1:15a–d
Verse 1:15 is an extended metaphor. The stages of sin are compared to the stages of a woman having a child. Each stage is described below.
Verse 1:15 is also a personification. This means that “desire” and “sin” are both described as doing things that people normally do.
1:15a
Then: The word Then introduces the result and next logical step after a person is enticed to do wrong. When translating this word, consider how your language speaks of events that normally happen in a set order. Consider how to properly introduce an event that is the result of the one before it.
Some other ways to translate this word are:
As a result
-or-
Next
-or-
And then
desire has conceived: The clause desire has conceived is both a metaphor and personification. After a person is lured to sin (1:14c), the next step is that he actually decides to sin. This step is compared to conceiving a child.
Some ways to translate this figure of speech are:
• Keep the metaphor. For example:
Then desire becomes pregnant (God’s Word)
• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:
Then, it is like the person’s desire becomes pregnant,
• Keep the metaphor but not the personification. For example:
Then, he conceives/develops a plan to do what he desires
• Translate the meaning. For example:
Then he decides/plans to actually do the evil that he desires
has conceived: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as has conceived refers to the beginning of a woman’s pregnancy. For example:
becomes pregnant (God’s Word)
Use a word or phrase that is appropriate for reading aloud in church and will not offend or embarrass anyone.
1:15b
it gives birth to sin: This clause continues the metaphor and personification. The word it refers to “desire” in 1:15a. In this metaphor, sin is committed. This is compared to giving birth to a child.
Some ways to translate this figure of speech are:
• Keep the metaphor. For example:
and gives birth to sin (God’s Word)
-or-
the child born to desire is sin
• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:
and it is like a woman who gives birth to sin
• Keep the metaphor but not the personification. For example:
sin is born
-or-
it produces sin
• Translate the meaning. For example:
Next he commits/does the sin
sin: The noun sin refers to any offense against God or another person. Sins include acts, thoughts, and attitudes that are not what God wants or approves. (In Greek, the verb that English versions translate as sin is also a term that was used in archery to mean “miss the target.” When a person sins, he “misses” the target, that is, he fails to reach God’s standard.) A person can also offend God by not doing what God wants him to do.
It is helpful to translate “sin” with a general term that can include any wrong act that a person does against God. Here are problems to avoid:
(a) The term should not imply that only serious crimes such as murder or stealing are sins. Other offenses such as gossip and greed are also sins.
(b) The term should not include accidents or mistakes that are not against God’s will.
Some ways to translate sin are:
a wrong act
-or-
an offense against God
-or-
an evil deed
In some languages, it is more natural to express “sin” as a verb. For example:
it causes the person to sin
1:15c
sin, when it is full-grown: This continues the metaphor and personification. When a person continues to sin, it develops or grows into a habit. This is compared to a child becoming mature or fully grown.
Some ways to translate this figure of speech are:
• Keep the metaphor. For example:
When sin grows up (God’s Word)
• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:
then it is as if sin grows up
• Keep the metaphor but not the personification. For example:
he grows up doing the sin
• Translate the meaning. For example:
when he continues to habitually sin
1:15d
gives birth to death: This continues the metaphor and personification. When a person continues to sin until it controls him, it will eventually lead to eternal death. This is compared to the grown-up child becoming pregnant and giving birth to a baby of her own. It is the opposite of the life with God mentioned in 1:12c.
Some ways to translate this figure of speech are:
• Keep the metaphor. For example:
it gives birth to death. (God’s Word)
• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:
and it is like sin gives birth to death.
• Keep the metaphor but not the personification. For example:
and has/gets eternal punishment
• Translate the meaning. For example:
and he eventually dies eternally.
-or-
and the result is eternal death.
© 2012 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.