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 as “relative” (this is also the term that is used for “follower”) (source: Carl Gross), and in Mairasi as “in-law” (source: Enggavoter 2004).

In the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) it is often translated as Mitchristen or “fellow Christians.” The German translation by Roland Werner (publ. 2009-2022) alternates between “brothers and sisters,” “sisters and brothers,” and “siblings” (Geschwister).

See also brothers.

complete verse (Romans 7:1)

Following are a number of back-translations of Romans 7:1:

  • Uma: “Relatives, you do know the laws of governing-ones/government. So certainly you know what I say here: we men [mankind] live under the power of laws of governing-ones while we still live. But if we die, the laws have no more power over us.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “My brothers who believe in Isa Almasi, it is certain you (pl.) understand what I am going to say because you know the law. The law has authority/right hep over a person as long as that person is alive.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Brothers, we (incl.) now understand what the government law is and we know that we (incl.) are under the commands of that law until we die. But when we die it is no longer possible to have us carry out the commands of the Law.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “You who are my brothers, I know you will understand this that I will say, because you all understand about law. You know then that the law has authority over a person only while he is living.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Listen my brothers, you know that concerning the law there is, it has authority to rule the person while he lives. But when the person dies, then the law no longer rules him.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

law

The Greek, Hebrew, and Ge’ez that is translated in English as “Law” or “law” is translated in Mairasi as oro nasinggiei or “prohibited things” (source: Enggavoter 2004), in Noongar with a capitalized form of the term for “words” (Warrinya) (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang), in Yucateco as “ordered-word” (for “commandment,” it is “spoken-word”) (source: Nida 1947, p. 198), and in Central Tarahumara it is “writing-command” (source: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.)

McKnight’s English translation (publ. 2023) has it as Covenant Code. He explains (p. 301): “The law of Moses was a covenantal arrangement by God with the people of Israel. This code of conduct expected of them was not the same as law in the Roman world or what law means to us today. It is a revelation of God’s will for God’s covenant people but requires ongoing interpretation and adjustments.”

In a 1922 translation into Chagatai, a precursor language of both Uzbek and Uighur, it is translated with the Arabic loan word shari’at (شريعت), originally meaning “(Islamic) law (Shari’a).” (Source: F. Erbay and F.N. Küçükballı in Acta Theologica 2025 45/2, p. 133ff. )

See also teaching / law (of God) (Japanese honorifics).

formal 2nd person plural pronoun (Japanese)

Click or tap here to see the rest of this insight.

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 formal plural suffix to the second person pronoun (“you” and its various forms) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. In these verses, anata-gata (あなたがた) is used, combining the second person pronoun anata and the plural suffix -gata to create a formal plural pronoun (“you” [plural] in English).

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

Translation commentary on Romans 7:1

This verse follows closely the preceding verse (6.23). It is not without significance that Paul addresses his readers directly in this verse and again in verse 4 as my brothers. He introduces this section with an emphatic negative question (literally “do you not know?”) which the Good News Translation makes into a positive statement, certainly you understand (see Moffatt “surely you know”). As noted previously, my brothers may be translated either by a general term for kinship which would be applicable to the extended in-group of the church, or by an expression such as “fellow believers,” since this is its significance in this type of context.

What I am about to say … because all of you know about law is literally “because I am speaking to those who know law.” It may be that Paul is using “law” in a specific sense either as a reference to the Roman law or to the Jewish Law, though most commentators believe that he is simply referring to the idea of law in general. Paul is not speaking to specialists in the law (so Jerusalem Bible “who have studied law”), but to persons who have some general knowledge about law (New English Bible “who have some knowledge of law”). It is true that his illustration from marriage is more closely in keeping with the Jewish Law, but for Paul the Mosaic Law represents a specific expression of what is right for human conduct in general (see 2.12-16).

It is important that the expression what I am about to say be translated in such a way as to refer specifically to what follows. In some languages the equivalent may be “what I will say now,” “what you will soon be reading,” or “what I say, which follows.”

A generic statement concerning law may in many languages be better expressed as a plural—for example, “all of you know about laws” or even “… how laws are applied.”

Rules over a man may be rendered in some languages as “controls a man,” “says what he must do,” or “puts a man under obligation.”

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 7:1

Section 7:1–6

Believers must follow the new way of the Holy Spirit

In this section, Paul used the example of marriage and the husband dying to show that believers are no longer under the laws of Moses. They are under the new covenant with Jesus. We have died to sin and God has released us from the law of Moses so that we can serve God as the Holy Spirit guides and empowers us.

Here are other possible headings for this section:

We were released from the Law ⌊of Moses⌋ to serve God in the new way of the Holy Spirit
-or-
Dead to the Law, Alive to Serve in the Spirit
-or-
Serve (plur.) God in the new way of the Holy Spirit

Paragraph 7:1–3

7:1a–b

Do you not know, brothers (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives?: The clause for I am speaking to those who know the law occurs in the middle of the question that Paul asked. It explains to whom he was speaking in this verse. In many languages, it is better to put this clause before or after the question. For example:

Or, brothers, I am speaking to those who know the law, do you not know that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives?
-or-
Or, brothers, do you not know that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives? I am speaking to those who know the law.

Do you not know, brothers…that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes that the believers in Rome know that the law is binding only as long as a person lives. It also tells them to be thinking of this principle as Paul talked further. Translate this clause with that meaning. Here are some ways:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

do you not know…that the law is lord over a person as long as he lives? (NET Bible)
-or-
Don’t you realize…that laws have power over people only as long as they are alive? (God’s Word)

• As a statement. For example:

you cannot have forgotten that the law can control a person only during that person’s lifetime. (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
you surely understand…that laws only have power over people who are alive. (Contemporary English Version)

7:1a

The Greek of 7:1a begins with a word that is usually translated as “or.” The Berean Standard Bible does not translate this word, but leaves the connection between 7:1 and 6:23 implicit. This word introduces something connected but different and not contrasting.

Do you not know, brothers: The word brothers occurs in the middle of the question. In many languages it is more natural to have this word before the question. For example:

Or, brothers, do you not know

brothers: Here the word brothers refers to believers in Jesus, both men and women. The word indicates a close relationship because all believers are considered spiritual children of God. For example:

my fellow believers

In some languages brothers would be understood as literal brothers. If that is true in your language, you may want to translate differently. For example:

our brothers ⌊and sisters⌋ ⌊who believe⌋ ⌊in Jesus/Christ⌋
-or-
my family of believers
-or-
my friends (Contemporary English Version)

See how you translated this word in 1:13.

(for I am speaking to those who know the law): The word for introduces an explanation. Here Paul explained that he knew that the believers in Rome know the law. Some people might think that Paul’s question here implies that he thought that the believers did not know the law. So Paul made it clear that he knew that they did know it. See also the examples in the Notes on 7:1a–b.

I am speaking: Paul wrote this letter. But in effect he was talking to the believers in Rome, so he used the verb “speak” here. Also this letter would have been read aloud in the gatherings of believers in Rome, so “speak” would also be appropriate in that way. Use whatever is most natural here.

those who know the law: This phrase indicates in general that the believers in Rome know the law. It does not indicate that only some of the believers there know it. In some languages to translate the correct meaning, one must avoid using who. For example:

Or brothers, you know the law, do you not know…
-or-
Brothers, you know the law, I speak to you. ⌊So⌋ another question is this: do you not know…

the law: The Greek is only law here. It probably refers to the laws of Moses here. For example:

the Law (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
the law of Moses (New Jerusalem Bible)

7:1b

that: Here this word introduces what Paul questioned that they know.

the law has authority over a man: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as has authority refers to having great power over someone. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

the law rules a person
-or-
the law has power over a person
-or-
the law is binding on a person (English Standard Version)

See how you translated the same Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as has authority in 6:9 (“has dominion”) or 6:14 (“have…dominion”).

the law: This refers to the same law (or laws) as in 7:1a.

only as long as he lives: This indicates that the laws apply while the person is alive. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

over people who are alive (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
while that person is alive

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Commentaire sur la traduction de la lettre aux Romains 7.1

7.1-6

Sans transition, une nouvelle section commence dans le même style de ce qui précède, où Paul débute sa discussion par une question. Mais il y a clairement un changement de thème car les sections précédentes parlent de l’esclavage au péché et de la libération de cet état. Paul utilise une autre image, celle du mariage, pour démontrer la liberté du chrétien à l’égard de la loi.

Paul a déjà traité à plusieurs reprises, et sous divers aspects, du rôle et de la signification de la loi. Voir Rom 3.20 ; Rom 4.14 ; Rom 5.20 ; Rom 6.14.

La Traduction œcuménique de la Bible a pour sous-titre Le chrétien libéré de la loi alors que la Bible en français courant focalise plutôt sur le langage figuré en parlant d’Un exemple emprunté au mariage. Mais il vaut mieux évoquer le vrai thème de cette section, en disant, par exemple, « Nous sommes libres à l’égard de la loi ».

Paul passe sans transition de Rom 6.23 à Rom 7.1, en posant une question. L’utilisation de la conjonction ἤ ê « ou » montre à quel point Rom 7.1 est lié à Rom 6.23. La Traduction œcuménique de la Bible et la Bible de Jérusalem rendent cette conjonction par Ou bien, mais beaucoup de versions l’omettent. Les traducteurs devraient relire leur traduction et surtout la transition entre la fin du chapitre Rom 6.1 et le début du chapitre Rom 7.1 et choisir les transitions qui conviennent. La Bible en français courant et la Parole de Vie ont choisi de mettre le vocatif « frères » au début de la phrase, ce qui permet une bonne transition.

…ignorez-vous… est la même expression qu’en Rom 6.3. La Bible en français courant rend la question de ce verset sous la forme d’une affirmation : « Frères, vous savez sûrement déjà ce que je vais vous dire… »

Pour frères, voir Rom 1.13. Comme ailleurs, cette interpellation exprime une certaine émotion et donne plus de force à son message. La Parole de Vie élargit le texte en disant « Frères et sœurs chrétiens ».

– je parle à des gens compétents en matière de loi – : en Rom 6.19, Paul semble rabaisser ses lecteurs-auditeurs en disant « J’emploie des mots tout humains, adaptés à votre faiblesse », mais ici c’est le contraire. Il semble les flatter, en disant litt. « car je parle à des gens connaissant la loi ». Ce sont des propos qui interrompent en quelque sorte son message, raison pour laquelle la Traduction œcuménique de la Bible met ces mots entre tirets, tandis que d’autres versions les mettent entre parenthèses. La traduction de la Parole de Vie, en ne marquant pas ces propos, communique une autre nuance. Pour la majorité des biblistes (Leenhardt, p. 102 ; Viard, p. 155), Paul fait allusion ici à la loi juive, c’est-à-dire la loi de Moïse. Mais quelques commentateurs pensent qu’il se réfère plutôt à des personnes qui ont « quelque connaissance de la loi », c’est-à-dire de la loi en général. Il est vrai que l’exemple qui suit, concernant le mariage, est en rapport avec la loi de Moïse, mais certains maintiennent que « Paul ne se réfère pas seulement à la connaissance de la loi mosaïque, mais aussi à la conception juridique antique » (Michel, p. 141). Une note de la Traduction œcuménique de la Bible n’exclut pas cette double possibilité en notant que « Les Romains étaient réputés pour leur science juridique ». Si des traducteurs optent pour une désignation générale de la loi, ils devront recourir de préférence au pluriel, par exemple « car vous connaissez tous les lois » ou « …vous savez comment s’appliquent les lois ».

que la loi n’a autorité sur l’homme qu’aussi longtemps qu’il vit : Paul essaie de démontrer les limites du pouvoir de la loi. La Traduction œcuménique de la Bible construit cette phrase avec une sorte de négation « ne… que », mais en grec la phrase est positive, litt. « la loi domine une personne sur la longueur de la période qu’elle vit ». Pour loi, voir Rom 2.12. La Nouvelle Bible Segond dit que « la loi exerce sa maîtrise sur l’être humain ». Dans certaines langues, on pourrait dire « la loi dit ce que l’être humain doit faire » ou « est obligé de faire ».

qu’aussi longtemps qu’il vit : aussi longtemps qu’une personne est en vie, elle est sujette aux obligations de la loi. Dans beaucoup de langues, cette proposition sera mieux au début de la phrase.

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