judge vs. condemn

The Greek terms krino and katakrino/katadikazo that are translated as “judge” and “condemn” respectively in English are translated with only one term in Kutu (tagusa). (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

See also do not condemn.

stumbling block

The now commonly-used English idiom “stumbling block” (meaning a challenge or hindrance that prevents an accomplishment) was first coined in 1526 in the English New Testament translation of William Tyndale (in the spelling stomblinge blocke). (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 283)

For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.

inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (Rom. 14:13)

Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)

The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).

For this verse, translators typically select the inclusive form (including the writer of the letter and the readers).

Source: Velma Pickett and Florence Cowan in Notes on Translation January 1962, p. 1ff.

brother (fellow believer)

The Greek that is translated in English as “brother” or “brother and sister” (in the sense of fellow believers), is translated with a specifically coined word in Kachin: “There are two terms for brother in Kachin. One is used to refer to a Christian brother. This term combines ‘older and younger brother.’ The other term is used specifically for addressing siblings. When one uses this term, one must specify if the older or younger person is involved. A parallel system exists for ‘sister’ as well. In [these verses], the term for ‘a Christian brother’ is used.” (Source: Gam Seng Shae)

In Matumbi is is translated as alongo aumini or “relative-believer.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)

In Martu Wangka it is translated as “relative” (this is also the term that is used for “follower.”) (Source: Carl Gross)

In the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) it is often translated as Mitchristen or “fellow Christians.”

See also brothers.

complete verse (Romans 14:13)

Following are a number of back-translations of Romans 14:13:

  • Uma: “That’s why I say to you: let’s not criticize each other. It’s better that we take care that there is no action of ours that tempts a one-faith relative to the point that he/she sins or falls.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Therefore don’t let’s any longer be speaking-evil of our (dual) companion because-of his doings. But this is what we (dual) ought to be thinking, that we (dual) will really not do anything if because of that doing of ours (dual) eventually our (dual) brother who trusts in Isa is caused to sin.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Therefore, brothers, let us stop scolding our fellow believers for their behavior. For it’s necessary that we examine our own behavior so that there isn’t any behavior of ours that will cause our companions to sin.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Let us not then accuse-one-another-of-sin but rather let us make-up our minds (lit. make our minds persistent) to not do anything whereby our fellow believers would stumble or be tempted.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “So we must not make judgments about our fellow believers, saying that it is bad how they live. Let us earnestly see to it that it is not our fault that our brothers should sin.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Romans 14:13

Let us stop judging and you should decide translate two different forms of the same verb in Greek. This verb has already appeared five times in the earlier part of the chapter and has been translated in three different ways. In verses 3 and 10 it is translated pass judgment on, while in verse 4 it is translated to judge. Its use (twice) in verse 5 covers a different area of meaning and so is rendered thinks. Its first use in this verse clearly means “to judge” or “to pass judgment on”; but its use in the latter part of the verse is quite different. Whereas the first instance implies a condemnatory judgment, the second instance indicates that the persons involved are to evaluate something and to make up their minds with respect to it. For this reason the Good News Translation renders it as decide (see Jerusalem Bible “you should make up your mind”).

Let us stop judging one another may be rendered as “we must no longer condemn one another.”

The implied subject of the infinitive to do is you, and it should not be given an impersonal construction (New English Bible “that no obstacle or stumbling-block be placed in a brother’s way”)

In English it is quite effective to indicate by means of a colon that what follows is the content of what should be decided. However, this is a rather complex construction and must often be replaced in other languages by one of two different forms: (1) a directly subordinate content clause—for example, “instead you must decide to do nothing that would make your fellow believers stumble or fall into sin”; or (2) a form of direct discourse: “instead, this is what you should decide, We will not do anything that will make our fellow believers stumble or fall into sin.” In some languages a translation of decide may very well be a form of speaking, “you should say to yourselves,” “you should say within your minds,” or “your minds should say.”

The phrase into sin is introduced by the Good News Translation to qualify what is meant by the stumbling and falling. In a number of languages expressions for stumble or fall may be readily applied to the idea of becoming involved in sin. However, in other languages these terms can only be understood in a strictly physical or literal sense. Therefore it may be necessary to eliminate this figure of speech and to employ a causative form of the verb sin—for example, “cause your fellow believer to sin.”

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 14:13

Section 14:13–23

Do not cause others to sin

In this section, Paul told the believers in Rome to stop considering some of their fellow believers as bad people. Instead they should choose not to hinder them. He told them that God does not consider any kind of food or any other kind of thing as not acceptable, but people who think that that food or thing is unacceptable, they should not eat it or use it. But those who find those things acceptable, they should not hurt the faith of those who find those things unacceptable. Righteousness, peace, and joy are the important things in God’s kingdom, not what you eat or drink. God is pleased when those who follow Jesus live in that way.

Paul encouraged the believers to do things that bring peace and encouragement for each other. They are not to hurt other believers over what they eat. They are not to cause other believers to stumble in their faith because of what they eat. Foods that might cause problems for other believers are to be eaten privately. A believer should not eat food if he has doubts about whether he should eat it or not. Everything that is not done in faith is sin.

Here are other possible headings for this section:

Do Not Cause Another to Stumble (English Standard Version)
-or-
Don’t Cause Problems for Others (Contemporary English Version)

Paragraph 14:13–18

14:13a

Therefore: Here the Greek word introduces a summary of 14:1–12.

let us stop judging one another: This clause indicates that Paul wanted the believers to stop passing judgment on other believers. He included himself in this command. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

we (incl.) must no longer condemn one another
-or-
we must stop considering each other as bad people
-or-
let’s stop criticizing each other (God’s Word)

us: Here this word refers to Paul and all the believers in Rome. It does not refer to only one group of believers in Rome, as it did in 14:2a or 14:2b.

judging: Here this phrase refers to considering someone to be a bad person. See how you translated this phrase in 14:3 or 14:10.

14:13b

Instead: This indicates contrast to passing judgment on one another. But the command in 14:13a is to stop passing judgment. So in some languages indicating contrast would confuse the connection. If that is true in your language, translate without the contrast. For example:

And/Also
-or-
Like-that, studiously make the mindset…
-or-
We-inc should think

make up your mind: This word refers to thinking about something and choosing a way to think about it or do something about it. Here are other ways to translate this word:

choose
-or-
be determined
-or-
decide (English Standard Version)

The Greek here has the word “this” as well. It refers to 14:13c and emphasizes that meaning. For example:

decide this : never put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother

14:13c

not to: The Greek is simply the word not.

any stumbling block: This phrase refers to something that causes someone to stumble or trip. Here it is a metaphor that refers to doing anything that causes someone else to sin. Translate in a way that clearly indicates the meaning. Here are some ways:

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

⌊something like⌋ a stumbling block

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

upset anyone’s faith (Contemporary English Version)

• Your language may have a cultural item that will have the same meaning as this metaphor.

a root/rock to stumble on

obstacle: The Greek word here refers to a trap. Here it is a metaphor that refers to doing anything that causes someone to do the wrong thing. Translate in a way that clearly indicates the meaning. Here are some ways:

• Use the literal sense of the Greek word. For example:

a trap (NET Bible)

• Change the metaphor to a simile and possibly explain why they are similar in your translation. For example:

⌊something like⌋ a trap ⌊that causes temptation⌋

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

temptation

General Comment on 14:13c

The meaning of the metaphor of a stumbling block is similar to the meaning of the metaphor of a obstacle/trap. In some languages it is more natural to translate the meaning with one word or phrase. For example:

Let us earnestly see to it that it is not our fault that our brothers should sin.
-or-
caused to sin

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