SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020 – Page 4

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 12:7

12:7a

if: The Greek word here includes the meaning of “or.” A believer may not have the gift of prophecy, but he or she may have the gift of service. For example:

or if

serving: The Greek word here originally focused on giving food to others at meals. It then included helping others in similar ways. Eventually the word became defined by the office of “deacon,” but this definition probably does not apply here. Here are other ways to translate this word:

serving others (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
be a servant to your companions

let him serve: Here this phrase indicates that the believer with the gift of serving should actually serve others. They should do as they are gifted to do. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

to serve
-or-
then serve (New International Version (2011))
-or-
he/she must serve
-or-
serve properly

12:7b

if it is teaching: 12:7b begins with the same Greek word that means “or if” as in 12:7a. For example:

or if ⌊you are⌋ the one teaching

The Berean Standard Bible indicates a connection with its semi-colon at the end of 12:7a.

teaching: Here this word implies teaching related to religion, which includes the Old Testament, the gospel of Jesus, faith, Christian living, and so forth. In some languages a literal translation would only refer to teaching as a school teacher, not a religious teacher. If that is true in your language, explain the correct meaning in your translation. For example:

teaches ⌊religion⌋
-or-
teaches ⌊about Jesus⌋

But the context may be enough in imply teaching religion.

let him teach: Here this phrase indicates that the believer with the gift of teaching should actually teach others. They should do as they are gifted to do. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

to teach
-or-
then teach (New International Version (2011))
-or-
he/she must teach
-or-
teach properly

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 14:4

14:4a

Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?: This is a rhetorical question. It rebukes any believer who considers another believer to be bad because that believer does something that this believer does not do. It implies that the person this question is addressed to does not have the authority to judge the other believer. Here are some other ways to translate this:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Why do you think that you are someone with the authority to judge someone else’s servant?
-or-
What right do you have to consider someone else’s servant as a bad person?

• As a statement. For example:

You do not have the authority to judge someone else’s servant!
-or-
You have no right to consider someone else’s servant as a bad person.

• As a command. For example:

Do not think that you have the authority to judge someone else’s servant!
-or-
Do not think that you have a right to consider someone else’s servant as a bad person.

you: This word is emphatic in the Greek. It emphasizes that the person does not have that right, only God does. For example:

As for you, who are you…

to judge: See how you translated this phrase in 14:3b.

someone else’s servant: It was well known that only the master had any authority over a servant. Here someone else refers to the Lord (14:4). A fellow believer is the Lord’s servant. If that is not clear in a literal translation, you may want to explain this in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

Here the phrase “someone else” refers to the Lord (14:4).

servant: The Greek word here refers to a servant whom the master considers to be one of the household. A slave was not usually considered one of the household. Your language may have a word for this special kind of servant.

14:4b

To his own master he stands or falls: The phrase To his own master is emphasized by being first in the clause. Some languages can emphasize this phrase in the same way as the Greek. For example:

before his own master he stands or falls

But some languages cannot move this phrase to the front of the clause. If that is true in your language, if possible, emphasize the clause in a natural way. For example:

If he stands or falls, it is to his own master
-or-
he stands or falls indeed only to his own master

master: The Greek word here is usually translated “lord.” It refers to someone who has authority over someone else, like a ruler or the leader of the family living in that house.

Paul here was referring generally to masters and servants. He explained in particular who he was referring to in 14:4d, so you should not need to explain it here.

he stands or falls: Here the word stands is a figure of speech that refers to the master saying the servant has done right. Here the word falls is a figure of speech that refers to the master saying the servant has done wrong.

In some languages a literal translation would not have the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

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

he is told he has done right or not
-or-
his master says that he has done right or he has done wrong

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

Here the word “stands” refers to the master saying that the servant has done right and the word “falls” refers to the master saying that the servant has done wrong.

14:4c

And he will stand: In Greek, this clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊his master⌋ will uphold him
-or-

⌊the Lord⌋ will uphold him

will: It is not clear when in the future the Lord would uphold his servant. It could be at some time in the life of the servant on earth, or it could be when God judges believers in the great judgment. Use the grammar in your language that indicates generally a future time.

stand: Here this phrase refers to indicating that someone is accepted or approved. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

what he is doing will of course be approved as right
-or-
be established ⌊as approved⌋

14:4d

the Lord:
See how you translated the word Lord in 1:4 or 13:14. It is not clear whether it refers to God or Jesus here. It probably refers to Jesus, since God is mentioned in 14:3 using the Greek word for God.

to make him stand: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to make…stand is the same word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “stand” in 14:4c. You should translate it similarly to how you translated it there. For example:

to approve as right what he is doing
-or-
to establish ⌊as approved⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 15:13

Paragraph 15:13

15:13a

Now may the God of hope fill you: This indicates that Paul wanted God to fill the Roman believers. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

I pray that God…will fill you (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
I request that he give you
-or-
I-desire-that…God…will graciously-favor you

the God of hope: Here the word of indicates that God enables us to hope. As believers we also hope in God, but that does not seem to be the main reason why Paul wrote of hope here. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

God, the source of hope, (Good News Translation)
-or-
God, who gives hope, (Contemporary English Version)

hope: This word refers to wanting something to happen or even confident expectation that something will happen. The meaning is “confident expectation” here. See how you translated this word in 4:18 or 12:12.

fill: Here this word is a figure of speech that indicates that God will give completely the ability to have joy and peace. Some languages can use fill in that way. Some languages must translate with a different word or phrase for the correct meaning. For example:

give in/an abundance
-or-
cause that you may completely rejoice…
-or-
give you happiness and peace…that is complete

all joy and peace: The word all connects to both joy and peace. In some languages it is more clear or natural to repeat this word. For example:

all joy and ⌊all⌋ peace

all: Here this word refers to all kinds of joy and all kinds of peace. In some languages the word all cannot be placed with a singular item like joy or peace. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. For example:

all kinds of joy and ⌊all kinds of⌋ peace

joy: This word refers to a continuing experience of being happy or glad. See how you translated this word in 14:17.

peace: Here this word refers to well-being and being free from troubles. See how you translated this word in 1:7 or 14:17.

as you believe in Him: There are several ways to interpret the Greek words here. Here are the three main ones:

(1) It means within the sphere or influence of believing. Joy and peace are experienced within the sphere or influence of believing. For example:

in your faith (New Jerusalem Bible)

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

(2) It indicates that believing is the way in which one experiences or gets joy and peace. For example:

by means of your faith in him (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation, God’s Word)

(3) It indicates that joy and peace are experienced at the same time as one believes. For example:

as you believe in him (NET Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because it seems the most fitting definition here.

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

(1) It refers to faith, as in the Berean Standard Bible.

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

(2) It refers to trust. For example:

trust (New International Version)

(New International Version, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

The Greek is in the present tense, which indicates an ongoing faith.

15:13b

so that: These words introduce the purpose of Paul praying for God to give them joy, peace, and hope.

you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit: Some English versions place by the power of the Holy Spirit first in the clause to emphasize it. However, in the Greek it is a place that does not normally indicate emphasis. Place this phrase wherever is most natural in your language.

overflow with hope: Here the word overflow refers to having very much hope. The Greek word is the verb related to the word that means “abundant.” Paul wanted them to have abundant hope. Here are other ways to translate this word:

be rich in hope (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
filled full of hope
-or-
have very great hope
-or-
hope ⌊in God⌋ in complete sufficiency
-or-
hope very strongly/much

the Holy Spirit: This phrase refers to God’s Spirit. The word Spirit is used in a similar way that a person refers to his spirit. The word Holy here means “clean” or “sacred.” But it also refers to “coming from God.” See how you translated this phrase in 5:5 or 14:17.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 16:12

16:12a

Tryphena and Tryphosa: These names refer to women.

women who have worked hard in the Lord: The Greek is more literally “the ones presently working hard in the Lord.” It indicates that Tryphaena and Tryphosa were working hard for the gospel of Jesus when Paul wrote this letter. But it is not known what kind of work they did.

women who have worked hard: This word is based on the same Greek word translated “worked-hard/labored” in 16:6. The word here means “people who work-hard/labor.”

in the Lord: Here this phrase indicates that the work is for the Lord.

16:12b

my beloved: This indicates that Paul and others loved Persis as a Christian sister. Translate the word beloved as you did in 16:5 or 16:9. Note that Paul did not use my here, but the Berean Standard Bible has added it to make the meaning clearer.

Persis: This name refers to a woman.

who has worked very hard in the Lord: This further describes Persis. For the correct meaning in some languages, the translator must avoid the word who here. For example:

She has worked very hard in the Lord

has worked very hard: The Greek is more literally “labored much.” See how you translated this phrase in 16:6.

in the Lord: This phrase indicates that Persis’ work was through the Lord and for him. It was Christian ministry of some kind.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 1:13

Paragraph 1:13–15

1:13a

I do not want you to be unaware, brothers: The address brothers occurs in the middle of the sentence. In some languages, it is more natural to have the address first. For example:

Brothers and sisters, I want you to know (New Century Version)

I do not want you to be unaware: The Greek clause here is literally “I do not want you to be ignorant.” It emphasizes what he was about to say. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

I want you to know (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
my desire is that you know

brothers: Here the word brothers refers to believers in Jesus, both men and women. The word indicates a close relationship because all believers are considered spiritual children of God. For example:

my fellow believers

In some languages brothers would be understood as literal brothers. If that is true in your language, you may want to translate differently. For example:

my brothers ⌊and sisters⌋ ⌊who believe⌋ ⌊in Jesus/Christ⌋
-or-
my family of believers
-or-
my friends (Contemporary English Version)

1:13b

how often I planned to come to you: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as planned probably refers to Paul making plans to go to Rome. The word often indicates that he made those plans at various times but was unable to go for some reason.

1:13c

but have been prevented from visiting until now: This clause is passive. Here Paul implied that either God or Paul’s work among the churches that he started or something else has prevented him from going to Rome. Some languages must use a non-passive clause here. For example:

something has always kept me from doing so (Good News Translation)
-or-

⌊something⌋ has always blocked me
-or-
the way to come to you was closed, from earlier until today

1:13d

in order that: This phrase introduces the purpose for Paul’s plan to go to Rome.

I might have a harvest among you: The phrase have a harvest is a metaphor. It refers to there being results of his ministry in Rome. There are a number of possible results that Paul could have been thinking of, so your translation should indicate that Paul wanted something to occur that would build God’s kingdom but does not say what possibilities he had in mind.

Some languages must translate without part or all of the metaphor for the correct meaning. For example:

I might work as fruitfully among you (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
I want to work among you and see spiritual fruit (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
have some of the results of working among you

1:13e

just as I have had among the other Gentiles: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as just as :

(1) It indicates that Paul compared his hope for a harvest in Rome to what he had already done among Gentiles in other places. For example:

as I have among other Gentiles (Good News Translation)

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

(2) It indicates that Paul wanted to add to the harvest at Rome with a harvest among Gentiles elsewhere. For example:

as well as among the rest of the Gentiles (Revised Standard Version)

(Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because that is the usual meaning of the Greek word.

I have had: The Berean Standard Bible adds these words, but they are clearly implied from the rest of the sentence. Here is another way to translate this:

I have (Good News Translation)

among the other Gentiles: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the other indicates that Paul thought of the group of believers at Rome were mostly Gentiles, and Paul had preached among other Gentiles and some believed in Jesus. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

among the rest of the Gentiles (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
among other Gentiles (Good News Translation)

The Greek word probably implies all other Gentiles. Paul had not gone to all other Gentiles, but used this as a figure of speech to imply that he visited many Gentiles. The Good News Translation example above avoids the exaggeration in English. You should avoid indicating or implying “all” other Gentiles.

Gentiles: The word Gentiles refers to non-Jewish people. Here are other ways to translate this word:

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

non-Jews
-or-
those who were not Jewish

• Use a word or phrase from another language that is well known to the people in your language. If you choose this option, you may want to add a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

The Jews considered all other people and nations to be outside of God’s plan to save them. The word used here describes all people who were not Jews.

General Comment on 1:13a–e

The words “but have been prevented from visiting” (1:13c) interrupt the words “how often I planned to come to you…in order that I might have a harvest among you” (1:13b,d). The Berean Standard Bible indicates that by putting parentheses around the words. In some languages it is more natural to have the words of 1:13c either before or after the words of 1:13b,d. For example:

13a I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that 13c I have been prevented from visiting, but 13b I often planned to come to you 13d in order that I may have a harvest among you 13e as well as among the rest of the Gentiles.
-or-

13a I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, 13b that I often planned to come to you 13d in order that I may have a harvest among you 13e as well as among the rest of the Gentiles, 13c but have been prevented from visiting.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2:13

2:13a

For: This conjunction introduces an explanation of 2:12c–d.

the hearers of the law: Compared to 2:13b, the word hearers refers to people who have heard the Jewish law but do not try to follow it.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly imply that they obeyed the law as well. If that is true in your language, make it clear that they heard it but did not obey it. For example:

people who ⌊only⌋ listen to the law
-or-
those who hear the law ⌊but do not follow/obey it⌋

who are righteous before God: Here the word righteous means “being in a right relation with.” God has declared this person right before him. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

the ones that God will justify (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
make us right with God (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
whom God counts as righteous in his sight

2:13b

who will be declared righteous: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause here. For example:

that God will justify (New Jerusalem Bible)

declared righteous: This word indicates that God decides that a person is acceptable to him. Here are other ways to translate this word:

justified (English Standard Version)
-or-
have God’s approval (God’s Word)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:16

3:16

ruin and misery lie in their wake: This clause indicates that these people cause ruin and misery for others wherever they go. They destroy people and their things and cause them to suffer. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

they leave a path of ruin and misery
-or-
Everywhere they go they cause ruin and misery (New Century Version)
-or-
Wherever they go they destroy and they bring hardship
-or-
their whole lives they destroy/ruin others and cause suffering

in their wake: Here the word wake is a figure of speech, referring to the aftermath of one’s daily actions. See the examples above.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 4:17

4:17a

As it is written: This phrase introduces a quote from the Old Testament. Paul quoted what God said to Abraham (Genesis 17:5). You may want to include some or all of this implied information. For example:

As it is written ⌊in God’s Word⌋
-or-
as Scripture says (God’s Word)
-or-

⌊It is⌋ like what the Scriptures say ⌊when God told him⌋

See how you translated this phrase in 1:17 or 3:4.

4:17b–c

“I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the presence of God, in whom he believed: There are several ways to interpret the connection of in the presence of God, in whom he believed to the rest of the Greek text:

(1) It connects to Abraham being the father of us all (4:16f). For example:

“I have made you the father of many nations”). He is our father in the presence of God whom he believed (NET Bible)

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

(2) It connects to the faith of Abraham (4:16e). For example:

the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, 17 as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”)—in the presence of the God in whom he believed (New Revised Standard Version)

(New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, God’s Word)

(3) It connects to the promise to Abraham (4:16a). For example:

“I have made you father of many nations.” So the promise is good in the sight of God, in whom Abraham believed (Good News Translation)

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

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because that is the closest connection and seems the most natural.

I have made you a father of many nations: These words are a quote found in Genesis 17:5. If you indicate the location of quotes from the Old Testament with cross-references, you may want to do so here.

4:17b

I have made you a father of many nations: This quote is from Genesis 17:5. In Abraham’s story in the book of Genesis, God caused Abraham to have many descendants. Many of them became the founders of new nations.

I have appointed you to be father of many nations (Revised English Bible)
-or-
I will make you the ancestor of many kinds of people

You should translate this clause with its meaning in Genesis 17:5. You should not explicitly translate Paul’s figurative use of father (4:11–16) here.

a father: The Greek refers generally to being a father or ancestor. But it does not imply one of many “fathers.” Consider how to translate that meaning. For example:

the father (English Standard Version)
-or-
father (Good News Translation)
-or-
the ancestor (Contemporary English Version)

nations: Here the word nations refers to people grouped by language and culture. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

people-groups
-or-
language-groups

4:17c

in the presence of God: This phrase probably connects to “the father of many nations” (4:17b). It indicates that God considered Abraham to be the father of many nations. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

This is true before God (New Century Version)
-or-
in the sight/eyes of God

It is also possible that this phrase connects to “the father of us all” in 4:16f. For example:

He is our father in the sight of God (New International Version)
-or-
Abraham is our father in the eyes of God (New Jerusalem Bible)

in whom he believed: This clause tells the reader more about God. It does not separate God from other gods. For the correct meaning in some languages, translators must avoid the word whom. For example:

Abraham believed in him.

4:17d

the God who gives life to the dead: This clause tells the reader more about God. It does not separate God from other gods. For the correct meaning in some languages, translators must avoid the word who. For example:

He gives life to the dead.

gives life to the dead: God has power to make people live again after they die. Here are other ways to translate these words:

raises the dead to life (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
brings the dead back to life (New Living Translation (2004))

4:17e

and calls: The word “who” is implied from 4:17d. God calls here.

calls into being what does not yet exist: The Greek is literally “calling the things not being as being.” There are two ways to interpret the Greek here:

(1) It indicates that God speaks and things that did not exist now exist. For example:

who creates new things out of nothing (New Living Translation (2004))

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version (2011), Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, English Standard Version, Revised English Bible, God’s Word, New American Standard Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)

(1) It indicates that God refers to things as existing that do not yet exist. For example, when God promised Abraham in Genesis 17:5 that he would be the father of many nations, those nations did not yet exist. For example:

calls things that are not as though they were (New International Version (1984))

(New International Version (1984), King James Version)

It is recommended that you follow (1) because both Greek words “gives life” (4:17d) and calls probably refer generally to any time God chooses to do those things. Here the word calls does not refer only to calling Abraham the father of many nations. Here are other ways to translate this according to interpretation (1):

calls into being things that were not (New International Version (2011))
-or-
whose command brings into being what did not exist (Good News Translation)
-or-
those things that do not exist ⌊that God wants to exist⌋, he says “may they exist” and they exist

what does not yet exist: Here the word what refers to all that God created, including the nations. Consider how to translate with that meaning.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020