SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 2002 – Page 9

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 1:9

Paragraph 1:9–11

Paul prayed that the Philippians would love one another more and more, and would be pure and blameless so that other people would honor and praise God.

1:9a

And this is my prayer: In 1:4 Paul said he prayed for the Philippians. Here in 1:9–11 he told them specifically what he was praying. If in your language it is necessary to translate prayer with a verb, use a verb tense that gives the idea of habitual action in the present: “I pray (regularly, habitually, repeatedly)….”

that your love may abound more and more: Some languages have a special way to mark the content of a wish or a prayer. For example, in English we use the auxiliary verb may. If you have such a marker, you should use it here.

love: The Greek text, like most English translations, does not make it clear whom the Philippians were to love. The text could refer to loving one another or it could refer to loving God. Paul was probably including both ideas. Therefore, if possible you should not say in your translation whom the Philippians were to love. Then your readers will understand that it includes both these ideas. However, if you must provide an object, it is recommended that you say that the Philippians were to love one another.

abound more and more: The verb abound here means “grow” or “increase.” In some languages love cannot “grow,” but there may be another idiom for love becoming stronger or more intense. Or, if you cannot use an idiom, you could try expressing this meaning as

You already love each other a little, now love each other a lot.

Paul used the phrase abound more and more to emphasize that he desired the Philippians’ love to grow.

1:9b

knowledge and depth of insight: Commentators understand this phrase in two main ways:

(1) The phrase knowledge and depth of insight refers to two things that Paul wanted to see increase along with the Philippians’ love.

(2) The phrase knowledge and depth of insight shows the way in which their love needed to grow, that is, the Philippians were to grow in love that had knowledge and depth of insight.

Either interpretation is possible. The Display follows the first interpretation (1). However, if you prefer to follow the second (2), you could say:

that you will continue loving more and more in a way that is wise and discerning

knowledge: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as knowledge is related to a verb that means “to know something truly or completely.” Paul did not specify what sort of knowledge he was talking about. It could refer to:

(1) understanding God and how he wants us to behave. For example:

that you will fully know and understand how to make the right choices (1:9b-10a, Contemporary English Version)

(2) knowledge of the truth in general. For example:

true knowledge (Good News Translation)

If you must be explicit, then choose the first option (1), that is, Paul was referring to knowing God and what God wants us to do.

depth of insight: This is literally “all judgment/discernment.” This phrase means to understand all kinds of things in a spiritual sense, to know what is true and right in every situation. This idea continues in 1:10.

© 2002 by SIL International®
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SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 1:8

1:8

In the Greek this verse begins with a connecting word meaning “for.” The Berean Standard Bible does not translate this word, but if it is natural in your language, you may use such a connecting word here.

God is my witness: Paul used this phrase when there was no human witness, and especially when he was referring to his thoughts, feelings and attitudes. He meant that God was his witness and could verify that he was telling the truth. He said this five times in his letters when he was talking about how he felt, or when he was showing that he was dedicated to his Lord (also in Romans 1:9; 2 Corinthians 1:23; 1 Thessalonians 2:5, 2:10). You could translate the phrase God is my witness as “God will tell you” or simply as “God knows.” In some translations this phrase is at the end of the verse. See 1:8 in the Display.

I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus: Just as Jesus cared for the Philippians, so Paul cared for them. He cared so deeply for them that he strongly desired to be with them again.

I long for all of you: This refers mainly to Paul’s desire to see the Philippians again. He wanted to visit them again in order to help them grow in their faith, but this reason is probably not the focus here.

the affection of Christ Jesus: The Greek word splanchna, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as affection, literally means “insides of the body,” that is, heart, liver, lungs, kidneys. Greek people considered that these parts of the body were the source of emotions and feeling. They used splanchna to refer to their emotions, much as English-speaking people use the word “heart.”

The entire Greek phrase used here refers to the deep, sincere love that Jesus Christ had for other people. Christ gave Paul the ability to love others in the same way. Therefore, by saying, “I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus,” Paul was saying, “I long for all of you with the love that Jesus Christ has given me.” Another possible translations is:

I long for you because Christ Jesus has caused me to love you.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 1:7

1:7a

In Greek this verse begins with a conjunction meaning “just as, for.” The Berean Standard Bible moves it to the beginning of 1:7b to make more natural English, but if it is more natural in your language to use such a connection in 1:7a, you should do so.

It is right: This means “it is proper, it is appropriate, it is good.” In some languages it may be better to put it in the negative; for example, “it is not strange.”

feel this way: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates feel is translated as “think” in most contexts. It refers to the activity of the mind and will, and is not just an emotion. The phrase this way refers back to all the things that Paul had said about why he was thankful for the Philippians in 1:3–6.

I have you in my heart: This Greek idiom means “I love you very much.”

1:7b–c

For in my chains and in my defense and confirmation of the gospel: The Greek is literally “in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.” Neither the Greek nor the Berean Standard Bible translation means that Paul was in prison at one time and proclaimed the gospel at another time. Even while he was in prison, he was proclaiming the gospel. It is therefore better not to follow the Good News Translation here (“both now that I am in prison and also while I was free to defend…”).

1:7b

in my chains: The phrase in…chains translates a Greek idiom for being in prison. But it also implies that the guards literally tied Paul up or chained him to something so he could not escape.

1:7c

my defense and confirmation of the gospel: It is possible to interpret this phrase two ways:

(1) It refers to a court trial. Paul defended the gospel and proved its truth in a Roman court.

(2) It refers more generally to any time Paul was explaining the gospel and showing why it was true.

Paul may have had both of these in mind, and in some languages the translation can allow for both interpretations. However, if you must choose, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

my defense…of the gospel: This means that Paul was explaining why the gospel was not false. He tried to remove objections and to show that criticisms of the gospel were wrong.

confirmation of the gospel: This means basically the same thing as “defense…of the gospel,” but from a positive angle: Paul was explaining why the gospel was true. In your translation, you may need to combine the ideas “defense” and confirmation into one phrase. For example:

explaining to enemies of the good news why it is true beyond doubt

1:7d

you are all partners in grace with me: In Greek this literally says “sharers of me of grace.” It is therefore not clear how the word meaning “of me” (or “my”) is connected to the rest of the phrase. There are two possibilities:

(1) It is connected to the word “sharers.” This means that Paul and the Philippians shared together in God’s grace. The word grace thus refers to God’s goodness toward Paul and the Philippians, a goodness that he showed in letting them work for him. For example:

We have shared together the blessings of God (New Living Translation (2004))

(2) It is connected to the word grace. In this case “my” grace means the special grace that God gave to Paul as an apostle. The Philippians shared in Paul’s grace by supporting him financially. For example:

All of you have helped in the work that God has given me (Contemporary English Version)

It is recommended that you follow the first interpretation (1). God was kind to both Paul and the Philippians and gave them the privilege of working together to spread the gospel.

General Comment on 1:7b–d

It may be clearer in some languages to alter the order of the phrases in 1:7b–d and to place 1:7d before 1:7b–c. One way to do this would be:

God is kindly allowing us to work together ⌊in telling the good news about Jesus Christ,⌋ whether I am in prison or whether I am defending the good news and proving/showing that the good news is true.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 1:6

1:6a

being confident: This means “being sure” or “strongly believing.” In many languages it may be helpful to begin a new sentence here and to translate this as “I am confident” or “I am certain” or “I am convinced.”

of this: This is an emphatic phrase, literally, “of this very thing.” This phrase is pointing forward to what follows: Paul is sure about what God will continue to do. Some English translations (for example, Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New Century Version, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004)) either do not translate this phrase or understand it as emphasizing “confident.” For example:

quite confident (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
I’m convinced (God’s Word)

But most commentators and translations understand this phrase to be emphasizing what Paul is confident about (Berean Standard Bible, NET Bible, New International Version, Revised English Bible, New Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, King James Version). If in your language it is possible to place emphasis on what Paul is sure of, that would be appropriate here.

He who began a good work in you: He refers to God. There are two interpretations of the good work that he began:

(1) The good work that God began was the salvation and new life that God gave them when they believed the gospel. When the Philippians received the gospel, God did something in them that changed who they were.

(2) The good work that God began was their work of cooperating in the spread of the gospel. This understanding is signaled by the insertion of the word “this” in Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, and God’s Word. For example:

God, who began this good work in you (Good News Translation)

Most translations do not insert the word “this” and so are probably following the first interpretation. It is recommended that, along with the majority of commentators, you also follow first interpretation (1).

In some languages it may be necessary to translate the noun work with a verb:

The one who has begun to do something good in you….

In some languages it may also be necessary to express the idea began as a marker on the following verb (“work,” “make” or “do”) instead of as a separate word.

1:6b

will carry it on to completion: In the Greek this is a single verb meaning “will complete, finish, accomplish.” God began the good work of salvation within the Philippians and would continue to work in them to change them into godly people. In some languages the best way to express the idea of “complete” or completion will be to put it in a sentence at the end of the verse. For example:

God will continue doing this good work in you until Christ Jesus returns. At that time it will be complete.

until the day of Christ Jesus: The Greek word achri translated by the Berean Standard Bible as until has been understood in two ways:

(1) It means “until.” God will keep on finishing what he has begun until the time when Christ returns. At that time his work will be complete. (Berean Standard Bible)

(2) It means “at” or “on.” God will complete his work on the day that Christ returns. (Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Compare a similar phrase in 1:10 and the notes there.

the day of Christ Jesus: This refers to the time Christ will come back. You could translate it as “when Christ Jesus returns to the earth.” This phrase occurs three times in Philippians (see also 1:10 and 2:16) and in several other New Testament passages.

Christ Jesus: There is a textual problem with this part of the verse. Different Greek manuscripts say different things. The two possible readings are:

(1) Some versions have Christ Jesus (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004), NET Bible)

(2) Some versions have “Jesus Christ”. (Revised Standard Version, New Century Version, New Jerusalem Bible)

The meaning is the same, but the reading Christ Jesus has the best manuscript support and it is recommended that you follow it (1).

General Comment on 1:6

It may be necessary in some languages to put the words of this verse in a different order. For example:

God has begun a good work in you, and I am confident that he will keep on completing it until the day of Christ Jesus.
-or-
I am sure that God will keep on doing this good work that he has started in you until Christ Jesus returns. Then it will be complete.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 1:5

1:5a

because of your partnership in the gospel: This phrase has been understood in two ways:

(1) It gives the reason why Paul prayed with joy. (Berean Standard Bible)

(2) It gives the reason why Paul thanked God (in 1:3). Many commentaries follow this interpretation. (Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow the first interpretation (1).

Commentators agree that the phrase your partnership in the gospel refers to the Philippians helping Paul to proclaim the gospel through giving money, praying, encouraging others and by proclaiming it themselves. See “fellowship”, sense A2 in Key Biblical Terms.

gospel: The Greek word translated as gospel means “good news.” See “gospel” in Key Biblical Terms. Look for a common phrase in your language that means “good news.” Other ways to translate it are:

God’s good news
-or-
the good message

1:5b

from the first day until now: This means “from the first time ⌊you heard the gospel and believed it⌋ until now.” There is a similar reference in 4:15b (literally, “in the beginning of the gospel”). The two phrases both mean that as soon as they had accepted the gospel, the Philippians immediately began to cooperate with Paul in spreading the gospel to others. It will probably be helpful for you to make explicit in your translation the implied information that the first day means the time the Philippians first believed the gospel. For example:

from the first day you believed (New Century Version)

until now: This means “you are still doing it.” It does not mean they stopped helping Paul at the time when he wrote the letter. They were continuing to help him at that time.

General Comment on 1:5

In some languages it may be better to reverse 1:5a and 1:5b, and put the time phrase earlier in the verse. For example:

⌊ I pray with joy⌋because ever since you first ⌊accepted the gospel⌋ and until now, you have been partners with me in spreading the gospel.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 1:4

1:4

In 1:3–4 Paul strongly emphasized that he was happy and thankful for the Philippians. In Greek emphasis could be shown by repetition, and in these verses Paul repeated the idea of “all” (every time, all my prayers, all of you, always) and the idea of “prayer.” Try to find a natural way to show this emphasis in your language.

In every prayer for all of you, I always pray with joy: Paul meant that whenever he prayed for the Philippians, he prayed for all of them with joy. The emphasis of the verse is on Paul’s joy. Make sure your translation does not imply that sometimes Paul only prayed for some of the Philippians and then he was not joyful. It may be necessary to make the meaning clear by saying something like:

Every time I pray for you, I ask God to help all of you and I always rejoice.

In every prayer: This is literally “in every prayer of mine.” It could be translated as “every time I pray.” It may indicate that Paul prayed for the Philippians at each of his set times of prayer.

prayer…pray: In Greek these are both the noun meaning “supplication.” It may be necessary to translate both of them with a verb meaning “to pray, beg, ask God for help.” Paul was asking God to help the Philippians. The word you use for prayer should include the concept of asking God for something.

Although the word for prayer occurs twice in the original Greek, in your language it may be unnatural to repeat the word. If that is the case, perhaps the same meaning can be obtained by using one verb or two synonyms (see Display).

with joy: This means “with happiness,” “joyfully” or “because I am happy.”

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 1:3

Section 1:3–11

Paul thanked God for the Philippians and prayed for them

In 1:3–11 Paul thanked God for the Philippian believers. He told them that he prayed for them and loved them very much.

Paragraph 1:3–8

Paul told the Philippians that he often thanked God for them and prayed for them. They were a great help to him in preaching the gospel, and Paul loved them deeply.

1:3

I thank my God: In some languages it is not possible to say “I thank God.” What a person says to God must be in direct speech. For example:

I say ‘thank you’ to God.

I: If you used “we” as the subject of any verbs in 1:1 and 1:2, make sure that it is clear that the subject of this verse is Paul alone.

my God: This refers to the God Paul worshiped, the God to whom he belonged. In many languages it is not possible to say my God, as if a person could own God. Possible ways of translating this are “the God I worship” and “God, my Lord.”

every time I remember you: The word remember here does not mean for someone to remember someone he had forgotten. It means to think about someone again.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 1:2

1:2

Grace and peace to you: In the early days of Christianity many people used this sort of Christian greeting. It was like a prayer or a blessing. You may need to use the verb “pray” or “ask/request God” in your translation. For example:

We pray that God will give you grace and peace.”

Even if in your language you normally translate Grace or peace as a long phrase, you may want to use something shorter in a Christian greeting like this. Here Paul was not actually teaching about Grace and peace, and so it may not be necessary to include all the elements normally associated with these terms.

Grace: The Greek word charis that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Grace here means “favor, goodwill, kindness, blessing.” See “grace” in Key Biblical Terms. Paul wanted God to show kindness and favor to the Philippian Christians. This is an important term in the New Testament, although it appears only three times in Philippians (see also 1:7 and 4:23). In some languages it may be necessary to translate the noun Grace as a verb. So you might translate the phrase “Grace…to you” in the following ways:

I pray that God will be very good to you.
-or-
May God act favorably toward you.

peace: The Greek word eirēnē that the Berean Standard Bible translates as peace means “well-being” or “absence of conflict.” It refers mainly to peace with God but may also have the secondary meanings of peace with man and peace of heart (a person’s own inner peace). See “peace” in Key Biblical Terms.

you: The Greek form here is plural. This pronoun appears frequently throughout the book of Philippians and (except for 4:3) is always plural, because Paul was addressing the letter to all the Philippian Christians.

our Father: God is called our Father because he is the one who gives us both physical and spiritual life. He loves us as a father does and has adopted us as his children. We are to love, trust and obey him as children do their earthly fathers.

our: In this letter Paul almost always includes the Philippian Christians as well as himself when he says “us” or our. See the note on “we” in 3:17b for an exception to this.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 2002