SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020 – Page 27

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 7:13

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

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 8:20

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

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 9:13

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.”

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 10:12

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)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 11:23

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.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 12:19

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.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 14:16

14:16

The Greek of 14:16 begins with a word that is often translated as “so” or “therefore.” The Berean Standard Bible omits this word. Here it introduces a conclusion, an idea coming from thinking about what Paul said previously. For example:

Therefore (New International Version (2011))

Do not allow: This command indicates that believers must not do things that cause people to say such deeds are bad even though the believers say they are good deeds. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

do not let (English Standard Version)
-or-
Do not give occasion for

what you consider good, then, to be spoken of as evil: This clause is passive. In some languages an active clause must be used. For example:

people speak of what you regard as good as evil
-or-
people say that the thing you regard as good is evil

what you consider good: In the Greek this is literally “your (plur.) good thing.” It probably refers to the freedom believers have to eat anything they want. But if you use that freedom to hurt other believers, then people will say that that freedom is a bad thing. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

what you know is good (New International Version (2011))
-or-
what you think is good (New Century Version)

be spoken of as evil: The freedom we have in Christ is good. But if we hurt others when living according to that freedom, some people might say that that freedom is a bad thing. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

be reviled (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
be called a bad thing

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 15:25

Paragraph 15:25–29

15:25a

Now, however: This is a translation of the same two words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “But now” in 15:23. Here it introduces going to Jerusalem, which is in contrast to his hope to visit Rome on the way to Spain. For example:

But now (New Jerusalem Bible)

I am on my way to Jerusalem: The present tense here probably indicates that soon after Paul sent this letter, he would leave Corinth on his journey to Jerusalem. The English am on my way allows for this meaning. He probably did not write this letter while he was traveling. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

I am about to go to Jerusalem
-or-
I am going first to the village of Yerusalem

15:25b

to serve: The Greek word refers to helping others in some way. Here Paul implied the collection of money from the churches in Greece. The money would help the poor believers in Jerusalem. For example:

to help (New Century Version)

the saints: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as saints is literally “holy (ones).” It can mean “holy people,” “people dedicated/consecrated to God,” or “people whom God has made holy.” Here it probably implies all of these meanings. In the New Testament, this word refers to all Christians, not to any special group of Christians. See how you translated this word in 1:7 or 12:13.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020