SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020 – Page 8

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 3:14

3:14

Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness: The phrase full of indicates that people do something often. These people were always cursing and they were always bitter. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

their speech is full of cursing and bitterness (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
They only curse and speak bitterly

cursing: This word refers to a person asking God or an evil spirit to cause something bad to happen to another person.

bitterness: This word indicates that the words of these people were resentful, angry, and spiteful. Here are other ways to translate this word:

bitter resentment (God’s Word)
-or-
spite

General Comment on 3:14

These words are similar to the words found in Psalm 10:7.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 4:15

4:15a

because: The word because here introduces an explanation for what Paul said in 4:14a–c. Translate that meaning in a way that is natural in your language.

the law brings wrath: This clause implies that people cannot obey all the law of Moses all the time. When they break the law, God becomes angry.

In some languages translating literally would not have the correct meaning. 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 clause implies that people cannot obey all the law of Moses all the time, and so God becomes angry at people when they break the law.

• Include some or all of the implied information in your translation. For example:

the law can only bring God’s anger (New Century Version)
-or-
God becomes angry when his Law is broken (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
It is God’s anger that we get from his Law ⌊because we break it⌋
-or-
the Law is the reason God is angry with us because we cannot obey it

the law: The word law here refers to the law of Moses, as in 4:13–14. See how you translated it there.

wrath: The word wrath refers to violent anger. It implies punishment for breaking the law.

4:15b

And:
The Greek begins with a word that the Berean Standard Bible and many English versions literally translate as And. Many languages would see contrast between 4:15a and 4:15b. Translate it in a way that is most natural to connect 4:15b to 4:15a.

where there is no law, there is no transgression: This probably refers to the time before God gave the law to Moses. Abraham could not break the law of Moses, because God gave it to Moses hundreds of years after Abraham died. So God could not be angry with Abraham (4:15a) when he did things that would have broken the laws of Moses. Here are other ways to translate these words:

where there is no law, there is no disobeying of the law (Good News Translation)
-or-
where laws don’t exist, they can’t be broken (God’s Word)
-or-
if there is no law, it cannot be disobeyed
-or-
The only (situation) in which no-one would be breaking laws is if there were no laws

In some languages it is more natural or clear to state this without using no twice. For example:

a person can only break a law that has already been put in place

where: Here this word refers to locations where “there is no law.” It is not used to signal a question. Translate this word in a way that does not signal a question. See examples above.

transgression: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as transgression means “to disobey a law or custom.” Here it refers to knowingly disobeying or breaking a law. See examples above.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 6:1

Division 6:1–8:39

How to live as believers

In this division Paul showed that God has made a way to rescue people from being punished for wrongdoing and put them in a right relationship with himself.

Here are other possible headings for this division:

We must live as dead to sin and the Laws of Moses and live in the Holy Spirit
-or-
Living free from sin and the law and living in the Holy Spirit

Section 6:1–14

We must live for God because we died to sin

In this section, Paul told the believers in Rome that they should not continue to sin, because baptism symbolizes death to sin. Jesus’ resurrection symbolizes the new life that believers can live in. The believers’ old way of life is crucified on the cross of Jesus so that they have no need to follow the desires to sin. Believers will live new lives for God and death no longer rules them, because Jesus died and was raised for them. Therefore believers should consider themselves dead to sin and do the good deeds that God wants them to do. God’s grace removes believers from the rule of sin in their lives.

Here are other possible headings for this section:

Believers are dead to sin, so they must live for God
-or-
Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ (New International Version)
-or-
We are no longer slaves to sin, but God’s servants

Paragraph 6:1–4

6:1a

What then shall we say?: The word then indicates a connection to previous verses. Here it introduces the question “What shall we say?” In some languages, it is more natural to have the word then first. For example:

Then/Therefore, what shall we say?

This is a rhetorical question. It introduces the next question (6:1b–c). Paul did not expect the readers to answer this question. Here are other ways to translate this question:

Shall we say this?
-or-
What then are we to say? (New Revised Standard Version)

In some languages, it is more natural to avoid this kind of question. For example:

So do you think we should continue sinning…? (New Century Version)
-or-
Well now, is it good if
-or-
But let’s not say/think like this:
-or-
Maybe we might say this:
-or-
there is perhaps a person who will say that

shall we say: The Greek tense is the future tense (“will we say”). Here it indicates what someone might say. See the examples above.

6:1b–c

Shall we continue in sin so that grace may increase?: In 5:20 Paul said that an increase in sin resulted in an abundance of grace. Someone might misunderstand Paul’s words and think that he should continue sinning in order to receive more grace from God. Here Paul referred to that thinking with this question. He showed that this thinking was clearly wrong with the words “Certainly not” in 6:2.

This is a rhetorical question. But Paul answered it himself in 6:2. So you should translate these words as a question here. Here are other ways to translate this question:

Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? (New International Version)
-or-
Is it possible that we continue to commit sin in order that God will all the more give us his grace?
-or-
is it good if we continue to do sin just so that this grace/mercy of God will continue to be abundant toward us?

Paul expected that his readers would agree that it is wrong for anyone to think he should continue sinning to receive more grace. In some languages indicating that this thinking is wrong must be done another way. For example:

Is it right to say that we should continue to sin so that grace might increase?
-or-
It is wrong to say that we should continue to sin so that grace might increase.

6:1b

continue in sin: This phrase refers to continuing to sin, instead of trying to do the things that God wants believers to do. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

remain in sin (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
persist in sin (Revised English Bible)
-or-
do not abandon doing evil

6:1c

so that: Here this word introduces the purpose for continuing to sin.

grace: Here the word grace indicates that God does something kind or helpful. People do not deserve this help. See how you translated this word in 1:7 or 5:2.

may increase: Here the word increase refers to grace getting larger/more abundant. See how you translated this word in 5:20 (“increased,” “abounded”).

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 7:10

7:10a–b

So I discovered that the very commandment that was meant to bring life actually brought death: The Greek begins with the word often translated “and.” The Berean Standard Bible translates this word as So. Here it indicates that Paul said something more about the commandment, life, and death. For example:

And the commandment… (Good News Translation)

7:10a

I discovered that: The Greek is literally “was found to/for me.” It indicates that as he lived he realized that trying to obey the commandment caused him to want to break it even more. It does not indicate that Paul was looking for the purpose of the commandment. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

it occurred to me that
-or-
proved in my experience (Revised English Bible)

7:10b

the very commandment: Here the word very indicates that the commandment connected to life is the same commandment connected to death. It emphasizes that it is the same commandment. For example:

the commandment which was intended to bring me life actually brought me death (God’s Word)
-or-
concerning the law…, it is the very law that…

that was meant to bring life: The Greek is literally “to/for life.” It indicates that the goal or intention of the commandment is life. Here are other ways to translate this Greek phrase:

that was for life (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
which was meant to be a direction to life (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
which should have led to life (Revised English Bible)
-or-
was given in order that people would know the path that leads to life

actually brought death: The Greek is literally “this (was) for death.” Instead of a goal of life, the commandment not to covet caused the goal to be death, because Paul wanted to break the commandment. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

it was for death
-or-
was a direction to death
-or-
to lead to death (Revised English Bible)
-or-
put me on the path that leads to death

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 8:17

8:17a

And if we are children: Here the word “his” is implied before the word children. Here the word if introduces a situation that is true. If this first part is true, that supports the second part (“then we are heirs”) to also be true.

In some languages, using an if -clause would have a different meaning, or be confusing after just saying clearly that we are God’s adopted children. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. For example:

⌊we are his⌋ ⌊adopted⌋ children, ⌊true?⌋ ⌊So⌋…
-or-

⌊Would you agree that⌋ ⌊we are his⌋ ⌊adopted⌋ children? ⌊So⌋…
-or-

⌊we are his⌋ ⌊adopted⌋ children, so…

then we are heirs: The Greek here is more literally “also heirs.” The Berean Standard Bible and many English versions add the word then to make the connection to “if children” clear. For example:

then we are also heirs

The word “his” is implied before the word heirs. In some languages it is more natural to add these implied words. For example:

then we are also ⌊his⌋ heirs

heirs: Here this word indicates that God has chosen things for us to receive once we get to the new Jerusalem. It does not imply that God will one day die. In some languages a different word or phrase must be used for the correct meaning. For example:

ones who will receive an inheritance
-or-
people who will receive blessings/gifts ⌊up in the future, renewed world⌋

8:17b explains that we are heirs of God.

8:17b

heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ: These words further describe what kind of heirs we are. Here are other ways to translate that connection:

that is, heirs of God and also fellow heirs with Christ
-or-

furthermore ⌊we are⌋ heirs of God and also fellow heirs with Christ
-or-

it is like this: ⌊we are⌋ heirs of God and also fellow heirs with Christ

The Greek connecting words indicate that heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ are connected but different things. An English idiom that is sometimes used for the Greek connecting words is “on the one hand…on the other hand.”

heirs of God: Paul here explained whose heir we are. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

it is God who gives it
-or-
the blessings/gifts that God will give

co-heirs with Christ: This phrase indicates that we will share in some of the things that Jesus received when he went to heaven. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

⌊Jesus⌋ Christ will share his inheritance with us
-or-
Christ’s blessings that we will share

8:17c

if indeed we suffer with Him: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as if indeed introduces a possibility for the readers to consider and indicates emphasis. For example:

provided we suffer with him (English Standard Version)
-or-
if we suffer like Jesus Christ did

we suffer with Him: Jesus suffered, died, and went to heaven long before Paul wrote this. But Jesus lives in us (1 John 3:24), and our sufferings are connected to his sufferings (Philippians 3:10). In that way we suffer with Him.

suffer: This word refers to experiencing physical or emotional pain because of something happening to us.

8:17d

so that we may also be glorified with Him: This is a result clause. This result will occur at the end of this age and is certain, like a promise, if we suffer for Jesus’ sake. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

and the result will be that we will also be glorified with him
-or-
we will also share his glory (Good News Translation)

we may also be glorified with Him: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ may/will also glorify us together with him

be glorified with Him: These words refer to the greatness/splendor and blessings of God that he will give to us believers. The splendor and blessings are shared with Jesus. It may also refer to being highly honored. Here are other ways to translate this Greek word:

be made/allowed to share in his glory
-or-
we will also be included in his greatness (lit. highness)
-or-
we (incl.) will also be honored/made-great together with him

See how you translated the word “glory” in 1:23 or 6:4.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 9:10

9:10a

Not only that, but: These words connect to Paul’s statement in 9:6 that God’s word has not failed. He first illustrated that fact by showing that the true descendants of Abraham are the children of the promise rather than of the flesh (9:7–9). This is now another illustration of how his word has not failed. Here are other ways to translate these words:

And not only that, but also (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
But not that thing/event alone, there is also

9:10b

Rebecca’s children were conceived by one man: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as were conceived is literally “had-bed.” It is an idiom that refers to sexual relations. It implies here that Jacob was conceived at the same time as Esau. That single sex act produced two children. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

she had conceived twins by one man (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
she was pregnant with two children by the one man (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
one man fathered twins with/by Rebekah

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 10:9

10:9a

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

(1) It introduces an explanation of “word of faith we are proclaiming” (10:8d). For example:

That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” (New International Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, King James Version)

(2) It introduces more that Paul wanted to say about the “word of faith we are proclaiming” (10:8d). For example:

for (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

(New American Bible, Revised Edition)

(3) It introduces the reason for something Paul said earlier. For example:

because (English Standard Version)

(Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, NET Bible)

(4) It is best to omit this word. For example:

If you confess… (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation, New International Version (2011), New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, Revised English Bible, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because it is not clear what “because” (interpretation (3)) would connect to in earlier verses. Interpretation (2) is possible for the Greek word and the context. Interpretation (4) may imply the right meaning in some languages.

if: Paul used if here to cause the Roman believers to evaluate their own lives and determine if 10:9a–b applies to them. He probably expects most or all of them to say that they are like what he said here. Consider how to translate that meaning for the word if.

In the Greek text, this one if affects both 10:9a and 10:9b. Consider how to include all of 10:9a–b in the if -clause in your language. Some languages may need to repeat the word if to make this clear. For example:

9a if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord 9b and ⌊if you⌋ believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,

you: The Greek word is singular, but refers in general to anyone. In some languages the plural is used for that meaning.

confess: Here this word refers to acknowledging in front of others that you believe in Jesus as the Christ/Savior. Here are other ways to translate this word:

declare (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
admit

with your mouth: This phrase indicates speaking aloud. Paul probably repeated your mouth to connect to the same words in 10:8c. But in some languages in connection with “confess,” it may not be necessary or natural to translate this phrase. For example, the Good News Translation omits this phrase.

“Jesus is Lord”: In some languages, indirect speech would be more natural here. For example:

that Jesus is Lord (English Standard Version)

This clause indicates that Jesus is ruler over this person’s life. See how you translated the word Lord in 1:4 or 9:28.

10:9b

and believe in your heart: The words “if you” are implied from 10:9a. In some languages one or both words must be repeated here. For example:

and ⌊you⌋ believe in your heart
-or-
and ⌊if you⌋ believe in your heart

heart: This word refers to a person’s inner being.

raised Him from the dead: This phrase refers to God making Jesus alive again after he died and was put in the tomb. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

raised him from death (Good News Translation)
-or-
brought him back to life (God’s Word)

See how you translated this phrase in 4:24 (“raised…from the dead”) or 8:11 (“raised…from the dead”).

General Comment on 10:9a–b

Believing occurs before confessing. Paul probably had the order “confess with your mouth…and believe in your heart” to match the order of “in your mouth and in your heart” in 10:8c, or perhaps in a Greek poetical structure in opposite order to 10:10a–c. But in some languages it will be less confusing or more natural to have believing before confessing. For example:

that 9b if you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead and 9a confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord,

10:9c

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

⌊God⌋ will save you

saved: This word refers to being rescued from something harmful or dangerous. Here it refers to God rescuing people from his anger. See how you translated this word in 5:9 or 9:27.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 11:20

11:20a

That is correct: The Greek word here means “good” or “well” or “appropriate.” Scholars believe it indicates here agreeing in part. 11:20b–d then explains what he means by saying That is correct. Here are other ways to translate the Greek word:

Yes, but remember— (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Admittedly
-or-

⌊Yes,⌋ those words are true.
-or-
This is true but

With these words Paul began his response to the quoted words in 11:19. In some languages this must be made explicit for clear and natural communication of the meaning. For example:

⌊My answer/response is this:⌋
-or-
That is indeed true, relatives. But remember:

11:20b

They were broken off: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ broke them off

because of unbelief: The words because of introduce the reason why the branches were broken off. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

because they did not believe (Good News Translation)
-or-
because they did not have faith (Contemporary English Version)

unbelief: The word “their” is clearly implied here. Because of this, some English versions add this word. For example:

their unbelief (English Standard Version)

It may be more natural in your language to follow the English Standard Version or the examples in the previous note. The word unbelief refers to not believing in Jesus as the Christ, the one appointed by God to save his people. Some languages must say what the belief is in. For example:

did not believe ⌊in Jesus⌋
-or-
didn’t believe in Christ (New Living Translation (2004))

11:20c

you: The Greek word is emphatic here. For example:

⌊as for you,⌋ you

stand by faith: Here this phrase refers to remaining strong in what the person believes. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

stand fast (English Standard Version)
-or-
are established (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
stand strong ⌊in faith⌋

by faith: This phrase indicates that this person is able to stand strong because they continue believing in Jesus. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

because you do believe (Good News Translation)
-or-
because of faith (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

11:20d

Do not be arrogant: The connection of “therefore/so” is implied here. For example:

So, do not become proud (English Standard Version)

be afraid: Here it is unclear what the object of this be afraid might be. Many scholars think it means “respect/revere God.” But some scholars think it means “be afraid of being broken off like them.” The Berean Standard Bible and other English versions are perhaps more clear that it means be afraid, but many versions are not clear with just the word “fear.” On the whole it seems like this interpretation is more likely, because 11:21 seems to explain what to fear.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2020