Paragraph 8:9–11

8:9a

You: In the Greek the meaning of You is emphasized. For example:

as for you

however: There is contrast between “those controlled by the flesh” (8:8) and “you are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit.” For example:

But (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

But some languages will not see contrast here. For example:

And

are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit: In some languages it is more natural to put the negated part last. For example:

are in the Spirit and not in the flesh

by the flesh: Translate this phrase as you did in 8:8.

by the Spirit: The word by here indicates a focus upon and an allegiance to something. Here it indicates that believers live with a focus upon and an allegiance to the Spirit. In this case the person controlled by the Spirit is oriented toward the desires of the Spirit and allows himself to be led by him. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

have a relationship with the Holy Spirit
-or-
are connected to the Spirit

the Spirit: This refers to the Holy Spirit here.

8:9b

if the Spirit of God lives in you: Here the word if introduces a situation that is true. If this first part is true, that supports the then-clause (“You…are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit,” 8:9a).

In some languages, using an if -clause would have a different meaning. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. For example:

since the Spirit of God dwells in you (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
should the Spirit of God live in you
-or-
if ⌊you agree that⌋ the Spirit of God lives in you ⌊and I know that you do⌋

the Spirit of God lives in you: The word lives indicates that the Holy Spirit is always present in the life of a believer. He counsels the believer as to what to do. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

you have the Spirit of God living in you (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the Holy Spirit remains in you
-or-
the Spirit of God dwells in your hearts/liver/insides

If you have translated 1 Corinthians 3:16, see how you translated this clause there.

8:9c

And: This Greek word indicates that the topic from 8:7 continues and there is new information about people who do not have the Holy Spirit living in them. There is possibly contrast between those who have the Holy Spirit (8:9b) and those who do not (8:9c). For example:

And (New International Version, Berean Standard Bible)
-or-
But (New Century Version)

if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ: This refers to people who do not believe in Jesus. The word have here refers to being in a relationship with the Spirit of Christ. It is similar in meaning to “the Spirit of God dwells in you,” but looks at that relationship from the side of the believer. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

the person who does not have the Spirit of Christ ⌊living in him⌋
-or-
the person in whom the Holy Spirit is not staying

the Spirit of Christ: This phrase also refers to the Holy Spirit. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer to a different spirit. If that is true in your language, indicate that this phrase refers again to the Holy Spirit. For example:

⌊that⌋ Spirit of ⌊Jesus⌋ Christ
-or-

⌊that⌋ Spirit, ⌊he/who is also the Spirit⌋ of Christ

If you have translated 1 Peter 1:11, see how you translated this phrase there.

he does not belong to Christ: The people who do not believe in Jesus, they do not have the Holy Spirit living in them and they are not Jesus’ people. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

he is not of him
-or-
he is not Cristo’s person

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