SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020 – Page 49

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 7:8

7:8a–b

But sin, seizing its opportunity through the commandment, produced in me: The figure of speech here speaks of sin as a person that seized its opportunity. Some languages must translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:

through ⌊the existence of⌋ the commandment, ⌊the power of⌋ sin caused me to have
-or-
sin was like a bad/evil person, who seeing an opportunity because of what the commandment said, caused/pulled me into

7:8a

But: There is contrast of “Do not covet” (7:7e) with sin producing all kinds of coveting (7:8a–b). But there is no contrast to the main point of 7:7 (“if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin”). Some languages will not see the connection as contrast here. For example:

When…
-or-
And (New Century Version)

seizing its opportunity: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as seizing is literally “having taken.” Sin, as if it were a person, saw an opportunity to cause Paul to covet. That opportunity came about because the law said “do not covet,” and Paul (and anyone for that matter) then wanted what did not belong to him. Here are other ways to translate these words:

finding an opportunity (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
took the opportunity (God’s Word)

its opportunity: The word opportunity refers to a situation that someone can use to their benefit. Paul may have seen a nice house or nice clothing that belonged to someone else, and sin took that situation and tempted Paul to covet those things. Here are other ways to translate this word:

a chance
-or-
a road/way
-or-
possibility

through the commandment: Here the word through refers to something being used as a tool to do something. Here it indicates that the commandment was like a tool that sin used to influence Paul. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

in the commandment (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
using this commandment

the commandment: This refers to the words of someone in authority saying what should be done or what should not be done.

The word commandment is singular and a different Greek word that the word translated as “law” in 7:7. So it probably refers to the one law Paul mentioned in 7:7: “You shall not covet.”

Some languages use the same word for “law” and commandment. If that is true in your language, refer to the law in 7:7e. For example:

that law

7:8b

produced in me: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as produced refers to causing something to exist and focuses on the result rather than the action itself. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

making me have (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
work in my heart with the result that

The Greek tense is a simple past. It is not clear if Paul implied whether this action had stopped or continued at the time he wrote this letter. Later he talked about his feelings at the time using the present tense. But here you should use the past tense.

every kind of covetous desire: The phrase covetous desire refers to desiring to possess for oneself something that belongs to someone else, like “covet” in 7:7. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

all kinds of coveting
-or-
all ways to covet

7:8c

For: This conjunction introduces the basis for Paul saying that sin used the law like a tool to cause Paul to covet. Here is another way to translate this word:

because

apart from the law: This phrase supposes there is no law for the sake of what Paul said next. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

without the law (King James Version)
-or-
If there were no law (New Living Translation (2004))

the law: Here the word law refers to the laws of Moses.

sin is dead: The Greek has no verb here. In English usually a form of “be/is” can be added. Another way to translate this expression is:

sin lies dead (English Standard Version)

The word dead is figurative here. It refers to sin being without power. Some languages will need to:

• Change it to a simile. For example:

sin is ⌊like a⌋ dead ⌊thing⌋

• Translate without the figure of speech. For example:

sin has no power (New Century Version)

© 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 8:15

8:15a

For: Here this word introduces an explanation of 8:14.

you did not receive a spirit of slavery: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as spirit :

(1) It refers to an attitude or mindset of slavery. As believers in our new life, we do not have the feeling of being oppressed, of having no say about our own life, of being required to do things that we may not want to do, and other things of the life of a slave. For example:

you did not receive a spirit of slavery (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

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

(2) It refers to the Holy Spirit. For example:

The Spirit we received does not make us slaves (New Century Version)

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

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because it seems unlikely that the Holy Spirit would be connected to slavery with the connection of of.

you did not receive: In English, receive indicates that someone gave, but the word “take” does not. In some languages there is only one word that means both receive and “take.” If your word here would indicate that God did not give the Holy Spirit but that the believers just took him, translate in a way that indicates that God gave the Spirit. For example:

⌊God⌋ did not give to you

that returns you to fear: This phrase refers to the result of being made slaves or having the attitude of a slave.

These words in the Greek are literally “again to fear.” The Holy Spirit does not cause us to be fearful. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

so that you live in fear again (New International Version (2011))
-or-
and cause you to be afraid again

8:15b

but you received: As in 8:15a, God gave the Holy Spirit.

the Spirit of sonship: Here the word of indicates that the Holy Spirit causes believers to be adopted as God’s children. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship (New International Version (2011))
-or-
the Spirit made you God’s children

sonship: The word sonship refers to taking someone who is not your child and making them legally your child. Here it refers to the Holy Spirit making a believer God’s adopted child when he or she becomes a believer. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

adopted as God’s children
-or-
caused you to become God’s adopted children

General Comment on 8:15a–b

What the Holy does do (8:15b) comes after what the Holy Spirit does not do (8:15a). In some languages it is more natural to have 8:15b first. For example:

For you received the Spirit and he made you God’s adopted children. This Spirit does not give to you the attitude/mindset of slaves/slavery to live again in fear.

8:15c

by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”: The words by whom indicate that the Holy Spirit makes us able to call out to God as a son calls out to his father. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

and with his strength we can cry/shout ⌊to God⌋, “Abba! Father!”

we cry: Here the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as cry refers to speaking with strong emotion. It could be just about any emotion, including being sad, desperate, happy, enthusiastic, or afraid of something. In many languages a literal translation would wrongly refer only to being in pain with tears in the eyes, or wailing. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

we call out (God’s Word)
-or-
say strongly

Abba! Father: Abba is the word in the Aramaic language that means “father.” At that time it was used by both children and adults for their fathers. Here it would remind readers that Jesus used it when praying to God. So it would imply a similar relationship for believers to God.

In some languages people will not know what Abba means. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain its meaning in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

The word “Abba” means “father” in Aramaic. Jesus used this word (Mark 14:36).

Some languages must indicate whose father this is. For example:

Abba, my-father!

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 9:8

9:8a

So: The Greek is literally “that is.” It introduces an explanation of “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

That is to say, (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Here is the meaning of that,

9:8b

it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children: The phrase children of the flesh here refers to people related to Abraham through physical descent. The phrase God’s children refers to the people chosen by God to be his people. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

it is not by being children through physical descent that people become children of God (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
it is not the children of Abraham by natural descent who are children of God (Revised English Bible)

God’s children: This refers to those whom God has chosen. In some languages the implied word “chosen” must be used for the correct meaning. For example:

the ⌊chosen⌋ children of God
-or-
the children whom God ⌊chose⌋

9:8c

it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ regards the children of the promise as offspring

the children of the promise: This phrase refers to children born in Isaac’s line of descent, because Isaac was born according to God’s promise. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the children of ⌊God’s⌋ promise
-or-
those who are children because of ⌊God’s⌋ promise

regarded: The Greek word here can also be translated as “consider” (8:18, 36).

offspring: Here this word refers only to those descendants of Abraham whom God chose to begin the people group called Israel. He first chose Isaac and then his son Jacob. These are the descendants of Abraham as God intended. For example:

Abraham’s descendants (Revised English Bible)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 10:7

10:7a

or: The words “the righteousness based on faith says, ‘Do not say in your heart,’ ” are implied here. In some languages all or part of these words will be needed to make the meaning clear. For example:

or ⌊do not say⌋ ⌊in your heart⌋,
-or-
and ⌊the righteousness based on faith also says, ‘Do not say in your heart,⌋

‘Who will descend into the Abyss?’: This is a rhetorical question that the speaker is asking himself. It emphasizes that no one should descend into the abyss (to bring Christ up to the earth). Translate with that meaning. For example:

Who will go down into the abyss? (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
Who can go down to the abyss? (Revised English Bible)

These words are a quote of Deuteronomy 30:13. If you indicate the location of quotes from the Old Testament with cross-references, you may want to do so here.

the Abyss: the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Abyss refers to a very deep place. Here it implies the place where the spirits of dead people go. Here are other ways to translate this word:

the deep (New International Version)
-or-
the world below (Good News Translation)
-or-
the place of the dead (New Living Translation (2004))

10:7b

that is: Translate this as you did in 10:6.

Christ: Translate this as you did in 10:6.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 11:18

11:18a

This verse is the then-clause (after the if-clauses of 11:17a–c). For example:

then it is not… (New Jerusalem Bible)

do not boast over those branches: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as boast :

(1) It refers to boasting in a way that scorns someone else. For example:

do not boast against the branches (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

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

(2) It refers to being arrogant toward someone else. For example:

do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches (New International Version (2011))

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

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

11:18b

This verse begins with the conjunction that is often translated as “and” or “but.” Here it introduces something more that Paul said to those who might boast about the branches (11:18a). Some languages will see contrast to what Paul said in 11:18a, but other languages will not. For example:

But
-or-
And

If you do: The Greek is literally “if you boast.” For example:

If you do boast (Revised Standard Version)

If the Roman believers were boasting over the branches (11:18a), then they needed to heed the warning Paul wrote in 11:18c–d.

11:18c–d

remember this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you: The Berean Standard Bible adds the word remember. For example:

You are just a branch, not the root. (New Living Translation (2004))

But in some languages it is more natural to introduce the rest of these words with something like the Berean Standard Bible. For example:

consider this: (New International Version (2011))
-or-
think: (New Jerusalem Bible)

You do not support the root: The Greek emphasizes the word You. Here are other ways to emphasize this word:

as for you, you do not support the root
-or-
you yourself do not support the root

support: Here this word refers to providing for the needs of someone or something. Here are other ways to translate this word:

sustain (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
care for
-or-
help to live

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 12:14

Paragraph 12:14–16

12:14a

Bless: This word refers to asking God to do good things to or for someone. Here are other ways to translate this word:

pray that God will be gracious/merciful to them
-or-
you must give goodness [bless] them

persecute: Here this word refers to people causing trouble or suffering for a believer because he or she follows Jesus. Here are other ways to translate this word:

harm us ⌊because we believe⌋ ⌊in Jesus⌋
-or-
give us pain ⌊because of our faith⌋
-or-
cause us ⌊who believe⌋ to suffer

12:14b

Bless: This word is repeated from 12:14a to emphasize its meaning. The word “them” is implied after this word. For example:

bless ⌊them⌋

In some languages repeating a word for emphasis is not natural or has the wrong meaning. If that is true in your language, indicate the emphasis in another way, if possible. For example:

Bless those who persecute you. Indeed, do that! Do not curse them.
-or-
Ask for good/blessing from God to go to everyone who persecutes you. Yes! Don’t curse them.

curse: This word refers to asking God to do something bad to someone. It does not refer to using swear words. Here are other ways to translate this word:

pray that God will do bad things to them
-or-
say a badness to them

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 14:11

14:11a

It is written: Here these words introduce support for what Paul said in 14:10c. This clause also introduces a quote from Scripture. The main part of the quote is from Isaiah 45:23, with “As I live, says the Lord” possibly from Isaiah 49:18 or a number of other places in the Old Testament.

The book of Isaiah was written hundreds of years before Paul wrote the letter to the Romans. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate the quote was written at the same time as Paul wrote here. If that is true in your language, indicate that the quote was written long before Paul wrote. For example:

It was written ⌊long ago⌋

This clause refers to what was written in the Old Testament. Some languages must make that explicit to be clear. For example:

The scripture says (Good News Translation)

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

⌊Isaiah/someone⌋ wrote ⌊long ago⌋
-or-
What God caused to be written saying,
-or-
It says in the Holy Book

See how you translated this clause in 1:17 or 12:19.

As surely as I live, says the Lord: In the Greek, the phrase says the Lord occurs in the middle of spoken words. In many languages this phrase must occur before the spoken words. For example:

The Lord says, ‘As I live,

As surely as I live: This is an oath. It indicates that in the same way that it is true that God lives, what he says after is also true. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

As I live (English Standard Version)
-or-
As certainly as I live (God’s Word)

the Lord: The word Lord refers to someone who has authority over people. Here this phrase refers to God. In some languages it is more natural to indicate who this Lord is. For example:

the Lord ⌊God⌋

See how you translated the word Lord in 4:8 or 12:19.

14:11b

14:11b–c is a quote from Isaiah 45:23. If you indicate the location of quotes from the Old Testament with cross-references, you may want to do so here.

every knee will bow before Me: This clause is more literally “every knee will bend to me.” This refers to kneeling. Here kneeling indicates that these people submit to God. In some languages a literal translation would indicate a different meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain in the text. For example:

everyone shall bow ⌊in submission⌋ to me

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

This clause indicates that people will kneel in submission to God.

every knee: This phrase implies every person. For example:

everyone (Good News Translation)

will: The Greek is the future tense. It is a prophecy and implies that this will certainly happen.

bow: This word implies that the person bowing acknowledges that the person he is bowing to has greater status, power, or authority. Use a word or phrase with that meaning.

before Me: This phrase is emphasized in the Greek by being first in the clause. If possible emphasize this phrase. For example:

to me every knee shall bow
-or-
every knee shall bow, behold/hey, to me
-or-
every knee shall bow to me and me alone

14:11c

(Revised Standard Version🙂 and every tongue shall give praise to God: There are three ways to interpret the Greek word that the Revised Standard Version translates as give praise :

(1) It means to praise here. For example:

everyone will praise God (God’s Word)

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

(2) It means to confess something here. For example:

every tongue will confess to God (New International Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, English Standard Version, King James Version)

(3) It means to acknowledge that God is the one and only true God. For example:

every tongue will acknowledge God (New International Version (2011))

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

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because BDAG chooses it.

(Revised Standard Version🙂 every tongue: This phrase implies every person. For example:

everyone (Good News Translation)

(Revised Standard Version🙂 shall: The Greek is the future tense. As a prophecy it is implied here that this will certainly happen.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 15:20

15:20a

In this way: These words introduce why Paul preached in many places between Jerusalem and Illyricum. Here is another way to translate this word:

and thus (English Standard Version)
-or-
thus

I have aspired: Here the word aspired refers to a continuing desire to do something. At that time Paul always wanted to preach the gospel where people did not know about Jesus. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

I make it my ambition (English Standard Version)
-or-
I desire (NET Bible)

The Greek tense indicates an ambition at the present time (the time he wrote this letter). It does not say anything about how long in the past he has had this ambition. Translate as an ambition at the present time.

preach the gospel: The Greek word here means “announce good news” or “proclaim the gospel.” Preaching is often done before a group of people. Here it refers to telling others the good news of Jesus as Messiah/Christ. Here are other ways to translate this Greek word:

declare the gospel (Revised English Bible)
-or-
preach the Good News (Good News Translation)

See how you translated this phrase in 1:15.

15:20b

where Christ was not known: This clause refers to places where someone has not told the people there about Jesus being the Christ, the one to save people from their sins. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

not where Christ has already been named (English Standard Version)
-or-
where Christ has not been heard of (Good News Translation)
-or-
where the name of Christ has not already been heard (New Jerusalem Bible)

15:20c

so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation: The phrase so that…not means “in order that…not.” It introduces a purpose for avoiding something. For example:

lest I build on someone else’s foundation (English Standard Version)

I would not be building on someone else’s foundation: This is a figure of speech that refers to Paul being the second apostle to do what a previous apostle did in that town/place: preach the gospel, help people believe in Jesus, encourage believers and help them grow in their faith. This “builds” the group of believers. The first person “builds” the foundation and the second person “builds” on top of the foundation.

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

• Add the word “like.” For example:

I ⌊would be like a person⌋ building on someone else’s foundation

• Explain the metaphor in your translation. For example:

I ⌊strengthen a group of believers like someone⌋ building on someone else’s foundation

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

This refers to being the second person to help people believe and encourage them in their faith

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

I am the second person to preach and teach in a town

This is not talking about a physical building that believers meet in.

foundation: This word refers to the first layer of a house or building. The floors and walls are build on top of the foundation. Some languages do not have a general word like foundation but must name the material of which the foundation is made. For example:

⌊base⌋ stones
-or-
bricks
-or-
posts

Search

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

Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020