SIL Translator’s Notes on James 2012 – Page 6

SIL Translator's Notes on James 5:15

5:15a–b

the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick: This sentence is a figure of speech called personification. In this personification, the prayer itself is said to heal the sick person. James meant that when the elders pray to the Lord, the Lord would heal the sick man.

There are at least two ways to translate this figure of speech:

• Keep the personification. For example:

This prayer made in faith will heal the sick; (Good News Translation)

• Translate the meaning. For example:

When they pray in faith, the Lord will heal the sick person.

5:15a

And: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as And here introduces the result of the elders’ praying. Some other ways to translate this conjunction are:

So then
-or-
As a result
-or-
And so

In some languages, no conjunction is necessary here.

the prayer offered in faith: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the prayer offered in faith is literally “the prayer of faith” (as in the Revised Standard Version). This means that the elders who were praying needed to have faith or trust in God. James did not say what they should be trusting God for, but it is implied that they should trust him to heal the sick person. (There are at least three ways to interpret the word faith here. (1) Some commentators say that faith here is faith that God will heal the sick person. (2) Other commentators say that faith here is a more general faith. It is a belief that God is good, that he can be trusted, that he delights in answering prayer, and that he can answer prayer. (3) Other commentators say that faith here is an unwavering commitment to God and Jesus as the Messiah.) For example:

when they pray to God and they trust that he will make the sick one well

the prayer: The phrase the prayer refers back to the prayer mentioned in 5:14. In some languages, it is more natural to translate the noun prayer with a verb. For instance:

When they pray to God

offered: The word offered has been supplied by the Berean Standard Bible. It is formal language and simply means that the prayer is prayed or spoken to God. Another way to translate this is:

that is said (New Century Version)

If you translate the phrase “the prayer” with a verb, you do not need to translate the word offered.

in faith: The phrase in faith means “while believing.” Here it refers to the faith of those who are praying. In some languages, it is more natural to translate faith with a verb or clause. For example:

pray believing that the Lord will heal
-or-
trusting the Lord to heal the sick person

5:15b

will restore: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as will restore is literally “will save” (as in the Revised Standard Version). In the context of a very sick person, it means “will heal,” or “will make well.” For example:

will heal (Good News Translation)
-or-
will cure (God’s Word)
-or-
will cause…to become well

5:15c

The Lord will raise him up: This clause explains the clause “will…make well” (in 5:15b). The elders’ prayer heals the sick person in the sense that the Lord Jesus responds to the prayer by healing the sick person.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

and the Lord will make you well (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
the Lord will heal that person (New Century Version)

The Lord: The phrase the Lord probably refers to Jesus Christ, as in 5:14e. Another way to translate this phrase is:

the Lord Jesus

5:15d

If he has sinned: The clause If he has sinned indicates that there was a possibility that the person had sinned and had not yet asked God to forgive him. It is implied that this sin may have something to do with his sickness. But do not translate this in such a way as to suggest that everyone who is sick has sinned.

sinned: The word sinned refers to doing something that is against God’s will and God’s law. This includes acts, thoughts, and attitudes. In other words, sin means to do anything that violates God’s standard of what is right or good.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

disobeyed God
-or-
done wrong
-or-
done something against God’s will

The noun sin occurs in 1:15b.

5:15e

he will be forgiven: This is a passive clause. James implied that the person would be forgiven by the Lord. So there are at least two ways to translate this:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

you will be forgiven (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

• Use an active verb. For example:

the Lord will forgive him/you(sing)

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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 James 1:14

1:14a–b

each one is tempted when by his own evil desires: This clause states a general principle. In some languages, it may be more natural to state a general principle using plural phrases or using pronouns like “we” or “you.” For example:

people are tempted…by their own evil desires
-or-
we are tempted…by our own evil desires
-or-
you are tempted…by your own evil desires

This clause is also passive. Some ways to translate it are:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

Everyone is tempted by his own desires (God’s Word)

• Use an active verb. For example:

A person’s own evil desire tempts him
-or-
Temptation comes from our own desires (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

1:14a

But: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But indicates a contrast. The contrast is between the false idea that God tempts people to sin (1:13) and the true idea about temptation (1:14).

Some other ways to indicate this contrast are:

Rather
-or-
Instead

1:14b

his own evil desires: The Greek noun that the Berean Standard Bible translates as evil desires generally refers to any wish or desire. However, in this context, it is clearly a sinful desire. For example:

wrong desire (New Jerusalem Bible)

In some languages, it is more natural to translate this noun as a verb. For example:

he himself desires/wants to do evil

Notice that the word desires here is personified. In other words, desires are said to do things just like a person does. In some languages, it is not natural to say that “evil desires something.” In other words, in these languages, we cannot say that our own “desires” urge or entice us to do something. If your language is like that, you may want to avoid the personification. One way to do this is:

When he himself desires to do evil

1:14c

lured away and enticed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as lured away literally means “pulled/lured out.” The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as enticed literally means “attracted with a bait.” In this context, it means “attracted.”

These two Greek words are related metaphors. In this metaphor, the way that a person’s evil desires tempt him to sin is compared to the way a hunter catches a wild animal. One way that they are similar is that both the person and the wild animal are attracted to do something that is not good for them to do.

There are at least three ways to translate these metaphors:

• Keep the metaphors. For example:

he is lured and enticed (English Standard Version)

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

like when they use bait to attract an animal and lure it to a trap

• Translate the meaning without the metaphor. For example:

attract him and try to persuade him to sin

These two Greek words are also a doublet. This means that the two words mean basically the same thing. The reason for saying the same thing in two different ways is to intensify the meaning. If it is not natural to use doublets in your language, you may use one expression and intensify it. For example:

which can be enormously attractive (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
he is increasingly attracted to do evil
-or-
he is enticed more and more to sin

General Comment on 1:14a–c

These verse parts contain three passive verbs (tempted, dragged, enticed). There are at least two ways to translate them:

• Use passive verbs. For example:

But each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires. (NET Bible)

• Use active verbs. For example:

Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
A person’s own evil desires tempt him and entice him and drag him away.

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SIL Translator's Notes on James 2:20

Paragraph 2:20–26

In this paragraph, James gave two examples to show his readers that faith without deeds is useless. He used the examples of Abraham and Rahab from the Old Testament. He argued that it was because of their deeds that both Abraham and Rahab were declared righteous by God.

Throughout section 2:14–26, James was contrasting faith without deeds (for example, 2:14, 2:17, 2:18) with faith demonstrated by deeds (2:18). In this paragraph, when James said that Abraham was declared to be righteous “by deeds,” it does not mean by deeds alone. It is implied that Abraham had faith and that this faith was demonstrated by deeds. You may want to put some of this information in the translation or in a footnote. Some suggestions are in the notes on “for what he did” (2:21b) and “by his deeds” (2:24b).

2:20

O foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is worthless?: This is a rhetorical question. It has two functions. First, it is a rebuke. James was rebuking anyone who thought that it was possible to have true faith without doing good deeds. The second function of this rhetorical question is to introduce the examples that James was about to give from the Old Testament (2:21–25).

Some ways to translate this rebuke are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

You fool! Do you have to be shown that faith which does nothing is useless? (God’s Word)

• As a statement. For example:

You fool! Surely you do not need me to show you that faith without good deeds is worthless.
-or-
You fool! I will prove/show to you that faith without good deeds is useless. Here are two examples.

Translate this rebuke in a way that is natural in your language.

2:20a

O foolish man: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as foolish literally means “empty.” Here it is used figuratively to describe a person who has “empty” thoughts. In other words, it is a person who does not think wisely and correctly. This person could be a man or a woman.

In this verse, James rebuked the person who disagreed with him. So in Greek, the pronoun man is singular. However, James was also rebuking anyone who believed that it was possible to have faith without good deeds. So, in some languages, it will be more natural to use the plural form “men” or “people” here.

Use a term that is natural in your language for a mild rebuke.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

You stupid person
-or-
You crazy/mad people
-or-
You(sing) are not thinking carefully
-or-
You^(plur) are not being wise
-or-
Do you still not understand?

do you want evidence: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as do you want evidence is literally “do you want to know?” Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

Do you want to be shown (Good News Translation)
-or-
Must you be shown (New Century Version)
-or-
Do you have to be told (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Do I need to show/tell you
-or-
Can’t you see (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

2:20b

faith without deeds is worthless: In Greek, the words faith and deeds are nouns. In some languages, it may be more natural to translate these nouns as verbs. For example:

If you believe in Jesus but do no good to show it, what use is that?
-or-
it’s useless to believe if you do not do any good to prove it.

deeds: The word deeds is the same word that occurs in 2:14c.

worthless: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as worthless here means “without results,” or “unproductive.” (The Greek manuscript copies do not all agree at this point. The modern English versions translate a word that means useless, while King James Version and footnotes in Good News Translation and New International Version (2011 Revision) follow one that means “dead.” There is not much difference in the meaning, but it is recommended that you follow the UBS Handbook Greek text and the reading “useless.”) Some other ways to translate this word are:

futile (Revised English Bible)
-or-
worth nothing (New Century Version)
-or-
is of no value/use

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SIL Translator's Notes on James 4:10

4:10a

Humble yourselves before the Lord: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Humble yourselves is a command that literally means “Make yourselves low.” Here it refers to making our attitudes low. It means “Submit yourselves” to the authority and greatness of God.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

Be humble in the Lord’s presence (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Don’t be too proud in the Lord’s presence (New Century Version)

This verb is related to the adjective humble in 4:6d.

before the Lord: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as before the Lord can also be translated as:

to the Lord
-or-
in front of the Lord

the Lord: The word Lord also occurs in 3:9a. See the Note there for translation advice.

4:10b

and: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and here introduces what God will do if and when people obey the command in the previous verse. Another way to translate this conjunction is:

Then (God’s Word)

He will exalt you: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as He will exalt you contrasts with “humble yourselves” in 4:10a. James meant that God would honor this person and make this person truly great.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

he will lift you up in honor (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
he will honor you (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
he will give you a high position (God’s Word)

James did not say when God will do this. If you must be specific, it is best to translate this in a way that includes both this life and the future life.

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SIL Translator's Notes on James 1:25

1:25

In Greek and the Berean Standard Bible, 1:25 is one long sentence. This sentence has many clauses, and some clauses repeat information. In some languages, it will not be natural to follow the Berean Standard Bible order and structure. For some ways to reorder this verse, see the General Comment on 1:25a–e at the end of 1:25e.

1:25a

But: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But indicates a contrast. The contrast is between the person who only hears the word (1:23–24) and the person who hears the word and does it (1:25).

the one who: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the one who is in a general statement that applies to anyone. In some languages, it may be more natural to use a pronoun or a plural in such a statement. For example:

the person who (God’s Word)
-or-
the one who (NET Bible)
-or-
those who (New Century Version)
-or-
if you (Good News Translation)

looks intently: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as looks intently literally means “look/peer into.” Here it is used figuratively and means “investigate carefully.” (Some authorities (including F. Field, page 236, and F. J. A. Hort) think the component of carefulness is not present in the meaning of the verb. It seems, however, that examples can be quoted on both sides. In other words, the context shows whether carefulness is implied or not. ) It refers to determining what God’s word says by listening to someone else read it, asking questions, or reading it oneself.

Some other ways to translate this verb are:

thoroughly examines
-or-
carefully study (New Century Version)
-or-
carefully thinks about
-or-
listens very well

the perfect law: The phrase the perfect law refers to all the commandments in God’s word. It refers to the set of instructions and commands that God gave his people to live by. They are perfect. It does not just refer to the Ten Commandments or other laws in the Old Testament. It also includes Jesus’ teachings.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

God’s perfect law (New Century Version)
-or-
God’s perfect teachings (God’s Word)
-or-
God’s perfect rules

perfect: The word perfect means that God’s law is completely good. It has no unrighteous commands.

This same word occurs in 1:17a with similar meaning.

of freedom: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as of freedom describes what the perfect law does for people who obey it. It frees them from sin. (This interpretation is explicitly supported by the New International Version (2011 Revision), Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, and Huther, page 89. However, since the Greek literally just says, “the law of liberty,” some commentators interpret the phrase as “the law that a person obeys freely.” See Mayor, page 70; Mitton, pages 72–73. But the interpretation that the law sets a person free fits well with the teaching of the Psalms (see Psalm 119:32, “I will run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free,” and 119:45 “I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts”) and other Jewish literature (for example, “you find no free man except him who occupies himself with the study of Torah,” Aboth 6:2b, cited in Martin, page 51).) In some languages it may be necessary to translate freedom as a verb. For example:

that makes us free (Revised English Bible)
-or-
that sets you free (Contemporary English Version)

In other languages, it may be necessary to provide an object. For example:

that frees people from sin
-or-
that frees people to do what God wants them to do

1:25b

and continues to do so: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as continues to do so indicates that the person continues to carefully investigate the law of God.

In some languages, it may be possible to translate this word as part of 1:25a. For example:

But the man who continues to look intently into the perfect law
-or-
But if you keep looking steadily into God’s perfect law (New Living Translation, 1996 edition)

1:25c–d

not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer: In Greek, this is literally “being not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work.” For example:

being no hearer that forgets but a doer that acts (Revised Standard Version)

The words “hearer” and “doer” are the same words as in 1:22a and 1:22c. See the notes on 1:22a, 1:22c, and try to use the same expressions here that you did there.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

and do not simply listen and then forget it, but put it into practice (Good News Translation)
-or-
They do not forget what they heard, but they obey what God’s teaching says (New Century Version)
-or-
not neglecting to do what they heard that they should do but doing it

If it is more natural in your language to first say what a person does and then say what he does not do, then you may want to reverse the order of these clauses. For example the New Living Translation (2004 Revision) says:

and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard

1:25c

not being a forgetful hearer: If you used a verb in 1:25a that means “look,” “read” or “study,” then it may not be natural to use the verb “heard” here. In such a case, you can say:

not forgetting what he read/studied
-or-
not forgetting what he saw in the law
-or-
not neglecting to do what he has learned
-or-
not forgetting what it says

Another way to translate this is to translate it without the negative. For example:

Remembering what he has heard

1:25d

but an effective doer: The clause effective doer refers to doing what the perfect law teaches. Some other ways to translate this clause are:

but doing what the law says/teaches
-or-
but keeping/obeying the law

1:25e

he will be blessed in what he does: The clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as he will be blessed in what he does is literally “that one will be blessed in the doing of him/it.” The Greek pronoun can be translated as either “him” or “it.” As a result, there are two different ways to interpret the words “the doing of him/it”:

(1) The pronoun should be interpreted as “it” and refers to the law. So the words “the doing of it” refer to doing/keeping the law. According to this interpretation, God will bless a person because he keeps the law. For example, the New Living Translation (2004 Revision) says:

But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says…, then God will bless you for doing it.

(Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, Revised English Bible, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), New Century Version) (New International Version (2011 Revision), New American Standard Bible, King James Version, and NET Bible (which all say something similar to “will be blessed in what he does”) are somewhat ambiguous but the intended meaning may be “in what he does to keep/do the law.”)

(2) The pronoun should be interpreted as “him” and refers to the man in 1:25a. So the words “the doing of him” refer to the activities that the man does. According to this interpretation, God will bless the man in everything he does. For example, the New Jerusalem Bible says:

But anyone who looks steadily at the perfect law of freedom and keeps to it…will be blessed in every undertaking.

(New Jerusalem Bible, Good News Translation (The Good News Translation’s “you will be blessed by God in what you do” will probably be interpreted by most readers to mean “in whatever you do.” It is also possible to understand “in what you do” to refer to what was just said about putting the law into practice.), Contemporary English Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) because this is the most natural meaning of the phrase “the doing of it” in this context. These words refer to the same action as the words “doing it” in 1:25d. In other words, it means doing what the law says.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

he will be blessed because he does/keeps the law
-or-
he will be blessed through/by doing it
-or-
Those who do this will be made happy (New Century Version)

In some languages, it may not be natural to translate the clause in what he does because it repeats information in 1:25d. If that is true in your language, you may leave this clause implicit. For example:

he will be blessed

will be blessed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as blessed means that the person is in a good position or situation. In other words, because he is doing what the law commands, all will be well with him. He will be blessed in the sense that God will think well of him.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

God will bless him
-or-
how good it will be for that kind of person
-or-
a person like that will be favored/fortunate

This does not mean that he will necessarily be comfortable or successful from a human point of view.

This same word occurs in 1:12.

General Comment on 1:25a–e

In Greek and the Berean Standard Bible, 1:25 is one, long sentence. In some languages, it may be natural to divide this long sentence into several sentences. For example:

^25aBut the truly happy people are those who carefully study God’s perfect law that makes people free, ^25band they continue to study it. ^25cThey do not forget what they heard, ^25dbut they obey what God’s teaching says. ^25eThose who do this will be made happy. (New Century Version)

It may also be natural to change the order of some of the clauses. For example:

^25a–bBut if you keep looking steadily into God’s perfect law—the law that sets you free—^25dand if you do what it says ^25cand don’t forget what you heard, ^25ethen God will bless you for doing it. (New Living Translation, 1996 edition)
-or-
The law is complete and frees us(incl) from sin. So if we study it carefully, and remember to always obey it, God will bless us.

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SIL Translator's Notes on James 3:6

3:6

In 3:6, James applied the illustration of 3:5c–d to the tongue. Like a fire, the tongue can be destructive.

In this verse, James made a general statement that applies to everyone. Some languages make general statements in other ways. For example:

A person’s tongue
-or-
Your tongues
-or-
Our tongues

3:6a

The tongue also is a fire: The clause The tongue also is a fire is a metaphor. In this metaphor, the tongue is compared to a fire. Some ways that they are similar are that both can destroy things and cannot be controlled.

In some languages, a literal translation of this metaphor may be difficult to understand. Some other ways to translate it are:

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

the tongue is like a fire (Good News Translation)

• Change the metaphor to a simile and make explicit the way that they are similar. For example:

the tongue can destroy like a fire
-or-
the words that the tongue says are like a fire because they can destroy
-or-
The words that we say with our tongue/mouth can cause much harm just like a fire can cause much harm

also: The word also indicates that, in addition to ordinary fires, there is another thing that has characteristics similar to a fire. It is the tongue.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

too
-or-
as well
-or-
similarly

3:6b

Some versions begin a new sentence here. For example:

It is a world… (Good News Translation)

a world of wickedness: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a world of wickedness means that the tongue can do much evil. (Differences of interpretation regarding the meaning of “world of evil” are reflected in English versions and discussed at length in commentaries. The two main views are:(1) “world” is used in the common biblical sense of the evil world-system that includes all that opposes God and his ways, and(2) “world” is used as sort of a metaphor for something huge that contains all sorts of things.According to interpretation (1), James was saying that the tongue is the part of our body that has the greatest tendency to serve the evil world-system that is opposed to God. According to interpretation (2), James was highlighting the tongue’s great capacity for all sorts of evil. The majority of English versions (which translate in a way similar to “the tongue … is a world of evil”) will be understood to follow interpretation (2). The majority of commentators (including Davids, page 142; Johnson, page 259; Laws, pages 149–150; Moo (2000), page 157; McCartney, page 187; Mitton, pages 126–127; Mayor, pages 114–115, Martin, page 114; SSA, pages 96–97; Translator’s Handbook, page 109) favor interpretation (1). They argue that this sense of “world” is common to the Bible and particularly to James, while the meaning of “world” according to interpretation (2) is extremely rare. The definite article “the” preceding “world,” they say, also supports understanding “world” in its common and specific sense as the evil world system.In the notes, we have chosen not to present this as an interpretation issue for the following reasons:a) the difference between the two interpretations is slight when one considers the meaning of the metaphor: the tongue has great capacity for evil.b) Many languages do not use the word “world” in a figurative sense to mean what is suggested for either interpretation (1) or (2). So giving translation models for each that do not use the word “world” is quite difficult.c) The idea that the tongue “represents” the evil world (as some would translate interpretation (1), see Revised English Bible, for example) and the idea that the tongue is a huge sphere/realm where evil takes place are both quite abstract. We preferred to present a more concrete and simple model for translation.) Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

it is very, very evil
-or-
It is an evil power (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
it is against God

among the parts of the body: James was comparing the tongue with the other parts of the body, like the nose, fingers, and legs. He said that it was the tongue that was causing the trouble.

Some languages do not have a general word or expression for “part of the body.” Another way to translate this word is:

in our bodies

3:6c

It pollutes: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as pollutes literally means “stains.” Here it is used in a figurative sense to refer to the tongue’s negative, evil effects on a person’s inner character.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

it corrupts (New International Version (2011 Revision))
-or-
it completely contaminates (God’s Word)
-or-
It stains (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
It can poison (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
and spreading evil (Good News Translation)
-or-
it makes dirty

A related Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “polluted” occurs in 1:27c.

the whole person: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the whole person is literally “all the body.” In this context, it is referring to the inner, moral being of the person, including his thoughts and emotions.

Some other ways to translate this are:

the whole body
-or-
all the parts of your being
-or-
the whole inner being

3:6d

sets the course of his life on fire: This clause is another description of the destructive power of the tongue. Here, James again used the metaphor of fire.

There are two main ways to interpret this clause:

(1) It refers to a person’s entire existence from birth to death. According to this interpretation, the evils of a person’s tongue have a destructive effect on every part of his life. (Huther, page 157; Mayor, page 113; Mitton, page 128; Hiebert, pages 217–218; Laws, page 150; Davids (1982), page 143; Moo (1985), page 125; Martin, page 115.) For example, the Contemporary English Version says:

sets a person’s entire life on fire

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

(2) It refers to the events of nature, for example, from one season to the next. According to this interpretation, the evils of a person’s tongue have a destructive effect on the whole created world. (Alford, page 306; Ropes, page 235.) For example, the Revised Standard Version says:

the cycle of nature

(King James Version, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible)

From the general context of James’ letter, it seems that he is concerned with relationships between human beings, not the rest of the created world. This is the view of the majority of commentators. Therefore it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

There are at least two ways to translate this clause:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

sets a person’s entire life on fire (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
burns every aspect of his life
-or-
turns his whole life to ashes

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

ruins the whole life of a person
-or-
is able to destroy his entire life

3:6e

and is itself set on fire by hell: The pronoun itself refers to the tongue. The tongue gets its fire from hell. Hell is the source of the tongue’s destructive fire/power. This implies that hell has given to the tongue the power to ruin lives.

This clause does not mean that the tongue itself is burned or destroyed.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

and it is as if the fire of hell is in it
-or-
with flames that come from hell itself (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
and it gets its power to destroy from hell itself

by hell: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hell refers to the place where Satan, his demons, and ungodly people will be punished after the final Day of Judgment.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

eternal fire
-or-
the place of unending fire
-or-
Satan

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SIL Translator's Notes on James 5:5

5:5

In this verse, James condemned rich people for the way they lived. The past tense verbs “have lived” and “have fattened” describe how the rich people had lived their lives until that time.

5:5a

You have lived…in luxury: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as You have lived…in luxury means that the rich men lived an easy life. They had everything they liked that gave them comfort or great joy without doing any hard work.

Some other ways to translate this verb are:

Your life…was full of rich living (New Century Version)
-or-
you have had a life of comfort (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
You^(plur) have had an easy life with lots of money to buy nice things

on earth: The phrase on earth implies a contrast with how these men would live after God’s Day of Judgment.

In some languages, it will be more natural to put this phrase first in 5:5. For example:

While here on earth (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Your life on earth (New Century Version)
-or-
In this world

and self-indulgence: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as self-indulgence is similar in meaning to the verb “lived in luxury.” It means that the rich people did anything they wanted so that they could have as much pleasure as they liked.

Some other ways to translate this verb are:

and pleasure (Good News Translation)
-or-
satisfying your every desire (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
and pleasing yourselves with everything you wanted (New Century Version)

5:5b

You have fattened your hearts in the day of slaughter: This is a metaphor. Parts of it are implicit. In this metaphor, James compared rich people to animals. Some ways that they are similar are:

(a) Both fatten themselves. The rich people were indulging themselves, not doing any physical work and getting fat. They are just like animals that farmers allow not to work, but to enjoy eating and becoming fat before the farmer slaughters them for food.

(b) By fattening themselves, both are unaware that they are preparing their own doom. For animals, their doom is to be slaughtered. For the rich, their doom is to be punished as part of God’s judgment.

Some ways to translate this metaphor are:

• Change the metaphor to a simile and make the image explicit. For example:

You made yourselves fat, like an animal ready to be killed. (New Century Version)
-or-
you are like fat cattle on their way to be butchered. (Contemporary English Version)

• Change the metaphor to a simile and make explicit the way that they are similar. For example:

You^(plur) have made yourselves fat and will be judged/punished like fattened animals that men prepare for the day of slaughter.
-or-
Like animals that are fed well just before they are slaughtered to be eaten, you^(plur) live for pleasure and are not aware that you are about to face judgment.

• Translate the meaning without using a metaphor. In this metaphor, “getting fat” is a sign of self-indulgence and not following God’s law to help others. For example:

You^(plur) have not followed God’s laws and will be judged.
-or-
You have lived only for your own pleasures, and in that way, you have prepared yourselves for God to judge you. And you are not even aware of it!

your hearts: The phrase “your hearts” is figurative language that refers to the entire person. So many modern English versions translate it as “yourselves.”

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

You^(plur) have made yourselves like animals that have been fattened
-or-
But now you are like fat cattle (Contemporary English Version)

in the day of slaughter: The phrase in the day of slaughter means “prepared for the day to be killed.” This phrase refers to the day that the farmer will kill the fattened animals for food. In this metaphor, this phrase is parallel to the day that God will judge the rich.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

in the day when men slaughter the animals
-or-
prepared for a day to be killed
-or-
and in this way you^(plur) have prepared yourselves for God’s judgment

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SIL Translator's Notes on James 1:4

1:4a

Allow perseverance to finish its work: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Allow perseverance to finish its work is a figure of speech called personification. Here, perseverance is told to finish its work as if it were a person. Perseverance finishes its work in the sense that our ability to persevere becomes fully developed in our lives. We develop into the kind of people who habitually persevere/endure our trials. We must develop this characteristic so that we will be mature and complete (1:4b).

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

let endurance have its perfect effect (NET Bible)
-or-
when your endurance is fully developed (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

In some languages, such personification is not possible. Some other ways to translate this phrase without personification are:

you must learn to endure everything (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Learn to be patient during each trial/difficulty
-or-
Continue to believe/trust in God/Jesus during your trials
-or-
Persevere more and more until it becomes a habit

1:4b

so that you may be mature and complete: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as so that introduces a purpose clause. You should persevere (1:4a) so that you will become a mature, complete believer (1:4b).

Another way to connect 1:4a and 1:4b is:

Then you will be mature and complete (God’s Word)

mature: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as mature means to be “mature,” “complete,” or “fully-developed.” Here it refers to a person who is spiritually mature and whose character has completed its full development.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

strong in character (New Living Translation, 1996 edition)
-or-
fully developed (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
men of mature character (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

complete: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as complete has a similar meaning to the word translated mature (in the note above). This second word refers to a person whose character is entirely what God intended it to be. He is not someone who is mature in some ways but not mature in others.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

whole in all aspects/parts of his character
-or-
your character will be what God desires

In some languages, it is more natural to combine the two ideas of “mature” and “complete.” For example:

completely mature (Contemporary English Version)

1:4c

not lacking anything: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as not lacking anything also means “not needing anything.” This means that no good quality is absent from the person’s character. It does not refer to lacking money or material possessions.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

not deficient in any way (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
you will not lack anything in your character
-or-
and will demonstrate/show only good qualities/traits

This phrase expresses the same idea as “complete” in 1:4b. James often restated the same idea in positive and negative form for emphasis. For another example see 1:6b, “believe and not doubt.”

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Source: SIL Translator's Notes on James 2012

SIL Translator's Notes on James 5:15

SIL Translator's Notes on James 1:14

SIL Translator's Notes on James 2:20

SIL Translator's Notes on James 4:10

SIL Translator's Notes on James 1:25

SIL Translator's Notes on James 3:6

SIL Translator's Notes on James 5:5

SIL Translator's Notes on James 1:4

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