SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020 – Page 54

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 6:18

6:18a

You have been set free from sin: This clause is passive. The Greek clause refers generally to a past event. Some languages must use an active clause here. For example:

⌊God⌋ set you free from sin

set free from sin: This phrase indicates that God has removed believers from being under the control of the power of sin, like a slave is removed from his owner. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

You were made free from sin (New Century Version)
-or-
You have now been released from the authority of sin

6:18b

have become slaves to righteousness: This indicates that believers came under the control of righteousness, like a slave is given to a new master.

The subject is still “you (plur.).” For example:

you have become slaves of righteousness (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

slaves to righteousness: The word slaves is a figure of speech. It refers to believers allowing righteousness to rule their lives, like a master rules the lives of his slaves. Some languages cannot translate literally for the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Add “like/as” here. For example:

⌊as⌋ slaves of righteousness
-or-
you have become like enslaved to the doing of righteousness
-or-
God has put you as though righteousness was your ruler

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

God has put you under the direction/guide of righteousness
-or-
you are under the authority of righteousness

righteousness: Here this word refers to deeds and thoughts that God says are right to do or think. See how you translated this word in 6:13.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 8:2

8:2a

For: Here this word introduces the basis for Paul saying that God does not condemn believers.

in Christ Jesus: The word in here indicates that the Holy Spirit has freed us because we believed that Jesus is the Christ.

Christ Jesus: The order of the words Christ Jesus emphasizes that Jesus is the Christ/Messiah. See how you translated this phrase in 8:1.

the law of the Spirit of life: Here the word law probably refers to a controlling principle, telling Paul, in his thinking, to do this or that, as it does in 7:23 in the phrase “the law of my mind.” See how you translated the word law in “the law of my mind” in 7:23.

the Spirit of life: This phrase refers to the Holy Spirit. The words of life indicate here that the Holy Spirit is the source of life. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the Spirit, who gives life (God’s Word)
-or-
the Spirit that brings life (New Century Version)

set you free: There is a textual issue here.

(1) Some Greek manuscripts have the word you (sing.).

(Berean Standard Bible, English Standard Version, New International Version (2011), New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, New Revised Standard Version, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, NCV2005)

(2) Some Greek manuscripts have the word me.

(Revised Standard Version, New International Version (1984), Good News Translation, King James Version, NCV91)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), because the UBS Handbook Greek NT 5 supports it. Some of the English versions support option (2) perhaps because they are older translations and an earlier version of the UBS Handbook Greek New Testament supported it.

set…free: The verb here is in the past tense. The Holy Spirit frees a person when he or she begins believing in Jesus.

8:2b

the law of sin: See how you translated the phrase the law of sin in 7:25.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 8:34

8:34a

Who is there to condemn us?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes that no one will be able to condemn God’s elect, that is, declare them guilty of wrongdoing and saying how they should be punished. Translate this clause with that meaning. Here are some ways:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Who will condemn them? (God’s Word)
-or-
Who can say God’s people are guilty? (New Century Version)

• As a statement. For example:

No one will condemn them.
-or-
No one can say his people are guilty of sin!

to condemn us: The Greek word here is in the future tense, again referring to any time in our future. See the examples above.

condemn: For the meaning of this word, see the note on “condemned” in 8:3.

8:34b–e

For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us: There are two ways to interpret how to punctuate this verse:

(1) It is a statement, as in the Berean Standard Bible.

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

(2) It is a question. For example:

Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us? (Revised Standard Version)

(Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because it parallels the question and answer in 8:33a–b.

8:34b

Christ Jesus, who died: As an answer to the rhetorical question of 8:34a, this clause implies that Jesus will not condemn us. For example:

No one. Christ Jesus who died… (New International Version (2011))

Christ Jesus: There is a textual issue here:

(1) The text is Christ Jesus, as in the Berean Standard Bible.

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New Living Translation (2004), English Standard Version)

(2) The text is Christ. For example:

Christ (Contemporary English Version)

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

It is recommended that you follow option (1), because the UBS5 supports it, although they say they had difficulty in deciding. If the major language version follows option (2), you may want to follow that.

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 1:1 or 8:1.

8:34c

and more than that: These words indicate that Paul had more to say about Jesus here. Jesus’ resurrection is also an important part of his work as Savior. These words imply that Jesus’ resurrection is more important than his death. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

yes and more, (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-

but he was also raised (New Century Version)
-or-
He did not do that only, but
-or-
and beyond that
-or-
and what is more is that

was raised to life: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

whom ⌊God⌋ raised

In some languages the words “from the dead” must be added to make the meaning clear. For example:

who was raised from the dead (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
whom ⌊God⌋ raised ⌊from death⌋

See how you translated the words was raised in 6:4.

8:34d

is at the right hand of God: The Greek has the word that can mean “and” or “also” here. For example:

and is at God’s right hand (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
who also is at the right hand of God (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

at the right hand: To sit at the right hand of a ruler is a figure of speech that indicates that the ruler gave the place of greatest honor to that person.

If the words at the right hand do not imply highest honor under the leader in your culture, you may want to:

• Include some implied information. For example:

⌊in the place of honor⌋ at the right hand
-or-

⌊in the position of highest honor⌋ at the right side

• Include a footnote. For example:

To be at God’s right hand is the position of highest honor under God.

8:34e

and He: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and is often translated as “also.” Here it introduces the last thing that Paul wanted to add to the fact that Jesus died (for us). For example:

and who (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
and is also (New International Version)

is interceding: The word interceding refers to speaking to someone on behalf of someone else. Here Jesus speaks to God on our behalf. See how you translated this word in 8:26.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 9:27

9:27–28

These words are from Isaiah 10:22–23, but it is not an exact quote. However, Isaiah spoke in 9:27b–28b, so quote marks are needed in English. If you indicate the location of quotes from the Old Testament with cross-references, you may want to do so here.

9:27a

The Greek of 9:27a begins with a word that can be translated “and” or “but.” A number of English versions want to indicate that Paul quoted the Old Testament again, so they use “and” (English Standard Version). It is also possible to see contrast between God speaking of only a remnant of Israel being saved and some Gentiles being called “sons of the living God.” For example:

But (Revised English Bible)

In some languages it is more natural to omit this word and allow the context to indicate the correct meaning, as the Berean Standard Bible does.

Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: This clause introduces an Old Testament quote that Isaiah wrote hundreds of years before Paul wrote Romans. In some languages some or all of this must be explained. For example:

⌊in Scripture⌋ Isaiah cried out about Israel ⌊long ago⌋

Isaiah: Isaiah was an Old Testament prophet, and his book has many prophecies. In some languages it is more clear for the readers to indicate that Isaiah was a prophet. For example:

the prophet Isaiah (Contemporary English Version)

cries out: The phrase cries out indicates speaking strongly with urgency. In some languages a literal translation would refer only to weeping or wailing. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. For example:

exclaims (Good News Translation)
-or-
makes this proclamation (Revised English Bible)
-or-
said loudly/urgently

The Greek and the Berean Standard Bible use the present tense here, as in 9:15. Greek scholars call it the historical present. In many languages the normal way of referring to a past event must be used, as in the last example above.

Israel: Here this word refers to the people group called Israel.

9:27b

Though: The form of this Greek clause expresses something that is possible but not certain. Here, in the case where the number of the people of Israel might become as much as the sand of the seashore, only a portion (the remnant) will be saved (9:27c).

the number of the Israelites is like the sand of the sea: This clause compares the number of the people of Israel to the number of grains of sand on the seashore. It is a poetic exaggeration to say “very, very many.” Here are other ways to translate this clause:

the people of Israel are as many as the grains of sand by the sea (Good News Translation)
-or-
the people of Israel are as numerous as the grains of sand along every beach
-or-
the number (lit. manyness) of the descendants of Israel is like the sand on the edge of the ocean

sand of the sea: This refers to the sand on the ocean beaches around the world. See the above examples.

9:27c

only the remnant will be saved: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ will save only the remnant

remnant: This word means “the portion left behind” or “the portion still remaining.” God will save only some Israelites.

saved: This word refers to being rescued from something harmful or dangerous.

See how you translated this word in 5:10 or 8:24.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 11:5

11:5a

In the same way: The Greek words here are “in-that-manner therefore also.” The word “in-that-manner” indicates that what is happening now is like what happened in the past. God chose a remnant in the time of Elijah and he chose a remnant in the time of Paul. The word “therefore” indicates that Paul said something based on what he said earlier. The word “also” indicates that something happened again that was similar to what happened earlier. Here are other ways to translate this Greek phrase:

So too (English Standard Version)
-or-
In just the same way (Revised English Bible)
-or-
What it is like now in our time is like that,

there is a remnant: The Greek is more literally “a remnant has begun existing.” God chose a small number of Jews to believe in him in the time of Elijah, and he chose a small number of Jews to believe in Jesus as the Christ/Messiah in Paul’s time. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

there are not many Jews who have been chosen
-or-
God has chosen a few people only among all the people

remnant: This word means “the portion left behind” or “the portion still remaining.” God will save only some Israelites. See how you translated this word in 9:27.

11:5b

chosen by grace: The Greek is more literally “according to a choice of grace.” God chose these Jews because he wanted to bless them, not because of anything that they had done. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

whom God has chosen because of his grace (Good News Translation)
-or-
his undeserved kindness in choosing them (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
because he was kind and chose them

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 how you translated this word in 1:5 or 6:15.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 12:1

Division 12:1–15:13

Live according to God’s mercy in these ways

In this division, Paul gave many rules on how to live as Christians.

Here are other possible headings for this division:

How/The-way to live as Christians
-or-
Paul taught about living as Christians

Section 12:1–21

Paul taught about our body, love, and revenge

In this section, Paul taught that believers should use their bodies in ways that are holy and acceptable to God. Our thinking must change so that it follows the will of God and not the thinking of the people of this world.

Paul also taught that believers should not be more proud of themselves than what is right before God. We all have different gifts from the Holy Spirit, and we should use them.

Believers should love in a genuine way, avoid evil deeds, honor others, be full of eagerness to serve the Lord. They should rejoice, be patient, pray, help others, and show hospitality.

Believers should bless the people who persecute them, and live in sympathy and harmony with other believers. They are not to be proud such that they avoid people with no status in society. They are not to think of themselves as wise.

Believers are not to take revenge, but leave that for God to do something about the evil done to them. They are to do things that are honorable and live at peace with others, if they can. They are to bless their enemies by doing good to them.

Here are other possible headings for this section:

The New Life in Christ (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Our bodies, thinking, and deeds must be holy and good

Paragraph 12:1–2

12:1a

Therefore I urge you, brothers: In many languages the word brothers must be first in the clause. But also in many languages the word Therefore must be first in the clause. Order the words in a way that is natural in your language. For example:

Therefore, brothers, I appeal to you
-or-
Brothers, I therefore appeal to you

Therefore: This word introduces a result of what Paul said in earlier chapters, not just 11:36. For example:

considering all those things

I urge you: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as urge has a wide range of meaning. Many scholars believe it means “exhort” here, rather than “command” or “beg.” Here are other ways to translate this clause:

I appeal to you (English Standard Version)
-or-
I encourage you (God’s Word)

brothers: Here this word refers to all the believers living in Rome, both men and women. The word indicates a close relationship between believers because God has made them his (adopted) children. See how you translated this word in 1:13 or 11:25.

12:1b

on account of God’s mercy: There are several ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as on account of :

(1) It introduces the means or instrument by which Paul urged them. For example:

by the mercies of God (English Standard Version)

(English Standard Version, Revised Standard Version, New American Bible, Revised Edition, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, NET Bible, Revised English Bible)

(2) It introduces the circumstances in which Paul urged them. For example:

in view of God’s mercy (New International Version)

(New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible)

(3) It introduces the reason why Paul urged them. For example:

because of God’s great mercy to us (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation, Berean Standard Bible, God’s Word, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the BDAG supports both (1) and (2), and (1) seems more likely here.

mercy: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as mercy refers to concern for someone with troubles and here implies helping that person. It is one of the ways a father feels toward his children when they are in trouble and need help. (It is not the usual Greek word translated mercy.) Here are other ways to translate this word:

compassion (God’s Word)
-or-
sympathy

12:1c

to offer your bodies as living sacrifices: This is a figure of speech. It indicates that believers should allow God to say what they should do with their bodies. So the Berean Standard Bible and other English versions add the word as. In some languages it will be more clear to:

• Explain the figure of speech in your translation. For example:

give your life to serving God as if a sacrifice

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

These words indicate that we are to wholly serve God.

to offer: Here the word offer refers to putting something in front of someone, either as a gift or for that person to do something with it. Here are other ways to translate this word:

present (English Standard Version)
-or-
give (New Living Translation (2004))

as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God: The Greek is more literally “a sacrifice, living, holy, pleasing to God.” The words living and holy and the phrase pleasing to God all describe what kind of sacrifice this is. For example:

a sacrifice—alive, holy, and pleasing to God (NET Bible)
-or-
a sacrifice that is living and holy and pleases God

living: Here this word indicates that this sacrifice still lives and therefore is able to do God’s will. This is unlike usual sacrifices, which are killed at the altar and therefore not able to do anything.

sacrifices: As a part of the Jewish religion, people would kill an animal, put it over a fire, then offer it to God. They sometimes burnt the animal whole and sometimes they or the priests ate it, depending on the type of “sacrifice” that they were offering. This was done to honor and worship God. The Greeks and Romans did something similar for their gods.

Here are other ways to translate this word:

offering
-or-
gift for God to use

holy: Here this word means “set apart for God’s use.” It also implies that it is special, because it belongs to God. See how you translated this word in 11:16.

pleasing to God: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as pleasing also means “acceptable.” Presenting one’s body has to be the proper kind of sacrifice, so that God accepts it.

12:1d

which is your spiritual service of worship: These words further describe presenting your bodies as a sacrifice. It does not separate this presenting from other presentings. For the correct meaning in some languages, translators must avoid the word which. For example:

This is the way to worship him in your mind
-or-
That is your worship custom that is appropriate

spiritual: The Greek word here was used to describe a human being’s ability to think, an action that makes us different from animals. Paul probably used it here to describe worship that is true and proper. Here are other ways to translate this word:

the worship offered by mind and heart (Revised English Bible)
-or-
intelligent (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

service of worship: This word refers to religious activities done for the purpose of honoring God.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 13:12

13:12a

The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near: The semi-colon (;) indicates that there is a connection between the two parts of this saying but does not say what that connection is. Here “and” is implied. For example:

The night is almost gone, and the day is near (New American Standard Bible)

The night is nearly over: The night is a metaphor for the present evil age in which we live. That it is nearly over means that it is coming to an end. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

The night is far gone (English Standard Version)
-or-
The night has almost ended

In some languages a literal translation would refer only to actual night or would not imply a time of evil. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

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

This indicates that the time of evil will soon end.

• Explain its meaning in your translation. For example:

The night, ⌊that is, this time of evil,⌋ is nearly over

the day has drawn near: The phrase the day is a metaphor for the blessed time that begins after Jesus returns. That it is near means that it will soon happen. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

the day is almost here (New International Version)
-or-
the day has almost begun

In some languages a literal translation would refer only to actual day or would not imply a time of special goodness. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

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

This indicates that the time of blessedness/goodness will soon begin.

• Explain its meaning in your translation. For example:

The day, ⌊that is, the time of blessedness/goodness,⌋ is nearly here

13:12b

So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness: The phrase the deeds of darkness refers to deeds that are consistent with darkness. The phrase lay aside indicates that we must stop doing them. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

let us cast off the works of darkness (English Standard Version)
-or-
we should get rid of the things that belong to the dark (God’s Word)

In some languages a literal translation would refer only to anything done in the dark. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

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

This indicates that we must stop doing evil deeds.

• Explain its meaning in your translation. For example:

let us cast off the works of darkness ⌊that is, evil deeds⌋

deeds: This word refers to deeds, not to something related to work. See the above examples.

13:12c

put on the armor of light: The words “let us” are implied from 13:12b. This clause is a figure of speech that indicates that believers must use the things of God that help us in our struggles with evil.

In some languages a literal translation would refer only to actual armor. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

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

This indicates that we must use the things that God gives to us to fight spiritual battles.

• Explain its meaning in your translation. For example:

let us put on the armor of light ⌊that is, things that God gives us to fight our spiritual battles⌋
-or-
let us put on the armor of light ⌊that is, things that God gives us to strengthen our lives⌋

armor: The Greek is more literally “weapons.” For example:

the things of fighting/war

light: Paul used this word as an opposite to the word “darkness” in 13:12b. Here it implies good things, things that God gives us. See examples in the note on “put on the armor of light” above.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 15:7

Paragraph 15:7–12

15:7a

Accept: The Greek word refers to bringing in someone into your group of friends and accepting him or her. Here are other ways to translate this word:

welcome (English Standard Version)
-or-
receive well

See how you translated this word in 14:1.

one another: This refers to all the believers in Rome. See how you translated this phrase in 15:5.

15:7b

just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring glory to God: The phrase to bring glory to God probably connects to “welcome one another.” That is why many English versions put a comma before the phrase in order to, because that separates the phrase from just as Christ accepted you. The connection may be more clear if this phrase occurs after “welcome one another.” For example:

Accept one another…for the glory of God, as Christ has accepted you (Good News Translation)

just as Christ accepted you:
Here the words just as indicate that believers are to welcome each other in the same way that Jesus welcomed them. For example:

in the same way that Christ accepted you (God’s Word)

Christ: The Greek has the word “the” before this word. Paul also did not include the name “Jesus” here. Both things emphasize that it is the Messiah who has welcomed the believers in Rome.

in order to bring glory to God: This phrase indicates that when believers welcome each other, those deeds bring glory to God. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

which brings glory to God
-or-
which honors God

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 6:18

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 8:2

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 8:34

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 9:27

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 11:5

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 12:1

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 13:12

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 15:7

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