SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020 – Page 2

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 9:20

9:20a

But who are you, O man, to talk back to God?: This is also a rhetorical question. It emphasizes that no one is worthy enough to answer back to God. Translate this clause with that meaning. Here are some ways:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

But who indeed are you, a human being, to talk back to God? (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

• As a statement. For example:

You are only human, and human beings have no right to question God. (New Century Version)

But who are you, O man: There are two ways to interpret the Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as O man :

(1) It is a direct address to the person or persons to whom Paul spoke as you. For example:

On the contrary, who are you, O man (New American Standard Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, English Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, King James Version, Contemporary English Version)

(2) It is a description of the person or persons to whom Paul spoke as you. For example:

But you—who do you think you, a human being, are (New Jerusalem Bible)

(Revised Standard Version, New International Version (2011), New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition, NET Bible, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because these words are in the emphatic position in the Greek rather than after the Greek word that means you as a description of you. But if the major language version follow interpretation (2), you may want to follow that.

The phrase of address, O man, can refer to either a man or a woman. It occurs in the middle of the clause. In many languages it must be first in the clause. For example:

But, O/you person/human, who are you

But: The Greek word here indicates strong contrast. For example:

But…indeed (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
On the contrary, (New American Standard Bible)

talk back to God: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as talk back here implies that this person speaks to God to criticize or argue. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

argue back to God (English Standard Version)
-or-
criticize God
-or-
argue-with God

9:20b–c

Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?”: There are two issues here:

Issue 1: Partial quotation

The first part (Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it) occurs in Isaiah 29:16. The second part (“Why did You make me like this?”) takes the general idea of questioning the maker as found in the questions in Isaiah 29:16. It is reworded to connect more clearly to what Paul had been saying. So many translations, like the Berean Standard Bible, do not punctuate it like a quote from Isaiah. Paul did not introduce these words with the usual introduction of a quote from Scripture, for example, “as it is written.”

The Berean Standard Bible, the English Standard Version, and the Contemporary English Version still put in a footnote to refer to Isaiah 29:16 (and 45:9), but the New Living Translation (2004) and the God’s Word do not. But other translations punctuate it like a quote from the Old Testament. For example:

“Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’ ” (New International Version)

The New International Version also references this as a quote from Isaiah 29:16 (and 45:9). See what the major language version in your area does. Or, follow the example of the Berean Standard Bible.

Issue 2: Rhetorical question

This is a rhetorical question. It indicates that the created thing should not ask the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?” It implies that people should not criticize God, who made them, asking why he made them that way. Translate this clause with that meaning. Here are some ways:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?” (New Living Translation (2004))

• As a statement. For example:

An object should not ask the person who made it, “Why did you make me like this?” (New Century Version)

Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it: This is a metaphor that is explained in 9:21. Here the words what is formed refers to something made of clay. The words Him who formed it refers to the person who forms a lump of clay into the shape he wants, specifically, in this case, God. In this metaphor the thing made of clay complains to the person who made it. The metaphor refers figuratively to a person, whom God made, who complains to God about why he made him that way. It implies that it is wrong for people to complain to God like that. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

Will what is molded say to its molder (English Standard Version)
-or-
Will what is made say to its maker (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Can the pot say to the potter (Revised English Bible)

In some languages it is unnatural or confusing for something not alive, like a clay pot, to speak. If that is true in your language, translate the meaning without the figurative language. For example:

Can we who are just made, ask Him who made us, saying

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 10:19

Paragraph 10:19–21

10:19a

did Israel not understand?: This is a rhetorical question. The Greek grammar, as in 10:18a, indicates that Paul expected the readers to answer, “They did understand.” If possible, translate in a way that expects the answer “They have heard.” Here are some ways:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Is it maybe possible that they didn’t understand what they heard?

• As a statement. For example:

it is true that the Israelites understood.

Israel: Here this name refers to the people of Israel, often called “the Jews.”

understand: Paul did not explicitly say here what was understood. He implies “the word of Christ” (10:17b) as he did in 10:18a. Some languages must say what is understood. For example:

understand ⌊it⌋
-or-
understand ⌊that message⌋

10:19b

The quote in 10:19b–c is from Deuteronomy 32:21. If you indicate the location of quotes from the Old Testament with cross-references, you may want to do so here.

First, Moses says: Here the word First indicates that Moses was the first one who wrote about God giving his message about the Christ/Messiah to non-Jews.

Moses says: The verb is present tense, but Moses wrote the words of 10:16c over 1,500 years before Paul lived. Greek scholars call it the historical present. In many languages the normal way of referring to a past event must be used. For example:

Moses said

The quote is Moses speaking on God’s behalf. The words are from God. The “I” in the quote refers to God, not Moses. For example:

Moses, ⌊for God,⌋ said
-or-
Moses, ⌊speaking for God,⌋ said

This clause introduces a quote from the Old Testament. Some languages usually introduce Old Testament quotes in a certain way. For example:

⌊in the Scriptures⌋ Moses ⌊wrote what God⌋ said
-or-
Moses ⌊wrote in the Holy Book God⌋ saying this:

I will make you jealous: In the Greek the meaning of the word I is emphasized. For example:

I myself will make you jealous

jealous: Here this word refers to being resentful of someone for something they have. The Jews resent that Gentiles have attained the kingdom of God (and probably that they use Hebrew Scriptures, what many Christians now call the Old Testament). The Jews think that those things belong to them.

those who are not a nation: This refers to a variety of Gentiles. They come from many nations or people groups. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

people who are not even a nation (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
a nation that is no nation (Revised English Bible)
-or-
a group of people who are from all over

You should not translate this phrase with your key term for Gentiles.

10:19c

I will make you angry by a nation without understanding: The Greek puts the phrase by a nation without understanding in the front of the clause as part of a Greek poetic form. In some languages it must be in its usual place in the clause. For example:

I will make you angry with/using a nation without understanding

without understanding: The Greek word here refers to a lack of understanding, usually implying bad morals too. Here are other ways to translate this word:

that has no understanding (New International Version)
-or-
without sense/thinking

General Comment on 10:19b–c

These words are a quote of Deuteronomy 32:21. If you indicate the location of quotes from the Old Testament with cross-references, you may want to do so here.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 11:30

Paragraph 11:30–32

11:30a

Just as: This word introduces an explanation here.

you: Here this word refers to Gentile believers in Rome, and implies all Gentile believers. In the Greek, the word is emphatic. For example:

you yourselves

who formerly: Here this phrase refers to the time before the readers of this letter believed in Jesus.

11:30b

have: The “just as” comparison continues from 11:30a. In English, to help indicate that, no comma is used at the end of 11:30a.

But in some languages a pause would be more natural here. For example:

Just as formerly you were disobedient to God, but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, (Revised English Bible)

now: Here this word refers generally to this new period of time where the gospel of Jesus is proclaimed.

received mercy: The word “you” is implied from 11:30a. This clause indicates that God was merciful to the Gentile believers. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

you have been shown mercy (New Jerusalem Bible)

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

God was merciful to you (New Living Translation (2004))

their: Here, as in 11:28b, this word refers to the Jews who do not believe in Jesus.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 13:5

13:5a

Therefore: Here this word introduces a logical conclusion to what Paul said earlier.

it is necessary: The Greek is literally “it-is-necessary to.” It indicates that the only right thing to do is to be in subjection.

to submit to authority: This refers to being under the authority of someone. He or she can tell believers what they should do, and they should do it. See how you translated this Greek word at 13:1 (“submit”).

The context implies that believers are to be subject to government authorities (13:1–4). For example:

to submit to the authorities (New International Version)

13:5b

The same interpretation issue about whose wrath this is occurs here as it does in 13:4e. This author follows the same interpretation here.

not only to avoid punishment, but also as a matter of conscience: The grammar of the words not only…but also acknowledges the importance of the first part and emphasizes the importance of the second part. In some languages it is more natural for the not only part to be second. For example:

as a matter of conscience, not only to avoid punishment

to avoid punishment: This implies not doing things that cause the government authorities to be angry. For example:

because of the wrath of the authorities (NET Bible)
-or-
because you might be punished (New Century Version)

punishment: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as punishment is more literally “wrath.” It refers to the same thing as in 13:4e, where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “retribution.” See how you translated this word there.

conscience: Here this word refers to someone’s internal record of past deeds, as in 2:15 and 9:1. It probably also implies that the person knows that doing evil will cause him to feel guilty or ashamed, so it is best not to do evil.

See how you translated this word in 2:15 or 9:1.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 14:23

14:23a

the one who has doubts is condemned: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ has condemned whoever has doubts

doubts: This word refers to not being certain about something. A person thinks that maybe it is good but maybe it is bad. Or a person thinks that maybe it is right or maybe wrong.

is condemned: The Greek tense indicates that God has already condemned this person and that condemnation remains in effect. But the actual punishment may occur later. The present tense does not indicate that the punishment is occurring at this moment.

condemned: This word usually indicates that a judge has decided how to punish the guilty person. Here are other ways to translate this word:

determined the punishment
-or-
will give him pain/punishment

However, here it does not refer to God sending someone to hell, so your translation should not indicate that. See how you translated this word in 2:1 or 8:34.

he eats: It is implied here that this person eats food that he doubts it is right for him to eat. In some languages a literal translation would refer generally to any food. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain in your translation. For example:

he eats ⌊those foods he is not sure that they are clean⌋ ⌊before God⌋

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

This person eats food that he thinks it is wrong for him to eat. He thinks that maybe God has forbidden him to eat it.

14:23b

his eating: This refers to the person with doubts about eating certain foods but he eats those foods anyway. Some languages cannot use the noun eating here. If that is true in your language, use a verb. For example:

when he eats ⌊like that⌋

faith: The meaning is the same as “belief” in 14:22a.

14:23c

and: The Greek word here is usually translated as and or “but.” It introduces a general principle related to what Paul wrote about in 14:23a–b. Introduce the rest of 14:23c in a way that indicates that. For example:

For (English Standard Version)
-or-
Anything that is… (God’s Word)

that is not from: The Greek is literally “(is) not out of.” If a believer does something because he doubts rather than because he believes in Jesus, then he is sinning. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

does not come from (New International Version)
-or-
anything that is not based on faith is sin (Good News Translation)

faith: In this general principle, the word faith would refer generally to all that one believes about Jesus and God.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 15:32

15:32a

so that: This phrase introduces the purpose for Paul to be delivered from unbelievers (15:31a) and for the believers in Jerusalem to accept his service (15:31b).

by God’s will I may come to you with joy: The phrase by God’s will is emphasized by being first in the clause in the Berean Standard Bible. But it is not first in the Greek. Put this phrase in its usual position in your translation. For example:

I may come to you with joy by God’s will

by God’s will: This indicates that God would decide if Paul would go or not. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

that God will decide/choose that
-or-
that God will allow
-or-
if God wants it (New Century Version)

See how you translated this in 1:10.

15:32b

together with you: This phrase indicates that Paul and the Roman believers would be together and they would all experience being refreshed. For example:

together with you (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

be refreshed: The word refreshed refers to resting and getting one’s strength back again. Here it would refer mostly to mental, motivational, and emotional strength, rather than physical strength. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

find refreshing rest (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
I will have a time of rest (New Century Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 1:32

1:32a–c

Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death, they not only continue to do these things: The word Although indicates that the clause they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death is true. It also indicates that despite that being true, these people did such things anyway (the meaning of the clause they not only continue to do these things that is important here). Here are other ways to indicate this connection:

Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them (English Standard Version)
-or-
They know that God’s law says that people who live in this way deserve death. Yet, not only do they continue to do these very things (Good News Translation)
-or-

It is true that they know God’s decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, but they not only do them

1:32a

they know: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as know often implies knowing something well. These people were not unsure; they knew full well what God has commanded and that the people who do those things Paul listed in 1:29–31 are worthy of God killing them for those deeds. For example:

they fully know (NET Bible)

It implies that people are without excuse when they do those bad things. But in many languages know clearly indicates that, without adding “fully” here.

God’s righteous decree: The word decree here refers to people knowing such people are worthy of death and that it is God who will cause that punishment of death to be carried out. That knowledge is based on what they learned about God from looking at the world (1:20). Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

God’s statement
-or-
God has said that (Contemporary English Version)

The word decree probably does not refer only to the laws that God gave Moses in the Old Testament. Do not translate this phrase in any way that only indicates the Laws of Moses.

decree: The word decree refers to a rule of “do not do this” or “do that.” See the examples above.

1:32b

do such things: Here the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as do refers simply to doing something. Here are other ways to translate this word:

are doing those things/deeds
-or-
live in those ways

such things: This phrase refers to the evil deeds listed in 1:28–31. See the examples above.

are worthy of death: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as worthy of death indicates that the right thing to happen is that the people who do those evil deeds should die because they did them. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

should die (New Century Version)
-or-
fit to be punished by death
-or-
God will mark them for death
-or-
God says that…they will perish

1:32c–d

they not only continue to do these things, but also approve of those who practice them: The words not only…but indicate that these people do both things (continue to do these things and approve of those who practice them). It also emphasizes the second thing. Here are other ways to translate these words:

they continue to do these things, and even more, approve of those who practice them
-or-

yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
But they keep on doing evil things, and they even encourage others to do them. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
they continue to do them nonetheless. And not only that, but they also praise/honor other people who do things like that.

they…continue to do these things: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as do indicates that these people do them more than once, probably many times. For example:

they…continue to do them
-or-
they still do behavior like that

1:32d

approve of: Here this phrase indicates that these people agree that other people should do the same as they and say it is good. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

they are very happy to see
-or-
happily agree with

practice: Here the word practice refers to doing something often, as in 1:32b.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:3

3:3a–b

What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness?: The Greek New Testament punctuates this verse so that it reads: “What then? If some were unfaithful, will their unfaithfulness nullify the faithfulness of God?” The beginning two words are the same as in Philippians 1:18. Many scholars support this punctuation, but few English versions do. Many English versions support the punctuation as in the Berean Standard Bible.

3:3a

What if some did not have faith?: This is a rhetorical question. It introduces the fact that some Jews were unfaithful. Paul’s readers knew that. But it causes the readers to think about that fact. Translate it with that meaning. Here are some ways:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

But what if some of them were not faithful? (Good News Translation)

• As a statement. For example:

some of them were unfaithful (New Living Translation (2004))

did not have faith: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as did not have faith :

(1) It means be unfaithful or fail to act in a loyal way here. The Jews made a covenant with God but some of them later broke that promise and stopped following it. For example:

were not faithful (Good News Translation)

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

(2) It means do not believe. Some Jews refused to believe in God’s message (3:2c). For example:

did not believe (New American Standard Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (1984), New American Standard Bible, Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, King James Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the contrast in 3:3–4 is between God being faithful to his promises, and the Jews not being faithful to theirs.

3:3b–4a

Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness? Certainly not!: This is a rhetorical question and its answer. The rhetorical question causes the reader to think of what might be the answer. Paul then told what the answer was. Here are some ways to translate this:

• As a rhetorical question and its answer. For example:

Will their lack of faith cancel the faithfulness of God? 4 Certainly not! (Revised English Bible)

• As a statement. You will need to combine 3:3 and 3:4. For example:

3-4 What if some lacked faith? Their lack of faith certainly does not cancel/nullify the faithfulness of God….

3:3b

Will their lack of faith: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as lack of faith is the noun form of the word translated “did not have faith” in 3:3a. You should follow the same interpretation choice here as in 3:3a. For example:

Does ⌊the fact that⌋ they were not faithful

nullify: This word means “to make ineffective/useless.” Some Jews broke their promises, but that did not make God break his promises. Here are other ways to translate this word:

cancel (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
destroy/ruin
-or-
But even so, God nonetheless stayed/remained keeping his word/promise.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 9:20

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 10:19

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 11:30

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 13:5

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 14:23

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 15:32

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 1:32

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:3

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