SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020 – Page 48

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 15:5

Paragraph 15:5–6

15:5a

may…God…grant you: Here Paul prayed that God might enable the believers in Rome to live in unity. Here are other ways to translate these words:

May…God…give to you
-or-
I ⌊now⌋ ask…God…to give to you
-or-
I am praying that…God…will cause you

grant you: Here the word you refers to the person receiving what is given. It does not refer to the thing given. For example:

grant to you

grant: The Greek word here is usually translated “give.” The word grant has that meaning here.

the God who gives endurance and encouragement: This phrase indicates that God is the source of endurance and encouragement for believers. It connects to “endurance” and “encouragement” in 15:4 but here refers generally to any kind of endurance and encouragement. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the God of endurance and encouragement (English Standard Version)
-or-
God, the source of all perseverance and all encouragement (Revised English Bible)

This description of God occurs in the middle of Paul asking him to do something. In some languages it is more natural to separate those two things. For example:

God is the one who makes us patiently endure and encouraged. I pray that he will…
-or-
The ability to endure troubles and ⌊the ability⌋ to be encouraged come from God. And I pray that he will…

15:5b

harmony with one another: The Greek is more literally “to think the same thing among one another.” Here it refers to living in unity and thinking that other believers are good people. Paul wrote about differences of opinion in chapter 14 that were causing problems among the believers. Here he implied that those differences were not important compared to serving God with one purpose, helping and encouraging each other. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

to be of the same mind with one another (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
the same attitude of mind toward each other (New International Version (2011))
-or-
unity with one another (NET Bible)

one another: This refers to all the believers in Rome. Your translation should not limit it to the “strong” group or the “weak” group.

15:5c

in Christ Jesus: This phrase indicates that Jesus wants believers to live in unity. What Paul said in 15:5b agrees with that. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

according to Christ Jesus (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
the way Christ Jesus wants (New Century Version)

Christ Jesus: The order of the words Christ Jesus emphasizes that Jesus is the Christ/Messiah. However, in some languages the order Christ Jesus is not natural. See how you translated this phrase in 8:34.

© 2020 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 16:4

16:4a

who have risked their lives for me: Here this clause further describes Prisca and Aquila. It does not separate this Prisca and Aquila from other couples with the same names. For the correct meaning in some languages, translators must avoid the word who. For example:

and they risked their lives for my life
-or-
They risked their lives for my life

have risked their lives for me: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as risked their lives is literally “risked their necks.” The phrase is a figure of speech that refers to putting oneself in danger of being killed. We do not know what situation this refers to. But Prisca and Aquila put themselves at risk of losing their own lives in order to save Paul from someone or something trying to kill him. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

risked their own necks to save my life (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
risked their lives for me (New International Version)
-or-
they risked dying to rescue me from dying

16:4b

Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them: The word them refers to Prisca and Aquila. It may be more natural in some languages for the translator to avoid the word them here. For example:

Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to Prisca and Aquila.

The phrases Not only I and but all the churches of the Gentiles indicate that Paul gave thanks and these churches gave thanks as well. They also emphasize that Paul was not the only person to give thanks. Here are other ways to translate these words:

I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
I thank them. And that’s not all, all groups of believers who are not Jews thank them also.

the churches: See how you translated the word “church” in 16:1.

Gentiles: The word Gentiles refers to non-Jewish people. See how you translated this word in 1:13 or 15:27.

are grateful: This refers to saying words of appreciation to someone. For example:

say thanks
-or-
thank

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 1:5

1:5a

Paul talked about the gospel in 1:2a–1:4c. In 1:5a he again discussed more about himself and his work for Jesus. But he connected his next words to “Jesus Christ our Lord” with “through Him.” In the Greek, the sentence continues. However, the Berean Standard Bible begins a new sentence here. In some languages, a new sentence here would be more natural or more clear. For example:

Through him we have received… (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

Through Him and on behalf of His name: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Through Him is literally “through whom.” This clause further describes Jesus. It does not separate this Jesus from other men named Jesus. For the correct meaning in some languages, translators must avoid the word “whom.” The word Through indicates that Paul received grace and apostleship by means of Jesus. God enabled Jesus to give Paul grace and apostleship. Here are other ways to translate this word:

by the authority given to him he gave to us
-or-

⌊God⌋ enabled him to give us
-or-

⌊God⌋ gave power to Jesus and so he/Jesus was kind to us and gave us the work of being apostles

on behalf of His name: This phrase refers to helping, causing advantage for, or honoring the one named. The apostles taught others about Jesus, spread the news of Jesus, and did good deeds in his name.

In some languages it is more natural to say “him” instead of His name here. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

for the honor of his name (God’s Word)
-or-
for him (New Century Version)
-or-
to benefit him

This phrase connects to the end of the clause (1:5c). For example:

…5c of winning the obedience of faith among all the nations 5a for the honour of his name (New Jerusalem Bible)

1:5b

we received: In English, the word received implies someone gave what was received. The English word “take” does not imply that someone gave it. It is implied here that God graciously gave Paul and others apostleship.

Many languages have the same word for both “receive” and “take.” In some of those languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that God did not graciously give apostleship but Paul just took it. If that is true in your language, you should use “give” here. For example:

have been given
-or-

⌊he⌋ has given

we: Sometimes in NT letters, the writer referred to himself with we instead of “I.” There are two ways to interpret the word we here:

(1) Paul referred to himself and others. For example:

we (NET Bible)

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

(2) Paul referred to himself. For example:

I (Revised English Bible)

(Good News Translation, New Century Version, Contemporary English Version, Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because Paul consistently used the first person singular to refer to his apostolic mission in the rest of Romans, but he used we here instead. So, he probably had a reason not to use “I” here.

grace and apostleship: There are two ways to interpret the phrase grace and apostleship :

(1) This is a figure of speech that means gracious apostleship. In kindness, God made Paul and others apostles. For example:

the privilege of being an apostle (Good News Translation)

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

(2) This is not a figure of speech, but refers to two things, grace and apostleship. For example:

grace and apostleship (Revised Standard Version)

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

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because Paul was establishing his apostleship in these verses and not speaking generally of God’s grace to us. Here are other ways to translate this phrase according to interpretation (1):

the ⌊free⌋ gift of apostleship
-or-
the grace that enabled us to be apostles
-or-
the privilege and authority as apostles (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
he was kind, giving us the work of apostles

grace: This word refers to kindness that is given to people without requiring anything in return. This kindness is not given because they have done anything to deserve it. See the examples above.

apostleship: The word apostleship refers to the work that an apostle does. For example:

to be an/his apostle
-or-
becoming his ⌊special⌋ representative

See how you translated “apostle” in 1:1.

1:5c

to call…to…obedience: The word to introduces the purpose of being an apostle: to call the Gentiles to obey the gospel of Jesus. The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to call…to…obedience is literally “unto/to obedience.” Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

for the obedience of those among the Gentiles
-or-
so that the people among the Gentiles would obey
-or-
to lead people…to…obey (Good News Translation)

all those among the Gentiles: This phrase connects to the phrase “the obedience of faith.” For example:

the obedience of faith among all the nations for the honour of his name (New Jerusalem Bible)

There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Gentiles here:

(1) It refers to all people groups, excluding the Jews. For example:

all the Gentiles (New International Version)

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

(2) It means all people groups, including the Jews. For example:

all the nations (Revised Standard Version)

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

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because 1:6 has “in whom you (plur.) ” in the Greek, which seems to indicate only some of those in “To all those in Rome” (1:7).

Gentiles: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Gentiles refers to ethnic groups or people groups rather than to political states or countries. Here are other ways to translate this word:

tribes
-or-
peoples
-or-
peoples of one language/culture

the obedience that comes from faith: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the obedience that comes from faith is literally “the obedience of faith.” There are three main ways to interpret the words “the obedience of faith” here:

(1) It indicates that faith is a basis for the obedience. Faith produces obedience. People obey because they believe. For example:

the obedience that comes from faith (New International Version)

(New International Version, Berean Standard Bible)

(2) It indicates that a person obeys all the teachings connected to faith. For example:

obedience to the faith (King James Version)

(King James Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

(3) It means and faith. For example:

believe and obey (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, Revised English Bible, New Century Version)

The Revised Standard Version, the New Jerusalem Bible, and a number of English versions translate the Greek as “the obedience of faith.” Both the Greek and that English translation are ambiguous, possibly meaning either interpretation (1) or (2). A number of scholars say that Paul meant several things here.

So if you can translate in a way that allows interpretation (1) or (2), you should do so. However, if you must make a choice, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Here are other ways to translate this phrase according to interpretation (1):

the obedience produced by faith
-or-
obedience based on faith
-or-
people obey ⌊Christ⌋ because they believe ⌊the message about him⌋
-or-
believing obedience
-or-
faith’s obedience

obedience: This word means “doing as told, directed, or asked.” In some languages a verb is required or more natural here. For example:

obey ⌊him⌋
-or-
follow ⌊him⌋

faith: To have faith in a person refers to believing in him, who he is, and who he claims to be.

In some languages a verb is required or more natural here. For example:

believe ⌊the gospel⌋
-or-
believing it

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2:5

Paragraph 2:5–11

2:5a

But: There is contrast between God’s kindness leading to repentance (2:4b) and this man not wanting to repent.

But the scholars who translated some English versions did not see contrast here and did not translate the Greek conjunction. For example:

Your stubborn refusal to repent… (New Jerusalem Bible)

because of: This man’s hard and unrepentant heart is the basis for God being angry with him. Here are other ways to translate this word:

according to
-or-
In (Revised English Bible)
-or-
you have a hard and stubborn heart, and so (Good News Translation)

your hard and unrepentant heart: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hard means “stubbornness” here. The man was stubborn in that he refused to change his way of thinking or behaving.

The word unrepentant indicates that the man did not want to repent. He did not feel sorry about his sins and did not want to stop doing them.

Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

you are stubborn and refuse to change (New Century Version)
-or-
you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
you are stubborn and don’t want to change the way you think (God’s Word)
-or-
your heads are hard, you do not want to abandon your sins

It is possible that this phrase is a figure of speech that means “you stubbornly refuse to repent.” For example:

your obstinate refusal to repent (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
you refuse to repent because your minds are hard

heart: Here this word refers to the part of a person in which thoughts and feelings occur. In some languages people use a different part of the body, such as the mind, throat, liver, or stomach, in this way. In other languages people use a non-figurative word or phrase. For example:

insides/liver
-or-
mind

2:5b

you are storing up wrath against yourself: The phrase storing up is a metaphor. Here it indicates that God continues to be ready to punish this person because he continues to refuse to repent. In some languages a literal translation would have the wrong meaning. If that is true in your language, translate the meaning of the metaphor. For example:

you are causing God to be more and more angry with you
-or-
you are adding to the anger that God will have against you (God’s Word)

wrath against yourself: Here the word wrath refers to God’s anger. God is angry with this person because of his hard and impenitent heart. In some languages it is more clear to explain whose anger this is. For example:

⌊God’s⌋ wrath for/against you

for the day of wrath: This phrase refers to God’s judgment day. It will occur in the future. God is angry with wrongdoers who have refused to repent and will punish them.

This phrase is explained in 2:5c. If the meaning of this phrase is still not clear with reading 2:5c, you may want to:

• Explain it in the text. For example:

on the day of wrath ⌊and judgment⌋ ⌊of all people⌋

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

This refers to God’s judgment day. It will occur in the future. God will be angry with wrongdoers who have refused to repent.

2:5c

God’s righteous judgment will be revealed: The phrase will be revealed indicates that everyone will see God’s righteous judgment. This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause here. For example:

On that day everyone will see God’s right judgments. (New Century Version)

God’s righteous judgment: This phrase refers to God rightly judging people. He will look at what a person has done and thought and then rightly reward them or punish them. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

God’s just verdicts (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
God will judge people fairly according to their deeds and thoughts

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:8

3:8a–c

Why not say,…“Let us do evil that good may result”?: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Why not say is literally just the word not. There are several ways to interpret what is implied for the correct meaning:

(1) The word Why is implied from 3:7b and the word say is implied from 3:8b. For example:

Why not say…“Let us do evil that good may result”? (NET Bible)

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

(2) Only the word Why is implied from 3:7b. For example:

And why not do evil that good may come? (Revised Standard Version)

(Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because many scholars support it as well.

This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes that people should not say “Let us do evil that good may result.” Translate this with that meaning. Here are some ways:

• As a rhetorical question, as in the Berean Standard Bible. But such a question in some languages might expect a “yes, let’s do that” for an answer. If that is true in your language, indicate that the saying is wrong to think or say. For example:

is it right to say,…“Let us do evil that good may result”? ⌊No!⌋

• As a statement. For example:

it is wrong to say,…“Let us do evil that good may result.”

• As a command. For example:

Do not say,…“Let us do evil that good may result.”

3:8b

as some slanderously claim that we say: The Greek is literally “as we are slanderously charged and some affirm us to say.” For example:

as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say (New International Version (1984))

In some languages it is more natural to combine these two clauses into one clause. For example:

as some slanderously charge us with saying (English Standard Version)
-or-
some people even slander us by claiming that we say (New Living Translation (2004))

some slanderously claim that we say: Here the word slanderously refers to saying things that are not true in order to cause hurt. Here the slander may be directed at hurting Paul or the gospel of Jesus. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

slander us by claiming that (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
claim for the purpose of ruining our name/reputation
-or-
trying to give us a bad name, ⌊falsely⌋ say

3:8c

Let us do evil that good may result: This clause says that people should do evil because then God would show more grace to them or, more generally, more good things would happen. They should not. This is wrong thinking. (See the note on 3:8a–c.) Here are other ways to translate these words:

Let us do evil so that good may come of it (NET Bible)
-or-
Let us do bad deeds so that good things may happen to us

The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as that good may result indicates that doing evil would lead to a good outcome. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

so that good will appear
-or-
in order that the result will be good

3:8d

Their condemnation is deserved: The word condemnation refers to the verdict or sentence that a judge gives to a guilty person. Here it probably refers to God condemning them. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

such people are justly condemned (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-

⌊God⌋ is right to judge those people as guilty/wrong

Their: The Greek word is literally “whose.” It probably refers to the people saying or thinking “if through my lie God’s truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner?” or “Let us do evil so that good may come of it.”

deserved: This word means “right.” Paul said it is right for God to say that these people are guilty and will be punished.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 4:9

Paragraph 4:9–12

4:9a–b

4:9 starts with the Greek conjunction that probably introduces the next topic that Paul wanted to write about. It indicates only a general connection to the previous verses. For example:

Then (New American Standard Bible)

Is this blessing only on the circumcised, or also on the uncircumcised?: This is a rhetorical question. It introduces two possibilities as to whom the blessing is for. Paul wanted his readers to ponder the answer to this question before he answered it in 4:10–12. There are at least three ways to translate this meaning.

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Now, is this blessing only for the Jews, or is it also for uncircumcised Gentiles? (New Living Translation (2004))

• With 4:9a as a rhetorical question and 4:9b providing the answer. For example:

Does this happiness that David spoke of belong only to those who are circumcised? No indeed! It belongs also to those who are not circumcised. (Good News Translation)

• As a statement. For example:

This blessing is not only for the circumcised, but also for the uncircumcised.

If possible, translate 4:9a–b as a rhetorical question, because Paul answered it in 4:10–12, not here.

4:9a

the circumcised: The word circumcised refers to cutting off the loose skin at the end of a boy’s or man’s penis. See how you translated this word in 2:25 or 3:30.

The word the indicates that this phrase refers to a group of people, including men, women and children, whose men and boys are circumcised. They all participate in the covenant that includes circumcision. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the ⌊people who are⌋ circumcised
-or-
the ⌊people with⌋ their ⌊males’⌋ foreskin removed

In some languages a euphemism is adequate to explain this meaning. For example:

the ⌊people with their⌋ ⌊males’⌋ skin cut

4:9b

the uncircumcised: The word uncircumcised refers to men who have not had someone cut off the loose skin at the end of their penis. See how you translated this word in 2:25 or 3:30.

The word the indicates that this phrase refers to a group of people, including the women and children, whose men are uncircumcised. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the ⌊people who are⌋ not circumcised
-or-
the ⌊people with⌋ their ⌊males’⌋ foreskin not removed

In some languages a euphemism is adequate to explain this meaning. For example:

the ⌊people with their⌋ ⌊males’⌋ skin not cut

4:9c–d

We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness: The Berean Standard Bible adds the word that to indicate indirect speech. The Greek can also be read as direct speech. For example:

We say, “Faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness”

But the Greek here differs from the words of Genesis 15:6 and its quote in Romans 4:3. So many English versions add the word that.

4:9c

4:9c begins with the Greek word that is usually translated “for.” It introduces the basis for Paul saying that the blessing is also for the uncircumcised. For example:

For (Good News Translation)
-or-
Well, (New Jerusalem Bible)

In some languages it is more natural to imply the connection and omit this word.

We have been saying that: The verb have been saying here is in the present tense. This probably implies what is usually said. Paul and perhaps his readers often say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness (4:9d). English can use the simple present tense for that meaning, as the English Standard Version does:

We say that (English Standard Version)

4:9d

Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness: This clause is similar to “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness” (4:3b–c) and “his faith is credited as righteousness” (4:5c). Translate the clause here in a similar way. For example:

Abraham’s faith was counted to him as righteousness

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

⌊God⌋ credited Abraham’s faith as righteousness

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 5:16

5:16a

the gift is not like the result of the one man’s sin: This clause in Greek is literally “the gift (is) not as through the one man having sinned.” There are three ways to interpret this clause:

(1) The word “through” means the results or effects of. Paul said that the gift is not like what Adam’s sin caused to happen. For example:

the free gift is not like the effect of that one man’s sin (Revised Standard Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, English Standard Version, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New American Standard Bible)

(2) The word “through” is to be omitted. It does not contribute to the meaning here. For example:

there is a difference between God’s gift and the sin of one man (Good News Translation)

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

(3) The word “through” means the results or effects of, and is also implied for the gift. For example:

the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin (New Living Translation (2004))

(New Living Translation (2004), Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because it is most consistent with the Greek text here. Here are other ways to translate this clause according to interpretation (1):

The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
Another distinction between God’s gift and the result of one man’s sin is this.
-or-
And here is another difference between this gift of God and that not good result of the sin of Adam.

the gift: The word here in Greek is the same word as in 5:15c. Translate it in the same way here.

5:16b–c

The judgment that followed one sin brought condemnation, but the gift that followed many trespasses brought justification: There are two Greek words that combined can be translated using the English idiom “on one hand” and “on the other hand.” They contrast the two clauses. For example:

on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification (New American Standard Bible)

A simple translation in English is but, as in the Berean Standard Bible.

5:16b

In the Greek, 5:16b begins with a word that is usually translated as “for.” It introduces an explanation of 5:16a. It does not introduce a reason here. The Berean Standard Bible does not translate this word, but many English versions do. For example:

For (English Standard Version)

The judgment that followed one sin: This refers to God judging Adam guilty of sin after Adam disobeyed God’s command. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

after the one sin, God judged him guilty
-or-
Adam sinned and ⌊then⌋ God said that he did wrong

judgment: This word refers to God deciding that Adam had sinned. It does not refer to punishing Adam here. For that, see the note on “condemnation.”

one sin: Translate the word sin as you did in 5:13b. The word one indicates that this phrase refers to the sin in the Garden of Eden when Adam disobeyed God’s command.

brought: Here this word means “caused.” For example:

After the one sin, came the judgment of “Guilty” (Good News Translation)
-or-
resulting in (New American Standard Bible)

condemnation: This word refers to how someone is punished. Adam sinned and God punished him by saying that he would die.

5:16c

the gift that followed many trespasses brought justification: This clause indicates that after many people sinned many times, Jesus reconciled us to God (the gift), which caused God to decide that a person is acceptable to him. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
God’s free gift came after many sins, and it makes people right with God (New Century Version)

the gift: The word here in Greek is the same word as in 5:15a. Translate it as you did in 5:15a.

trespasses: Translate this word as you did in 5:15.

justification: This word indicates that God decides that a person is acceptable to him. Translate this word as you did in 4:25.

General Comment on 5:16b–c

Paul used the Greek words “from” (“followed” in the Berean Standard Bible) and “to” (“brought” in the Berean Standard Bible) in both 5:16b and 5:16c. This helps to make the differences between the two clauses more clear. If possible, use similar words in both clauses. For example:

the judicial action, following on the one offence, resulted in a verdict of condemnation, but the act of grace, following on so many misdeeds, resulted in a verdict of acquittal (Revised English Bible)
-or-

After that one man sinned ⌊once⌋, it caused God to judge him guilty. But after many sins God’s free gift came, and it caused God to make people right with him

But in some languages it is better to not have exactly the same words in both places. For example:

judgment, resulting from the one transgression, led to condemnation, but the gracious gift from the many failures led to justification (NET Bible)
-or-

following the one sin, God judged and put a burden, but following the sin of many, God’s gift came and took many people and made them righteous

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 7:4

Paragraph 7:4–6

7:4a

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

(1) It means therefore here. For example:

So (New International Version)

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

(2) It means in the same way here. For example:

Likewise (Revised Standard Version)

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

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because in 7:4–6 Paul gave his conclusion about dying to the Laws of Moses based on the analogy of the law of the husband (7:2–3).

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. See how you translated this word in 7:1.

you also died to the law: The phrase died to is a figure of speech that indicates that the law no longer has any power over us. Some languages must change this metaphor into a simile. For example:

you have become as a dead person to the law
-or-
you became as if dead to the Laws ⌊of Moses⌋

See how you translated the words died to in 6:2.

you also died: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as died is literally “were caused to die.” It implies that God caused believers to be like dead people to the law. They are only to follow Jesus and the Holy Spirit. So Paul used the metaphor of death to make that clear. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

you also were put to death (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-

⌊God⌋ made you ⌊as if⌋ dead

you: Here the word you is emphatic in the Greek. Here are other ways to translate this word:

as for you
-or-
you yourselves

also: Here this word indicates that Paul said something more about the believers, probably connected to what he said in 7:1.

to the law: Here the word law probably refers to the law of Moses. For example:

to the power of the Law (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
to the Laws ⌊of Moses⌋

7:4b

through the body of Christ: Here the phrase the body of Christ refers to Jesus dying on the cross. The word through indicates that Jesus dying on the cross enabled God to cause us to be dead to the law (7:4a). Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

because when Christ died in our place, it’s as if we also died
-or-
because of your being included/joined in dying in Cristo’s death

The phrase the body of Christ does not refer figuratively to believers being members of his body (as in 12:4–5 and other verses in the NT) here.

7:4c

that you might belong to another: This is a purpose clause. In this case believers already belong to another. In some languages a fulfilled purpose clause must be translated as a result clause. For example:

and so you belong to another

belong to another: The same Greek phrase here is translated as “joined to another” (Berean Standard Bible) in 7:3a and “marries” in 7:3d. But it means “be to/for another” here and implies a close relationship. It does not imply marriage here as it did in 7:3. Do not translate it as “join to” or “marry” here.

another: Here this word refers to someone other than (the power of) sin (chapter 6). It does not refer to someone other than Jesus (7:4b). In fact, 7:4d makes it clear that believers belong to Jesus.

In some languages a literal translation would indicate the wrong meaning. If that is true in your language, explain the proper meaning in your translation. For example:

another, ⌊someone other than the power of sin⌋

7:4d

to Him who was raised from the dead: This phrase explains who the other person (“another”) in 7:4c is. This describes Jesus. Believers belong to him. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

and that person/one has been raised from the dead
-or-
who is ⌊Jesus⌋, who has risen from death

If you explain the word Him as Jesus, some languages need to translate the clause who was raised from the dead without the word who for the correct meaning. For example:

who is ⌊Jesus⌋, the one has risen from death
-or-
who is ⌊Jesus⌋, the person ⌊God⌋ raised from death

who was raised from the dead: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

whom ⌊God⌋ raised from the dead

raised from the dead: This phrase refers to God making Jesus alive again after he died and was put in the tomb. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

raised…from death (Good News Translation)
-or-
brought…back to life (God’s Word)

See how you translated this phrase in 4:24 or 6:9.

7:4e

in order that we might bear fruit to God: This phrase connects to “belong to another” (7:4c), not “raised from the dead” (7:4d). The purpose of us belonging to Jesus is to bear fruit to God. In some languages the correct connection must be explained in the translation. For example:

⌊and you
(plur.) and I belong to him⌋ in order that we might bear fruit to God

we might bear fruit to God: The phrase bear fruit is a metaphor that means “doing good deeds that produce good results.” These good results benefit God or his kingdom. In some languages a literal translation would not have the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use a simile. For example:

⌊be like plants that⌋ produce fruit for God

• Make the meaning more explicit. For example:

we might produce good results that honor God

• Translate without the figure of speech. For example:

we might serve God
-or-
we can do the work of God
-or-
we will now live righteous lives to the glory of God

we: Paul changed from “you (plur.) ” to we. He now includes himself with the believers about bearing fruit for God. See the example above.

Search

Step into the multitudes of languages of the Bible and join the worldwide conversation!

Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020