SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020 – Page 3

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

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
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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⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 8:28

Paragraph 8:28–30

8:28a–b

God works all things: There are several ways to interpret who or what is working here. Here are the two main ones:

(1) It is all things that work here.

(New Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, New American Bible, Revised Edition, King James Version, God’s Word, NET Bible)

(2) It is God who works here. For example:

in all things God works (New International Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). But if the major language version follows interpretation (2), you may want to follow that.

for the good of those who love Him: Here the word for introduces who benefits from the good. For example:

…the good of those who love him (New International Version)

for the good: This phrase indicates that all things that happen in a believer’s life, whether good or bad, ultimately result in benefit for him or her. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

to their good (New Jerusalem Bible)

those who love Him: This phrase refers to all believers. Your translation should indicate or imply that meaning.

8:28c

who are called according to His purpose: Here the word who introduces who benefits from the good. This group is all believers, like “those who love Him” in 8:28b. To make it clear this is the same group as in 8:28b, some languages must introduce it differently. For example:

namely, those who are called according to his purpose
-or-
I refer to those who are called according to his purpose
-or-
those who love him, those who have been called in accordance with his purpose (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-

and he called them according to his purpose

are called: Here the word called means “chosen to be given a special benefit or purpose.” God designated people in Rome to believe in Jesus and become his people. His call was the means by which he chose them.

See how you translated this word in 1:6.

according to His purpose: The word purpose refers to what the goal or expected result is for God calling people to believe in Jesus. There are many aspects or parts to that purpose. Two parts of that purpose are in 8:30: to justify and to glorify believers. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

according to his plan (God’s Word)
-or-
because that was his plan (New Century Version)

His purpose: The Berean Standard Bible and many English versions add the word His here, because it is God’s plan to call them.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 9:21

9:21a–c

This verse illustrates that it is right for God to decide as he wants, even regarding people. It uses the example of someone who makes things with clay. He can choose as he wants what he will use each thing for.

Does not the potter have the right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special occasions and another for common use?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes that the potter has the right to make some things for honorable use and some things for dishonorable use from the same lump of clay. Translate this clause with that meaning. Here are some ways:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Doesn’t a potter have the right to make a fancy bowl and a plain bowl out of the same lump of clay? (Contemporary English Version)

• As a statement. For example:

Surely the potter has the right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special occasions and another for common/regular use.
-or-
He can make something for a special occasion or something for everyday use from the same lump of clay. (God’s Word)

9:21a–b

potter…clay: The word potter refers to someone who makes things with clay. Often he made clay pots, thus the name potter. Some languages will not have a single word for this kind of person. For example:

The one who makes plates and such from clay
-or-
the person who makes cups and things from earth

In some languages people are unfamiliar with clay. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain it in your translation. For example:

the person who makes hard things with sticky/pliable earth/soil ⌊and then bakes them⌋
-or-
the person who makes things with sticky/pliable earth/soil ⌊and then bakes them to make them hard⌋

• Use major language word for clay.

the one who makes things with klei

• Use a familiar substitute. For example:

The man that makes the basket
-or-
the woman who makes a woven-bag

right: Here this word refers to having the authority and power to do as one chooses. Here are other ways to translate this word:

power (King James Version)
-or-
can do what he likes (Revised English Bible)

9:21b

lump of clay: Here this word refers to an amount of something solid, of one piece, and of no particular size or shape. Here are other ways to translate this word:

clump
-or-
hunk

If you used a substitute for clay in 9:21a, you should use an appropriate word for a group of the material used. For example:

(basket)…bundle
-or-
(woven-bag)…bark

9:21c

vessel: Here this word refers to any kind of container or thing that people use to put things in or on, including plates, cups, baskets, pots, jars, and so on. Here is another English word:

container

Some languages must use a more specific word or a more general word here. For example:

jar/pot/bowl
-or-
thing

for special occasions: This clay vessel brings honor, for example, someone may give one to guests for them to use at a feast, or it might be something a priest uses at the temple to honor God. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

for noble purposes (New International Version)
-or-
for valuable uses

for common use: There are two main ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as common use :

(1) It means dishonorable here. For example:

for an ignoble one (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

(King James Version, English Standard Version, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New Living Translation (2004))

(2) It means ordinary here. For example:

for menial use (Revised Standard Version)

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

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because it is the much more common meaning of the word.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 10:20

10:20a

And: The Greek word here is usually translated “and” or “but.” Some English versions use “Then” to indicate that Isaiah spoke after Moses (10:19b). Isaiah lived many years after the time Moses lived.

Isaiah boldly says: The Greek is literally, “Isaiah is-bold/daring and says.” God spoke the words of 10:20b–c and Isaiah wrote them in Scripture. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

Isaiah is bold ⌊in/with⌋ writing ⌊these words of God⌋ :
-or-
Isaiah was fearless enough to tell that the Lord had said (Contemporary English Version)

These words introduce a quote from the Old Testament. Some languages usually introduce Old Testament quotes in a certain way. For example:

⌊in the Scriptures⌋ Isaiah boldly ⌊wrote what God⌋ said
-or-
Isaiah ⌊wrote in the Holy Book God⌋ boldly saying this

says: The Greek verb is present tense says, but Isaiah wrote the words of 10:20b–c over seven hundred years before Paul lived. Greek scholars call it the historical present. In many languages the normal way of referring to a past event must be used. For example:

to have said

Paul introduced the quote in 10:21b with the words “as for Israel,” which implies that the quote in 10:20b–c was about the Gentiles. If you want to make explicit who Paul spoke of in this verse, you should refer to the Gentiles. For example:

to say ⌊about the non-Jews⌋

10:20b

The words of 10:20b–c are from Isaiah 65:1.

I was found by those who did not seek Me: This clause is passive. Some languages must translate with an active clause. For example:

those who did not seek me found me

I was found: Here the word found indicates that people learn who the true God is. It does not imply that God was lost or hiding. Translate with that meaning. For example:

I was discovered
-or-
they learned about me

was found: Here the word was indicates that in the past, at various times, people found God. Your translation should not indicate or imply that people found God all at the same time.

those who did not seek Me: The Greek verb here refers to seeking at any time. For example:

those not seeking me

10:20c

I revealed Myself: There are numerous ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as revealed Myself. Here are the main ones:

(1) Here it refers to God making himself manifest or revealing himself to people. For example:

I have shown myself (Revised Standard Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, New American Standard Bible, King James Version, English Standard Version, New Living Translation (2004), New American Bible, Revised Edition, Revised English Bible, New Century Version)

(2) Here it refers to God making himself visible to people. For example:

I appeared (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, Contemporary English Version)

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

those who did not ask for Me: This phrase refers to people who asked others to tell them about the one true God. The Greek verb here refers to asking at any time. For example:

those not asking for me

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2:22

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:25

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 5:1

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 6:12

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 7:21

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 8:28

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 9:21

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 10:20

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