13:9a–c

These commands use “you (sing.).” But God expected all of the people of Israel to obey them.

“Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments: These commandments occur in Exodus 20:13–15,17 and Deuteronomy 5:17–19,21. Some language translations always introduce Old Testament quotes with a phrase indicating that they are from there. For example:

⌊in the Scriptures⌋, “Do not commit adultery…

Some languages must add an “and” before the second, third, and fourth items in this list. For example:

“Do not commit adultery, ⌊and⌋ do not murder, ⌊and⌋ do not steal, ⌊and⌋ do not covet,” and any other commandment

This whole phrase is the subject of the verb phrase “are summed up” in 13:9d. So the Berean Standard Bible and many other English versions use commas or semi-colons, rather than full stops, to indicate that. In some languages it will be more clear to separate the list from verb phrase and then clearly indicate the connection in the translation. For example:

For ⌊God said⌋ ⌊in Scripture⌋, “Do not commit adultery. Do not murder. Do not steal. Do not covet.” ⌊Those commandments⌋ and any other commandment

13:9a

The Greek of 13:9a begins with a word that is often translated as “for.” The Berean Standard Bible does not translate this word. Here this word introduces a sentence that supports Paul saying that loving others fulfills the laws of Moses.

The commandments: The Berean Standard Bible and many English versions add the word commandments, as implied from the list of four commandments that follow.

commit adultery: This phrase refers to having sex with someone to whom you are not married.

In some languages people will want to use the polite expression to refer to this deed here. This might be an idiom. For example:

lie/sleep with someone who is not your wife or husband

See how you translated this phrase in 2:22.

13:9b

murder: This word refers to killing another person. It implies killing someone on purpose and against the law. See how you translate this word in 1:29.

steal:
This refers to taking other people’s possessions when they do not want you to. It usually implies taking them secretly. See how you translated this word in 2:21.

13:9c

covet: This word refers to desiring to possess for oneself something that belongs to someone else. See how you translated this word in 7:7.

any other commandments: This refers to any of the commands in the Old Testament directed to the Israelites, except the four that Paul already wrote.

General Comment on 13:9a–c

These words are a quotes from Exodus 20:13–15,17. If you indicate the location of quotes from the Old Testament with cross-references, you may want to do so here.

13:9d

are summed up: This phrase refers to stating the main point of all the things previously mentioned. The main point of the laws that Paul just stated is to love one’s neighbor as yourself. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

are all concentrated in
-or-
are included here in
-or-
come back to

This clause is passive. It is not important who does the summing up. Some languages do not have a passive construction. If that is true in your language, translate without a passive. See the above examples.

one decree: Here these words mean “a group of words.” Here it refers to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Here are other ways to translate this word:

saying (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
command (Good News Translation)

neighbor: This word refers to someone who lives near you. Here it does not have any qualifications, so refers to anyone who lives near you, or anyone who happens to be near you at the time. You should not translate this word as “friend” if that word excludes someone who lives near you but is not your friend.

as yourself: The words “you love” are implied after the word as here. For example:

as ⌊you love⌋ yourself

General Comment on 13:9d

These words are a quote of Leviticus 19:18. If you indicate the location of quotes from the Old Testament with cross-references, you may want to do so here.

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