SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020 – Page 23

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 1:24

Paragraph 1:24–27

1:24a

God gave them over…to impurity: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as gave…over refers to putting someone under the control of something or someone else. Here it indicates that God put them under the control of impurity, so that they always did impure things. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

God put them under the control of impurity
-or-
God caused them to be ruled by ⌊thoughts of⌋ impurity
-or-
God…gave them the road to do whatever evil

impurity: This word refers to deeds that are immoral to do. Here are other ways to translate this word:

uncleanness (King James Version)
-or-
filthy practices (New Jerusalem Bible)

in the desires of their hearts: Here the word in introduces the situation of those people’s lives when God gave them over to impurity. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

⌊living⌋ in the lusts of their hearts
-or-
in ⌊their custom of following⌋ the lusts of their hearts

the desires of their hearts: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as desires refers to strong desires of any kind. But it implies bad desires here. Here are other ways to translate this word:

the sinful desires of their hearts (New International Version)
-or-
their inmost cravings (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
the evil-things their minds desire

hearts: In Greek, the word hearts refers figuratively to the inner person, which includes the mind, the emotions, and the will. See how you translated this word in 1:21.

1:24b

for: The word for here introduces the result of God giving them over to impurity, or explains what Paul meant when he wrote the word “impurity.” Here are other ways to translate this word:

of (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
so that (New American Standard Bible)
-or-

to impurity, to the degrading of their bodies (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
to impurity, that is, the degrading of their bodies

the dishonoring of their bodies: The Greek phrase here is literally “their bodies to be dishonored.” It refers to doing things that damage it, or things that God does not allow, or not showing respect to it. Here it probably refers mostly to shameful sexual actions. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

dishonouring their own bodies (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
they dishonor their bodies by sexual perversion (God’s Word)
-or-
they shame their bodies
-or-
they cause their bodies to be full of shame

the dishonoring: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as dishonoring is passive. It is the people’s own impurity (1:24a) that dishonors or shames their bodies. The Greek verb is also present tense, indicating that they continue to do this. Translate it with that meaning. See the above examples.

with one another: Paul was talking of all of humanity. So this phrase indicates that the dishonoring happens in all of humanity. It does not focus on doing these things to or with each other, but indicates that the dishonoring happens among people rather than between people and other beings. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

among them (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
they altogether

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2:24

2:24a

The Greek begins with a word that it usually translated as “for.” It introduces an explanation for what Paul said in 2:23. The Berean Standard Bible does not translate this word, and it may not be necessary in some languages to translate it. However, if it would be more natural in your language to translate this word, here are other ways to translate it:

Because
-or-
That is written…
-or-
And concerning this,

As it is written: This introduces Scripture. In some languages a literal translation would not clearly refer to Scripture. If that is true in your language, explain it in the text. For example:

As it is written ⌊in God’s Word⌋
-or-
As scripture says (New Jerusalem Bible)

See how you translated this phrase in 1:17.

2:24b

This phrase is similar to the words of Isaiah 52:5 as translated in the Septuagint (LXX).

God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause here. For example:

Gentiles blaspheme God’s name because of you

God’s name: This phrase refers to his character and reputation. Here it is more natural in some languages to refer directly to God. For example:

God

is blasphemed: This word refers to hurting someone’s reputation. Here it refers to saying something that dishonors God. Non-Jews were dishonoring God and despising him because of the way Jews were behaving. Here are other ways to translate this word:

said evil things about
-or-
cursed (God’s Word)
-or-
spoke against

Gentiles: This word refers to people who are not Jews. Here are other ways to translate this word:

Those who are not Jews (New Century Version)
-or-
non-Jews
-or-
nations (God’s Word)

See how you translated this word in 2:14.

because of you: Here this phrase indicates that some Jews did evil deeds. The Gentiles saw them and blamed God for their bad behavior. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

Your evil deeds have caused
-or-
on account of you Jews
-or-
It is your fault that (New Jerusalem Bible)

General Comment on 2:24b

Similar words are found in Isaiah 52:5. If you cross-reference the location of connections to Old Testament verses, you may want to do so here. Here is an example footnote:

This is similar to Isaiah 52:5.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:27

Paragraph 3:27–31

3:27a

Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded: 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 is. Here are some ways to translate this:

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

Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. (English Standard Version)

• As a statement. For example:

Therefore we cannot boast.
-or-
So God does not consider our boasts ⌊when he justifies us⌋.
-or-
Therefore it is absolutely impossible for us to boast of our righteousness

Also see examples below.

Where…is boasting?: The Greek is literally “where (is) the boasting?” Here this phrase refers to boasting about being righteous or good. But God does not justify someone because of what he or she has done or who he or she is or any boasts he or she says about those things. Here are other ways to translate these words:

Where…is boasting? (NET Bible)
-or-
What occasion is there…for boasting? (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
there’s nothing that anyone can boast about.

then: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as then is usually translated “therefore.” But here it is more natural in English to translate it as then.

It is excluded: This phrase indicates that God does not allow any boasting by us to change his mind. God does not think better about us if we were to boast about being right with him. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

Bragging has been eliminated. (God’s Word)
-or-
They are nothing.
-or-
No! (New Century Version)

3:27b–c

On what principle? On that of works? No, but on that of faith: The first question is a rhetorical question. It leads to the second question. The second question is also a rhetorical question. Paul answered it with No, but on that of faith. Here are some ways to translate this:

• Using questions. For example:

On what principle? On the principle of works? No, but on the principle of faith. (Revised Standard Version)

• Using statements. For example:

It is not by a law/principle of works, but by the law/principle of faith.
-or-
For God does not receive us because of our good behavior. He receives us because of our faith in the Lord Yesus.

These three clauses are incomplete. “It is excluded” is implied each time. In some languages the implied words must be repeated here. For example:

⌊It is excluded⌋ on what principle? ⌊Is it excluded⌋ on the principle of a law of works? No, ⌊it is excluded⌋ by the principle of the law of faith.
-or-
It is not ⌊excluded⌋ by a law/principle of works, but ⌊it is excluded⌋ by the law/principle of faith.

3:27b

On what principle?: Here the word principle refers to any rule or law. Here are other ways to translate the Greek words:

By what kind of law? (English Standard Version)
-or-

⌊It/Boasting is excluded⌋ according to what rule/law?

On that of works?: The Greek is only “Of works?” The Berean Standard Bible phrase that of implies the words “a principle” from the previous question, so that the meaning is “On a principle of works?”

works: The word works refers to someone’s deeds. It is not limited to what one does for a paying job. God does not make people right with him because of what they do. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

On the principle of works? (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
By following the rule of good deeds?
-or-

⌊Is it/boasting excluded⌋ according to a principle/lifestyle of doing ⌊what God wants us to do⌋ ?

3:27c

but on that of faith: God says that a person is righteous when that person believes in Christ. That is a rule/principle that God uses. That excludes us from boasting that we are righteous, because it is something God did, not we ourselves. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

but on the principle of faith (Revised Standard Version)
-or-

⌊it/boast is excluded⌋ because of the rule that ⌊God makes us righteous because⌋ we believe ⌊in Jesus⌋
-or-

⌊it/boasting is excluded⌋ according to a principle/rule of ⌊God makes us righteous because⌋ of our faith

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 5:3

5:3a

Not only that, but: The Greek is literally “and not only but also.” Here it indicates that Paul wanted to talk about more things that believers rejoice in. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

More than that, but (English Standard Version)
-or-
Not only so, but…also (New International Version)
-or-
And it is not only that that we are happy-about but rather…also

we also rejoice in our sufferings: This is the second thing that believers rejoice/boast in. We can rejoice/boast even when we suffer because we know the results will be good (5:3b–5:4b).

rejoice: The Greek word here is literally “boast,” as in 5:2c. Translate it in the same way here.

in our sufferings: Here the Greek is more literally “in the sufferings.” In the NT the word sufferings usually refers to the hardships and troubles people experience because they are believers in Jesus. So many English versions add the word our here. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

in our troubles
-or-
in our tribulations (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
when we are suffering (God’s Word)

5:3b

because we know that suffering produces perseverance: Here the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as because we know implies that 5:3b–4b are reasons for rejoicing/boasting in our sufferings.

produces: The word produces means “to cause.” For example:

creates (God’s Word)
-or-
develops (New Jerusalem Bible)

perseverance: This word means “patiently continuing in something.” When troubles come, believers continue to believe in Jesus. They do not give up. Here are other ways to translate this word:

endurance (English Standard Version)
-or-
patience (New Century Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 6:14

6:14a

For: Here this word introduces an explanation of why believers must not let sin reign (6:12) and must not present their bodies to sin (6:13).

sin shall not be your master: There are several ways to interpret the Greek future tense here:

(1) It means will and indicates that after becoming believers in Jesus, sin no longer rules our lives. For example:

Sin will not be your master (New Century Version)

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

(2) It means must and indicates that believers are not to allow sin to rule their lives. For example:

Sin must not be your master (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation, New American Bible, Revised Edition, Contemporary English Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) or (2), but be careful of your choice of words, because it is unlikely that Paul would start a command with “For”.

shall not be your master: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as shall…be your master refers to having great authority over someone. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

will no longer have any power over you (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
will not rule you

6:14b

you are not under law: This clause indicates that the Laws of Moses do not have authority over believers. Believers may look at the Law for guidance on how to live, but they do not need to follow every rule in it. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

you are living not under law (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-

You are ruled by God’s kindness and not by the Law (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the Law ⌊of Moses⌋ does not sit over you

This clause does not imply that we are free from following any laws. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly imply that. If that is true in your language, explain that in your translation. For example:

your ⌊life in Christ⌋ is not ruled by the Law ⌊of Moses⌋

under grace: This clause indicates that grace has authority over believers. Here it indicates that God is kind to them. But unlike the laws of Moses, grace does not require them to follow certain rules. The words “you are” are implied here. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

you are living under grace
-or-

⌊the principle of⌋ grace sits over you

grace: This word refers to kindness that is given to people without requiring anything in return. This kindness is not given because they have done anything to deserve it. See how you translated this word in 1:5 or 6:1.

General Comment on 6:14b

In some languages it is more natural to have “under grace” before “not under law.” For example:

since you are under grace, not under law

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 7:23

7:23a

But I see another law at work in my body: Here the word law refers to a principle, as in 7:21a. For example:

I see in my members another principle (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

Paul saw a law at work in his members. The words at work are implied here, but supplied by the Berean Standard Bible. For example:

I see, ⌊operating⌋ in my members, another principle
-or-
I see a different law at work in my body—a law that (Good News Translation)

my body: Here the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as body refers to parts of the body. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the parts of my body
-or-
my members (English Standard Version)
-or-
my outward actions (Revised English Bible)

7:23b

warring against the law of my mind: The word warring refers to fighting a war. Paul used this metaphor to indicate that the conflict or struggle was great. Here are other ways to translate these words:

fighting hard against the law of my mind
-or-
which battles against the law in my mind (New Jerusalem Bible)

Some languages must translate the metaphor of making war in a different way. For example:

opposes the law of my mind
-or-
oppresses/blocks the law of my mind

the law of my mind: Here the word law probably refers to a controlling principle, telling Paul, in his thinking, to do this or that.

7:23c

holding me captive to the law of sin: The Greek is more literally “capturing me in the law of sin.” It sees the law of sin as a place where Paul was held as a captive.

This figurative use of “in” is difficult to understand. So many English versions translate it as to or “of.” For example:

making me a prisoner of the law of sin (New International Version)

holding me captive: The phrase holding…captive is another metaphor of war. It refers to capturing enemy soldiers. Some would be killed but some would be made slaves. Here it refers to Paul being put under the law of sin. The words “another law” are implied at the beginning of this clause from 7:23a. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

making me a prisoner (New International Version)
-or-
bringing me into captivity (King James Version)

Some languages must translate the metaphor of taking captives in a different way. For example:

making me a slave
-or-
causing me to be like a slave

the law of sin: Here the word law probably refers to a controlling principle, telling Paul, in his thinking, to do this or that. See how you translated the word law in 7:23b.

that dwells within me: This clause further describes “the law of sin.” It does not separate this law of sin from other laws of sin. For the correct meaning in some languages, translators must avoid the word that. For example:

the law of sin, it dwells within me
-or-
the law of sin, and it dwells within me

dwells: The Greek word here is “be-ing.” It indicates that the law of sin exists in Paul’s members. Here are other ways to translate this word:

lives (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
is

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 8:30

8:30a

those He predestined, He also called: This clause refers to all believers. The word those is first in the clause because that is what Paul wanted to talk about. Some languages have a more strict word order. For example:

he also called those whom he predestined
-or-
some/these people, he predestined them and he also called them

called: See how you translated this word in 8:28.

8:30b

those He called: This refers to the same group as the people in 8:30a. This should be clear in your translation.

justified: Here this word means “be found in the right, be free of charges.” Here are other ways to translate this word:

declared right
-or-
judged that they are now righteous

See how you translated justified in 3:24 or 5:9.

8:30c

glorified: This word refers to the greatness/splendor and blessings of God that he will give to us believers. Here it implies God giving glorified bodies to us as a part of this glorification. See how you translated this word in 8:17.

The Greek word here has the form that usually indicates past tense. This may be to indicate that:

(a) the future glorification is certain,

(b) the process of glorification has already begun and will finish when we stand before God in heaven.

You should translate this word with your usual way to indicate past tense.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 9:23

9:23a

What if He did this to: The Greek begins with the word “and.” It shows that 9:23 is another purpose, in addition to showing his wrath (9:22a) and making known his power (9:22b). For example:

And that (King James Version)

If you have ended 9:22 with a question mark or full stop, you should indicate that the thought from the main clause continues here. For example:

And he also wanted to…. (Good News Translation)

As mentioned in the note on 9:22–24, this is one long question in the Greek. For example, the Berean Standard Bible makes 9:23–24 into a question too. But Paul was not questioning what he said in 9:23–24, so in some languages a statement would make the meaning more clear here. For example:

23 This was to make known the riches of his glory to the vessels of mercy, which he has prepared previously for glory, 24 namely, us whom he has called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles. (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

Note that the New American Bible, Revised Edition adds the words “This was” at the beginning of 9:23 to make the correct connection to 9:22.

the riches of His glory: Here the word riches refers to an abundance of God’s glory. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

his abundant glory (Good News Translation)
-or-
his incomparable glory/praiseworthiness

If you have translated Ephesians 1:18, 3:16, or Colossians 1:27, see how you translated this phrase there.

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:

majesty
-or-
greatness

See how you translated this word in 3:23 or 9:4.

to: Here this Greek word indicates that God will make known his great glory to his people (here in this verse they are called “vessels of mercy”). For example:

upon vessels of mercy (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
to the vessels of mercy (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

the vessels of His mercy: The word vessels refers to things a potter makes, as in 9:21–22. Here it is a metaphor for people upon whom God has mercy.

In some languages the meaning of the metaphor will not be clear. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

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

The words “vessels of His mercy” refers to people upon whom God has mercy.

• Translate without the metaphor. For example:

people to whom God has mercy

You may then want to indicate what the literal words are in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

Literally “vessels of His mercy.”

9:23b

whom He prepared in advance: Here the word whom introduces something more Paul said about the vessels of mercy. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that God prepared only some vessels of mercy beforehand. If that is true in your language, translate in a way that indicates that God prepared all the vessels of mercy beforehand. For example:

and he has prepared them beforehand
-or-
He prepared them beforehand

He prepared in advance: In the metaphor of vessels, the phrase in advance refers to the potter making them some time before he planned to use them. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

he has prepared beforehand (English Standard Version)
-or-
he made ready earlier

for glory: The word for introduces the purpose for God preparing the vessels of mercy beforehand. He will give them glory.

glory: This refers to the glory that God will give his people (for example, 2:10) and that his people will share in Jesus’ glory (for example, 8:17). See how you translated this word in 8:17 or 9:23a.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020