3:3a

what you have received and heard: This phrase refers to the gospel. It includes the teaching of the apostles, both spoken and written teaching. The English verb received implies that someone else gave what they received. God gave the gospel to the apostles and believers.

In some languages the words “take” and “receive” are translated by the same verb. In some languages this verb does not imply that someone else gave something. Your translation should imply or indicate that God gave the gospel. For example:

the teaching that you were given and that you heard (Contemporary English Version)

Hearing the gospel comes before accepting it. In some languages it is more natural to place the word “hearing” first. For example:

what you heard and received/accepted

3:3b

Keep it: Here the phrase Keep it refers to following the gospel (what the believers had received) and valuing it. See how you translated this Greek word (Berean Standard Bible: “obey”) in 1:3.

repent: This word refers to changing one’s mind and actions. Jesus wanted the people in the church at Sardis to stop sinning and begin obeying God. Other ways to translate this are:

turn to me again (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
change your hearts ⌊and lives⌋
-or-
leave the ways of sin ⌊and follow the ways of God⌋

See how you translated this word in 2:5.

3:3c

I will come like a thief: This phrase refers to approaching someone in a way that this person does not notice him. The way Jesus will come like a thief is explained in 3:3d. Jesus will come unexpectedly, like thieves do. The phrase like a thief does not mean he will come to steal.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that Jesus will come to steal. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use the example that people in your language use for someone or something unexpected and unwelcome. For example, there might be a saying for someone who conducts surprise inspections or examinations. You may then want to explain the Greek word in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Literally: “thief.” Here the words “come like a thief” means “come unexpectedly.”

• Clearly indicate that 3:3d explains 3:3c. For example:

I will come like a thief, that is, 3d you will not know at what time I will come to you.

• Translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:

I will come unexpectedly

You may then want a footnote to explain the literal words. An example footnote is:

Literally: “I will come like a thief.” Here these words indicates that Jesus will come unexpectedly.

3:3d

you will not know: The Greek clause has two words that mean “not.” This emphasizes the meaning of not. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

you will not know in any way
-or-
you will have no clue

hour: Here this word refers generally to the moment when Jesus would come to them.

I will come upon you: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as upon probably means “against” here. Jesus will come against those at Sardis who do not repent. He will come to punish them. Use the way that is natural in your language to indicate this. For example:

I will come against you (English Standard Version)

© 2020 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.