endurance

The Greek that is translated in English as “endurance” (or “patience” or “perseverance” or “steadfastness”) is translated in Tzotzil as “(good) strength of heart(s)” (source: Ellis Deibler in Notes on Translation July, 1967, p. 5ff.), in Isthmus Zapotec as “learning not to lose patience” (source: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.), and in Tabasco Chontal as “they shouldn’t get upset over things” (source: John Beekman & Harwood Hess in Notes on Translation, March 1963, p. 1ff.).

In Mairasi it is translated idiomatically as “having well-split bones” (source: Enggavoter 2004).

complete verse (Romans 5:3)

Following are a number of back-translations of Romans 5:3:

  • Uma: “And not only that, we are also glad in the sufferings that hit us. For we know, from those sufferings we become able to endure.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Not only that, but we (incl.) also are glad even though we (incl.) are hard-pressed because we (incl.) know that because of our (incl.) hardship finally we (incl.) know how to endure.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And that’s not all, because these difficulties which we are passing through are being paid back with joy, for we (incl.) know that by means of these difficulties which we are passing through we are taught to endure.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “And it is not only that that we are happy-about but rather we are also happy in our being hardshipped, because we know that hardship brings-into-being patience/endurance.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “But it is not just concerning the good God will give that we rejoice about, rather when we suffer we also rejoice. Because when one suffers there is how he can begin to endure the suffering he goes through.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (Rom. 5:3)

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.

joy

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The Greek, Latin, Ge’ez, and Hebrew that is translated with “joy” or “gladness” in English is translated with various strategies:

  • Baoulé: “a song in the stomach” (see also peace (inner peace))
  • Bambara: “the spirit is made sweet”
  • Kpelle: “sweet heart”
  • Tzeltal: “the good taste of one’s heart”
  • Uduk: “good to the stomach”
  • Mískito: “the liver is wide open” (“happily letting the pleasures flooding in upon it”) (source for this and above: Nida 1952)
  • Mairasi: “good liver” (source: Enggavoter 2004)
  • Noongar: koort-kwabba-djil or “heart very good” (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
  • Chicahuaxtla Triqui: “refreshed heart” (source: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.).
  • Hausa Common Language Bible: farin ciki or “white stomach.” Other languages that use the same expression include Southern Birifor (pʋpɛl), Dera (popolok awo), Reshe (ɾipo ɾipuhã). (Source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)

See also Seat of the Mind for traditional views of “ways of knowing, thinking, and feeling,” happiness / joy, and exceeding joy.

Translation commentary on Romans 5:3

Paul introduces this verse with a formula (literally “but not only, but also”) which is found elsewhere in his writings (5.11; 8.23; 9.10; 2 Corinthians 8.19). In the Good News Translation this appears as and … also, while the New English Bible translates it “more than this,” Moffatt “not only so,” An American Translation* “more than that,” and the Jerusalem Bible “but that is not all.” Because of the contrast in verse 3 compared with verse 2, it seems more appropriate to employ some kind of adversative particle or phrase—for example, “but in contrast,” “but on the other hand,” or “but … also.”

On the problem of translating we rejoice, see Rom 5.2.

The word translated troubles (so An American Translation*; New English Bible, Jerusalem Bible, Revised Standard Version “sufferings”) originally applied to troubles brought on one from without. It is possible, though not necessary, to understand troubles in the specific sense of those difficulties that Paul and the early believers felt would come on them because they were living in the last age of time. It was a firm belief of the early church that the coming of Christ had inaugurated the end of time, and in light of their Jewish background they looked for the last days of history to bring suffering upon those people who were faithful to God.

Rejoice in our troubles may be rendered as “rejoice because of what we suffer.” A meaning of concession (“rejoice even though we suffer”) should be carefully avoided. Paul’s attitude toward such troubles was far more positive.

Most modern translations render Paul’s next term by endurance along with the Good News Translation (so also in 5.4; see the comment at 2.7; in 8.25 and 15.4, 5 it is rendered patience).

It is difficult in many languages to speak of experiences such as trouble, endurance, or approval as being agents of such events as produces, brings … approval, and creates. The basic relation, however, is one of cause and effect, and this should be preserved in translation. Therefore, one may translate: “for we know that because we suffer we learn how to endure better” or “we know that we become better in enduring because we have suffered trouble.”

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 5:3

5:3a

Not only that, but: The Greek is literally “and not only but also.” Here it indicates that Paul wanted to talk about more things that believers rejoice in. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

More than that, but (English Standard Version)
-or-
Not only so, but…also (New International Version)
-or-
And it is not only that that we are happy-about but rather…also

we also rejoice in our sufferings: This is the second thing that believers rejoice/boast in. We can rejoice/boast even when we suffer because we know the results will be good (5:3b–5:4b).

rejoice: The Greek word here is literally “boast,” as in 5:2c. Translate it in the same way here.

in our sufferings: Here the Greek is more literally “in the sufferings.” In the NT the word sufferings usually refers to the hardships and troubles people experience because they are believers in Jesus. So many English versions add the word our here. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

in our troubles
-or-
in our tribulations (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
when we are suffering (God’s Word)

5:3b

because we know that suffering produces perseverance: Here the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as because we know implies that 5:3b–4b are reasons for rejoicing/boasting in our sufferings.

produces: The word produces means “to cause.” For example:

creates (God’s Word)
-or-
develops (New Jerusalem Bible)

perseverance: This word means “patiently continuing in something.” When troubles come, believers continue to believe in Jesus. They do not give up. Here are other ways to translate this word:

endurance (English Standard Version)
-or-
patience (New Century Version)

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Commentaire sur la traduction de la lettre aux Romains 5.3

Bien plus est litt. « non seulement, mais encore », une formule que Paul emploie ailleurs ( Rom 5.11 ; Rom 8.23 ; Rom 9.10 ; 2 Cor 8.19). En raison du contraste qu’implique ce verset, il semble légitime de recourir à une particule ou une expression comme « Mais d’autre part », « Mais… aussi ». Voir Bible en français courant « Bien plus… même », La Bible du Semeur, « Ce n’est pas tout… encore ».

nous mettons notre orgueil : voir Rom 5.2. La Parole de Vie dit « nous sommes fiers », et la Nouvelle Bible Segond, « nous mettons notre fierté dans nos détresses ».

dans nos détresses : le terme grec, traduit parfois par « tribulations », désigne des peines ou des souffrances infligées à quelqu’un. Il est possible que ce mot renvoie aux difficultés que Paul et les premiers chrétiens subissaient. Comme les Juifs, les chrétiens qui attendaient la venue du Christ, pensaient que la fin des temps allait être caractérisée par ces détresses. Voir, par exemple, Matt 13.21, « quand survient la détresse ou la persécution à cause de la parole de Dieu » (Traduction œcuménique de la Bible) ou Matt 24.29, « la détresse de ces jours-là » (Bible en français courant).

On pourrait aussi suivre la Bible en français courant : « nous nous réjouissons même dans nos détresses » ou « à cause de nos souffrances » ou la Parole de Vie, « nous sommes fiers parce que nous souffrons ». Les traducteurs devront éviter une proposition concessive telle que « nous nous réjouissons même si nous souffrons ». En effet, l’attitude de l’apôtre à l’égard de ces souffrances était beaucoup plus positive, comme l’indique la note de la Traduction œcuménique de la Bible en 2 Cor 12.9-10 : Paul « place toute son assurance dans la grâce de Dieu qui se déploie précisément dans la faiblesse de l’homme ».

… produit la persévérance : le verbe composé veut dire « faire », « accomplir », « produire », « amener ». il s’agit de « la patience » (Bible en français courant), un certain courage ou détermination de continuer malgré l’opposition, voir Rom 2.7. Le mot paraîtra encore en Rom 8.25 et Rom 15.4, Rom 15.5. Dans de nombreuses langues, il sera difficile de dire que les détresses produisent la persévérance. Si c’est le cas, on pourrait dire, « parce que nous souffrons, nous apprenons à bien supporter les souffrances » ou « grâce aux tribulations, nous sommes plus patients ». Il s’agit en fait d’une relation de cause à effet. Ainsi la Parole de Vie dit « la souffrance rend patient ».

Source: Margot, Jean-Claude & Zogbo, Lynell. La lettre aux Romains – Manuel de traduction – Commentaire linguistique et exégétique de la Bible. Alliance biblique universelle, 2021.