ROM 1:1 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, light-green:nominative/subject, 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 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, a called apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,

UST I, Paul, am writing this letter. I serve the Messiah Jesus. He called me to represent him and specially chose me to proclaim God’s good news.

MSB Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ,[fn] called [to be] [an] apostle, [and] set apart for [the] gospel of God—

BLB Paul, servant of Jesus Christ, a called apostle having been set apart for the gospel of God,

AICNT Paul, a servant of {Christ[fn] Jesus}[fn] , called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God;

1:1, Christ: The Greek word for Christ means (1) fulfiller of Israelite expectation of a deliverer, the Anointed One, the Messiah, the Christ, (2) the personal name ascribed to Jesus, Christ. (BDAG, Χριστός)

1:1, Christ Jesus: 𝔓10 B(03) NA28 SBLGNT ‖ Some manuscripts read “Jesus Christ.” 𝔓26 ℵ(01) A(02) THGNT BYZ TR

OEB From Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, who has been called to become an apostle, and has been set apart to tell God’s good news.

WEBBE Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ,[fn] called to be an apostle, set apart for the Good News of God,

1:1 “Christ” means “Anointed One”.

WMBB Paul, a servant of Yeshua the Messiah,[fn] called to be an emissary, set apart for the Good News of God,

1:1 “Messiah” means “Anointed One”.

NET From Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God.

LSV Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, a called apostle, having been separated to the good news of God,

FBV This letter comes from Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ. I was called to be an apostle by God. God appointed me to announce the good news

TCNT Paul, a servant of [fn]Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,

1:1 Jesus Christ ¦ Christ Jesus NA SBL

T4T I, Paul, who serve Christ Jesus, am writing this letter. God chose me to be an apostle, and I was appointed by him {he appointed me} in order that I should proclaim ◄the good message/the gospel► that comes from him.

LEB Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,

BBE Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, an Apostle by the selection of God, given authority as a preacher of the good news,

Moff Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God

Wymth Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an Apostle, set apart to proclaim God's Good News,

ASV Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

DRA Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

YLT Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, a called apostle, having been separated to the good news of God —

Drby Paul, bondman of Jesus Christ, [a] called apostle, separated to [fn]God's glad tidings,

1.1 Elohim

RV Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

SLT Paul, servant of Jesus Christ, called sent, separated to the good news of God,

Wbstr Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God,

KJB-1769 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

KJB-1611 ¶ Paul a seruant of Iesus Christ, called to bee an Apostle, separated vnto the Gospel of God,
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from capitalisation and punctuation)

Bshps Paul the seruaunt of Iesus Christe, called to be an Apostle, seuered into the Gospel of God.
(Paul the servant of Yesus/Yeshua Christ, called to be an Apostle, sevenred into the Gospel of God.)

Gnva Paul a seruant of Iesus Christ called to be an Apostle, put apart to preache the Gospel of God,
(Paul a servant of Yesus/Yeshua Christ called to be an Apostle, put apart to preach the Gospel of God, )

Cvdl Pavl the seruaunte of Iesus Christ, called to be an Apostle, put aparte to preach the Gospell of God
(Paul the servant of Yesus/Yeshua Christ, called to be an Apostle, put apart to preach the Gospel of God)

TNT Paul the seruaut of Iesus Christ called to be an Apostle put a parte to preache the Gospell of God
(Paul the servant of Yesus/Yeshua Christ called to be an Apostle put a part to preach the Gospel of God )

Wycl Poul, the seruaunt of Jhesu Crist, clepid an apostle, departid in to the gospel of God;
(Poul, the servant of Yhesu Christ, called an apostle, departed in to the gospel of God;)

Luth Paulus, ein Knecht JEsu Christi, berufen zum Apostel, ausgesondert, zu predigen das Evangelium Gottes,
(Paulus, a servant/farmhand Yesu Christi, appointed for_the apostles, singled_out, to/for preaching the gospel God’s,)

ClVg Paulus, servus Jesu Christi, vocatus Apostolus, segregatus in Evangelium Dei,[fn]
(Paulus, servant Yesu Christi, called Apostolus, segregatus in/into/on the_Gospel of_God, )

1.1 Argumentum Romani sunt partis Italiæ. Hi præventi sunt a falsis apostolis, et sub nomine Domini nostri Jesu Christi in legem et prophetas erant inducti. Hos revocat Apostolus ad veram evangelicam fidem, scribens eis a Corintho. Paulus. BED. Super Actus apostolicos Paulum anno secundo passionis et resurrectionis Christi ad fidem venisse dicit, etc., usque ad juxta condictum apostolorum ad magisterium gentium est profectus. AUG. lib. de Spiritu et litt., c. 7. Non ob aliud hoc nomen elegit, etc., usque ad Saulus inquietudo et tentatio interpretatur. AMB. Porro ex more sanctorum apostolorum illud fecisse perhibetur, qui virtutibus proficientes mutato nomine sunt vocati, ut et ipso nomine essent novi, ut et Cephas et filii tonitrui. HIER. Com. in Ep. ad Philem. Paulus a primo spolio quod Ecclesiæ contulit, scilicet a Sergio Paulo proconsule quem apud Cyprum convertit, hoc sibi nomen assumpsit. Servus. Ex servo et humili fecit Deus apostolum et sublimem, ita et vos humiles sitis: Qui enim se humiliat, exaltabitur Luc.XIV. AUG. Utrumque ponendo, unam Dei hominis personam esse testatur. Alterum pro Judæis, alterum pro gentibus ponit. Christus enim, hoc nomen Judæis est cognitum, quo nomine Dei Filium designatum vident, et audiunt in lege promissum, quibus etsi alium prædicares, non crederent. Gentibus vero quia in aliquo non legerant, præmittit Salvatorem, id est Jesum. Christus, quamvis non sit proprium, sed nomen sacramenti, sicut propheta et sacerdos, Judæis tamen cognitum recte præponitur: etsi pluribus indita hæc nomina, tamen sola figura; hic enim solus verus Rex et Sacerdos. Vocatus. Non a se, sed a Deo; vel vocatus, ab hominibus dictus privilegio nominis. Apostolus. Ecce de humili altus. Segregatus. A doctrina scribarum et Pharisæorum: hoc contra Judæos; vel, ab aliis apostolis, corpore et non mente unde: Segregate mihi Barnabam et Paulum in opus ad quod assumpsi eos Act. 13.. Evangelium. HAYM. Bona annuntiatio est, etc. Dei. Non ab homine inventum.

1.1 Argumentum Romani are partis Italiæ. They beforeventi are from false apostles, and under by_name Master our Yesu of_Christ in/into/on the_law and a_prophets they_were inducti. Hos revocat Apostolus to true gospelm faith, scribens to_them from Corintho. Paulus. BED. Above/Over Actus apostolicos Paulum in_the_year secondly passion and resurrection of_Christ to faith came he_says, etc., until to next_to condictum of_the_apostles to teacherium nations it_is departure. AUG. lib. from/about By_Spirit and litt., c. 7. Not/No because something_else this name chose, etc., until to Saulus inquietudo and temptation interprets. AMB. Further from more holy_place of_the_apostles it/this/that have_done perhibetur, who/which virtues proficientes changeso by_name are called, as and himself by_name they_would_be new, as and Cephas and children tonitrui. HIER. Com. in/into/on Ep. to Philem. Paulus from at_first spolio that Assemblies/Churches contributed, namely from Sergio Paulo proconsule which at Cyprum he_turned, this to_himself name assumed. Servus. From server/keeper and humble he_did God apostolum and sublime/unparalleled, so/thus and you(pl) humbles thirsts: Who because himself humiliate, will_be_exalted Luc.XIV. AUG. Utrumque ponendo, one of_God of_man person to_be testifies. Alterum for To_the_Jews, the_other for nations puts. Christ/Messiah because, this name To_the_Jews it_is cognitum, where by_name of_God Son designatum they_see, and they_hear in/into/on lawfully promised, to_whom even_though another to_preachs, not/no to_believent. Gentibus indeed/however because in/into/on somewhere not/no lawfullyrant, precedes Salvatorem, that it_is Yesus. Christ/Messiah, although/however not/no be own, but name sacramenti, like a_prophet and priest, To_the_Jews nevertheless cognitum correctly/straight prefersur: even_though many indita these_things names, nevertheless alone figure/form; this/here because alone true Rex and Priest. Calltus. Not/No from himself, but from to_God; or called, away to_humans saytus privilegio of_the_name. Apostolus. Behold from/about humble high. Segregatus. From teaching/instruction scribe/clerkrum and of_the_Pharisees: this on_the_contrary Yudahos; or, away to_others apostles, body and not/no mind from_where/who: Segregate to_me Barnabam and Paulum in/into/on work/need to that assumpsi them Act. 13.. the_Gospel. HAYM. Bona announcement it_is, etc. of_God. Not/No away man discovery/invention.

UGNT Παῦλος, δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ, κλητὸς ἀπόστολος, ἀφωρισμένος εἰς εὐαγγέλιον Θεοῦ,
(Paulos, doulos Ⱪristou Yaʸsou, klaʸtos apostolos, afōrismenos eis euangelion Theou,)

SBL-GNT Παῦλος δοῦλος ⸂Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ⸃, κλητὸς ἀπόστολος, ἀφωρισμένος εἰς εὐαγγέλιον θεοῦ
(Paulos doulos ⸂Ⱪristou Yaʸsou⸃, klaʸtos apostolos, afōrismenos eis euangelion theou)

RP-GNT Παῦλος, δοῦλος Ἰησοῦ χριστοῦ, κλητὸς ἀπόστολος, ἀφωρισμένος εἰς εὐαγγέλιον θεοῦ,
(Paulos, doulos Yaʸsou ⱪristou, klaʸtos apostolos, afōrismenos eis euangelion theou,)

TC-GNT Παῦλος, δοῦλος [fn]Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, κλητὸς ἀπόστολος, ἀφωρισμένος εἰς εὐαγγέλιον Θεοῦ,
(Paulos, doulos Yaʸsou Ⱪristou, klaʸtos apostolos, afōrismenos eis euangelion Theou, )

1:1 ιησου χριστου ¦ χριστου ιησου NA SBL

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

SOTN SIL Open Translation Notes:

Section 1:1–7: Introduction

In this first section, Paul introduced himself and the gospel about Jesus. He also greeted the people to whom he was writing.

Before you begin to translate this section, consider what is the natural way to begin a letter in your language. Consider also how closely to follow that way in your translation.

Consider whether or not you want a section heading here. The GNT, for example, does not have one here. It is good to read or translate this section before you decide on a heading for it. Here are other possible headings for this section:

Paul introduced himself and the gospel about Jesus and greeted the Roman believers

Paul and His Message of Good News (CEV)

Paul began his letter to the Christians in Rome

1:1a

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus,

¶ From Paul, the Christ/Messiah Jesus’ slave,
¶ I, Paul, write this letter. I do the work of Jesus, he/who is the Deliverer whom God promised to send.
¶ This letter is from me, Paul. I serve Jesus, the one/person whom God appointed to save/rescue people.

Paul: The author of this letter is named Paul. He began this letter with his name. This was the normal way to begin a letter at that time in that region.

Paul did not use a sentence here. In some languages it is more natural to introduce the writer in a different way. For example:

From Paul, (CEV)

This letter is from Paul, (NLT)

I, Paul, am writing this letter. I am

a servant of: The Greek word that the BSB translates as servant refers to a slave. Here, this phrase indicates that Paul belonged to Jesus as his slave. Paul served him and completely submitted himself to the authority of Jesus.

People often despised servants or slaves. But when someone called himself a slave of Jesus, as Paul did here, he was not ashamed of it. You may have more than one word to describe servants or slaves. Choose the one that indicates or implies the believer’s good relationship to Jesus. That is why many English versions use the word servant instead of slave.

Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

a slave of (NET)

a worker of/for

If you have translated other books, see how you translated this word in Galatians 1:10, Philippians 1:1, Titus 1:1, or James 1:1.

In some languages, it will be best to translate the word servant as a verb. For example:

I serve

I completely submit to

I do the work of

Christ Jesus: There is a textual issue here about the order of the words Christ Jesus:

The correct order is Christ Jesus. (BSB, NIV, GNT, NJB, NASB, NABRE, ESV, NLT, CEV, NET, REB, NCV)
The correct order is Jesus Christ. (RSV, KJV, GW)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) because the UBS Greek New Testament supports it.The UB5 says that the order Christ Jesus “is almost certain.”

The order of the words Christ Jesus emphasizes that Jesus is the Christ/Messiah. However, in some languages the order Christ Jesus is not natural. If that is true in your language, emphasize, if possible, the fact that Jesus is the Christ in a natural way. For example:

Jesus, who/he is the Christ

Jesus, the Messiah,

Christ: This name is spelled “Christos” in the Greek language. (The Greek sound spelled ‘ch’ here is similar to a ‘k’ but without making the air stop in the mouth.) Spell the name as people in your language say it, or use the name from the common language in your region.

The word Christ was used as a title. It was the Greek translation of the Hebrew word “Messiah.” It means “the anointed one.” In the Jewish culture a person was anointed by pouring oil on top of his head in a ceremony. This was done to show that God chose him for a special task/job. In the Old Testament, some were anointed to be priests, some to be kings, and some to be prophets. In the Old Testament, “the anointed one” refers to the person whom God promised would save/free his people and rule them.For example, see Isaiah 61:1 and Psalm 2.

Here are other ways to translate Christ:

Use a title or a descriptive phrase in your language that has the same meaning as Christ. For example:
God’s Anointed/Chosen One
the Messiah
Promised Deliverer
the Rescuer-King whom God appointed
Transliterate Christ and include a phrase that explains the meaning. For example:
Karisiti, the appointed one
Cristo, the King whom God promised to send
Transliterate Christ and indicate in some way that it is a title. For example:
the Kirisita

If you do not indicate the meaning of Christ in your translation, you may want to include a footnote to explain it. For example:

The word/title “Christ” refers to the one whom God had promised to send. He would be both king and savior.

Or you may want to explain the meaning in a glossary.

1:1b

called to be an apostle,

his appointed/authorized apostle,
He called me, and I became his representative/apostle.
He chose me as his special messenger/envoy.

called to be an apostle: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as called to be an apostle is literally “(a) called apostle.” Here the word called means “chosen to be given a special benefit or purpose.” God invited Paul to do the work of an apostle (1 Timothy 1:1). Here are other ways to translate this word:

his appointed apostle

an apostle by God’s call/choice

Some languages must use a verb here. For example:

called as an apostle (NASB)

called by God to be an apostle (REB)

God invited me to be an apostle

an apostle whom he/God chose

an apostle: The Greek word that the BSB translates as apostle means a “representative” or “messenger.” It refers to a person whom someone sends with his authority. He is sent to give a message or accomplish a particular task. Here, the word apostle refers to Paul whom Jesus sent as his messenger. Paul’s message was the gospel about Jesus. Here are other ways to translate apostle:

Translate the meaning. For example:
his/Jesus’ special representative
Christ’s/his messenger
a man whom Jesus Christ sent (on a mission)
a person with authority from Jesus Christ to do his work
Use the common word for the word apostle if it is already in use. For example:
apostol

Use the same term for apostle as you used in the Gospels. (See Mark 6:30 or Luke 6:13.) Be sure that the term you choose for apostle is different from your terms for prophet (1:2) and angel (8:38).

1:1c

and set apart for the gospel of God—

and put/placed in a special position to preach the good news that is from God.
He chose me to tell people his good message that God announced.
He caused me to dedicate all my life in preaching/telling the joyful news about Jesus, which God proclaimed/sent.

This clause also describes Paul (1:1a). God set him apart for the preaching of the gospel. In Greek and the BSB, the sentence continues from 1:1b. But in some languages, a new sentence would be more clear. For example:

God set me apart for his gospel

set apart for the gospel of God: The phrase set apart indicates that God chose Paul from among a group of people to do a specific task. He chose Paul to be a messenger to tell the gospel to the non-Jews (1:5). Here are other ways to translate these words:

separated to serve the gospel of God

he/Jesus/God caused me to dedicate all my life for the gospel of God

This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

God set me apart for the gospel about Jesus

See how you translated the phrase set apart in Acts 13:2 or Galatians 1:15.

for: Here the word for introduces a purpose clause. God set Paul apart from other work for the purpose of preaching or sharing the gospel. Here are other ways to translate for:

in order that

The reason he chose me to be an apostle was so thatWestern Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation on TW.

to speak/tell God’s good newsOtomi Back Translation on TW.

the gospel of God: The Greek word that the BSB translates as gospel means “good news” or “announcement of a message that people consider very good.” Here, it refers to the good news that God sent Jesus to save us from wrongdoing and reconcile us to God. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

good/sweet news from God

God’s message/report that causes joy

good news about Jesus Christ that God sent

of God: The word of here indicates that the gospel is from God. See the examples above.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / 123person

Παῦλος

Paul

In the culture of this time, letter writers would give their own names first. Your language may have a particular way of introducing the author of a letter, and if it would be helpful to your readers, you could use it here. Alternate translation: [From Paul]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / distinguish

δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ, κλητὸς ἀπόστολος

slave ˱of˲_Christ Jesus (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Παῦλος δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ κλητός ἀπόστολος ἀφωρισμένος εἰς εὐαγγέλιον Θεοῦ)

These two phrases give further information about Paul. He describes himself as being someone whom God has given the position and authority of being Christ’s servant and apostle. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: [a person whom God has made a servant of Christ Jesus, and whom he has called to represent him]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

κλητὸς ἀπόστολος, ἀφωρισμένος

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Παῦλος δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ κλητός ἀπόστολος ἀφωρισμένος εἰς εὐαγγέλιον Θεοῦ)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [whom Jesus called to be an apostle and set apart]

Note 4 topic: grammar-connect-logic-goal

εἰς εὐαγγέλιον Θεοῦ

for ˓the˒_gospel ˱of˲_God

Here, for introduces a purpose clause. Paul is stating the purpose for which Jesusset him apart. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a purpose clause. Alternate translation: [in order to preach the gospel of God] or [so that I could announce the good news from God]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

εὐαγγέλιον Θεοῦ

˓the˒_gospel ˱of˲_God

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

Parallel ROM 1:1

Section 1:1–7: Introduction

1:1a

1:1b

1:1c