6:16a–e

Do you not know that when you offer yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey, whether you are slaves to sin leading to death, or to obedience leading to righteousness?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes that the believers in Rome should already know this, or reminds them that all of them would likely agree with this.

In some languages the form of question here would not have either of those meanings. If that is true in your language, you may want to translate it as a statement. For example:

Surely/Certainly you know that when you offer yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey, whether you are slaves to sin leading to death, or to obedience leading to righteousness!

Or it may be more natural or clear to put the question about knowing at the end. For example:

When you offers yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey, whether you are slaves to sin leading to death, or to obedience leading to righteousness! Do you not know that? ⌊Certainly you do!⌋
-or-
When you offer yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey, whether to sin leading to death, or to obedience leading to righteousness! ⌊Surely/Certainly you know that!⌋

6:16b–c

when you offer yourselves: The word offer here refers to giving something to someone for him to control. See how you translated this word in 6:13, where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “present.”

slaves: This word refers to people who are owned by someone. Their choices in life were completely controlled by their master. They followed their master’s will/desires rather than their own.

In some cultures, slaves may not be known. In other cultures, the word for slave may imply different customs than what is described above. If that is true in your language, here are some ways to translate this:

person who belonged to someone else
-or-
owned person
-or-
person who serves someone
-or-
worker/servant

See how you translated this Greek word in 1:1 (“servant”) or the verbal phrase “be slaves” at 6:6.

6:16d

whether: This word introduces two possible outcomes. Here one outcome is being a slave of sin. The other outcome is being a slave of obedience. Here is another possible word:

either (English Standard Version)

you are slaves to sin: The words you are slaves are not in the Greek text, but they are implied here from 6:16c.

Here the word slaves is a figure of speech. It refers to believers allowing sin to rule their lives, like a master rules the lives of his slaves. Some languages must indicate that this is a figure of speech. For example:

you are ⌊like⌋ slaves to sin
-or-
you allow ⌊the power of⌋ sin to rule you

leading to death: The Greek words are literally “into death.” It indicates that the end result of sin is death. Here are other ways to translate these words:

resulting in death (NET Bible)
-or-
and therefore die

death: Here the word death is in contrast with “life.” It refers to a person’s ultimate destruction.

6:16e

to obedience: The words “you are slaves” is implied here. For example:

⌊you are⌋ ⌊slaves⌋ to obedience

Here the word “slaves” is a figure of speech. Some languages must indicate that this is a figure of speech. For example:

⌊you are⌋ ⌊like⌋ ⌊slaves⌋ to obedience
-or-

⌊you allow⌋ ⌊the ways of⌋ obedience ⌊to rule you⌋

obedience: It is implied here that these people obey God. Some languages need to say what is obeyed. For example:

obedience ⌊to God⌋

In some languages a verb must be used. For example:

obeying God
-or-
you obey God

leading to righteousness: The Greek words are literally “into righteousness.” Obeying results in righteousness. Here are other ways to translate these words:

resulting in righteousness (NET Bible)
-or-
and therefore become ⌊more and more⌋ righteous

righteousness: Some commentators think this word means “living an upright life” here, and some commentators think it means “being made fully righteous at the final judgment.” Many others think it means both things. Translate in a way that allows for one or both interpretations. For example:

the deeds that are right/straight to do
-or-
the life doing upright deeds

Many English versions translate simply righteousness, which does not interpret the meaning.

© 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.

7:25a

This verse begins with the conjunction that is often translated as “and” or “but.” Here it introduces something more that Paul said about who saves people (7:24). Some languages will see contrast to the question of who in that verse. For example:

But

Other languages will need to indicate that 7:25a answers the question in 7:24b in a different way. For example:

Hey,
-or-
Look/Listen!

But for the connection to 7:24 here, it is more natural in many languages to omit this conjunction.

Thanks be to God:
This clause implies that the answer to Paul’s question of “who will deliver me from this body of death” is God. In some languages a literal translation would not imply that. If that is true in your language, make that meaning explicit. For example:

Thanks be to God, ⌊it is he⌋
-or-

⌊It is⌋ God ⌊who will rescue me,⌋ thanks to him

Thanks be: The Berean Standard Bible adds the verb be. This is a general thanksgiving. Paul thanked God, but the phrase allows others to join in that thanksgiving. Some languages must translate with a verb other than be. For example:

I thank God
-or-
We should thank God

through Jesus Christ: Here the word through indicates that God will rescue Paul because of what Jesus did in his death and resurrection.

our Lord: The word Lord refers to someone who has authority over people. Here it indicates that Jesus has authority over believers. See how you translated this phrase in 1:4 or 6:23.

7:25b

So then: Here this phrase introduces Paul’s conclusion of all that he said in 7:7–25. For example:

Therefore (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

with my mind I serve the law of God: The phrase with my mind is emphasized by being in front of the verb in the Greek clause. The Berean Standard Bible reflects this. Another way to translate this is:

I myself, with my mind, serve the law of God

In some languages it is more natural to have the phrase with my mind after the phrase the law of God. For example:

I myself serve the law of God with my mind (English Standard Version)

serve the law of God: Here the word serve refers to doing as the law of God says. The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as serve can also refer to acting like a slave to his or her master. A slave always does what the master tells him to do. For example:

am a slave to God’s law (New International Version)

This is a figure of speech. In some languages it is not natural to speak of people being a slave to laws. For example:

am ⌊like⌋ a slave to God’s law
-or-
obey the law of God (New Jerusalem Bible)

the law of God: See how you translated this phrase in 7:22.

7:25c

with my flesh I serve the law of sin: The phrase with my flesh is emphasized by being in front of the verb in the Greek clause. In some languages it is more natural to have this phrase in its normal place. For example:

I serve the law of sin with my flesh

my flesh: Here the word flesh refers to human nature. See how you translated this phrase in 7:18.

the law of sin: Here the word law again refers to a principle. Here it is the principle that sin bosses people, telling them to do evil things. See how you translated this phrase in 7:23.

General Comment on 7:25b–c

Both serving the law of God with the mind (7:25b) and serving the law of sin with the flesh (7:25c) occurred in Paul’s life. In some languages it is necessary to make explicit that both things were happening. For example:

I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but ⌊it is also true that⌋ with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

© 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.

8:32a

He who did not spare His own Son: After the word who in the Greek is the word that means “indeed” or “even” here. It emphasizes His own Son in the Greek. For example:

he did not spare even his own Son (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
who, indeed, did not spare his own Son

He who: The Greek is just who. It refers to God (8:31b). The English versions add He for natural English. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

It is he who did not spare his own Son…
-or-

He did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, so how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

did not spare: The word spare refers to preventing harm or trouble coming to someone. Here this phrase indicates that God allowed Jesus to suffer and die. He did not protect him from that suffering and death. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

did not hold back ⌊from harm⌋
-or-
did not protect

His own Son: This phrase is emphasized in the Greek. If possible, emphasize this phrase in your language.

See how you translated this phrase at 8:3.

8:32b

but: This indicates contrast to “spare” in 8:32a. But some languages will not see contrast here to “not spare” here.

gave Him up: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as gave…up refers to putting someone under the control of something or someone else. Here it indicates that God put Jesus under the control of men who then killed him. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

delivered Him over (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
handed him over ⌊to death⌋ (God’s Word)

See how you translated the similar phrases in 1:24 (“gave…over”) or 4:25 (“delivered up”).

for us all: Here the word for means “to benefit.” For example:

for the sake of all of us (New Jerusalem Bible)

8:32c

how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes that God will also graciously give all things, including Jesus, to us. Translate this clause with that meaning. Here are some ways:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

how will he not also give us everything else along with him? (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
is it even possible that he will not freely give to us all things together with his Son?

• As a statement. For example:

So he will also give us everything along with him. (God’s Word)
-or-
It is certain that he will also freely gift us with all things, including his Son.

along with Him: This phrase goes with “all things,” not “he.” It indicates that God gives Jesus to us as well as giving all things to us.

freely give: The Greek word here refers to giving generously without obligating the other person to give in return. Here are other ways to translate this Greek word:

graciously give (English Standard Version)
-or-
give as gifts

all things: In some languages this phrase may imply both good and bad things. If that is true in your language, indicate only good things. For example:

all ⌊good⌋ things

© 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.

9:25a

As: This word introduces support for what Paul said in 9:24. Some languages must use a full clause here. For example:

⌊It is⌋ as/like
-or-

⌊That talk is⌋ like

The Greek has a word that is usually translated as “indeed” here. It probably emphasizes what follows. Here are other ways to translate this word:

in fact
-or-
certainly

But some English versions, such as the Berean Standard Bible, do not translate this word.

He says: 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. For example:

he said

He: Here this word refers to God.

in Hosea: Here the name Hosea refers to the Old Testament book of Hosea. In some languages all or some of that information will need to be made clear. For example:

in ⌊the book of⌋ Hosea
-or-
in ⌊the book of⌋ Hosea ⌊in Scripture⌋

Hosea: The prophet Hosea lived about eight hundred years before Paul. In some languages a literal translation would imply that Hosea wrote about the same time as Paul. If that is true in your language, indicate that it was many years before Paul. For example:

Hosea ⌊long ago⌋

9:25b–c

These words are from Hosea 2:23, but it is not an exact quote. However, God spoke in 9:25b–c, 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.

Paul used these words in Hosea to imply a promise for the Gentiles. In the context of the book of Hosea, these words refer to the ten clans of Israel who had rebelled against God. You should not add the word “Gentiles” in this quote.

9:25b

I will call them ‘My People’: Here God promised to begin or restart a relationship with the people who he formerly said were not his people. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

I will call them my people
-or-
I will now call my people
-or-
I will count them as my people

who are not My people: This refers to people whom God did not consider to be his people. They did not have a relationship with him or that relationship was completely broken. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

The people who were not mine (Good News Translation)
-or-
People who were formerly not my people

9:25c

I will call her ‘My Beloved’ who is not My beloved: In Hosea 2:23, the word her refers to Hosea’s wife. Here it is used poetically to refer to the same group as “those who were not my people” in 9:25b. In some languages a literal translation would not refer to the same group of people. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain the meaning in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

Here, Paul used “her” to refer to the same group of people as “those who were not my people.”

I will call her ‘My Beloved’: Here God promised to love the people who he formerly did not love as his people.

who is not My beloved: The word beloved refers to someone who is loved. Here are other ways to translate this word:

who was unloved (NET Bible)
-or-
whom I did not love before (New Living Translation (2004))

© 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.

11:35a–b

These words are from Job 41:11a, but it is not an exact quote. However, some English versions put quote marks around Romans 11:35. If you indicate the location of quotes from the Old Testament with cross-references, you may want to do so here.

Who has first given to God, that God should repay him?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes that no one, by giving something to God, has forced God to give him something in return. Translate with that meaning. Here are some ways:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Who has ever given him anything, so that he had to pay it back? (Good News Translation)
-or-
Has anyone first given a gift to him/God so that he/God must give a gift in return?

• As a statement. For example:

No one has first given a gift to him so that he had to repay him.
-or-
No one gave something to him/God, thus requiring him/God to give something in return

11:35a

Who: This word introduces another quote from Scripture. Some languages use a standard way to introduce Scripture quotes. For example:

⌊As the Holy Book also says,⌋ “Who…

has first given to God: The Greek word here means “gave (something) beforehand.” Here are other ways to translate this Greek word:

has given to God first
-or-
gave a gift to him so that he must repay ⌊that giving⌋

11:35b

that: This is the Greek word usually translated as “and.” The context implies that a result follows here. Some languages can use “and” and imply that meaning. For example:

and

God should repay him: The Greek is more literally “it will be repaid to him.” It implies that God must give something in return for the gift given to him. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

he might be repaid (English Standard Version)
-or-
to receive a gift in return (New Revised Standard 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.

13:10a

Love: This is a noun. It speaks of love in general. Some languages must use a different way to translate this noun. For example:

Loving ⌊others⌋
-or-
To love is to do no wrong…
-or-
When you love ⌊others⌋, you do no wrong

does no wrong: Here the word wrong refers to deeds that are morally wrong. For example, hurting others or stealing is morally wrong. It does not refer to mistakes here (for example, he folded the paper wrong). See how you translated this phrase (“do wrong”) in 13:4b. Remember that the word no is included here.

13:10b

the fulfillment of the law: Here the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as fulfillment refers to accomplishing what the law demands for us to do, as in the word “fulfilled” in 13:8. See how you translated that word there.

© 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.

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.