14:6a
I am the way: This clause indicates that Jesus is the way to God. It means that people could go to God only through him. The phrase the way continues to be used as a figure of speech. It is good to keep this figure of speech and translate it as you did in 14:4 and 14:5. In some languages it may be necessary to explain part of the meaning. For example:
I am the way ⌊to God⌋
-or-
I am the path/road ⌊that leads you to God⌋ .
I am: This is the sixth of seven “I am” statements in John. (The others are in 6:35; 8:12; 10:7, 9; 10:11, 14; 11:25; and 15:1, 5.) They are all metaphors that Jesus used to describe himself. Some see a reference to Jesus’ being God because “I am” is the name that God used for himself in Exodus 3:14. The Greek text emphasizes the word I. Here are some ways to show this emphasis:
I, myself, am…
-or-
It is I who am…
the truth: This phrase is short for “I am the truth.” It indicates that Jesus reveals the truth about God. By his actions and his words, Jesus showed and told the truth about God. See the note on 1:14d, where the same word (truth) is used. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
I am the one who truly reveals God.
-or-
Because of me you know what is true. (Otomi Back Translation)
the life: This phrase is short for “I am the life.” It means that Jesus is the only one who can give people life, eternal life. See 5:39–40 and 11:25. For example:
I give people ⌊true/real⌋ life.
In some languages it is more natural to express life as a verb. For example:
I cause/enable people to live.
14:6b
No one comes to the Father except through Me: This clause indicates that no one can enjoy fellowship with God except through believing in Jesus. Jesus himself is the only way to enjoy a loving relationship with God in our present life. And he is the only way to enter the holy presence of God in the future life. Try to translate this clause in a way that includes both of these ideas. It may be more natural to express this with a positive clause. For example:
The only way to the Father is through me. (New Century Version)
-or-
It is only through me that anyone comes to the Father.
-or-
Everyone who comes to the Father must come through me.
comes to the Father: This phrase here refers to beginning to have a loving relationship with him. See how you translated the same verb (comes) in 6:37, where Jesus spoke about people coming to him.
the Father: This phrase refers to God the Father. In some languages it is more natural to say whose Father it is. For example
⌊my⌋ Father
through Me: This phrase means through Jesus Christ, because of his work and through faith in him. He is “the way” to the Father. Use the word that is most natural in your language. For example:
by me (Revised English Bible)
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