. See how you translated the similar clauses in 1:24 or 1:26.

depraved: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as depraved refers to something that was tested and found worthless. It is similar to “did not see fit” in 1:28a. Here are other ways to translate this word:

debased (New International Version (2011))
-or-
corrupted (Good News Translation)

1:28c

what ought not to be done: This phrase refers to things that are not proper or fitting to be done. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

improper conduct (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
things that should never be done (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
what it is not fitting to do

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020