Translation commentary on Romans 15:32

The transitional phrase and so may be translated as “and having done this,” “and as a result,” or even “and then.”

As previously indicated, verse 32 is a continuation of the sentence begun in verse 30. It literally begins with “in order that.” Paul’s expression “enjoy” is rendered by the more natural English expression full of joy (New American Bible “with joy”; An American Translation* “with a glad heart”; Jerusalem Bible “feeling very happy”; New English Bible “in a happy frame of mind”).

If it is God’s will is literally “through the will of God.” In such a construction the Greek preposition dia (“through”) is used in the sense of “the circumstances under which something takes place,” and so the phrase would mean something like “through the circumstances made possible by God’s will.” The Jerusalem Bible translates as “if God wills” and An American Translation* translates in the same way as the Good News Translation. If it is God’s will must be related to the verb will come, not to the condition of being full of joy. This may require some change in order—for example, “and so, if it is God’s will, I will come to you full of joy.” In a number of languages an expression of condition normally precedes the result.

The verb enjoy a refreshing visit implies both rest (New English Bible “enjoy a time of rest”; Jerusalem Bible “enjoy a period of rest”) and refreshing of one’s spirit (New American Bible “and be refreshed in spirit”). Enjoy a refreshing visit with you may be rendered as “be happy and rested because of my visit with you” or “and my visit with you will cause me to be happy and to become rested.”

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 15:32

15:32a

so that: This phrase introduces the purpose for Paul to be delivered from unbelievers (15:31a) and for the believers in Jerusalem to accept his service (15:31b).

by God’s will I may come to you with joy: The phrase by God’s will is emphasized by being first in the clause in the Berean Standard Bible. But it is not first in the Greek. Put this phrase in its usual position in your translation. For example:

I may come to you with joy by God’s will

by God’s will: This indicates that God would decide if Paul would go or not. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

that God will decide/choose that
-or-
that God will allow
-or-
if God wants it (New Century Version)

See how you translated this in 1:10.

15:32b

together with you: This phrase indicates that Paul and the Roman believers would be together and they would all experience being refreshed. For example:

together with you (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

be refreshed: The word refreshed refers to resting and getting one’s strength back again. Here it would refer mostly to mental, motivational, and emotional strength, rather than physical strength. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

find refreshing rest (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
I will have a time of rest (New Century Version)

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