Japanese benefactives (waikasasete)

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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 choice of a benefactive construction as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. Here, waikasasete (和解させて) or “reconcile” is used in combination with itadaku (いただく), a humble form of the benefactive morau (もらう). A benefactive reflects the good will of the giver or the gratitude of a recipient of the favor. To convey this connotation, English translation needs to employ a phrase such as “for me (my sake)” or “for you (your sake).”

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

Translation commentary on Romans 5:11

But that is not all translates the same transitional phrase used by Paul in verse 3, and … also. But that is not all may be rendered as “but there is still more,” “but in addition to all this,” or “but add also.”

The Greek of this sentence is rather difficult. The phrase we rejoice represents a participle, whereas one would expect some finite verb form such as appears in verses 2 and 3. However, the meaning is not difficult, and most translations render this participle by a finite verb form. No new thoughts are introduced; as in verse 9, so here, Paul emphasizes the present reality of one’s experience, now.

The expression we rejoice in God is difficult to render literally and at the same time provide any real sense. In many languages the closest equivalent is “we rejoice because of God” or even “God causes us to rejoice.” The phrase through our Lord Jesus Christ expresses secondary agency which may be expressed in some languages as “God caused this by means of the Lord Jesus Christ,” “our Lord Jesus Christ made this possible,” or “… caused this to be.” The final relative clause describes Christ as the agent of this process, and all of verse 11 may be somewhat restructured as follows: “There is even more; God has caused us to rejoice because it was our Lord Jesus Christ who has now made us God’s friends.”

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 5:11

5:11a

Not only that, but…also: The Greek is literally “and not only but also.” Here it indicates that Paul wanted to talk more about the things that he had already talked about. For example:

More than that…also (English Standard Version)
-or-
Not only is this so, but…also (New International Version)
-or-
But that’s not the only-thing that we expect

See how you translated this phrase in 5:3.

we also rejoice in God: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as rejoice refers to speaking proudly about God. Some examples are: “God is great,” “He loves all people,” “He is all-powerful,” and “He sent his Son to die for our sins.” Here are other ways to translate this clause:

we also exult in God (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
we also boast in God’s ⌊greatness⌋
-or-
we praise God before others

5:11b

through our Lord Jesus Christ: The word through indicates here that we can rejoice in God because of what Jesus did (and is doing) for us.

5:11c

through whom we have now received reconciliation: This refers to Jesus reconciling us to God, as in 5:10. In some languages “receive” and “take” are translated by the same word. If that is true in your language, you should probably avoid translating “receive/take” literally here. Also some languages must translate reconciliation as a verb. For example:

who has reconciled us ⌊to God⌋

This clause tells the reader more about Jesus. It does not separate Jesus from other Jesuses. For the correct meaning in some languages, translators must avoid the word whom. For example:

Through him we have now received reconciliation.
-or-
He has now reconciled us ⌊to God⌋.

we have now received reconciliation: The word now indicates that being reconciled with God is still true at the present time. It has the same meaning here as in 5:9. For example:

now that we have received reconciliation
-or-
Now that he has reconciled us ⌊to God⌋.

reconciliation: This word refers to causing two people or two groups of people, who have been enemies, to be at peace with one another. Jesus, by his death and resurrection, has made a way for God to be reconciled to people who believe in Jesus as Savior. Some languages use a phrase for this meaning. For example:

he made peace
-or-
he brought back us to be God’s friends
-or-
their connection with God to become good
-or-
to become one with people

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