SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 2016 – Page 19

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 6:14

6:14a

But as for me, may I never: Paul began verse 6:14 with a phrase that emphatically contrasted his actions with the actions of the false teachers. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

But may I never (NET Bible)
-or-
But far be it from me (English Standard Version)
-or-
But it’s unthinkable for me

boast: The word boast is the same word as in 6:13c.

6:14b

except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ: This clause means that Paul will only boast about Christ’s death on the cross to save us. This refers to the complete gospel message of Christ’s death as the means of justification.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

about anything except ?the death of? our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross ?for salvation?
-or-

?I will only boast about? our Lord Jesus Christ ?dying on? the cross ?for us? .
-or-

?The death of? our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross ?to save us? is the only thing ?I will boast about? .

To many people, the cross was something to be ashamed of. But to Paul, it was something to be proud of.

our Lord Jesus Christ: In this phrase, the words Lord and Christ are titles for Jesus. In some languages, it may be necessary to make this clearer. For example:

our Lord the Christ Jesus
-or-
Jesus our Lord and Christ
-or-
our Lord Jesus. He is the Christ/Messiah

6:14c

through which: This phrase means “by means of the cross” or “because of the cross.” As in 6:14b, the phrase “the cross” represents Christ’s death on the cross.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

By his cross (God’s Word)
-or-
by means of his cross (Good News Translation)
-or-
Because of his cross (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Because of his death on the cross

the world: The phrase the world refers to values that exclude God. It also refers to everyone and everything that oppose God.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

values of the world
-or-
influences of the world
-or-
what people of the world value
-or-
the evil things that people in the world do

has been crucified to me: In this context, the word crucified is a figure of speech. It refers to “dying” to the world or “no longer being influenced by” the world. Paul used it to show clearly the separation between himself and the world. The world no longer had influence or power over him. He no longer valued or wanted the things that the world wants.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

is dead to me
-or-
my interest in this world died (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
the world is dead as far as I am concerned (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
I no longer value/want the things of the world

6:14d

and I to the world: The complete form of this phrase is “and I have been crucified to the world.” This continues the figure of speech. It means “I am like a dead person to the world.” In other words, the world does not value or want what is important to Paul.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

and the world’s interest in me is also…dead (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
and I am dead as far as the world is concerned (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the world no longer values/wants what I value/want.

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
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SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 6:15

6:15a

For: Verse 6:15 further explains what Paul said in 6:14. Paul explained that being dead to the world means that the things of the world, such as circumcision, are no longer important. The Greek introduces this explanation with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For.

Many English versions do not translate this conjunction. In some languages, it may not be necessary to translate this conjunction either.

neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything: In Greek, this clause is more literally “neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision.” The Berean Standard Bible adds the word means to make the meaning clearer. It does not matter whether a person is circumcised or not. Paul had said this in 5:6 as well.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

It is not important if a man is circumcised or uncircumcised. (New Century Version)
-or-
Certainly, it doesn’t matter whether a person is circumcised or not. (God’s Word)
-or-
Circumcision is of no value, neither is not being circumcised of any value.

6:15b

What counts is a new creation: The phrase a new creation refers to the new creatures/people that God makes. God completely changes a person when he becomes a believer. The important thing is the change that God makes in believers. They live their lives through the power of the Spirit.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

All that matters is that you are a new person. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
what does matter is being a new creature (Good News Translation)
-or-
The important thing is being the new people God has made. (New Century Version)
-or-
What counts is whether we really have been changed into new and different people. (New Living Translation (1996))

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 6:16

6:16

In 6:16, the Berean Standard Bible does not follow the order of the Greek clauses. Other versions, such as the English Standard Version, do follow the Greek order. In some languages it will be more natural to follow the Greek clause order and in some languages it will be more natural to use the same clause order as the Berean Standard Bible. Compare the order of the Berean Standard Bible and English Standard Version below.

b Peace and mercy a to all who walk by this rule, c even to the Israel of God. (Berean Standard Bible)

a And as for all who walk by this rule, b peace and mercy be upon them, c and upon the Israel of God. (English Standard Version)

6:16a

Peace and mercy to all: In this clause, Paul wished/prayed that God would bless those who live as a new creation in Christ. The word Peace refers to God’s gift of wholeness and well-being. The word mercy refers to God’s kindness and compassion.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

may ?God? show them undeserved kindness and bless them with peace
-or-
peace be on them, and mercy (King James Version)
-or-

?God’s? peace and mercy be upon them
-or-

?I ask God to? give them peace ?in their hearts? and pity/mercy

Peace: The Jewish concept of Peace includes both an absence of war and a state of well-being, safety, health, and economic prosperity. All this comes from God for those who are in a relationship with him.

Few languages will have a word for “peace” that is as broad as the Jewish concept. Some languages will have a word to describe the absence of war or conflict and a different word to describe a general state of well-being. If possible, choose your word that has the broadest range of meaning. (If you must make a choice, a word that describes a state of well-being is preferable in this context.)

Some other ways to translate this word are:

well-being
-or-
good situation
-or-
harmony

The word for Peace first occurs in 1:3.

mercy: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as mercy refers to God showing kindness, compassion, or pity on people because they suffer or are needy. Mercy has a similar meaning to the word “grace.” But “grace” focuses more on the goodness of God towards people even when they do not deserve it.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

pity
-or-
compassion

This is the only time in Galatians that the word “mercy” occurs.

6:16b

who walk by this rule: This clause refers to “everyone who follows this rule/principle.” This is the rule/principle that is in 6:15: what is important is the new creation, not circumcision.

Here the word rule does not refer to a rule or commandment in the law of Moses.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

As for those who follow this rule in their lives (Good News Translation)
-or-
all those who live by this principle (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
Everyone who follows what I just said
-or-
All who walk according to this teaching

6:16c

even to the Israel of God: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as even.

(1) It means even or that is. According to this interpretation, the phrase the Israel of God is another way to talk about “those who walk by this rule.” It is the same group of people described in two ways. Believers are the spiritual Israel. For example:

They are the Israel of God. (God’s Word)

(2) It means and or also. According to this interpretation, the phrase the Israel of God refers to a different group of people than “those who walk by this rule.” There are two groups. For example:

may peace and mercy be with them—with them and with all of God’s people (Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This is the most common interpretation of this verse.

the Israel of God: This phrase refers to those who are children of Abraham by faith. It includes all Jews and Gentiles who believe in Jesus Christ for salvation. These believers are those who walk as a new creation in Christ. These people are the true sons of Abraham and thus the true Israel. (See 3:29.)

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

the true Israel of God (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
to God’s true people (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the ?true? Israel, ?the people? of God ?who believe in Christ?

Israel: The word Israel refers to God’s chosen people. Abraham had a son named Jacob. Jacob was also called Israel. God gave Israel twelve sons who became the twelve tribes of Israel, that is, the Jewish nation. This nation was also called Israel. God set that nation apart as his people.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 6:17

Paragraph 6:17

6:17a

From now on: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as From now on is literally “of the remainder.” There are two ways to interpret this phrase:

(1) It means from now on (and continuing into the future). For example:

From now on, don’t let anyone trouble me (New Living Translation (2004))

(2) It means Finally. For example:

Finally, let no one cause me trouble (New International Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The majority of commentators and most English versions follow this interpretation.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

Beginning from now
-or-
Starting today

let no one cause me trouble: This clause is a command from Paul to the Galatians. He commands them to stop causing him problems. They had already caused him enough trouble. They should stop causing him trouble by no longer following the false teachers.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

do not give me any more trouble (New Century Version)
-or-
do not cause me to suffer anymore

6:17b

for: Verse 6:17b is the basis for the command in 6:17a not to cause Paul any more trouble. The Greek introduces the basis for this command with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translate as for.

Some English versions do not translate this conjunction. For example:

I have scars on my body that show I belong to Christ Jesus. (New Century Version)

In some languages, it will not be necessary to translate this conjunction either.

In other languages, it will be more natural to put the basis for the command before the command itself. For example:

b On my own body are scars that prove I belong to Christ Jesus. a So I don’t want anyone to bother me anymore. (Contemporary English Version)

I bear on my body the marks of Jesus: The phrase the marks of Jesus refer to the physical scars that Paul had on his body. He got these scars because he was beaten for preaching the true gospel of Jesus.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

I have scars on my body that show I belong to Christ Jesus. (New Century Version)
-or-
On my own body are scars that prove I belong to Christ Jesus. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
I have scars on my body. These scars are ?from people beating me because I preach about? Jesus.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 6:18

Paragraph 6:18

Verse 6:18 is Paul’s final prayer for the Galatians. He prayed that they would enjoy the gracious presence of Jesus in their lives.

6:18a

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: The word grace means “favor” or “good will.” Paul’s prayer for the Galatians was that they would know God’s favor and blessing.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

?I pray that? the grace/favor of our Lord Jesus Christ
-or-

?May? Jesus our Lord the Christ/Messiah bless

See grace, Meaning 1 in the Glossary.

our Lord Jesus Christ: This phrase is the same phrase as in 6:14b. As there, the words Lord and Christ are titles. In some language, it will be necessary to make it clear that these words are titles. For example:

our Lord the Christ Jesus
-or-
Jesus our Lord the Christ/Messiah

be with your spirit: The words your spirit refer to the Galatians. In many languages, it will be clearer to simply says “be with you.” For example:

be with you all (Good News Translation)

In some languages, it will be natural to combine this phrase with the word “grace.” For example:

I pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you! (Contemporary English Version)

brothers: As in 6:1a, the word brothers refers to all the believers in Galatia. It includes both men and women.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

brothers and sisters (NET Bible)
-or-
my fellow believers
-or-
my friends (Good News Translation)

In some languages, it will be more natural to put this word first in the verse. For example:

My dear brothers and sisters, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. (New Living Translation (1996))

6:18b

Amen: The word Amen means “let it be so.” Many languages transliterate this word.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

Let it be so.
-or-
May it be so.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 2016

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 6:14

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 6:15

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 6:16

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 6:17

SIL Translator’s Notes on Galatians 6:18

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