OET interlinear ROM 1:32

1:32a–c

Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death, they not only continue to do these things: The word Although indicates that the clause they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death is true. It also indicates that despite that being true, these people did such things anyway (the meaning of the clause they not only continue to do these things that is important here). Here are other ways to indicate this connection:

Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them (ESV)

They know that God’s law says that people who live in this way deserve death. Yet, not only do they continue to do these very things (GNT)

It is true that they know God’s decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, but they not only do them

1:32a

they know: The Greek word that the BSB translates as know often implies knowing something well. These people were not unsure; they knew full well what God has commanded and that the people who do those things Paul listed in 1:29–31 are worthy of God killing them for those deeds. For example:

they fully know (NET)

It implies that people are without excuse when they do those bad things. But in many languages know clearly indicates that, without adding “fully” here.

God’s righteous decree: The word decree here refers to people knowing such people are worthy of death and that it is God who will cause that punishment of death to be carried out. That knowledge is based on what they learned about God from looking at the world (1:20). Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

God’s statement

God has said that (CEV)

The word decree probably does not refer only to the laws that God gave Moses in the Old Testament.Schreiner (page 99) says, “Gentiles, without specifically having the Mosaic law, are aware of the moral requirements contained in that law.” Do not translate this phrase in any way that only indicates the Laws of Moses.

decree: The word decree refers to a rule of “do not do this” or “do that.” See the examples above.

1:32b

do such things: Here the Greek word that the BSB translates as do refers simply to doing something. Here are other ways to translate this word:

are doing those things/deeds

live in those ways

such things: This phrase refers to the evil deeds listed in 1:28–31.Moo (page 121). See the examples above.

are worthy of death: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as worthy of death indicates that the right thing to happen is that the people who do those evil deeds should die because they did them. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

should die (NCV)

fit to be punished by deathUma Back Translation on TW.

God will mark them for deathYongkom Back Translation, by this author, unpublished manuscript.

God says that…they will perishLevatbura Lamasong Back Translation, Papua New Guinea, in progress.

1:32c

1:32c–d

they not only continue to do these things, but also approve of those who practice them: The words not only…but indicate that these people do both things (continue to do these things and approve of those who practice them). It also emphasizes the second thing.Some scholars think that encouraging others to sin is worse than doing the sin themselves. But Fitzmyer says, “The approval of such sins in the conduct of others is just as sinful as if one were doing them oneself.” Here are other ways to translate these words:

they continue to do these things, and even more, approve of those who practice them

yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them (NLT)

But they keep on doing evil things, and they even encourage others to do them. (CEV)

they continue to do them nonetheless. And not only that, but they also praise/honor other people who do things like that.Kankanaey Back Translation on TW.

they…continue to do these things: The Greek word that the BSB translates as do indicates that these people do them more than once, probably many times. For example:

they…continue to do them

they still do behavior like thatUma Back Translation on TW.

1:32d

approve of: Here this phrase indicates that these people agree that other people should do the same as they and say it is good. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

they are very happy to seeTagbanwa Back Translation on TW.

happily agree with

practice: Here the word practice refers to doing something often, as in 1:32b.