SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020 – Page 26

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 15:22

Section 15:22–33

Paul planned to visit Rome

In this section, Paul explained his plan to go to Spain and visit the believers in Rome on the way. He also explained that he was currently going to Jerusalem with a gift of money for the poor believers there from the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. Once he was finished with that, he planned to go to Spain.

Paul asked the believers in Rome to pray for him. Paul wanted to avoid being blocked in his ministry by Jews who did not believe in Jesus. He also asked them to pray that the gift he was taking to Jerusalem would be acceptable to the believers there. If it was, he would have joy and be able to enjoy his visit with the believers in Rome.

Here are other possible headings for this section:

Paul wanted to visit the believers in Rome on his way to Spain
-or-
Paul’s Plan to Visit Rome (New International Version)

Paragraph 15:22–24

15:22

That is why: This phrase probably introduces a result of God causing him to be the apostle who preaches in new places among the Gentiles (15:18–20). Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

For this/that reason
-or-
Therefore

You may want to make the connection to 15:18–20 clear:

• Explain the connection in your translation. For example:

⌊God has caused me to work/minister in that way,⌋ therefore

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

The word “therefore” indicates that God caused Paul to be the apostle who preached in new places, therefore he had been unable to go to Rome.

But if the major language translation translates without explaining in any way, you may want to do the same.

I have often been hindered: This clause is passive. Probably included in what hindered him are the needs of the ministry, negative circumstances, or God’s will. Some languages must use an active clause. Use a general term for what hindered Paul. For example:

⌊Things/Situations⌋ have often hindered me

hindered: This word refers to preventing something from happening. Here are other ways to translate this word:

prevented (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
stopped/blocked

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 16:21

Paragraph 16:21–23 [24]

16:21a

Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you greetings:
This phrase indicates that Timothy did the same work as Paul, evangelizing in various places and helping the believers there. Sometimes they worked together in the same place and sometimes they worked separately. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

my co-worker (New International Version (2011))
-or-
he does the same work in Christ Jesus as me

See how you translated my fellow worker in 16:9.

16:21b

fellow countrymen: The Greek word, can mean either (1) relatives, or (2) fellow citizens.

Some languages must choose one or the other meaning. It is not clear which meaning is more appropriate here. You may want to follow the major language version here.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 1:22

1:22a–b

Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools: There is no conjunction between these two clauses. The Greek grammar indicates that Although they claimed to be wise occurs at the same time as they became fools. Here are other ways to translate this connection:

While they were claiming to be wise, they became fools
-or-
They always say that they are wise, ⌊but⌋ ⌊in truth⌋ they became fools

claimed: The Greek word here refers to saying something with confidence that it is true. Here are other ways to translate this word:

declaring
-or-
asserting
-or-
saying confidently

wise: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as wise refers to people who have wisdom and education. See how you translated this word in 1:14.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2:22

2:22a

You who forbid adultery: The Greek is literally “not to commit adultery.” It indicates a general command for people not to commit adultery.

adultery: This word refers to having sex with someone to whom you are not married.

In some languages people will want to use the polite expression to refer to this deed in this book. This might be an idiom. For example:

lie/sleep with someone who is not your wife or husband

2:22b

do you commit adultery?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes that this person should not commit adultery. Translate this clause with that meaning. Here are some ways:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

but do you commit adultery? (Good News Translation)

• As a statement. For example:

you yourself commit adultery
-or-
maybe it is you who commits adultery

2:22c

You who abhor idols: The word abhor means to hate and turn away from something, because it is so bad. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

You detest idols (Good News Translation)
-or-
you treat idols with disgust (God’s Word)
-or-
You hate idols (New Century Version)

idols: An “idol” is a statue or other physical representation of a god. It is something before which someone could worship that god.

2:22d

do you rob temples?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes that this person should not rob temples. Translate this clause with that meaning. Here are some ways:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

but do you rob temples? (Good News Translation)

• As a statement. For example:

you yourself rob temples
-or-
maybe it is you who rob temples

It is likely that Paul meant this literally, since there are a few stories about Jews going and stealing valuable things from temples of pagan gods. But Gentiles thought this was a really bad crime, as bad as killing people.

temples: Here the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as temples refers to buildings where a god is worshipped. Greek temples usually had a statue of the god and an altar. Some languages do not have a word for this meaning. If that is true in your language, explain the meaning in the text. For example:

houses of/for worship
-or-

⌊pagan⌋ worship houses/places

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:25

3:25a

God presented Him: Here the word presented means “to display publicly.” God had Jesus do his work openly, for everyone to see. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

whom God put forward (English Standard Version)
-or-
whom God displayed publicly (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
God sent openly

as the atoning sacrifice: These are two main ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as atoning sacrifice :

(1) It refers to making amends for sin. Jesus’ death for the sake of mankind paid the penalty for sin. God could then forgive their sins. For example:

as a sacrifice of atonement (New International Version)

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

(2) It refers to appeasing God’s anger against sin. Jesus’ death for the sake of mankind allowed God to forsake his anger against the sins of people. For example:

as a means to appease his wrath

(English Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, King James Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because BDAG supports it. Here are other ways to translate this word according to interpretation (1):

as a sacrifice for reconciliation (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
as a way to forgive sin (New Century Version)

3:25b

through faith: The Berean Standard Bible literally translates these Greek words. When we believe that God accepted the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross to atone for our sin, God forgives and accepts us. Believing in Jesus makes his work effective in our lives. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

through their faith in him (Good News Translation)
-or-
to be received and made effective in ourselves by faith (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
so that he would forgive our sins if we believe in Yesus
-or-
in order to clear the sins of all people who would believe in him

in His blood:
In the Old Testament God required a sacrifice of an animal to atone for sin. Here, the blood of Christ was poured out as the ultimate sacrifice to atone for people’s sins. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

through the shedding of his blood (New International Version (2011))
-or-
by-means-of his blood
-or-
by ⌊the sacrifice of⌋ Jesus’/his ⌊own⌋ blood

3:25c

in order to demonstrate: The Greek is literally “for the display of.” The Greek sentence continues from 3:25b. For example:

to demonstrate (New American Standard Bible)

But in some languages it is more natural to begin a new sentence here. For example:

He did this to demonstrate (New International Version)
-or-
God did that in order to show

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

(1) It means righteousness here. God does what is right. For example:

he is righteous (Good News Translation)

(Berean Standard Bible, English Standard Version, Revised Standard Version, New International Version (2011), Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition, King James Version, NET Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)

(2) It means justice here. God judges in a right way, according to what is right and wrong. For example:

his justice (Revised English Bible)

(New International Version (1984), Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the BDAG and L&N support it.

See how you translated this word in 1:17 or 3:5.

3:25d

because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand: The Greek is literally “because of the passing by of the previously occurred sins.” In the past God did not immediately judge and punish sins. He waited for Jesus to atone for sins for those who believed in Jesus. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

because in his forbearance he had overlooked the sins of the past (Revised English Bible)
-or-
In his patience God waited to deal with sins committed in the past. (God’s Word)
-or-
when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past (New Living Translation (2004))

in His forbearance: This phrase is the first phrase of 3:26 in the UBS Handbook Greek New Testament. But it connects to “he passed over former sins,” and the King James Version put it in 3:25, so many English versions put it in 3:25.

The Greek is literally “in the forbearance of God.” The word forbearance means “being patient with.” God patiently waited for Jesus to atone for sins while people continued to sin. See the examples above.

the sins committed beforehand: These are the wrongdoings of people who lived during the time of God’s first covenant before Jesus died and God resurrected him.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 5:1

Section 5:1–11

Good fruit/things in our lives because we believe

In this section, Paul started by saying that God has made people right with him because they believed in Jesus. From that, believers have peace with God and his grace. Believers rejoice about the future blessings as well as sufferings here on earth. Suffering causes us to endure, do what is right, and have hope for a better future.

God showed how much he loves us by sending Christ to die for us when we were still rejecting him. Jesus also saves us from God’s anger and reconciled us to God, and so we can rejoice.

Here are other possible headings for this section:

Results of Justification (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Peace with God Through Faith (English Standard Version)
-or-
Some things we experience because we believe in Jesus

Paragraph 5:1–5

5:1a

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith: The clause we have been justified through faith summarizes what Paul was talking about in 1:18–4:25. It is not a new conclusion that Paul made here. So the word Therefore introduces 5:1b as a result of being justified through faith. For example:

Now that we have been put right with God through faith, (Good News Translation)
-or-

⌊In summary,⌋ we have been justified by faith. Therefore

since we have been justified through faith: The word since introduces the basis for having peace with God (5:1b). In many languages 5:1b must be introduced with “so” for the correct meaning. For example:

we have been justified by faith, so

we have been justified: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ has justified us

justified: This word indicates that God decides that a person is acceptable to him. When people believe in Jesus, God declares them to be righteous. See how you translated this word in 2:13, where the Berean Standard Bible translates as “declared righteous.”

5:1b

peace: This word refers to having no conflicts with other people or with God. The Greek word may also indicate wholeness or well-being. See how you translated this word in 1:7.

5:1c

through our Lord Jesus Christ: Here this phrase indicates that when Jesus died on the cross to redeem us from our sins, it made a way for God to end his anger against us. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

by means of what our Lord Jesus Christ did
-or-
because of what he has done for us (New Living Translation (2004))

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 6:12

Paragraph 6:12–14

6:12a

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body: In some English versions, the word Therefore is in the middle of the clause. For example:

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body (English Standard Version)

In some languages, it may be more natural to put the word Therefore at the beginning of the sentence, as the Berean Standard Bible does.

do not let sin reign: There are two ways to interpret the Greek words here:

(1) It is a command to not do something. For example:

do not let sin reign (Berean Standard Bible)

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

(2) It is a command to stop doing something. For example:

sin must no longer reign in your mortal body (Revised English Bible)

(Good News Translation, Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because many scholars support it as well.

This clause refers to not following the temptations of sin. The figure of speech speaks of sin as a ruler/king over someone. In some languages a literal translation would have the wrong meaning or not be clear as to its meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use “like/as” to indicate the comparison. For example:

Do not let sin control you like a ruler/king

• Translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:

Do not let sin control you

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

This clause refers to not following/obeying the temptations of sin.

The present tense refers to the ongoing effort of the believer to not follow the temptations of sin. Each time a believer is tempted, he must reject that temptation. For example:

Always be stopping sin from reigning/controlling you

in your mortal body: Here the word body implies the things someone does. The power of sin should not control what we do. In some languages a literal translation would imply that.

But in some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer only to sins internal to the physical body. If that is true in your language, refer to what we do. For example:

do not let sin control your life here on earth (New Century Version)

mortal body: The word mortal refers to something being able to die. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the body which dies
-or-
your bodies are a thing for dying
-or-
during the time we live here on earth

6:12b

so that you obey its desires:
Here the phrase so that introduces the purpose of sin reigning in believers’ lives. It does not connect to “Do not let.” Make that clear in your translation. For example:

and make you obey its evil desires
-or-
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body. It/Sin wants to make you obey its passions.

desires: Here this word means “strong urge to do something.” It refers here to anything that sin might try to make believers want that they should not. It does not refer here to only desires of having sex. Other ways to translate it are:

evil desires (New International Version)
-or-
passions (English Standard Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 7:21

Paragraph 7:21–25

7:21a–c

So this is the principle I have discovered: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me: The Greek is literally “So I find the law/principle to/regarding the I-wanting to/for me to do the good, that to/for me the evil is present.” It indicates that Paul found that a law or rule in his life was this: He wanted to do the good thing, but evil was always there to influence him to do the bad thing. Here are other ways to translate these words:

I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me (King James Version)
-or-
this is now what I have observed, as soon as I want to do something good, it is immediately blocked by the evil residing within me

7:21a

So: This word introduces a conclusion about what Paul said earlier.

this is the principle: Here the word principle refers to a principle: a general statement about the way something is. Paul then stated the principle: “When I want to do good, evil is right there with me (7:21b–c).” The word does not refer to the law of Moses here. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

this law (New International Version)
-or-
a law (English Standard Version)

I have discovered: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as discovered indicates that Paul looked at the facts of the situation and discovered a truth that he then told us in the words that follow.

In some languages a literal translation would not indicate the meaning above. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. For example:

find (English Standard Version)
-or-
experienced
-or-
see

7:21b

When I want to do good: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as When I want is literally “when the wanting to do good is with me.” It refers generally to any time or even all the time. It does not limit it to only some of the time. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

Although I want to do good (New International Version (2011))
-or-
I want to do good ⌊things/deeds⌋

good: This word is translated as “good” in 7:16. It refers to deeds that God considers are good to do.

7:21c

evil is right there with me: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as right there with me is literally “present and ready for some purpose or action.” Evil was ready to influence Paul to do something wrong. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

evil is present in me (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
evil lies close at hand (English Standard Version)

This clause speaks of evil as if it were a physical thing. Some languages may have to translate in a different way. For example:

the thought to do evil is always there in me
-or-
evil desires are there, ready ⌊to influence⌋ me ⌊to do evil⌋

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020