SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020 – Page 41

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 9:19

Paragraph 9:19–21

9:19a

One of you will say to me: In the Greek, a word that is usually translated as “then” or “therefore” connects One of you will say to me to what Paul said in 9:14–18. The Berean Standard Bible omits this word. However, many English versions include it. For example:

You will say to me then… (English Standard Version)

In many languages this word must be first in the clause. For example:

Then you will say…
-or-
So, you will say…

Some languages will use a different word to connect “You will say to me” to 9:18 in a natural way. For example:

And you will say…
-or-
Now you will say…

One of you: The word you is singular in the Greek. This letter is addressed to the whole church in Rome. So, here the singular you refers to someone in a general way. It does not accuse the whole church in Rome of asking the following questions of Paul. Some languages must translate differently for the correct meaning. For example:

certainly there will some person who
-or-
maybe someone

will say to me: 9:19b–c are questions. In some languages the word “ask” will be more natural. For example:

ask me (New Jerusalem Bible)

9:19b

Then why does God still find fault?: There is a textual issue here. The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Then means “then, therefore.” It occurs in some Greek manuscripts after the word translated why. There are two options:

(1) It should be included. For example:

How then can he ever blame anyone…? (New Jerusalem Bible)

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

(2) It should be omitted. For example:

Why does he still find fault? (Revised Standard Version)

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

It is recommended that you follow option (1), because the Greek NT 5 includes it.

This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes the meaning of “God should not find fault (with anyone).” This hypothetical person thinks that God should not find fault with any person. Translate this clause with that meaning. Here are some ways:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Then why does God blame us for our sins? (New Century Version)

• As a statement. For example:

He should not blame is for our sins.

All the English versions in Translator’s Workplace and all the commentators consulted translate this as a question.

find fault: This phrase refers to accusing someone of wrongdoing. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

blame (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
accuse people of sin

9:19c

For: This word introduces an explanation for the question in 9:19b, or gives a basis for that question.

who can resist His will?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes that no one can resist God’s will. Translate this clause with that meaning. Here are some ways:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

who can oppose his will? (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

• As a statement. For example:

no one can oppose his will (New Jerusalem Bible)

who can resist: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as can resist uses the perfect tense in the Greek. Here it indicates an ongoing situation. For example:

who resists his will (New International Version)

It indicates that when God decides something, no one has ever changed what he decides into something else. It implies that no one is able to change his decisions, so some translations use can resist.

resist: This word refers to opposing something. Here it implies successfully gaining victory over it. For example, if God decided someone will die, no one can change that outcome. Here are other ways to translate this word:

oppose (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
fight (New Century Version)

His will: Here the word will refers to making a decision. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

what God wants
-or-
his determined-plan

General Comment on 9:19b–c

The basis (9:19c) occurs after the conclusion (9:19b). In some languages it is more natural to have the conclusion last. For example:

No one can resist his will. Then why does God still find fault?
-or-
No one can resist his will. Then God should not still find fault!

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 10:18

10:18a

did they not hear?: This is a rhetorical question. The Greek grammar indicates that Paul expected the readers to answer, “They have heard.” Paul answered the question himself in 10:18b. If possible, translate in a way that expects the answer “They have heard.” For example:

Is it perhaps possible that the Jews didn’t hear concerning Cristo? They indeed heard
-or-
truly, it seems that they haven’t/didn’t hear, right? No. It is very true [that] they heard.

Paul answered his own question in 10:18b, so you should translate this as a question.

they: Based on 10:18c–d, the word they probably refers to people in general.

10:18b

Indeed they did: For an answer of they did (hear) to the question of 10:18a, some languages will preface it with “Yes” (or Indeed as the Berean Standard Bible) and some languages will preface it with “No.” Use the correct pattern for your language. For example:

Truly they heard
-or-
But no. They definitely were told.

10:18c–d

“Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world”: This is a quote of the first two parts of Psalm 19:4. If you indicate the location of quotes from the Old Testament with cross-references, you may want to do so here.

10:18c

This is a quotation from the Old Testament Some languages usually introduce Old Testament quotes in a certain way. For example:

Indeed, they did. ⌊As the Scriptures say,⌋
-or-
Indeed, the did. ⌊It is as David said in the Holy Book,⌋

Their voice: In Psalm 19:4, the word Their refers to the things in the sky like the sun and moon and stars. Here in this verse of Romans, Paul did not explain or indicate the meaning. He implied those taking the gospel of Jesus. But 10:18c–d is a quote from the Old Testament, so you should not explain Paul’s implied meaning in your translation of this verse. But you may want to explain the meaning in a footnote on this verse. Here is an example footnote:

In Psalm 19:4 the writer said that the heavens declare the glory of God even though they cannot speak. The shining of the sun, moon and stars is like a voice speaking about that glory to every part of the earth. Paul used that picture to assert that the gospel had gone out to everyone on earth, including the Jews.
-or-
Here, Paul spoke of those taking the gospel of Jesus to many places in the world.

voice: This word here refers to what people said, particularly the gospel about Jesus. In some languages a different word or phrase must be used for that meaning. For example:

message (New Century Version)
-or-
talk/news

has gone out into all the earth: This phrase indicates that the news of the gospel has spread into places other than where it started. So it refers to the gospel being heard in places all over the earth. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

has gone throughout the earth (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
spread to the whole world

10:18d

their words to the ends of the world: This phrase has a similar meaning to “Their voice has gone out to all the earth.” Hebrew poetry repeats similar meaning for emphasis. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

their words reached the ends of the earth (Good News Translation)
-or-

18c for “Their voice has gone out to all the earth, 18d their message ⌊has gone out⌋ to the farthest corners/places of the world

the ends of the world: This phrase refers to the farthest places in the world. See the above examples.

General Comment on 10:18c–d

In some languages repeating the same meaning is confusing or has a different meaning than emphasis. If that is true in your language, emphasize the meaning in another way. For example:

for “Their voice/message has gone out to all the earth, even the farthest places.”

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 11:29

11:29

For: Here this word introduces the basis for what Paul said in 11:28c–d. Israel is still the chosen people of God, even if they are undergoing a partial hardening, because God will never change his mind about calling them to be his chosen people nor about his promises to them.

gifts: Here this word refers to the good things that God has done for the Israelites. 9:4–5 lists some of those gifts: “the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them proceeds the human descent of Christ.”

call: Like God called Paul to be his apostle (1:1), God called the Israelites to be his people.

irrevocable: The Greek word here refers to not regretting doing something. God does not wish that he had not called the Israelites to be his chosen people. Here are other ways to translate this word:

no change of mind (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-

⌊God⌋ does not regret

This word is probably emphasized in the Greek clause. For example:

indeed, unregretted

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 13:4

13:4a

For: Here this word introduces something more that Paul wanted to say about the government leader.

God’s: In the Greek this word is emphasized by being first in the clause. If possible, emphasize this word in your translation.

servant: This word refers to a person who works for someone else. God has appointed these government authorities (13:2a) to govern, so in that way they are God’s servants.

for your good: The Greek is more literally “to you for the good.” Government leaders are to benefit believers (and all people) by the way they govern and lead the people so that they do good. Here are other ways to translate this word:

to do you good (New International Version)
-or-
to you for good (New American Standard Bible)

13:4b

do wrong: Here the word wrong refers to deeds that are morally wrong. For example, hurting others or stealing is morally wrong. It does not refer to mistakes here (for example, he folded the paper in the wrong way).

be afraid: Some languages must say what one is afraid of. For example:

fear the authority

Some languages cannot command someone to be afraid. If that is true in your language, use another way to indicate the correct meaning. For example:

it is fitting/right that you fear
-or-
you will have cause to fear them (Revised English Bible)

13:4c

for: Here this word introduces the reason why a believer who does wrong should be afraid of government leaders.

he does not carry the sword in vain: Here the phrase in vain refers to having no purpose. With the word not, this clause indicates that the government leader has a purpose for bearing the sword. That purpose is to punish those who do wrong. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

rulers do not bear the sword for no reason (New International Version (2011))
-or-
he has a purpose in bearing the sword
-or-
they have the power to punish you (New Living Translation (2004))

carry the sword: This is a figure of speech that means here “to have the authority to punish.” In some languages a literal translation will not have the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

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

This means “to have the authority to punish.”

Or write a footnote explaining it means the same thing as the weapon or symbol in your language.

• Use the weapon or symbol of authority in your language that is used to punish. You may then want to write a footnote describing the literal words. Here is an example footnote:

Literally “bear the sword.”

carry: Here this word means to have in the hand or on a belt or attached to the clothing.

sword: A sword is a hand-held weapon that is used to cut or stab. The swords of that time were 60–120 centimeters (2–4 feet) long and made of metal. The picture shows some of the various kinds of swords used at that time.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 14:22

14:22a

Keep your belief about such matters:
Here the Greek is more literally “Keep your belief.” The word belief refers to faith or deeply held views about such things as what food to eat or whether one should follow the OT rules or not. In some languages a literal translation would have the wrong meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain it in your translation, as the Berean Standard Bible does. For example:

Keep your faith/beliefs ⌊in those things that⌋ you have
-or-
Your beliefs about these things (New Century Version)

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

Here the word “belief” refers to the things someone believes about such things as what food to eat or whether one should follow the OT rules or not.

between yourself and God: This command indicates that a believer should not share his beliefs about what to eat and so forth. It implies that believer should not cause problems by what he says or does with other believers who have different beliefs about those things. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

have as your own conviction before God (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
we can hold in our heart that belief of ours in front of God
-or-
it should only be you (pl) and God who are the ones who know it

14:22b

Blessed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Blessed describes a person who is in a good situation. In the Bible, the good situation results from God showing favor/kindness to the person. It includes the inner happiness a person feels when God forgives him and accepts him. See how you translated this word in 4:7.

the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves: The Greek is more literally “the one not judging himself in what he approves.” It indicates that this person does not cause himself to be condemned because he does what he considers to be good things. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves (New International Version (2011))
-or-
those who have no reason to condemn themselves because of what they approve (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
they can do what they think is right without feeling guilty (New Century Version)

condemn: Here this phrase refers to acting as a judge. In this context it suggests condemning someone as having done evil. See how you translated this phrase in 14:3 or 14:13 (Berean Standard Bible: “judge”).

approves: Here this word refers to thinking about something and deciding it is good or acceptable. Here it includes, for example, decisions about eating certain foods or not. Here are other ways to translate this word:

judge is right (Good News Translation)
-or-
they have decided is right (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
he has decided is the right thing for him to do

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 15:31

15:31a

Pray that: Here this phrase introduces what Paul wanted the Roman believers to strive in praying for (15:30c).

I may be delivered: Here the word delivered refers to God preventing the unbelievers in Judea from harming Paul. It does not mean “rescue” here, since Paul was not in their hands when he wrote this letter. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

I may be kept safe (New International Version (2011))
-or-
I may be protected

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

⌊God⌋ may deliver/protect

the unbelievers in Judea: Here the word unbelievers refers to Jews who did not believe in Jesus as the Christ/Messiah. They may believe in God and follow the Jewish religion. In some languages a literal translation would indicate that they do not believe in God. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain the correct meaning in your translation. For example:

the people of Judea who do not believe ⌊in Jesus⌋

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

This refers to Jews who did not believe in Jesus as the Christ/Messiah.

15:31b

and that: Here these words introduce the second thing that Paul wanted the Roman believers to strive in praying for (15:30c).

my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

the saints may accept my service for Jerusalem

my service: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as service refers to helping others. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

my ministry (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
my work as a/their servant

See how you translated the word “serving” in 12:7.

in Jerusalem: The money was to go to the poor believers who lived in Jerusalem. By just saying Jerusalem here, Paul may have implied that this money indirectly would help all people of Jerusalem. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

to Jerusalem (New International Version)
-or-
for Jerusalem (English Standard Version)

Your translation should not indicate or imply that the money would go to all the people of Jerusalem. This may already be clear from earlier verses. But if it does indicate or imply all the people of Jerusalem, you may want to:

• Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:

for ⌊the poor believers/ones in⌋ Jerusalem

• Explain in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

Here Paul referred to the poor believers in Jerusalem.

saints: See how you translated this word in 15:25b.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 1:31

1:31

They are senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless: The Greek words are literally “not-understanding, not-keeping-their-word, not-having-affection, not-having-mercy.” If possible, use words that show the meaning of “not” or “without” each time here. For example:

no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy (New International Version (2011))
-or-
unthinking, unfaithful to their word/promises, unaffectionate, unmerciful

senseless: The Greek word here refers to not being able to understand things well. It is the same word as the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “foolish” in 1:21. See how you translated this word in 1:21.

faithless: Here this word refers to making promises but not doing as promised. Here are other ways to translate this word:

untrustworthy (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
they do not keep their promises (Good News Translation)
-or-
break their promises (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Concerning what they say they will do, they do not do (it)

heartless:
The Greek word here refers to not having good feelings toward others or not caring for others. Here are other ways to translate this word:

without natural affection (King James Version)
-or-
hardhearted (BDAG)

merciless: This word means “without pity or mercy.” These people show no mercy to others. Here are other ways to translate this word:

no mercy (New International Version (2011))
-or-
no…pity for others (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:2

3:2a

Much in every way: Paul answered the two rhetorical questions of 3:1 here. This answer indicates that the Jews have great advantages and that circumcision has value. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

Great in every respect. (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
Yes, great benefits!

These words are not a full sentence. In some languages this must be a full sentence. For example:

Yes, there are great benefits! (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
There are all kinds of advantages. (God’s Word)
-or-
It is good in a lot of ways! (Contemporary English Version)

3:2b

First of all:
There are two interpretations of the Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as First of all :

(1) It means first in a list. But Paul did not continue his list. For example:

In the first place (Good News Translation)

(Berean Standard Bible, English Standard Version, Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New American Bible, Revised Edition, Revised English Bible)

(2) It means first in importance. The meaning is similar to Mark 12:28: “Which is the first of all the commandments?” For example:

The most important thing is this: (New Century Version)

(King James Version, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the Greek grammar supports it.

3:2c

they have been entrusted with the very words of God: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as they refers to the Jews. This phrase indicates that God gave his words to the ancestors of the Jews. They were to watch over and guard it. They were to prevent anyone from changing it. They were also to follow it and teach it.

This clause is passive. Some languages must translate it as an active clause. For example:

God entrusted them with his word (God’s Word)
-or-

⌊God⌋ gave his word to the Jews to watch over

the very words of God: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the very words means “sayings,” “spoken messages,” or “messages that a divine being speaks.” These words would include things that God said to Abraham, Moses, the prophets and others in the Old Testament. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the things that God said/promised
-or-
God’s message

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020