SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020 – Page 5

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 7:20

7:20a

And: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as And is often translated as “but.” It often introduces a new thought, but here Paul repeated some of what he said in 7:16–17 but in a slightly different way.

if I do what I do not want: See how you translated this clause in 7:16a.

7:20b–c

it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it: See how you translated these clauses in 7:17.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 8:27

8:27a

He who searches our hearts: This refers to God. In some languages this will not be clear. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain in the text. For example:

God, who searches our hearts

This change makes who searches our hearts describe God rather than define to whom the word he refers. Some languages must avoid who in this case for the correct meaning. For example:

God searches our hearts and

searches: Here this word indicates that God carefully examines hearts. It does not refer to looking for something that is lost. Here are other ways to translate this word:

sees into (Good News Translation)
-or-
knows (New Living Translation (2004))

hearts: This refers to generally to the hearts of all people. For example:

all hearts (New Living Translation (2004))

The word hearts refers here to the inner being of people, which includes the mind, the emotions, and the will. Use your usual word for that meaning. For example:

insides/liver
-or-
mind and will

See how you translated this word in 1:21 or 6:17.

8:27b

mind: The Greek word here is translated as “the mind” in 8:6 and 8:7. Here it probably refers to the mind generally, as many English versions and scholars translate. God knows what the Holy Spirit is thinking when he groans on our behalf.

8:27c

saints: The Greek word can mean “holy people,” “people dedicated/consecrated to God,” or “people whom God has made holy.” Here it probably implies all of these meanings. In the New Testament, this word refers to all Christians, not to any special group of Christians. See how you translated this word in 1:7.

8:27d

the will of God: Here the word will refers to what God wants to happen. See how you translated this word in 2:18.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 9:20

9:20a

But who are you, O man, to talk back to God?: This is also a rhetorical question. It emphasizes that no one is worthy enough to answer back to God. Translate this clause with that meaning. Here are some ways:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

But who indeed are you, a human being, to talk back to God? (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

• As a statement. For example:

You are only human, and human beings have no right to question God. (New Century Version)

But who are you, O man: There are two ways to interpret the Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as O man :

(1) It is a direct address to the person or persons to whom Paul spoke as you. For example:

On the contrary, who are you, O man (New American Standard Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, English Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, King James Version, Contemporary English Version)

(2) It is a description of the person or persons to whom Paul spoke as you. For example:

But you—who do you think you, a human being, are (New Jerusalem Bible)

(Revised Standard Version, New International Version (2011), New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition, NET Bible, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because these words are in the emphatic position in the Greek rather than after the Greek word that means you as a description of you. But if the major language version follow interpretation (2), you may want to follow that.

The phrase of address, O man, can refer to either a man or a woman. It occurs in the middle of the clause. In many languages it must be first in the clause. For example:

But, O/you person/human, who are you

But: The Greek word here indicates strong contrast. For example:

But…indeed (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
On the contrary, (New American Standard Bible)

talk back to God: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as talk back here implies that this person speaks to God to criticize or argue. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

argue back to God (English Standard Version)
-or-
criticize God
-or-
argue-with God

9:20b–c

Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?”: There are two issues here:

Issue 1: Partial quotation

The first part (Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it) occurs in Isaiah 29:16. The second part (“Why did You make me like this?”) takes the general idea of questioning the maker as found in the questions in Isaiah 29:16. It is reworded to connect more clearly to what Paul had been saying. So many translations, like the Berean Standard Bible, do not punctuate it like a quote from Isaiah. Paul did not introduce these words with the usual introduction of a quote from Scripture, for example, “as it is written.”

The Berean Standard Bible, the English Standard Version, and the Contemporary English Version still put in a footnote to refer to Isaiah 29:16 (and 45:9), but the New Living Translation (2004) and the God’s Word do not. But other translations punctuate it like a quote from the Old Testament. For example:

“Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’ ” (New International Version)

The New International Version also references this as a quote from Isaiah 29:16 (and 45:9). See what the major language version in your area does. Or, follow the example of the Berean Standard Bible.

Issue 2: Rhetorical question

This is a rhetorical question. It indicates that the created thing should not ask the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?” It implies that people should not criticize God, who made them, asking why he made them that way. Translate this clause with that meaning. Here are some ways:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?” (New Living Translation (2004))

• As a statement. For example:

An object should not ask the person who made it, “Why did you make me like this?” (New Century Version)

Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it: This is a metaphor that is explained in 9:21. Here the words what is formed refers to something made of clay. The words Him who formed it refers to the person who forms a lump of clay into the shape he wants, specifically, in this case, God. In this metaphor the thing made of clay complains to the person who made it. The metaphor refers figuratively to a person, whom God made, who complains to God about why he made him that way. It implies that it is wrong for people to complain to God like that. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

Will what is molded say to its molder (English Standard Version)
-or-
Will what is made say to its maker (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Can the pot say to the potter (Revised English Bible)

In some languages it is unnatural or confusing for something not alive, like a clay pot, to speak. If that is true in your language, translate the meaning without the figurative language. For example:

Can we who are just made, ask Him who made us, saying

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 10:19

Paragraph 10:19–21

10:19a

did Israel not understand?: This is a rhetorical question. The Greek grammar, as in 10:18a, indicates that Paul expected the readers to answer, “They did understand.” If possible, translate in a way that expects the answer “They have heard.” Here are some ways:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Is it maybe possible that they didn’t understand what they heard?

• As a statement. For example:

it is true that the Israelites understood.

Israel: Here this name refers to the people of Israel, often called “the Jews.”

understand: Paul did not explicitly say here what was understood. He implies “the word of Christ” (10:17b) as he did in 10:18a. Some languages must say what is understood. For example:

understand ⌊it⌋
-or-
understand ⌊that message⌋

10:19b

The quote in 10:19b–c is from Deuteronomy 32:21. If you indicate the location of quotes from the Old Testament with cross-references, you may want to do so here.

First, Moses says: Here the word First indicates that Moses was the first one who wrote about God giving his message about the Christ/Messiah to non-Jews.

Moses says: The verb is present tense, but Moses wrote the words of 10:16c over 1,500 years before Paul lived. Greek scholars call it the historical present. In many languages the normal way of referring to a past event must be used. For example:

Moses said

The quote is Moses speaking on God’s behalf. The words are from God. The “I” in the quote refers to God, not Moses. For example:

Moses, ⌊for God,⌋ said
-or-
Moses, ⌊speaking for God,⌋ said

This clause introduces a quote from the Old Testament. Some languages usually introduce Old Testament quotes in a certain way. For example:

⌊in the Scriptures⌋ Moses ⌊wrote what God⌋ said
-or-
Moses ⌊wrote in the Holy Book God⌋ saying this:

I will make you jealous: In the Greek the meaning of the word I is emphasized. For example:

I myself will make you jealous

jealous: Here this word refers to being resentful of someone for something they have. The Jews resent that Gentiles have attained the kingdom of God (and probably that they use Hebrew Scriptures, what many Christians now call the Old Testament). The Jews think that those things belong to them.

those who are not a nation: This refers to a variety of Gentiles. They come from many nations or people groups. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

people who are not even a nation (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
a nation that is no nation (Revised English Bible)
-or-
a group of people who are from all over

You should not translate this phrase with your key term for Gentiles.

10:19c

I will make you angry by a nation without understanding: The Greek puts the phrase by a nation without understanding in the front of the clause as part of a Greek poetic form. In some languages it must be in its usual place in the clause. For example:

I will make you angry with/using a nation without understanding

without understanding: The Greek word here refers to a lack of understanding, usually implying bad morals too. Here are other ways to translate this word:

that has no understanding (New International Version)
-or-
without sense/thinking

General Comment on 10:19b–c

These words are a quote of Deuteronomy 32:21. If you indicate the location of quotes from the Old Testament with cross-references, you may want to do so here.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 11:30

Paragraph 11:30–32

11:30a

Just as: This word introduces an explanation here.

you: Here this word refers to Gentile believers in Rome, and implies all Gentile believers. In the Greek, the word is emphatic. For example:

you yourselves

who formerly: Here this phrase refers to the time before the readers of this letter believed in Jesus.

11:30b

have: The “just as” comparison continues from 11:30a. In English, to help indicate that, no comma is used at the end of 11:30a.

But in some languages a pause would be more natural here. For example:

Just as formerly you were disobedient to God, but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, (Revised English Bible)

now: Here this word refers generally to this new period of time where the gospel of Jesus is proclaimed.

received mercy: The word “you” is implied from 11:30a. This clause indicates that God was merciful to the Gentile believers. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

you have been shown mercy (New Jerusalem Bible)

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

God was merciful to you (New Living Translation (2004))

their: Here, as in 11:28b, this word refers to the Jews who do not believe in Jesus.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 13:5

13:5a

Therefore: Here this word introduces a logical conclusion to what Paul said earlier.

it is necessary: The Greek is literally “it-is-necessary to.” It indicates that the only right thing to do is to be in subjection.

to submit to authority: This refers to being under the authority of someone. He or she can tell believers what they should do, and they should do it. See how you translated this Greek word at 13:1 (“submit”).

The context implies that believers are to be subject to government authorities (13:1–4). For example:

to submit to the authorities (New International Version)

13:5b

The same interpretation issue about whose wrath this is occurs here as it does in 13:4e. This author follows the same interpretation here.

not only to avoid punishment, but also as a matter of conscience: The grammar of the words not only…but also acknowledges the importance of the first part and emphasizes the importance of the second part. In some languages it is more natural for the not only part to be second. For example:

as a matter of conscience, not only to avoid punishment

to avoid punishment: This implies not doing things that cause the government authorities to be angry. For example:

because of the wrath of the authorities (NET Bible)
-or-
because you might be punished (New Century Version)

punishment: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as punishment is more literally “wrath.” It refers to the same thing as in 13:4e, where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “retribution.” See how you translated this word there.

conscience: Here this word refers to someone’s internal record of past deeds, as in 2:15 and 9:1. It probably also implies that the person knows that doing evil will cause him to feel guilty or ashamed, so it is best not to do evil.

See how you translated this word in 2:15 or 9:1.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 14:23

14:23a

the one who has doubts is condemned: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ has condemned whoever has doubts

doubts: This word refers to not being certain about something. A person thinks that maybe it is good but maybe it is bad. Or a person thinks that maybe it is right or maybe wrong.

is condemned: The Greek tense indicates that God has already condemned this person and that condemnation remains in effect. But the actual punishment may occur later. The present tense does not indicate that the punishment is occurring at this moment.

condemned: This word usually indicates that a judge has decided how to punish the guilty person. Here are other ways to translate this word:

determined the punishment
-or-
will give him pain/punishment

However, here it does not refer to God sending someone to hell, so your translation should not indicate that. See how you translated this word in 2:1 or 8:34.

he eats: It is implied here that this person eats food that he doubts it is right for him to eat. In some languages a literal translation would refer generally to any food. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain in your translation. For example:

he eats ⌊those foods he is not sure that they are clean⌋ ⌊before God⌋

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

This person eats food that he thinks it is wrong for him to eat. He thinks that maybe God has forbidden him to eat it.

14:23b

his eating: This refers to the person with doubts about eating certain foods but he eats those foods anyway. Some languages cannot use the noun eating here. If that is true in your language, use a verb. For example:

when he eats ⌊like that⌋

faith: The meaning is the same as “belief” in 14:22a.

14:23c

and: The Greek word here is usually translated as and or “but.” It introduces a general principle related to what Paul wrote about in 14:23a–b. Introduce the rest of 14:23c in a way that indicates that. For example:

For (English Standard Version)
-or-
Anything that is… (God’s Word)

that is not from: The Greek is literally “(is) not out of.” If a believer does something because he doubts rather than because he believes in Jesus, then he is sinning. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

does not come from (New International Version)
-or-
anything that is not based on faith is sin (Good News Translation)

faith: In this general principle, the word faith would refer generally to all that one believes about Jesus and God.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 15:32

15:32a

so that: This phrase introduces the purpose for Paul to be delivered from unbelievers (15:31a) and for the believers in Jerusalem to accept his service (15:31b).

by God’s will I may come to you with joy: The phrase by God’s will is emphasized by being first in the clause in the Berean Standard Bible. But it is not first in the Greek. Put this phrase in its usual position in your translation. For example:

I may come to you with joy by God’s will

by God’s will: This indicates that God would decide if Paul would go or not. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

that God will decide/choose that
-or-
that God will allow
-or-
if God wants it (New Century Version)

See how you translated this in 1:10.

15:32b

together with you: This phrase indicates that Paul and the Roman believers would be together and they would all experience being refreshed. For example:

together with you (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

be refreshed: The word refreshed refers to resting and getting one’s strength back again. Here it would refer mostly to mental, motivational, and emotional strength, rather than physical strength. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

find refreshing rest (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
I will have a time of rest (New Century Version)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 7:20

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 8:27

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 9:20

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 10:19

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 11:30

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 13:5

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 14:23

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 15:32

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