Honorary "are" construct denoting God ("hand over")

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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.

One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the usage of an honorific construction where the morpheme are (され) is affixed on the verb as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. This is particularly done with verbs that have God as the agent to show a deep sense of reverence. Here, watas-are-ru (渡される) or “hand over” is used.

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on Romans 12:6

In Greek verses 6-8 form one sentence, and it is rather complex. It begins with a participle and there is no main verb in the entire sentence. Although a verb is not present in the Greek, the context makes it clear what verb is implicit: we are to use (Revised Standard Version “let us use them”; New English Bible “must be exercised accordingly”).

Different gifts should be understood distributively rather than collectively, that is to say, each person has a different gift, as is indicated clearly in the rest of this paragraph. Accordingly, one must translate in some languages: “so each one of us should use our own gift in accordance with the way in which God has given it to us” or “each one of us should use the particular gift that God has given to each one.”

To speak God’s message (New English Bible “the gift of inspired utterance”) translates a single noun that is rendered “prophecy” in many translations. There is no single term that can adequately translate this Greek word. “Preaching” (An American Translation*) comes closer than “prophecy,” which focuses the attention on the aspect of prediction, but “preaching” is not completely adequate. The Good News Translation and the New English Bible place the emphasis on the primary element in this term, that is, the proclamation of God’s message.

In some languages it is not easy to relate a term such as gift with an event such as to speak God’s message. It may be necessary therefore to indicate somewhat more precisely what the gift consists of: “if God has given us the ability to preach God’s message.”

The last clause of this verse, we must do it according to the faith that we have, may be rendered as “we must do it with as much faith as we have,” “we must do it with all the faith we have,” “we must do it in proportion to how much we believe,” or “if we believe much, we must do it much.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Romans. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1973. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 12:6

12:6a–b

We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith: The Berean Standard Bible adds the words let him use it. Many scholars and English versions agree that the Greek implies a command to use the gifts properly. For example, the English Standard Version adds the words of a command in the last part:

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them (English Standard Version)

12:6a

We have different gifts: This clause indicates that all believers do not have the same gift. Paul listed seven of the gifts in 12:6b–8. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

Having gifts that differ (English Standard Version)
-or-
the gifts that we have differ (New Jerusalem Bible)

gifts: This word refers to something that is given without cost to the person receiving it. Paul listed seven of the gifts in 12:6b–8. See how you translated this word in 1:11 or 11:29.

the grace given us: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

the grace ⌊that God⌋ gave to us

grace: This word refers to being kind to people without requiring anything in return. This kindness is not given because they have done anything to deserve it. See how you translated this word in 3:24 or 11:6.

12:6b–8

Each gift in the list has a phrase that begins with the Greek word that means “in.” Each phrase describes how each gift is to be used. Many languages must add a verb each time for a natural translation. See the note on 12:6a–b above or the individual notes below in 12:6b–8.

12:6b

prophecy: The word prophecy refers to a message that God gives to someone. The message may include a vision, as in Ezekiel 1 and Daniel 8. A prophecy may reveal something about past events, current events, or future events. The prophet speaks the prophecy to the people or writes it down for their use.

Some languages do not have a word for prophecy. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

direct message from God
-or-
God’s ⌊new⌋ message
-or-
a message that God has revealed

• Use the major language word. If people are not familiar with this word, you may want to explain it in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

The word “prophecy” refers to a message that God gives to someone. The message may include a vision. A prophecy may reveal something about past events, current events, or future events.

let him use it: The Berean Standard Bible adds these words. See the note at 12:6a–b about that.

These gifts are given to each believer. They are not shared like someone might share a tool. Some languages must continue referring to the individual for the correct meaning, as the Berean Standard Bible does. Here is another way to translate this:

let ⌊each of⌋ us use them

in proportion to his faith: Here the word his refers to each of us who have the gift of prophecy. Each of us with the gift of prophecy must use it according to how much faith we have. One cannot speak true prophecies when he does not have the faith for it. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

measured to the amount of faith ⌊each of⌋ us ⌊have⌋
-or-
sized to our faith

proportion: This word refers to the relative sizes or amounts of different sorts of things. In this context, in relation to a small amount of faith, the amount of prophecy would be small, but in relation to a large amount of faith, the amount of prophecy would also be large. See the examples above.

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