SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020 – Page 25

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 1:17

1:17a

For: Here this word introduces an explanation for why the gospel is God’s power to save everyone who believes (1:16).

the gospel: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the gospel is literally “in/by it.” When people hear the gospel, God reveals his righteousness to them. In some languages it may not be clear what “it” refers to here. If that is true in your language, use your normal word or phrase for the gospel. For example:

in/through the gospel

reveals the righteousness of God: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as reveals is passive. The whole verse part is more literally “For the righteousness of God is revealed in it.” It is likely that God (or the Holy Spirit) reveals here. The present tense indicates an ongoing action. Some languages must use an active clause here. For example:

God is revealing his righteousness

the righteousness of God: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as righteousness refers to doing what is right here. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

God’s righteousness
-or-
the right/straight living/deeds of God

The scholars understand this phrase in several different ways here, including “God calling someone righteous” and “God’s “righteous activity.” But the above definition seems best here, since the gospel reveals it.

1:17b

by faith from start to finish: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as by faith from start to finish is literally “from faith to faith.” The expression indicates that revealing God’s righteousness is connected to or requires faith. The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as by can also mean “to” or “for.” For example:

from faith to faith (New American Standard Bible)

Some languages can translate these words literally. Scholars understand them in many different ways here. Here are some of the interpretations:

(1) It means “from God’s faithfulness to believers’ faith.”

(2) It refers to a progression, from person to person as the gospel is shared and new people believe it.

(3) It refers to a progression within a person’s faith. For example:

a righteousness that is by faith from first to last (New International Version)

(4) It is an idiom that means “by faith alone.” For example:

God accepts everyone who has faith, but only those who have faith (Contemporary English Version)

The Greek seems to allow interpretation (1) or (2), and, less likely, (3) or (4). Scholars of one interpretation argue against other interpretations, but no one argument seems to stand out as clearly best. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) or (2). But if the major language version follows interpretation (3) or (4), you may want to follow that.

1:17c

The quote here is from Habakkuk 2:4. If you indicate the location of quotes from the Old Testament with cross-references, you may want to do so here.

just as: Here this word indicates a comparison between “the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish” (1:17a–b) and “The righteous will live by faith” (1:17c).

it is written: The Greek is more literally “it has been written.” Habakkuk wrote more than 600 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 clear. For example:

As the scripture says (Good News Translation)

The clause is passive. The prophet Habakkuk wrote what God told him to write. Some languages must use a clause that is not passive here. For example:

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

The righteous will live by faith: This quote is from Habakkuk 2:4. If you indicate the location of quotes from the Old Testament with cross-references, you may want to do so here.

The Greek is literally “a righteous-one from faith will live.” There are several ways to interpret how “from faith” connects to the rest of the clause. Here are the two main ones:

(1) It connects to shall /will live. For example:

The righteous will live by faith (Berean Standard Bible)

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

(2) It connects to the righteous. For example:

He who through faith is righteous shall live (Revised Standard Version)

(Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because it is a common way to connect such a phrase to the verb. But interpretation (2) is also possible, so if the major language version follows that, you may want to follow it.

Some English versions try to copy the perceived ambiguity in the Greek. For example:

The one who is righteous by faith will live (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

The righteous: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as righteous here refers to people who do what is right. It implies doing what God says is right to do. It does not refer to people who think they are righteous according to their own power or thinking. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

Righteous people
-or-
People who do what is right

This has a similar meaning to “righteousness” in 1:17a.

by faith: The word by indicates that righteous people live by means of their faith. Their faith guides how they live. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

through his faith
-or-
according to their faith

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2:17

Section 2:17–29

The Jews and the law ⌊of Moses⌋

In this section, Paul talked to the Jews about themselves. He continued to use the singular “you,” as in the previous section. This form of teaching is called a “diatribe.” (See Section 2:1–16.)

Using this diatribe, Paul rebuked the Jews because they had the law of Moses but they disobeyed it.

Paul showed them that an outward sign of religion is of no use to people if they did not do what is right. He told them that God praises those whose heart is right with God.

Here are other possible headings for this section:

God praises a changed heart
-or-
Truly following God comes from the heart

Paragraph 2:17–24

2:17a

Now:
The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Now introduces a new part of Paul’s talk about the Jews. There is some contrast here with what he said about the Gentiles. Here is another way to translate this word:

But (English Standard Version)

if: Paul used if here to cause the Roman believers to evaluate their own lives and determine if these verses apply to them. He probably expects some of them to say that they are like what he said here. Consider how to translate that meaning for the word if.

In the Greek text, this one if affects all of 2:17a–20c. (The word “then” does not occur until 2:21a.) Consider how to include all of 2:17a–20c in the if clause in your language.

Some languages may need to repeat the word if to make this clear. The Berean Standard Bible repeats it once in 2:18 and again in 2:19. But in some languages it is more natural to repeat it more often. For example:

17 Now if you call yourself a Jew and ⌊if you⌋ rely on the law and boast in God 18 and ⌊if you⌋ know his will and approve what is superior, because you are instructed from the law; 19 and if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth,
-or-

17 Now if you call yourself a Jew and ⌊if you⌋ rely on the law and boast in God 18 and ⌊if you⌋ know his will and approve what is superior, because you are instructed from the law; 19 and if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, ⌊and⌋ a teacher of infants, because ⌊you are convinced that⌋ you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth,

In some languages it is more natural not to repeat the word if at all, including 2:19a. For example:

17 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God 18 and know his will and approve what is superior, because you are instructed from the law; 19 and are sure that you yourself are a guide for the blind, a light for those in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth,

you call yourself a Jew: This clause refers to this person knowing that his parents were Jews, therefore he was a Jew. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

you say you are Jewish
-or-
you have the name “Jew”
-or-
you are of the Jewish people

you: This letter was for all Roman believers to read. But here Paul wrote as if he was talking to a Jew. This Jew was someone who was proud of having the Law of Moses and all the knowledge and insight that it gave him.

In some languages a footnote to explain would be helpful to the readers. Here is an example footnote:

Paul now wrote to the Roman believers as if speaking to a Jew. This Jew was proud of having the Law of Moses and all the knowledge and insight that it gave him.

2:17b

rely on the law: Here the phrase rely on means “to depend on.” The Jews regarded their possession of the laws that God gave to Moses as something that made them right with God. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

depend on the Law (Good News Translation)
-or-
trust in the law of Moses (New Century Version)
-or-
trust in your having the law to save you
-or-
say that God will accept you (sing.) because you have the Law ⌊of Moses⌋

2:17c

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

(1) It indicates that the Jews spoke proudly about God. For example:

boast about God (Good News Translation)

(Berean Standard Bible, English Standard Version, New International Version (2011), Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, Revised English Bible, King James Version)

(2) It indicates that the Jews spoke proudly about their relationship with God. For example:

boast of your relationship to God (NET Bible)

(Revised Standard Version, New International Version (1984), New Living Translation (2004), NET Bible, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because that is the simple meaning of the Greek word. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

boast about how great God is
-or-
brag about your God (God’s Word)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:20

3:20a

Therefore: There are three ways to interpret the Greek word here:

(1) It introduces an explanation or a reason here. For example:

because (New Century Version)

(English Standard Version, Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New American Standard Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New Living Translation (2004), NET Bible, Revised English Bible, New Century Version)

(2) It introduces a result. For example:

Therefore (New International Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, King James Version)

(3) It introduces something loosely connected to 3:19. For example:

So then (New Jerusalem Bible)

(New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

no one: The Greek is literally “not…all flesh.” Here “flesh” refers to people.

will be justified in His sight: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause here. For example:

that God/Jesus will justify

justified in His sight: The word justified indicates that God decides that a person is acceptable to him. He makes their relationship right. Here are other ways to translate this word:

put right in God’s sight (Good News Translation)
-or-
made right with God (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
declared righteous before him (NET Bible)

See how you translated the word justified in 2:13, where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “declared righteous.”

in His sight: This phrase is a figure of speech that indicates here that God considers believers to be right with him. It does not refer to God looking at someone. Some languages must translate without this figure of speech or with a different figure of speech. For example:

by him/God
-or-
before him (NET Bible)

by works of the law: This phrase refers to a person’s own efforts to obey their laws. It probably refers to the Jews and the Laws of Moses. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

doing what the Law requires (Good News Translation)
-or-
with/by obeying the Laws ⌊of Moses⌋

3:20b

For: The Greek conjunction here is usually translated as For. Here it introduces information that supports what Paul said in 3:20a. For example:

since (English Standard Version)

the law merely brings awareness of sin: The law of Moses shows people that they are sinners because they know that they do not obey it fully. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

knowledge of sin comes by means of the law
-or-
The law…shows us how sinful we are. (New Living Translation (2004))

brings: There is no Greek verb here. A Greek clause with no verb usually implies the verb “is/be” in an English translation. Here the clause indicates that people hear or read the law and realize how many ways there are to sin. See the examples above.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 4:21

4:21

In the Greek the clause in 4:21 connects to “was strengthened in his faith” (4:20b) in a similar way that 4:20c does. Consider how to connect it in your translation. For example:

He also was fully convinced…
-or-
Furthermore, he was fully convinced
-or-

⌊and as⌋ he was fully convinced…

being fully persuaded: This phrase means “completely sure about something.” Abraham was completely sure that God would do what he promised. For example:

was absolutely sure (Good News Translation)
-or-
was certain (Contemporary English Version)

God was able to do what He had promised: The Greek is literally “what he promised he is also able to do.” The pronoun “he” refers to God here. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

what God had promised, He was able also to perform (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
God was able to do what he had promised (New Century Version)
-or-
God could do what he had promised (Contemporary English Version)

The Greek present tense indicates that God was able to do what he promised then and he is able to do what he promised now and will be able to do what he promised in the future.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 6:7

6:7

For: This word introduces a clause that supports what Paul said in 6:6c.

anyone who has died has been freed from sin: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause here. For example:

⌊God⌋ has set free from sin the one who has died

anyone who has died: Some scholars think this clause refers to believers, connecting to 6:5, but others think it refers generally to people. A literal translation allows for either interpretation. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

one who has died (English Standard Version)
-or-
Someone who has died (New Jerusalem Bible)

freed from sin: These words refer to no longer being under the power of sin. Some languages use an idiom for this meaning. For example:

untied from sin

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

sins
-or-

⌊the power of⌋ sin

See how you translated this word in 6:2.

General Comment on 6:7

Paul used the singular here. In some languages a plural would be more natural. For example:

For those who have died have been set free from sin

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 7:16

7:16a

And: The Greek word here is often translated “but” or even “now” (as in the English Standard Version). It introduces something more that Paul said about himself and the law.

if I do what I do not want to do: Here the word if introduces a situation that is true. If this first part is true, that supports the second part (“I admit that the law is good”) to also be true.

In some languages, using an if -clause would have a different meaning. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. For example:

I do what I do not want to do. ⌊True?⌋ ⌊So⌋…
-or-

⌊Would you agree that⌋ I do what I do not want to do? ⌊So⌋…
-or-

⌊You would agree that⌋ I do what I do not want to do. ⌊So⌋…

7:16b

I admit that the law is good: There are two ways to interpret the Greek words here:

(1) There is agreement with the Laws of Moses. For example:

I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good (New American Standard Bible)

(English Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible)

(2) There is agreement about the Laws of Moses. For example:

I agree that the law is good (New International Version)

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

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the Greek grammar does not support interpretation (2).

good: This word indicates that the laws are good and therefore it is good that people follow them.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 8:23

8:23a

Not only that, but we ourselves: The Greek is literally “and not only (so) but also ourselves.” These words emphasize the fact that believers also groan as we wait for the redemption of our bodies. In some languages the first part must have a verb. In some languages adding “also” in the last part is more natural. For example:

not only the creation ⌊groans⌋, but we ourselves also

Not only that: Some languages add the words “the creation.” These words are clearly implied in the Greek. For example:

And not only the creation (English Standard Version)

we ourselves: The word ourselves emphasizes the word we here. The Greek also has the word that means “also” here. For example:

also we ourselves (New American Standard Bible)

8:23b

who have the firstfruits of the Spirit: This clause describes all believers. It does not indicate that only some believers have the firstfruits of the Spirit. Some languages must translate with something other than who for the correct meaning. For example:

and we have the firstfruits of the Spirit
-or-
God gave to us the firstfruits of the Spirit

the firstfruits of the Spirit: The word firstfruits is often used to refer to a small portion of the first harvest of a crop. It was given as an offering to God as a way of thanking him for the whole harvest. But here it refers to something God has given believers. The Spirit is his pledge to us that we will receive the redemption of our bodies from the corruption of this world (8:23e). Here is another way to translate this phrase:

the Spirit as a pledge

the Spirit: This refers to the Holy Spirit.

8:23c

groan inwardly: The Greek is more literally “we ourselves also groan within ourselves.” It indicates that we groan in our hearts, not out loud. The Greek word translated “we” is repeated for emphasis. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

even we ourselves groan within ourselves (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
we ourselves also groan in our hearts/insides

In some languages it is not natural to repeat “we ourselves also” here. For example:

groan inside ourselves (New Jerusalem Bible)

8:23d

as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons: Here the first as indicates that waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons occurs at the same time as groaning inwardly (8:23c). Here are other ways to translate these words:

at the same time that we wait eagerly for adoption as sons
-or-

while we wait eagerly for adoption as sons

we wait eagerly: This phrase indicates that believers wait interested in our future adoption and wanting it to happen.

The same Greek word occurs in 8:19. See how you translated “waits in eager expectation” in 8:19.

our adoption as sons: The Berean Standard Bible adds the words as sons. The word adoption refers to taking someone who is not your child and making them legally your child. See how you translated this phrase in 8:15, where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “sonship.”

This is a future event, unlike in 8:15. Here this is the final part of becoming God adopted children, as 8:23e explains. In some languages that will need to be made clear to avoid confusion. For example:

⌊the final step of⌋ adoption as his/God’s children
-or-

⌊the last part of⌋ God adopting us as his children

8:23e

the redemption of our bodies: This explains what Paul meant here by “adoption as sons.” In some languages connecting words must be used to clearly indicate that connection. For example:

⌊that is,⌋ the redemption of our bodies
-or-

⌊it is this:⌋ the redemption of our bodies

redemption: A slave was a person who was owned by someone else. The word redemption refers to the act of purchasing a slave in order to set him or her free. Here Christ’s death and resurrection paid the price so that our own corruptible bodies will be set free from corruption and be changed into incorruptible and glorified bodies. Here are other ways to translate this word:

to be set free (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
to be released from sin and suffering (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
redeemed ⌊from corruption⌋

See how you translated this word in 3:24.

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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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020