Paragraph 4:18–22

4:18a

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed: The Greek is literally “who contrary to hope on/in hope believed.” It implies that Abraham had no hope for a child from any human or natural power, but hoped/expected God to fulfill his promise to enable he and Sarah to have a child of their own. And he believed that God would do that.

In some languages that implied information will be clear. But in many languages it will not. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Make some or all of the implied information explicit. For example:

In hope he believed beyond ⌊human⌋ hope
-or-
Without hope ⌊in himself⌋ he believed with hope ⌊in God⌋
-or-
He had no hope ⌊in his own ability to fulfill the promise⌋ but believed with hope ⌊in God’s ability to fulfill it⌋

• Translate the literal meaning and explain it in a footnote. For example:

This clause implies that Abraham had no hope for a child from any human or natural power, but hoped/expected God to fulfill his promise to enable he and Sarah to have a child of their own. And he believed that God would do that.

hope: This word refers to wanting something to happen or even confident expectation that something will happen. The hope in the phrase “in hope” refers to Abraham confidently expecting God to fulfill his promise. The hope in the phrase “against hope” refers to Abraham wanting children very much but after so many years of not being able to have children, he did not expect to suddenly begin by their own power. Consider how to translate this word in both places here.

4:18b

and so became the father of many nations: The phrase and so introduces a consequence or result of Abraham believing in God’s promise to him. It could also introduce God’s purpose based on Abraham’s faith. It probably does not introduce what Abraham believed. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

As a result, he became a father of many nations (God’s Word)
-or-
and he became the parent of many-nations/tribes
-or-
and so ⌊God⌋ caused him to become the father of many nations

4:18c

just as he had been told: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause here. For example:

⌊God⌋ had told him

4:18d

“So shall your offspring be”: Paul did not quote the first part of what God said to Abraham in Genesis 15:5: “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Together with the clause So shall your offspring be, God promised Abraham that he would have many descendants. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

So numerous shall your descendants be (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
The number of your descendants will be like that number

Paul expected his readers to understand that the clause here refers to that promise. In some languages readers will not clearly understand that the clause here refers to that promise. If that is true in your language, you may want to translate the literal meaning of the clause and explain it in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

This saying refers to Genesis 15:5 where God promised Abraham that his descendants would be a numerous as the stars.

So: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So means “in this way” or “like that.” It does not mean “therefore” here. Consider how to translate that meaning in your language.

offspring: Here the word offspring refers to descendants.

General Comment on 4:18d

These words are a quote of part of Genesis 15:5. If you indicate the location of quotes from the Old Testament with cross-references, you may want to do so here.

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Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
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BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

6:4a

We were therefore buried with Him: It is natural in English to put the word therefore in the middle of the clause. In many languages it is more natural to put it at the beginning of the clause. For example:

Therefore, we were buried with him

We were…buried with Him: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause here. For example:

⌊God⌋ buried us with him

were…buried: Baptism is a symbol for burial. In some languages a simile must be used. For example:

were ⌊like someone who had been⌋ buried

through baptism into death: The word through indicates that baptism is the way that believers are “buried with him.” Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

by baptism into death (English Standard Version)
-or-
by means of our being baptized…it was like we were the ones who died
-or-
we have become ⌊as if⌋ dead ⌊and buried⌋ with him when we were baptized
-or-
and it is ⌊as if⌋ that baptism caused us to die

into death: Here this phrase refers to being dead to the old way of life on this earth, characterized by sin. It contrasts to “walk in newness of life” (6:4d). See the examples above.

6:4b,d (reordered)

This author has reordered this verse to put the purpose clause immediately after the words that introduce it.

in order that: This phrase introduces a purpose. We, as believers, are like dead people in regard to a life of sin on this earth, so we are to live a new kind of life as followers of Jesus. For example:

so that (New Jerusalem Bible)

we…may walk in newness of life: The word walk is a metaphor for how someone behaves over a period of time. Here it refers to living according to the new life that God gives to believers. Some languages must translate the meaning without the metaphor. For example:

we might live according to the new life
-or-
we also may live new lives (New Living Translation (2004))

may: Here this word helps to indicate that walking in this way is a purpose of being buried through baptism into death (6:4a). It suggests that it would be good if we walked in newness of life. Here are other ways to translate this word:

might (English Standard Version)
-or-
would
-or-

to walk in newness of life

newness of life: This phrase refers to a new way of life. Here it refers to the new way of life that the Holy Spirit gives to believers and is characterized by righteousness (8:9–11). Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

a new life (New International Version)
-or-
a new kind of life (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
a new way-of-life

The Greek does not have the word “the” here, but Paul only had one kind of new life in mind: the new life as a believer. Your translation should indicate that Paul had only one kind of new life in mind.

too: Here this word compares “we might walk in newness of life” with “Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father.” In the reordered sentence, this meaning is not needed here. The phrase “just as” in 6:4c indicates that meaning.

6:4c

just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father: The words just as indicate that Paul compared “walking in newness of life” to Jesus being raised from the dead through the glory of the Father.

Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father: This clause is passive. It is implied that God raised Jesus by means of his glory. Some languages must use an active clause here. For example:

⌊God⌋ the Father raised Christ from the dead by his glory

raised from the dead: This phrase refers to God making Jesus alive again after he died and was put in the tomb. See how you translated this phrase in 4:24.

the glory of the Father: The word glory refers literally to a very bright light. In this context it implies power that is glorious, majestic, or great in some way. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the Father’s glorious power (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
the wonderful power of the Father (New Century Version)

© 2020 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

Section 7:13–25

Sin prevents us from doing what is right

In this section Paul answered another possible wrong conclusion about the law. In 7:12 Paul said that the law is good. Now he asked if it is right to think that the law brought death. The answer is no. Sin brought death and this shows that sin is very bad. Paul then talked about his own struggle with sinning even though he agrees that the law is good. He felt he was captive to sin. But God can rescue us from that captivity.

For the use of “I” in this section, see the General Comment in the summary of Section 7:7–12.

Here are other possible headings for this section:

The way that Paul struggled to stop sinning
-or-
The power of sin

Paragraph 7:13–20

7:13a–b

Did that which is good…become death to me? Certainly not!: This is a rhetorical question and its answer. It emphasizes that the believers in Rome should not think that the law, called here that which is good, caused Paul to be marked for death. Translate this clause with that meaning. Here are some ways:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Do you think that the/that good thing become death to me?
-or-
Don’t you realize that the ⌊laws⌋, which/they are good, did not cause me to be marked/destined for death?

• As a statement. For example:

Indeed, that which is good did not become death to me.
-or-
Surely you understand that the laws, which/they are good, did not cause me to be marked/destined for death.

• As a command. For example:

Do not think that which is good became death to me
-or-
Understand this: the laws, which/they are good, did not cause me to be marked/destined for death.

that which is good: This phrase refers to God’s laws (7:12). In some languages it will be much clearer to make that explicit. For example:

that which is good, ⌊namely the laws,⌋
-or-

⌊the laws, and we already said⌋ that they are good

See also examples in the previous note.

become death to me: The Greek literally translates these words. They indicate that when Paul broke the law, it became as a verdict/judgment of death for him. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

bring death to me (English Standard Version)
-or-
resulted in my dying (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
cause my death (New Living Translation (2004))

7:13a

Did that which is good, then, become death to me?: The word then occurs in the middle of the clause. In some languages it is more natural to be first. For example:

So then, did that which is good bring death to me?

7:13b

Certainly not!: The Greek is literally “May it not be.” It indicates a very strong “no.” The law did not bring death to Paul. See how you translated this phrase in 3:4 or 7:7. Note that “Indeed” and “Surely” in the As a statement examples in 7:13a–b translate the words Certainly not! here. If you used those words there (or something similar), do not translate these words here.

7:13c

But: This word indicates that the law did not become death to Paul, But sin did. In some languages it is natural to begin this sentence with But.

However, 7:13b says “Certainly not!” In many languages that phrase already implies contrast and so it is more natural to omit But here.

in order that sin might be exposed as sin: The phrase in order that introduces a purpose clause. In some languages a purpose clause indicates that something has not happened yet. If that is true in your language, translate this as a result clause. For example:

and so sin has been shown to be sin

sin might be exposed as sin: The phrase be exposed indicates that people will see that sin is clearly sin. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

sin might be recognized as sin (New International Version)
-or-
its true nature as sin might be revealed (Good News Translation)

This clause is passive. Some languages must translate without a passive clause. For example:

sin would clearly appear to be sin
-or-
sin might reveal itself to be sin

7:13d

it produced death in me: Here Paul continued to speak of sin as a person. Some languages cannot speak of sin in that way. If that is true in your language, you may want to make it a simile. For example:

sin ⌊was like someone who⌋ produced death in me

produced death in me: The word produced refers to causing something to exist. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

caused my death (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
bring about my condemnation to death (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
It was sin that killed me (Contemporary English Version)

See how you translated “produced” in 7:8.

through what was good: Here the word through refers to something being used as a tool to do something. Here it indicates that the commandment was like a tool that sin used to influence Paul. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

using what is good (Good News Translation)
-or-
by that good thing

what was good: This phrase refers to the laws, like “that which is good” does in 7:13a.

7:13e

so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful: This clause is a second purpose for why sin produced death in Paul (7:13d). In some languages, the word sin must be repeated here, as the Berean Standard Bible does. If you changed the purpose clause in 7:13c to a result clause, you should do the same here. For example:

and through the commandment ⌊sin⌋ has become utterly sinful

through the commandment: Here the word through refers to something being used as a tool to do something. Here it indicates that the commandment was like a tool that made sin to be very bad beyond measure.

the commandment: The word commandment is singular and probably refers to the one law Paul mentioned in 7:7: “You shall not covet.” But it is probably used as an example of any of the laws in a general way.

sin might become utterly sinful: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as utterly are literally “exceedingly far more.” It indicates that the sin of coveting is very bad. And as an example, these words indicate that all sin is very bad. Here are other ways to translate these words:

might become exceeding sinful (King James Version)
-or-
So we can see how terrible sin really is. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
to show that sin is very evil (New Century Version)
-or-
it became clear that sin is really very-very bad

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Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

8:20a–c

For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope: The phrase in hope connects to was subjected to futility. Therefore, creation has this hope. For example:

Creation was subjected to frustration but not by its own choice. The one who subjected it to frustration did so in the hope (God’s Word)

8:20a

For: Here this word introduces a reason or an explanation.

the creation was subjected to futility: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ subjected the creation to futility

subjected to: The word subjected refers to causing to be under the authority of someone or something. Here it indicates that God caused creation to be characterized by futility. Here are other ways to translate this word:

submitted to
-or-
placed under to rule of
-or-
make captive to

futility: This word refers to being of no use or purpose. Here are other ways to translate this word:

frustration (New International Version)
-or-
lose its purpose (Good News Translation)

8:20b

not by its own will: This phrase refers to creation as if it were a person who did not want to be subjected to futility. In some languages it is more natural to add “like someone” here. For example:

⌊like someone⌋ not willing

In some languages it is more natural to repeat some of the words from 8:20a. For example:

⌊like someone⌋ not willing ⌊to be subjected to it⌋

but because of the One who subjected it: Here the words the One refer to God. He said that creation must be subject to futility. Here are other ways to translate these words:

but by the will of the one who subjected it (New International Version)
-or-
but because God willed it to be so (Good News Translation)
-or-
but for the purposes of him who imposed it (New Jerusalem Bible)

8:20c

in hope: The word hope means “the looking forward to something happening with some reason for confidence that it will indeed happen.” God knows that one day creation will no longer be subjected to futility. It is hope because it has not happened yet, but is awaiting the right time for God’s promise to be fulfilled.

The hope is explained in 8:21. For example:

there was this hope: (New Century Version)

This phrase is connected to “the creation was subjected to futility” (8:20a). In some languages some words must be repeated or added to make the connection clear. For example:

⌊It was subjected like that⌋ in hope
-or-

⌊It is frustrated now⌋ in hope

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Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

9:13

So it is written: This phrase introduces a quote from the Old Testament. Paul quoted what God said to the nation of Israel (Malachi 1:2–3). See how you translated this phrase in 1:17 or 4:17.

Jacob I loved: The name Jacob is put before I loved in an English poetic grammar. In some languages it must be put in its normal position. In English this would be after the word loved.

Esau I hated: The name Esau is put before I hated in an English poetic grammar, as above with “Jacob I loved.”

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Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

10:12a

For: This word introduces an explanation about “anyone” in 10:11b.

there is no difference between Jew and Greek: This clause indicates that, regarding faith in Jesus and becoming God’s people, God’s promises are the same for Jews and people who are not Jews. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

there is no difference between Jews and Greeks (God’s Word)
-or-
Jews and Greeks are the same in this regard

Greek: This word refers to people whose native language is Greek and to others who live according to Greek ways. Here it implies everyone who is not a Jew. Paul was not leaving out anyone in this verse. So in some languages it will be more clear to use the usual translation of the word “Gentile.” For example:

Gentile (New International Version)
-or-
those who are Jews and those who are not (New Century Version)

You may then want to say what the literal word is and explain it here in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

Literally: “Greek ⌊people⌋.” But here Paul implied all people who are not Jews, because he was explaining the word “anyone” in 10:11.

If you translate the word Greek literally, you may want to explain Paul’s meaning here in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

Here Paul implied all people who are not Jews, because he was explaining the word “anyone” in 10:11.

10:12b

The Greek of 10:12b begins with a word that is often translated as “for.” This words explains what Paul said in 10:12a. For example:

because the same Lord is Lord of all (Revised English Bible)

In some languages omitting the word “for” and implying the connection is more natural, because of the word “For” in 10:12a. The Berean Standard Bible follows this approach.

The same Lord is Lord of all: This clause indicates that there is only one Lord, and he is Lord over all people. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

They all have the same Lord (God’s Word)
-or-
the Lord is lord over everyone
-or-
There is just one Lord for all mankind

Lord: The word Lord refers to someone who has authority over people. Many scholars think it refers to Jesus here, but the Good News Translation adds “God” here. If possible, do not say who this Lord is here.

Some languages must indicate who this Lord is. If that is true in your language, add “Jesus,” because Paul was clearly referring to Jesus in 10:11 (“believes in him”) and called him Lord in 10:9.

10:12c

and gives richly to all: Here the word richly refers to God’s generous gifts to those who believe, such as his kindness and patience (2:4), his glory (9:23) and his wisdom and knowledge (11:33). Here are other ways to translate this clause:

enriching all who call upon him (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
and richly blesses all who call on him (New International Version)
-or-
who gives generously to all who call on him (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
and he gives great gifts to ⌊the spirits/lives of⌋ everyone

call on Him: Here the Greek grammar called “middle voice” on the verb implies asking for help. For example:

asks for his help (Contemporary English Version)

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

11:23a–b

And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in: The clause if they do not persist in unbelief interrupts the clause And…they will be grafted in. It will be more clear or more natural in some languages to translate without the interruption. For example:

if they do not persist in unbelief, even they will be grafted in
-or-
even they will be grafted in, if they do not persist in unbelief

they will be grafted in: This clause is passive. Some languages must translate it with an active clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ will graft them in

11:23a

if they do not persist in unbelief: This clause has two negatives, not and “un”(belief). This clause means “if they start to believe.” Here are other ways to translate this clause:

if the people of Israel turn from their unbelief (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
if they stop their unbelieving

It will be more clear or more natural in some languages to translate without the two negatives. For example:

if they begin believing

11:23b

they: The Jews who do not believe in Jesus, if they begin believing, God will graft in them too. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

they also (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
as for even these Jews

grafted in: See how you translated this phrase in 11:19.

11:23c

for: Here this word introduces a reason or basis for Jews being grafted in, once they believe in Jesus.

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Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

12:19a

avenge yourselves: This phrase refers to hurting someone because they hurt you. For example:

take revenge (New International Version)
-or-
Do not pay back someone who hurt you by hurting him

beloved: This word indicates that Paul loved the believers in Rome. For example:

my dear friends (New Jerusalem Bible)

12:19b

but: Some languages will not see contrast between “never avenge yourselves” and “leave it to the wrath of God.” For example the Uma Back Translation and the Otomi Back Translation (both on TW) omit this word.

leave room for God’s wrath: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as leave room for refers to waiting for someone else to do something. Believers should let God be angry with that person and do something to him, when and where God chooses to. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

leave it to the wrath of God (English Standard Version)
-or-
wait for God to punish them with his anger (New Century Version)
-or-
allow the opportunity for God’s anger ⌊to avenge you⌋

12:19c

For: Here this word introduces support for what Paul said in 12:19a–b.

it is written: This clause introduces a quote from Scripture. The quote is from Deuteronomy 32:35. If you indicate the location of quotes from the Old Testament with cross-references, you may want to do so here.

This quote was written hundreds of years before Paul wrote the letter to the Romans. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate the quote was 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:

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 connection clear. For example:

the scripture says (Good News Translation)

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

⌊Moses/someone⌋ wrote ⌊long ago⌋
-or-
what God caused-to-be-written saying,
-or-
it says in the Holy Book

See how you translated this clause in 1:17 or 11:26.

Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord: In many languages it is more natural to have who speaks before what is spoken. For example:

The Lord says, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay.’

Vengeance is Mine: The word Vengeance refers to refers to hurting someone because they hurt you, as “avenge” does in 12:19a. Some languages must use a verb here. For example:

Deeds of revenge are mine ⌊to do⌋

The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Mine is emphasized in the Greek by being first in the clause. For example:

It is mine to avenge

I will repay: This word refers to doing something in return to someone for what he did to you. For example:

I will pay back (Good News Translation)

The meaning of I is emphasized in the Greek. For example:

I myself will repay

the Lord: The word Lord refers to someone who has authority over people. Here this phrase refers to God. In some languages it is more natural to indicate who this Lord is. For example:

the Lord ⌊God⌋

See how you translated the word Lord in 4:8 or 12:11.

© 2020 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.