SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020 – Page 7

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 9:31

9:31a

but Israel: Some English translation add the word “that” after but. This word would have the same meaning as the word “That” in 9:30b. It connects 9:31a–b to “we should say” as implied in 9:30b. Many languages will not need to repeat the word here. For example, the Berean Standard Bible does not include this word.

Israel: This word refers to the nation of Israel here, not the person of that name. For example:

the people of Israel (New International Version (2011))

a law of righteousness: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as a law of righteousness is ambiguous. The meaning of of here is likely “for,” “as a means to,” or “as promising.” Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the law as the way of righteousness (New International Version (2011))
-or-
get right with God by keeping the law (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
to follow a law to make themselves right with God (New Century Version)

a law: Paul referred only generally to a law here, but he was talking about Israel so he implied the laws of Moses. It is best to keep it general and let the context suggest what a law refers to.

righteousness: This word has the same meaning as in 9:30.

9:31b

has not attained it: The Greek is literally “did not arrive to/at (that) law.” It indicates that the Jews did not achieve what they wanted when they used the goal of trying to obey the laws of Moses. They could not obey the law perfectly, so they could not become right with God in that way. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

have not attained their goal (New International Version (2011))
-or-
never succeeded (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.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 11:9

11:9a

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

David said (New Living Translation (2004))

This clause introduces a quote from Scripture. Some language translations always note that in their translations. For example:

David, ⌊in Scripture,⌋ said ⌊long ago⌋

But 11:8 was also a quote from Scripture, so it may not be necessary to make it explicit again here that the following words are Scripture.

David: This name refers to King David, king of the Israelites. He lived about a thousand years before Paul wrote this letter. Some language translations always indicate that he was king. For example:

king David

11:9b

May their table become a snare and a trap: Here David asked God to make the table of his enemies become a snare and a trap.

Paul applied this to a different group of people than David did. You should not explain who their refers to in your translation. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

Let their table become a snare and a trap (English Standard Version)
-or-
Turn their table into a snare and a trap

table: Here the word table refers to the meal table. It represents the meals eaten there and in particular the fellowship of the people at the table. Here are other ways to translate this word:

place of eating
-or-
meals (Contemporary English Version)
-or-

⌊fellowship at the⌋ table

snare: The Greek word here refers to a thing for trapping animals, often birds.

trap: The Greek word here refers to a net or similar device for catching animals, usually not birds.

General Comment on 11:9b

The words “snare” and “trap” are figures of speech here. They imply harm to those snared or trapped. In some languages a literal translation would refer only to an actual snare and an actual trap. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Add the word “like” or a word or phrase of similar meaning. For example:

Let their table become ⌊something⌋ ⌊like⌋ a snare and a trap/net

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

Let their own feasts trap them and cause their ruin (New Century Version)

11:9c

The Greek has the word usually translated “and” or “but.” Here it continues the list of bad things that David wanted to happen to his enemies. For example:

and a stumbling block…

a stumbling block: This refers to something that causes a person to trip or fall. See how you translated this Greek word in 9:33 (“that will make them fall” (New Revised Standard Version)) or Matthew 16:23 (“a stumbling block” (New International Version)) or 1 Corinthians 1:23 (“stumbling block”) or 1 Peter 2:8 (“of stumbling”).

a retribution: Here the word retribution refers to what is paid back. Here it refers to bad consequences back to themselves for their evil deeds or punishment for them. Here are other ways to translate this word:

punishment (God’s Word)
-or-
be paid back (New Century Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 12:5

12:5a–b

so: Here this word introduces the comparison. See also the note on “Just as” in 12:4a.

in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another: Here the words body and member are metaphors. All believers are one group, the church of Christ. We have a united purpose and goal. We belong to the group and we also belong to each other in the group.

In some languages to say we…are one body will have the wrong meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Add the word “like.” For example:

we, though many, are ⌊like⌋ one body in Christ, and individually ⌊like⌋ members one of another

• Explain the metaphor in your translation. For example:

we, though many, are one ⌊group⌋ in Christ, and individually ⌊belong to⌋ one another ⌊like⌋ a body and its members/parts

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

This talk of a body and its members/parts indicates that believers all belong to one group and individually belong to one another.

12:5b

each member belongs to one another: The Greek is more literally “each one members of one another.” It indicates that each believer belongs to the body and to each other.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 14:2

14:2a

This verse is an example of how strong believers are not to dispute with other believers who are weak in their faith about something (14:1). In some languages it will be more clear to introduce this verse explicitly as an example. For example:

⌊As an example,⌋ one person…

For one person has faith to eat all things: There are two ways to interpret the Greek here:

(1) It refers to being convinced that it is OK to eat any food. For example:

Some people believe that they can eat all kinds of food (God’s Word)

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

(2) It indicates that his faith in God allows him to eat any food. For example:

Some people’s faith allows them to eat anything (Good News Translation)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible)

The Greek to eat after faith supports interpretation (1), but the Greek “being weak” (14:1a, 2b) supports interpretation (2). Perhaps Paul intended both meanings, as Moo (page 837) suggests. If you must choose one interpretation, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the phrase to eat suggests this interpretation here.

For one person has faith to eat: The Greek and English here refers generally to anyone, man or woman. In some languages, the plural would more clearly refer to believers in general. For example:

Some people believe that they may eat anything

has faith to eat: Many Gentile believers did not feel compelled to follow the Jewish food restrictions.

eat all things: This phrase implies any food. It does not refer to items that are not food, like rocks and wood. For example:

any kind of food (Good News Translation)

14:2b

while another, who is weak: The Greek is literally “but the one being weak.” It contrasts to the person who believes in 14:2a. In some languages weak refers only to lack of physical strength. If that is true in your language, indicate the correct meaning. For example:

but the person who is not strong ⌊in faith⌋

another, who is weak: If you translated with the plural for “one person” in 14:2a, you should use the plural here as well. See the above examples.

vegetables: The Greek word refers to any of the plants that people grew in their gardens, excluding trees and shrubs.

General Comment on 14:2a–b

By using the Greek word that means “vegetables,” Paul went far beyond Jewish Christian concerns about meat from pagan meat markets. “Vegetables” may be an exaggeration for their position, but it is best not to mention “weak” Jewish Christians in this verse. This verse is an example of “strong” believers not disputing with “weak” believers about their “problem.” Explaining the exact situation (even if we were certain what it was) is not important here.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 15:11

15:11a

This quote is from Psalm 117:1. If you indicate the location of quotes from the Old Testament with cross-references, you may want to do so here.

And again: The phrase “it says” is implied from 15:10. In some languages it is more natural to repeat it here. For example:

And again it says

See how you translated “it says” in 15:10.

Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles: Naming the people spoken to occurs after what was said to them. In some languages it is more natural to have it first. For example:

All you Gentiles, praise the Lord

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 14:11.

15:11b

extol Him, all you peoples: This is a command to a group that expresses what they must do. Here is another way to translate this clause:

all peoples must extol him

extol Him: The English word extol is very similar in meaning to “praise” in 15:11a, as are the two words in the Greek. Some languages have a second way to translate “praise.” For example:

lift up his name
-or-
make-big his name

But some languages have only one way to translate “praise.” For example:

praise him

all you peoples: This phrase refers to all people groups. It is similar in meaning to “Gentiles” in 15:11a. If possible translate this phrase in a different way than how you translated “Gentiles” but still having the same or similar meaning. For example:

All people groups
-or-
all tribes

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 16:10

16:10a

Apelles, who is approved in Christ: The words who is approved in Christ further describe Apelles. To make it a description, some languages must avoid the word who. For example:

Apelles. He is approved in Christ

Apelles: This name refers to a man.

who is approved in Christ: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

whom ⌊God⌋ approved in Christ
-or-
Apelles. ⌊God⌋ approved him in Christ

approved in Christ: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as approved refers to accepting something as genuine or good based on testing it. The words in Christ probably imply that Apelles was tested in his faith in Jesus and stayed faithful to him and so God approved of him. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

tested and approved in Christ (New International Version (1984))
-or-
who was tested and proved that he truly loves Christ (New Century Version)

16:10b

those who belong to the household of Aristobulus: The Greek is more literally “the ones of the ones of Aristobulus.” This refers to his family, but probably not Aristobulus himself. For example:

who belong to the family of Aristobulus (English Standard Version)
-or-
the household of Aristobulus (Revised English Bible)

Aristobulus: This name refers to a man.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 1:11

1:11a

For: This word introduces an explanation here. In 1:11 Paul explained why he was praying to visit the believers in Rome. Some languages may omit this word for a more natural connection.

I long to see you: The word long means “want very much” here. The Greek word is present tense, indicating that Paul was continuing to want very much to see the believers in Rome. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

I am wanting very much to see you
-or-
I really/truly want to see you

In some languages “want” already indicates continuing to do that, as in the above example.

see: Here this word implies visiting with the believers in Rome. Here are other ways to translate this word:

meet
-or-
visit
-or-
come

1:11b

impart: This word means “to share or give something.” Here it refers to giving a spiritual gift or blessing (see note below). Here are other ways to translate this word:

convey (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
give (New Century Version)

some: Here this word indicates that Paul did not know at this time which gift he would give to the believers in Rome. It does not indicate a plural: gifts. In some languages another word must be used. For example:

a/another

spiritual gift: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as gift here refers to something that is given generously, without cost to the person receiving it. Calling it a spiritual gift indicates that the gift was not a physical thing (like a chair or table). This gift benefited the believers in their “spirit” (or inner being). Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

spiritual blessing (Good News Translation)
-or-
something to encourage/bless you in your inner being
-or-
something to strengthen/benefit your insides/heart

1:11c

to strengthen you: This phrase indicates that Paul wanted the spiritual gift to make the believers in Rome more strong or firm in their faith. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

that will help you grow strong in the Lord (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Then you will grow stronger in your faith (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
to make you strong in your hearts/spirits
-or-
in order that you will be strengthened more

Some languages must use a different word than “strong” here when referring to faith. For example:

that you may stand firm ⌊even more⌋ ⌊in your faith⌋
-or-
so that you may be truly/more straight in your faith

strengthen: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as strengthen is passive. It probably implies that the thing that Paul and the believers in Corinth shared would strengthen them, not that they would strengthen themselves. For example:

that ⌊it⌋ may strengthen ⌊you and me⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2:11

2:11

For: This conjunction introduces the reason why God will judge Jew and non-Jew in the same way.

God does not show favoritism: This clause indicates that God treats one person or group in the same way as any other person or group. He does not look at their family, wealth, name, language, culture, or nationality and say “I like them better.” Here are other ways to translate this clause:

God shows no partiality. (English Standard Version)
-or-
God judges everyone by the same standard. (Good News Translation)
-or-
When God judges people, he looks at all of them as equal.
-or-
When God judges a person, he does not think, “I will not punish that person because he comes from an important family/tribe.”

Search

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

Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020