ROM 15:8 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT For I say that Christ has become a servant of the circumcision because of the truth of God, to confirm the promises of the fathers,

UST Indeed, I, Paul, am telling you that the Messiah Jesus serves the circumcised Jews because of how trustworthy God is. He did this in order to secure what God had promised to the Jewish forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

BSB For I tell [you that] Christ has become a servant of [the] circumcised on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs,

MSB Now[fn] I tell [you that] Christ Jesus[fn] has become a servant of [the] circumcised on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs,

BLB For I declare Christ to have become a servant of the circumcision for the truth of God, in order to confirm the promises given to the fathers,

AICNT For I say that Christ [[Jesus]][fn] has become a servant of the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God, to confirm the promises given to the fathers,

15:8, Jesus: Later manuscripts add. BYZ TR

OEB For I tell you that Christ, in vindication of God’s truthfulness, has become a minister of the covenant of circumcision, so that he may fulfil the promises made to our ancestors,

WEBBE Now I say that Christ has been made a servant of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises given to the fathers,

WMBB Now I say that Messiah has been made a servant of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises given to the fathers,

NET For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of God’s truth to confirm the promises made to the fathers,

LSV And I say Jesus Christ to have become a servant of circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises to the fathers,

FBV I maintain that Christ came as a servant to the Jews[fn] to show God tells the truth, keeping the promises he made to their forefathers.

15:8 Literally, “of circumcision.”

TCNT [fn]Now I say that [fn]Christ Jesus has become a servant to the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order to confirm the promises that were made to the fathers,

15:8 Now ¦ For CT

15:8 Christ Jesus ¦ Jesus Christ TR ¦ Christ CT

T4T I want you to remember that Christ helped us Jews [MTY] by what he did, in order to show that God ◄is faithful/does what he says he will do►. That is, his coming as our Messiah fulfilled what God promised to our Jewish ancestors.

LEB For I say, Christ has become a servant of the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God, in order to confirm the promises to the fathers,

BBE Now I say that Christ has been made a servant of the circumcision to give effect to the undertakings given by God to the fathers,

Moff Christ, I mean, became a servant to the circumcised in order to prove God's honesty by fulfilling His promises to the fathers,

Wymth My meaning is that Christ has become a servant to the people of Israel in vindication of God's truthfulness— in showing how sure are the promises made to our forefathers—

ASV For I say that Christ hath been made a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises given unto the fathers,

DRA For I say that Christ Jesus was minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers.

YLT And I say Jesus Christ to have become a ministrant of circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises to the fathers,

Drby For I say that Jesus Christ became a minister of [the] circumcision for [the] truth of [fn]God, to confirm the promises of the fathers;

15.8 Elohim

RV For I say that Christ hath been made a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises given unto the fathers,
(For I say that Christ hath/has been made a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises given unto the fathers, )

SLT And I say Jesus Christ has become the servant of circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises of the fathers:

Wbstr Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers:

KJB-1769 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:

KJB-1611 Now I say, that Iesus Christ was a Minister of the circumcision for the trueth of God, to confirme the promises made vnto the fathers:
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from capitalisation and punctuation)

Bshps And I say, that Iesus Christe was a minister of the circumcisio for the trueth of God, to confirme the promise made vnto the fathers:
(And I say, that Yesus/Yeshua Christ was a minister of the circumcisio for the truth of God, to confirm the promise made unto the fathers:)

Gnva Nowe I say, that Iesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision, for the trueth of God, to confirme the promises made vnto the fathers.
(Now I say, that Yesus/Yeshua Christ was a minister of the circumcision, for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers. )

Cvdl But I saye that Christ Iesus was a mynister of the circumcision for the trueth of God, to cofirme the promyses made vnto the fathers,
(But I say that Christ Yesus/Yeshua was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to cofirme the promises made unto the fathers,)

TNT And I saye that Iesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the trueth of god to conferme the promyses made vnto the fathers.
(And I say that Yesus/Yeshua Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of god to confirm the promises made unto the fathers. )

Wycl For Y seie, that Jhesu Crist was a mynystre of circumcisioun for the treuthe of God, to conferme the biheestis of fadris.
(For I say, that Yhesu Christ was a minister of circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the behests/promises of fathers.)

Luth Ich sage aber, daß JEsus Christus sei ein Diener gewesen der Beschneidung um der Wahrheit willen Gottes, zu bestätigen die Verheißung, den Vätern geschehen,
(I said but, that Yesus Christ be a servant been the/of_the Beschneidung around/by/for the/of_the truth will God’s, to/for confirm/validate the promise(n), the fathers happen,)

ClVg Dico enim Christum Jesum ministrum fuisse circumcisionis propter veritatem Dei, ad confirmandas promissiones patrum:[fn]
(Sayo because Christ/Messiah Yesus ministrum to_have_been circumcision because the_truth of_God, to confirmandas promises of_the_fathers: )

15.8 Circumcisionis. Id est Judæorum ad quos corporaliter venit; unde: Non sum missus nisi ad oves quæ perierunt domus Isræl Matth. 15.. Propter veritatem. Non repulit Judæos, quibus proprie veritas, gentibus misericordia, quibus nulla promissio facta erat. Promissiones. Promiserat enim Abrahæ: In semine tuo benedicentur omnes gentes Gen. 22.. Et David: De fructu ventris tui ponam super sedem tuam Psalm. 131.. Et item Jacob dixit: Orietur stella ex Jacob Num. 24..

15.8 Circumcisionis. That it_is Jews to which physically/bodily he_came; from_where/who: Not/No I_am missus except to sheep which they_perished home Israel Matth. 15.. Because the_truth. Not/No repulit Yudahos, to_whom properly the_truth, nations mercy, to_whom none promise facts was. Promissiones. Promiserat because Abrahæ: In with_seed your they_will_blessur everyone people/nations Gen. 22.. And David: From/About fruit belly yours(sg) I_will_put over seat tuam Psalm. 131.. And item Yacob he/she_said: Orietur star from Yacob Num. 24..

UGNT λέγω γὰρ Χριστὸν διάκονον γεγενῆσθαι περιτομῆς ὑπὲρ ἀληθείας Θεοῦ, εἰς τὸ βεβαιῶσαι τὰς ἐπαγγελίας τῶν πατέρων
(legō gar Ⱪriston diakonon gegenaʸsthai peritomaʸs huper alaʸtheias Theou, eis to bebaiōsai tas epangelias tōn paterōn)

SBL-GNT λέγω ⸀γὰρ ⸀Χριστὸν διάκονον ⸀γεγενῆσθαι περιτομῆς ὑπὲρ ἀληθείας θεοῦ, εἰς τὸ βεβαιῶσαι τὰς ἐπαγγελίας τῶν πατέρων,
(legō ⸀gar ⸀Ⱪriston diakonon ⸀gegenaʸsthai peritomaʸs huper alaʸtheias theou, eis to bebaiōsai tas epangelias tōn paterōn,)

RP-GNT Λέγω δέ, χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν διάκονον γεγενῆσθαι περιτομῆς ὑπὲρ ἀληθείας θεοῦ, εἰς τὸ βεβαιῶσαι τὰς ἐπαγγελίας τῶν πατέρων·
(Legō de, ⱪriston Yaʸsoun diakonon gegenaʸsthai peritomaʸs huper alaʸtheias theou, eis to bebaiōsai tas epangelias tōn paterōn;)

TC-GNT Λέγω [fn]δέ, [fn]Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν διάκονον γεγενῆσθαι περιτομῆς ὑπὲρ ἀληθείας Θεοῦ, εἰς τὸ βεβαιῶσαι τὰς ἐπαγγελίας τῶν πατέρων·
(Legō de, Ⱪriston Yaʸsoun diakonon gegenaʸsthai peritomaʸs huper alaʸtheias Theou, eis to bebaiōsai tas epangelias tōn paterōn; )

15:8 δε ¦ γαρ CT

15:8 χριστον ιησουν ¦ ιησουν χριστον TR ¦ χριστον CT

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 15:1–13: Believers should help one another

In this section, Paul said that believers who are strong, as he defined “strong” in 14:1–9, should help believers who are weak (also as in 14:1–9). The strong are to encourage the weak, with the result that all may have hope in God.

Paul prayed that God would help the believers, strong and weak, to live in unity and glorify God.

Paul urged the believers to always welcome one another, because doing that glorifies God. Jesus served the Jews to show that God’s word was true and confirm his promises, which in turn encourages the non-Jews to glorify God for his mercy to them.

Then Paul prayed that God would fill them with joy and peace in their faith, with the result that the Holy Spirit would fill them with hope.

Here are other possible headings for this section:

Carry weak believers, encourage them and accept them

Help believers who are not strong

15:8a

For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised

For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the nation who has the rite of circumcision.
For I tell you this: Christ became a servant to the circumcised people group, that is, the Jews.

For: Here this word introduces a reason for welcoming other believers.See Morris (page 503) or Alford (page 459).

I tell you that Christ has become a servant: The words I tell you indicate that the words that follow are important. The word that introduces what Paul wanted to tell them.

a servant of the circumcised: The Greek is more literally “a servant of the circumcision.” There are two ways to interpret the Greek word ending that often means of:

It indicates that Jesus served the circumcised, that is, the Jews. For example:
serve the circumcised (NJB) (BSB, RSV, NIV, NJB, NASB, NABRE, KJV, ESV, NLT, NET, CEV, REB, NCV)
It indicates that Jesus served others on behalf of the circumcised. For example:
life of service was on behalf of the Jews (GNT) (GNT, GW)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because it fits better with showing God’s truthfulness (15:8b) and confirming the promises to the Jewish ancestors (15:8c).See also Moo (page 877) or Morris (page 503).

a servant: The work of a servant was to help another person with his needs and wants. This other person tells him what he needs or wants, and the servant helps him with that need or want.

Jesus was a servant by doing things for the Jews that showed God’s truthfulness (15:8b). He did not take orders from the Jews as a servant usually would. Consider if your usual word or phrase for servant is fitting in this context.

the circumcised: Here this phrase refers to the Jews. In some languages a literal translation may not clearly indicate that. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

Explain in the text. For example:
the circumcised, that is, the Jews
Translate literally and explain the meaning in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:
This refers to the Jews.

circumcised: The word circumcised refers to cutting off the loose skin at the end of a boy’s or man’s penis. See how you translated this word in 2:25 or 4:12.

15:8b

on behalf of God’s truth,

He did that to show that what God says is true,
In that way he showed that God is true when he speaks,

God’s truth: There are several ways to interpret the Greek word that the BSB translates as truth. Here are the two main ones:

It means the characteristic or habit of speaking the truth. God always speaks the truth. For example:
the truthfulness of God (NJB) (RSV, ESV, NJB, NABRE)
It means truth. The words of God are true. For example:
God’s truth (NIV) (BSB, NIV, NASB, KJV, NRSV, GW, NET)
It means being true to one’s promises. For example:
God is faithful (GNT) (GNT, REB)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the BDAG supports it. The BDAG does not list interpretation (3) as a sense of this Greek word.

General Comment on 15:8b

The Greek is translated as a purpose clause. Jesus fulfilled this purpose during his time on earth. In some languages purpose clauses are always unfulfilled. If that is true in your language, indicate that Jesus fulfilled this purpose. For example:

and showed God’s truthfulness

and showed that what God says is true

Often fulfilled purpose clauses are translated as result clauses. But here it was not only Christ becoming a servant that showed God’s truthfulness but also his deeds as that servant. So the above examples only imply the result connection. Consider what the best connection is in your language.

15:8c

to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs,

and to make certain the promises that were given to the forefathers,
which caused people to know that the things that God promised to the Jewish ancestors were certain.

to: This phrase introduces a second purpose clause. The first purpose clause, to show that God is truthful (15:8b), is a general statement. This purpose clause, to confirm God’s promises, is a part of that more general statement.

Jesus fulfilled this purpose of confirming the promises during his time on earth. In some languages purpose clauses are always unfulfilled. If that is true in your language, indicate that Jesus fulfilled this purpose. For example:

and confirmed…

confirm: There are several ways to interpret the Greek word here. Here are the two main ones:

It means to cause something to be known as certain (L&N). The English word confirm indicates that meaning here. (BSB, RSV, NIV, ESV, NABRE, NASB, KJV, NET)
It means to cause something that was promised to happen. For example:
make…come true (GNT) (GNT, NJB, GW, REB)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the BDAG and L&N both support it.

the promises made: This is a passive clause. In some languages an active clause must be used. For example:

the promises that God made

patriarchs: Here this word refers to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Here are other ways to translate this word:

forefathers

Jewish ancestors (NCV)

See how you translated this word in 9:5 or 11:28 (“patriarchs”).

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

γὰρ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Λέγω γάρ Χριστόν διάκονον γεγενῆσθαι περιτομῆς ὑπέρ ἀληθείας Θεοῦ εἰς τό βεβαιῶσαι τάς ἐπαγγελίας τῶν πατέρων)

For here indicates that what follows explains what Paul said in the previous verse. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different expression. Alternate translation: [In fact,]

Note 2 topic: writing-pronouns

λέγω

The pronoun I refers to Paul. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: [I, Paul, say]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

διάκονον & ἀληθείας & τὰς ἐπαγγελίας

˓a˒_servant & ˓the˒_truth & (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Λέγω γάρ Χριστόν διάκονον γεγενῆσθαι περιτομῆς ὑπέρ ἀληθείας Θεοῦ εἰς τό βεβαιῶσαι τάς ἐπαγγελίας τῶν πατέρων)

See how you translated the abstract nouns servant in [13:4](../13/04.md), truth in [2:8](../02/08.md), and “promises” in [4:13](../04/13.md).

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

περιτομῆς

˱of˲_˓the˒_circumcision

Here, the circumcision refers to the people who have been circumcised: the Jews. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [of the Jews]

Note 5 topic: grammar-connect-logic-goal

εἰς τὸ βεβαιῶσαι

in_order (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Λέγω γάρ Χριστόν διάκονον γεγενῆσθαι περιτομῆς ὑπέρ ἀληθείας Θεοῦ εἰς τό βεβαιῶσαι τάς ἐπαγγελίας τῶν πατέρων)

Here, to introduces a purpose clause. Paul is stating a purpose for which Christ became a servant of the circumcision. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a purpose clause. Alternate translation (without a comma preceding): [for the purpose of confirming]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

τὰς ἐπαγγελίας τῶν πατέρων

Paul is using the possessive form to describe the promises that God made to the fathers. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different expression. Alternate translation: [the promises given to the fathers]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

τῶν πατέρων

˱to˲_the fathers

See how you translated this phrase in [9:5](../09/05.md).

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive