The word translated unbelievers (so also Revised Standard Version, Jerusalem Bible, New English Bible) is literally “those … who are disobedient” (An American Translation*). The same verb is used in 11.30, 31, and is there translated by the Good News Translation with the meaning of “disobedient.” In 2.8 the Good News Bible translates it “reject (what is right).” In the present context the meaning of “unbelieving” or of “refusing to believe” seems to be primary. It is a reference to non-Christian Jews. That I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea may be translated as “that those in Judea who do not believe in Jesus Christ may not harm me.”

Although the phrase in Jerusalem is literally “into (Greek eis) Jerusalem” (Revised Standard Version “for Jerusalem”; New English Bible “to Jerusalem”), the meaning seems best represented by the preposition in.

On God’s people (literally “saints”), see verse 25 above and 1.7.

There, though not appearing in the Greek text, is added in accordance with the demands of English grammar.

The second clause of verse 31 may be somewhat altered in the order of its components parts: “and that God’s people in Jerusalem may be happy to receive my help for them” or “… what I have done to help them.”

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 .