SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020 – Page 5

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 6:13

6:13a–b

Do not present the parts of your body to sin: This phrase refers to not giving something to someone for him to control. Believers are not to allow themselves to be controlled by sin. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

Do not give parts of your body to sin
-or-
Do not allow your members to come under the control of sin

the parts of your body: Here the word parts refers to parts of the body. Here it implies deeds done with those parts. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

your members (English Standard Version)
-or-
yourselves

as instruments of wickedness: Here the word instruments refers to tools. Here it is a metaphor. Like someone uses a screwdriver to tighten a screw, believers are not to use parts of their bodies to do unrighteous or evil deeds. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

as tools for doing things that are not right to do
-or-
to be something used to do unrighteous deeds

wickedness: This word refers to deeds that God says are not right to do. See the examples above.

6:13c

as those who have been brought from death to life: Here the word as indicates that believers are to present themselves to God in accord with the fact that they are those who have been brought from death to life. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

in accordance with being those who have been brought from death to life
-or-

because you are those who have been brought from death to life

The word as does not mean “like” here, as if believers were only to copy others who have been brought from death to life.

who have been brought from death to life: The Greek words are literally “out-from dead (one)s you (plur.) -are-living.” Here are some fairly literal translations:

those alive from the dead (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
people who have come back from death and are now alive (God’s Word)
-or-
a person who comes out of death to life

The Greek words indicate that, earlier, God has brought believers from the death they died to sin to the new life in Christ.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer to believers being actually dead earlier. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

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

These words indicate that, earlier, God has brought believers from the death they died to sin to the new life in Christ.

• Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:

you have new life after you died ⌊to sin⌋
-or-
you now live the new life but earlier you died ⌊to sin⌋

6:13d

and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness: Here the Berean Standard Bible adds the word present that is implied here from 6:13b. In some languages repeating that word is more natural or more clear. However, some languages may not need to repeat this word. For example:

and your members to God as instruments for righteousness (English Standard Version)

righteousness: This word refers to deeds that God says are right to do. It is the opposite of “wickedness” in 6:13a.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 7:22

7:22

For: This word introduces an explanation of what Paul had said in 7:21a–c.

in my inner being: This phrase refers to the mind or more generally to the inner part of a person that includes the thinking and emotions. The Berean Standard Bible adds the word my. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

in the inner man (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
in my inner self (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
In my mind (New Century Version)
-or-
In my heart/liver/stomach

I delight in God’s law: Here the word delight refers to being happy. Paul was happy with the law of God.

God’s law: This phrase refers to all of God’s commands, written in what is now called the Old Testament (the Hebrew Bible). In some languages the plural for law is more natural, since there is more than one law. For example:

the laws of God

You should not translate this phrase as “the laws of Moses.”

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 8:29

8:29a

For: The Greek is more literally “because.” It introduces a reason or explanation for what was said in 8:28. But the Berean Standard Bible starts a new sentence here, so “because” would not have the correct meaning in English. So it and many English versions use For here.

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

(1) It means know before a certain time here. God knew us before the creation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). The word implies a complete knowledge rather than just knowing about someone. For example:

knew his people in advance (New Living Translation (2004))

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

(2) It means choose before a certain time here. For example:

Those whom God had already chosen (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because many scholars follow it as well. Here are other ways to translate this clause according to interpretation (1):

those whom God knew before ever they were (Revised English Bible)
-or-
God knew them before he made the world (New Century Version)

8:29b

predestined: This word means “determine ahead of time.” Before the creation of the world God made a plan that his people would become like his Son. Here are other ways to translate this word:

determined beforehand
-or-
appointed (God’s Word)

to be conformed: The Greek word here refers to being similar in form or nature. We do not start this life being similar to Jesus, so here this word implies that God changes us so that we are like his Son. Therefore the Berean Standard Bible and many English versions use the word conformed. Here are other ways to translate this Greek word:

to be like (New Century Version)
-or-
to share (Revised English Bible)

the image of His Son: Here the word image indicates that God will make us like Jesus in many ways. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the likeness of his Son (New International Version)
-or-
become like his Son (Good News Translation)

His Son: See how you translated this phrase at 1:3.

8:29c

He would be: Here the Greek word is literally “to be.” Here it indicates that being the firstborn among many brothers will happen in the future, because God has not yet given glorified bodies to believers. For example:

the Son would be (Good News Translation)

the firstborn among many brothers: This phrase indicates that Jesus is like his brothers, that is, all believers, but that he is special, like a firstborn Jew was special. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the eldest among a large family of brothers (Revised English Bible)
-or-
the praiseworthy oldest-sibling of all of us who are siblinged-together who have been adopted by God

firstborn: In Hebrew and Greek culture (and probably other cultures of that time and area), the firstborn was given special privileges. In some languages groups people treat the firstborn like all the other siblings. If that is true in your language, you may want to indicate that the firstborn is special. For example:

⌊special/leader⌋ firstborn
-or-
the one who is prominent before all those believers who are brothers with him

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 9:22

Paragraph 9:22–29

9:22a–24b

The words of 9:22–24 are all a part of a long question in the Greek. The main part of the question is: “What if God has endured with much patience vessels of wrath?” There are three purposes introduced with the word “desiring”: (1) to show his wrath, (2) to make known his power, and (3) to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy. The phrase “prepared for destruction” describes the vessels of wrath. The words “whom He prepared in advance for glory—including us, whom He has called not only from the Jews, but also from the Gentiles” describe the vessels of mercy. Paul was not questioning these purposes and descriptions.

In some languages it is more clear to have the question separate from the purposes and the long description of the vessels of mercy. For example:

Intending to show his wrath and make his power known, what if God bore with great patience the vessels of his wrath, prepared for destruction? 23 ⌊He did that⌋ in order to make the riches of his glory known to vessels of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory—24 including us, whom he has called not only from the Jews, but also from the Gentiles.
-or-
What if God bore with great patience the vessels of his wrath, prepared for destruction? ⌊He did that because⌋ he intended to show his wrath and make his power known, 23 and in order to make the riches of his glory known to vessels of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory—24 including us, whom he has called not from the Jews, but also from the Gentiles.

What if God…bore with great patience the vessels of His wrath, prepared for destruction…to make the riches of His glory known to the vessels of His mercy: The Greek does not have a “then” clause to go with the if -clause. So the Berean Standard Bible and many English versions add the word What to give the sentence the right meaning in English. Here is another way to translate this:

But suppose that God… (New Jerusalem Bible)

This is a rhetorical question. Here the word if introduces a situation that is true. If this first part is true, that supports the second part (“to make known the riches of his glory”) to also be true. Together they emphasize that God does endure with much patience the vessels of wrath. Translate this with that meaning. Here are some ways:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

What if God…has endured with much patience the vessels of wrath made for destruction? This was to make known the riches of his glory to the vessels of mercy…. (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

• As a statement. For example:

But/And God…bore with great patience the vessels of his wrath…to make the riches of his glory known to vessels of his mercy….

9:22a

show His wrath: The word wrath refers to anger. This word is a noun. In some languages a different kind of word must be used. For example:

show that he is angry
-or-
show-anger-at

9:22b

make His power known: These words indicate that God wants people to understand that he is powerful. Here are other ways to translate these words:

to…reveal his power (God’s Word)
-or-
to let people see his power (New Century Version)

9:22c

bore with great patience: These words indicate that God waited with calmness in order to express his anger later. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

he has with great patience tolerated (Revised English Bible)
-or-
he patiently put up with them (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
waited with much calmness

the vessels of His wrath: The word vessels refers to things a potter makes, as in 9:21. Here it is a metaphor for people with whom God is angry and to whom he will one day show that anger.

In some languages the meaning of the metaphor will not be clear. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

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

The words “vessels of His wrath” refers to people with whom God is angry and to whom he will one day show that anger.

• Translate without the metaphor. For example:

people to whom God will one day show his anger

You may then want to indicate what the literal words are in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

Literally “vessels of His wrath.”

9:22d

prepared for destruction: This clause further describes the vessels of wrath. It does not separate these vessels of wrath from other vessels of wrath. For the correct meaning in some languages, translators must avoid the implied word “who.” For example:

and they are prepared for destruction

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

and ⌊God⌋ has prepared them for destruction

prepared: This word indicates that God has made these people ready for judgment day when he will destroy them. Here are other ways to translate this word:

made fit
-or-
made ready

for destruction: The word destruction refers to ruining something so much as to be completely useless and not repairable. The noun destruction refers to an event. Some languages must use a verb for this event. For example:

to be completely ruined
-or-
for ⌊God/him⌋ to destroy

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 10:21

10:21a

as for Israel: Here the words as for mean “in reference to.” Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

concerning Israel (New International Version)
-or-
regarding Israel (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

he: God also spoke the quoted words of 10:21b, as in 10:20b–c, through Isaiah the prophet.

says: This is a historical present, as in 10:20a. In many languages the normal way of referring to a past event must be used. For example:

said

It also introduces a quote from the Old Testament. But you may not need to repeat “in Scripture” from 10:20a here.

10:21b

These words are from Isaiah 65:2. If you indicate the location of quotes from the Old Testament with cross-references, you may want to do so here.

All day long: This means “all the time.” God always reaches out to Israel, day and night. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

Day after day
-or-
night and day

See how you translated this Greek phrase in 8:36 (“all the day long”).

I have held out My hands: This gesture indicates that God is inviting the Jews to turn back to him. Here are other ways to translate this clause with that meaning:

I held my arms open
-or-
I reached out
-or-
I offer my hand wanting to receive them

In some languages this gesture has a different meaning, or is not used. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. For example:

I called
-or-
I am always asking/begging them to return to me

obstinate: There are several ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as obstinate :

(1) It means here opposing God either in thinking or with words. For example:

contentious (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

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

(2) It means here being stubborn about something. For example:

stubborn (NET Bible)

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

(3) It means here rebelling against God’s authority. For example:

rebellious (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the BDAG and the L&N support it.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 11:32

11:32a

For: Here this word introduces an explanation of 11:30–31.

God has consigned everyone to disobedience: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as has consigned is literally “enclosed.” God caused all people to be trapped in the situation of being disobedient. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

God has caused all people to be trapped in disobedience
-or-
God has imprisoned all human beings in their own disobedience (New Jerusalem Bible)

disobedience: Here this word probably implies not obeying what God says to do, as in 11:30. Some languages must say what or who people are disobeying. For example:

do not obey/follow God

11:32b

so that: Here this word introduces the purpose for enclosing all people in disobedience.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 13:7

13:7a

Pay: This Greek word refers to giving something because one is required to give. Here are other ways to translate this word:

Give (New International Version)
-or-
Pay, as you should,

The New International Version allows the context to imply giving something you should give. The Berean Standard Bible does a similar thing with Pay.

everyone: Considering the list of things to do in 13:7b–e, the word everyone here refers to all government authorities, not everyone in the world. For example:

all of them (Revised Standard Version)

what you owe him: The Greek word refers to things that someone should repay or give. 13:7b–e has four examples of what you owe him. Your translation should clearly allow taxes, revenue, respect, and honor to be examples of the word or phrase you translate here.

General Comment on 13:7a

With the colon (:) after the word “him” and not repeating the word “pay,” the Berean Standard Bible indicates that 13:7b–e are four things that the believer should pay. In some languages a different way to translate that meaning must be used. For example:

Pay everyone what you owe him. ⌊So,⌋ ⌊pay⌋ taxes to whom taxes are due, ⌊and⌋ ⌊pay⌋ revenue to whom revenue is due, ⌊and⌋ ⌊pay⌋ respect to whom respect is due, ⌊and⌋ ⌊pay⌋ honor to whom honor is due.
-or-
Pay everyone what you owe him. ⌊That is,⌋ ⌊pay⌋ taxes to whom taxes are due, ⌊and⌋ revenue to whom revenue is due, ⌊and⌋ respect to whom respect is due, ⌊and⌋ honor to whom honor is due.

13:7b

taxes to whom taxes are due: The word “pay” is implied here. In some languages that word must be explicit here. For example:

⌊pay⌋ taxes to whom taxes are owed

You may want to use the same word here for “pay” as you did in 13:7a.

taxes: See how you translated this word in 13:6.

13:7c

revenue to whom revenue is due: The word “pay” is implied here. In some languages that word must be explicit here. For example:

⌊pay⌋ revenue to whom revenue is owed

This is the second item in a list. In some languages an “and” must begin this phrase. For example:

⌊and⌋ revenue to whom revenue is owed

revenue: The Greek word refers to money other than taxes that government authorities ask people to pay. This includes duty, fees, and other such things. Here are other ways to translate this word:

duty
-or-
fees

13:7d

respect to whom respect is due: The word “pay” is implied here. In some languages that word must be explicit here. But in many languages a different word than “pay” must be used for the correct meaning. For example:

⌊pay/give/show⌋ respect to whom respect is owed
-or-
respect the person/leader you should respect

This is the third item in a list. In some languages an “and” must begin this phrase. For example:

⌊and⌋ respect to whom respect is owed

respect: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as respect is more literally “fear.” It refers to a necessary attitude to have toward powerful people because their power can put us in danger. People of lower status and power must act in ways that do not make powerful people angry or feel humiliated. For example:

fear (New American Standard Bible)

But many English versions translate the Greek word as respect here.

13:7e

honor to whom honor is due: The word “pay” is implied here. In some languages that word must be explicit here. But in many languages a different word than “pay” must be used for the correct meaning. For example:

⌊pay/give/show⌋ honor to whom honor is owed
-or-
honor the person/leader you should honor

This is the fourth item in a list. In some languages an “and” must begin this phrase. For example:

⌊and⌋ honor to whom honor is owed

honor: This word refers to showing that you respect someone. This may be praising him or speaking highly of him to others. Here are other ways to translate this word:

praise
-or-
lift up the name

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 15:2

15:2a

Each of us should please: This is a command that Each of us must please his neighbor. For example:

Each of us must please (New Revised Standard Version)

Each of us: Some scholars think the word us refers only to the strong believers (15:1) but others think it refers to all believers. Do not try to explain it in your translation.

please: Here this word refers to doing things that help the neighbor so that he is happy.

neighbor: Some scholars think this word refers only to other believers but other scholars think it refers to anyone who lives nearby. Do not try to explain it in your translation.

for his good: The Greek is literally “to/for the good.” This probably refers generally to the church, that is, all believers in Rome. (The next phrase, literally “toward building up,” is also probably general.) For example:

for the good (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

But many English versions translate as the Berean Standard Bible does. This interprets the Greek as “for the good of the neighbor.” With this interpretation, this command refers only to pleasing the neighbor.

15:2b

to build him up: The Greek is literally “toward building up.” This purpose clause explains what Paul meant by “to/for the good” (15:2a). This probably refers generally to the church, that is, all believers in Rome. For example:

for building up (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

But many English versions translate as the Berean Standard Bible does. This interprets the Greek as building up the neighbor only.

build him up: Here the words build…up refer to strengthening or encouraging others so that they live in faith better. Here are other ways to translate this word:

edification
-or-
help strengthen him
-or-
help him ⌊in his faith⌋

See how you translated the word “edification” in 14:19.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020