SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020 – Page 3

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:7

3:7a–b

However, if my falsehood accentuates God’s truthfulness, to the increase of His glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?: This verse is similar to 3:5. Paul was speaking generally of lying making God’s truth more clear. He said my falsehood, but was referring generally to lying. He is probably not confessing a specific sin here.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that Paul was confessing that he was lying about something. If that is true in your language, translate in a way that indicates that the meaning is more general. For example:

But if through our falsehood God’s truthfulness is accentuated to the increase of his glory, why are we still being condemned as sinners?
-or-
Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?” (New International Version)

3:7a

However:
There is some contrast here to 3:6b. So some English versions translate the Greek conjunction as However. However, some English versions do not see contrast here and so omit the conjunction. For example:

If my lie increases… (God’s Word)

if my falsehood accentuates God’s truthfulness, to the increase of His glory: Here the word if introduces a situation that is true. If this first part is true, that supports the second part (“why am I still condemned as a sinner?”).

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:

my falsehood accentuates God’s truthfulness, to the increase of his glory. ⌊True?⌋ ⌊So⌋…
-or-

⌊Would you agree that⌋ my falsehood accentuates God’s truthfulness, to the increase of his glory? ⌊So⌋…
-or-

⌊You would agree that⌋ my falsehood accentuates God’s truthfulness, to the increase of his glory. ⌊So⌋…

my falsehood accentuates God’s truthfulness, to the increase of His glory: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as my falsehood accentuates God’s truthfulness is literally “the truthfulness of God is much in my falsehood.” The Berean Standard Bible put the phrase my falsehood before the subject God’s truthfulness, probably for emphasis. But the phrase in the Greek is not emphasized in that way. Follow normal phrase order in your language here. In English here is a more normal word order:

God’s truthfulness abounds to the increase of his glory through/in my falsehood

The Greek tense on this verb usually is translated as past tense. But many English versions use the present tense, because the English present tense is used to indicate a general statement. The lie could refer to being unfaithful to promises (3:3), but here it probably is general, referring to any sin. Consider how to translate this word so that it indicates a general statement.

my falsehood: This phrase is literally “in/through my falsehood.” It indicates that this falsehood caused God’s “truthfulness” to more clearly be seen. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

by means of my falsehood
-or-

my falsehood makes God’s truth abundantly clear
-or-

my lie increases the glory that God receives by showing that God is truthful (God’s Word)
-or-

on account of my lies, the trueness of God’s word is increasingly seen

accentuates: This word means “be much.” Here it refers to God’s truth being more clearly shown. Here are other ways to translate this word:

making his truth stand out more clearly (Good News Translation)
-or-
highlights (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
abounds (English Standard Version)

In some languages one cannot speak of truthfulness being “accentuated.” If that is true in your language, indicate that people see more and more of God’s truth. For example:

is increasingly seen
-or-
being more apparent
-or-
makes it apparent that God’s word is true

God’s truthfulness: Here this phrase refers to God’s words; they are true. Whenever God speaks, he says what is true. In some languages a literal translation is not possible. If that is true in your language, refer to his words being true. For example:

God’s truth (English Standard Version)
-or-
showing that God is truthful
-or-
the trueness of God’s word

glory: Here this word refers to people praising and honoring God because they recognize his greatness and majesty. Here are other ways to translate this word:

great honor (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
he is honored/praised

See also glory, sense A3(a) in the Key Biblical Terms.

3:7b

why am I still condemned as a sinner?: This is a rhetorical question based on what Paul said in 3:7a. Paul implied here that it was wrong to think that an excuse for sin would be that it increases God’s truth and therefore his glory. Translate this with that meaning. Here are some ways:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Why should I still be condemned as a sinner? (Good News Translation)

• As a statement. For example:

then I should not be judged to be a sinner at all. (New Jerusalem Bible)

why am I still condemned: The Greek is literally “why still am even I being judged/condemned.” The Greek word that means “even I” indicates emphasis on the meaning of I. If possible translate this emphasis. For example:

why is it I who is still being condemned

This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause here. For example:

why is ⌊God/he⌋ still condemning me

still: Here this word indicates that God condemned this person even though his lie caused God’s truth to be shown more clearly and more people honor him (3:7a).

sinner: This word refers to a person who sins.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 4:8

4:8

There is an implicit connection between 4:7b and 4:8. Here, probably “and” or “also” is implied.

whose sin the Lord will never count against him: The word count indicates that God will not consider those sins when he judges that person. He will not include those sins as something he is guilty of. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

whose record the Lord has cleared of sin (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
whose sins the Lord will not keep account of (Good News Translation)
-or-
who had sins and the Lord God cleared them
-or-
whose evil behavior is no longer thought about by the Lord God

sin: This word refers to doing something that God said is wrong to do, or not doing something that God said they should do. See how you translated this word in 3:9.

the Lord: The word Lord means “master, one who has authority over others.” Here it refers to God. See how you translated Lord in 1:4.

In some languages the word Lord must connect to a noun. For example:

⌊God⌋ the Lord
-or-
the Lord ⌊God⌋

General Comment on 4:7a–8

These words are a quote of Psalm 32:1–2. If you indicate the location of quotes from the Old Testament with cross-references, you may want to do so here.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 5:15

Paragraph 5:15–17

5:15a

But the gift is not like the trespass: The Greek is more literally “but not as the trespass so also the gift.” The word is is implied from the Greek grammar. For example:

But not as the offence, so also [is] the free gift (King James Version)
-or-
But also the gift is indeed not like the trespass

the gift: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as gift refers to salvation or reconciliation (5:8–11). The opportunity to be saved and reconciled to God is given to us for free. We cannot earn that opportunity.

In some languages what the gift is must be explained. For example:

the gift ⌊of salvation/reconciliation⌋
-or-
the gift ⌊of Jesus saving/reconciling us⌋

trespass: This word in Greek generally refers to falling because you did something wrong. Here it has a more figurative sense and means “a violation of moral standards.” Here are other ways to translate this word:

failure (God’s Word)
-or-
wrongdoing (Revised English Bible)

This word is similar in meaning to “sin” here. In some languages “sin” is the best translation of this word. For example:

sin (Good News Translation)

5:15b

For: This word introduces an explanation of how the gift is not like the trespass (5:15a).

if the many died by the trespass of the one man: Here the word if introduces a situation that is true. If this first part is true, that supports the second part (“how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many!”) (5:15c) to also be true.

Here the word if does not indicate that the many died by the trespass of the one man might not be true. In some languages a literal translation would indicate this incorrect meaning. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. For example:

consider this: many died through one man’s trespass, therefore
-or-
it is true that many died through one man’s trespass, therefore
-or-
many died through one man’s trespass, therefore

the many: Here this phrase refers to a large number of people. Here it refers to “all men” (5:12c). For that reason, many English versions translate the article as well, as the Berean Standard Bible does. Other translations do not translate the article. For example:

many (English Standard Version)

by the trespass of the one man: The word by indicates that Adam’s sin caused sin to enter the world and so all people sin and therefore die (5:12). Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

because of the sin of that one man (Good News Translation)
-or-
the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-

From the transgression of that one person, all mankind die.

5:15c

how much more did God’s grace and the gift…abound to the many!: Here are other ways to translate this clause:

much more did the grace of God and the gift…abound to the many (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
But God’s grace is much greater, and so is his free gift to so many people (Good News Translation)
-or-
the grace of God and the gift…have had a much greater effect

how much more: This phrase is emphasized in the Greek and the Berean Standard Bible. In some languages the meaning is more clear by not emphasizing this phrase. For example:

the grace of God and the free gift…have abounded for many ⌊people⌋ much more

This phrase emphasizes what follows. See how you translated this phrase in 5:9–10.

abound: This word refers to having much of something, even having more than enough. Believers have no lack of the grace of God and the free gift of Jesus Christ. Here are other ways to translate this Greek word:

overflow (New International Version)
-or-
been given fully

the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ: The word by indicates that the grace of Jesus caused the free gift to be available to all people. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ (New International Version)
-or-
the gift given through the kindness of one person, Jesus Christ (God’s Word)

the gift: The word here in Greek is a different word than “gift” in 5:15a. Probably “the grace of God” and the gift are parts of “the gift” of 5:15a. Some scholars think the Greek word here refers to the Holy Spirit, but others think it refers to something else. You should not say what the gift is here.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 7:3

7:3a–d

she is joined to another man…marries another man: The phrase joined to and the word marries translate the same Greek word. There are several ways to interpret this word in the two places:

(1) The word refers to marrying both times. For example:

married another man…remarries (New Living Translation (2004))

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

(2) The word refers to adultery the first time and marrying the second time. For example:

lives with another man…marries another man (Revised Standard Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New International Version (2011), Contemporary English Version, English Standard Version)

(3) The word refers to adultery both times. For example:

have relations with another man…has relations with another man (New Jerusalem Bible)

(New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the Greek word is unlikely to mean two different things in this verse (interpretation (2)) and 7:2 refers to a woman remarrying after her first husband dies, so 7:3d is most likely referring to remarrying also. Also, Paul was talking about when the law of marriage is in effect, so interpretation (1) fits that discussion best.

7:3a

So then: This Greek phrase introduces a result. Here are other ways to translate this word:

Accordingly (English Standard Version)
-or-
So (New Jerusalem Bible)

7:3b

she is called: Here the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as is called is more literally “bear/take a name/title.” Here are other ways to translate this clause:

she will bear the name/title of
-or-
she will have the label of

adulteress: This word refers to a woman who has sexual intercourse with a man who is not her husband. Here are other ways to translate this word:

she is committing-adultery
-or-
an adultery doing woman

General Comment on 7:3a–b

Here the if-clause (7:3a) comes after its consequence (7:3b). In some languages the if-clause may come second. For example:

Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive (English Standard Version)

7:3c

she is free from that law: The phrase that law refers to the law of marriage in 7:2b. Her husband has died, so the law no longer calls her married. She is free to marry someone else. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

the authority of that law over her also ceases-to-exist
-or-
she is no longer bound by what the law says about this

7:3d

and is not an adulteress, even if she marries another man: This clause is still connected to “if her husband dies.” In some languages this phrase must be repeated for the correct meaning. For example:

and if she marries another man ⌊after he has died,⌋ she is not an adulteress

marries: For the interpretation issue about this word, see the note at 7:3a–d above.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 8:10

8:10a

But: There is contrast between “anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ” (8:9c) and “Christ is in you” here. For that reason many English versions translate the Greek word here as But.

if Christ is in you: Here the word if introduces a situation that is true. If this first part is true, that supports the second part (“your spirit is alive because of righteousness…your body is dead because of sin” 8:10c,b).

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:

Christ lives within you, so (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
should ⌊Jesus⌋ Christ be in you
-or-
if ⌊you agree that⌋ Christ is in you ⌊and I know that you do⌋, then ⌊you should also agree that⌋

Christ is in you: There is no verb in the Greek, but is is clearly implied (for natural English). Here are other ways to translate this clause:

Cristo remains in you
-or-
Christ lives in your hearts/insides

8:10b

your body is dead: There is no verb in the Greek here. Many English versions add is, in accord with adding “is” in 8:10a. But here the clause needs to be understood in a figurative sense, because Paul was speaking of believers who were still alive. They do not live according to human nature, so in that way their human nature (or body) is dead. Other English versions add a different word or phrase to avoid the figurative use of is. For example:

is subject to death (New International Version (2011))
-or-
your body will die (New Living Translation (2004))

body: This word refers to the physical body of a human being. Some languages must add a possessive pronoun. For example:

your bodies

because of sin: Sin leads to death (5:12 and 6:23). In some languages it is more natural to add a possessive pronoun to the word sin. In some languages it is more natural to make the word sin plural. For example:

because of your sins (Contemporary English Version)

8:10c

your spirit is alive: There are three ways to interpret this clause:

(1) It indicates that the Holy Spirit provides life to believers here. For example:

the Spirit is life for you (Good News Translation)

(New International Version (2011), Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004), NET Bible, Revised English Bible, New Century Version)

(2) It indicates that the human spirit of believers is alive here. For example:

your spirits are alive (God’s Word)

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version (1984), New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New American Standard Bible, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version)

(3) It indicates that the Holy Spirit is life in some general way. For example:

the Spirit is life (King James Version)

(King James Version, New Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because these verses are talking about the relationship of the Holy Spirit to believers.

is alive: Again, the Greek does not have a verb here. Many English versions add is, in accord with adding “is” in 8:10a and 8:10b. However, here the implied connection is probably that the Holy Spirit gives life, implying new life. For example:

gives life (New International Version (2011))

because of righteousness: God has declared believers to be righteous (3:21). The Holy Spirit then indwells them and gives them life (8:11).

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 9:3

9:3a

For: Here this word introduces an explanation of what Paul said in 9:2.

I could wish: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as wish :

(1) It means wish here.

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

(2) It means pray here. For example:

I could pray (New Jerusalem Bible)

(New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the context does not indicate or imply that this action is directed to God. Also, it might be appropriate for Paul to wish that he was accursed for the sake of the Jews, but it would not be appropriate for him to pray for God to make him accursed and cut off from Christ.

Here are other ways to translate this clause:

if it were possible, I would like
-or-
If I could save my fellow Jews I would do it even if it meant
-or-
If it were possible, I really would not refuse to

could wish: Here the word could indicates that Paul had a true desire to see the Jews saved but stopped short of actually wishing that to happen. See the above examples.

were cursed: Here these words refer to something that is marked for destruction. All people who reject Jesus as the Christ are cursed. Here are other ways to translate this word:

were under a curse
-or-
be placed under God’s curse (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
be put in ⌊eternal⌋ punishment

and cut off from Christ: The Berean Standard Bible and some English versions add the phrase and cut off. It explains the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as from. Here this word indicates separation from Christ forever. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

separated from Christ (New American Standard Bible)
-or-

⌊remove me⌋ from ⌊my life in⌋ Christ

9:3b

for the sake of my brothers, my own flesh and blood: This refers to the Jews who do not believe in Jesus. It refers to some benefit for these Jews related to the possibility of Paul being cut off from Christ. Paul explained clearly in 10:1, but did not say here what he might expect from a wish to be accursed for the sake of these Jews. You may want to explain in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

10:1 explains that Paul wanted very much for the Jews who do not believe in Jesus to believe in him.

for the sake of: This phrase refers to helping or causing advantage for someone. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

to help
-or-
for
-or-
to benefit

See how you translated the phrase “on behalf of” in 1:5.

my brothers, my own flesh and blood: Here the phrase my brothers refers to Jews, because Paul was a Jew. The phrase my own flesh and blood explains the phrase my brothers, because the word brothers is often used to refer to fellow Christians. Connect the second phrase to the first in a way that it explains the first phrase. For example:

my brothers, my kinsfolk by natural descent (Revised English Bible)
-or-
my fellow Jews who are related-to-me-by-blood
-or-
my fellow Jews, ⌊they are⌋ my true tribesmen

my own flesh and blood: This phrase refers to people of the same tribe or people group as Paul according to natural descent. The Jews and Paul all descended from Jacob, whose other name was Israel. This phrase makes it clear that Paul was talking specifically about people who were related to him by birth. See the above examples.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 10:2

10:2a

For: Here this word introduces the reason Paul prayed for the Jews.

I testify about: This phrase means “report what one saw.” The phrase is often used where the person is expected to be truthful and accurate. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

I bear…witness (English Standard Version)
-or-
I ⌊truthfully⌋ say about

See how you translated the phrase “attested” in 3:21.

them: Here the Greek grammar indicates that Paul spoke about them, rather than to them. Some English translations can be taken either way, but the Greek only indicates the first meaning.

10:2b

they are zealous for God: The word zealous refers to an eagerness to do something. The Jews were eager to follow God according to the Laws of Moses, and eager to speak for God in an argument, and eager to fight against those who oppose God. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

what enthusiasm they have for God (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
they really strive to follow/obey God

10:2c

but not on the basis of knowledge: This indicates that the things that the Jews did in their zeal did not agree with what God said in the Old Testament. The Jews read and should have known what God wanted them to do. Instead they followed their own thinking.

Some languages must repeat all of part of the meaning of “they have zeal for God” for a natural translation. For example:

but ⌊their zeal is⌋ not according to knowledge

knowledge: This refers to things about God that people can know. In some languages a literal translation would refer to knowledge in general. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain in your translation. For example:

knowledge ⌊of him⌋
-or-

⌊religious⌋ knowledge

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 11:13

Paragraph 11:13–15

11:13a

The Greek of 11:13a begins with a word that is often translated as “but” and “and.” The Berean Standard Bible has not translated this word. Here the word introduces another thing that Paul wanted to say. For example:

But (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
I am… (Good News Translation)

I am speaking to you Gentiles: In the Greek, the word you is emphasized. Here are some ways to translate the emphasis:

You Gentiles, I speak to you
-or-
It is to you Gentiles that I am speaking

I am speaking: This clause refers to what Paul had been saying and what he said next. See the above examples.

speaking: The Roman believers read this letter. So in some languages the word “writing” would be more natural here.

Gentiles: Paul implied here believers who are not Jews. In some languages a literal translation would indicate or imply people who do not believe in Jesus. If that is true in your language, indicate the correct meaning. For example:

Gentile ⌊believers⌋
-or-

⌊believers who are⌋ not Jews

11:13b

Inasmuch as: The Greek of 11:13b has a word that is often translated as “then” or “therefore” after the phrase Inasmuch as. In many languages it is more natural to have it in front. For example:

Then, inasmuch as

There are two ways to translate this Greek phrase:

(1) It bases his right to act in this way on the fact that he is an apostle to the Gentiles. For example:

as far as (New Jerusalem Bible)

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

(2) It bases his right to act on how much time Paul had been an apostle to the Gentiles. For example:

As long as (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version)

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

the apostle: The Greek does not have the word that the Berean Standard Bible has translated as the. There are two ways to interpret this:

(1) It indicates that the word an should be added in English. For example:

an apostle (English Standard Version)

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

(2) It implies that the word the should be added in English. For example:

the apostle (New International Version)

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

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because it is unlikely that Paul claimed to be the only apostle to Gentiles, as interpretation (2) implies.

apostle: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as apostle means a “representative” or “messenger.” God chose Paul and sent him to tell the gospel about Jesus. See how you translated this word in 1:1.

to the Gentiles: This phrase indicates that Paul had a ministry as an apostle with people who were not Jews.

11:13c

magnify: The Greek word here is often translated “glorify.” Paul told others that his ministry is important. He boasted about it. Here are other ways to translate this word:

glorify (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
make much of (New International Version)
-or-
I go around telling to the Yuus the talk of what God has done amongst the non-Yuus through me

ministry: The Greek word here refers to the work of helping others. It refers to Paul being an apostle, not another work of his. Paul’s work as an apostle helped others. Here are other ways to translate this word:

work of service (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
this work of helping others

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020