ROM 1:5 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, cyan:dative/indirect object.
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 through whom we received grace and apostleship for obedience of faith among all the Gentiles, for the sake of his name,

UST Jesus favored us who represent him and authorized us to represent him on his behalf in order that all the nations would obey God by trusting in Jesus the Messiah.

BSB Through [Him] [and] on behalf of His name, we received grace and apostleship to call all [those] among the Gentiles [to the] obedience that comes from faith.

MSB Through [Him] [and] on behalf of His name, we received grace and apostleship to call all [those] among the Gentiles [to the] obedience that comes from faith.

BLB through whom we have received grace and apostleship unto obedience of faith among all the Gentiles on behalf of His name,

AICNT through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,

OEB Through him we received the gift of the apostolic office, to win submission to the faith among all nations for the glory of his name.

WEBBE through whom we received grace and apostleship for obedience of faith amongst all the nations for his name’s sake;

WMBB through whom we received grace and the office of emissary for obedience of faith amongst all the nations for his name’s sake;

NET Through him we have received grace and our apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles on behalf of his name.

LSV through whom we received grace and apostleship, for obedience of faith among all the nations, in behalf of His Name;

FBV It was through him that I received the privilege of becoming an apostle to call all nations to obedient trust in him.

TCNT through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the Gentiles,

T4T He is the one who appointed me, who did not deserve it, to be an apostle. He did that in order that many among the non-Jews would honor him and would obey him as a result of their believing my message about him.

LEB through whom we have received grace and apostleship for the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles[fn] on behalf of his name,

1:5 Or “nations”; the same Greek word can be translated “nations” or “Gentiles” depending on the context

BBE Through whom grace has been given to us, sending us out to make disciples to the faith among all nations, for his name:

Moff through whom I have received the favour of my commission to promote obedience to the faith for his sake among all the Gentiles,

Wymth through whom we have received grace and Apostleship in His service in order to win men to obedience to the faith, among all Gentile peoples,

ASV through whom we received grace and apostleship, unto obedience of faith among all the nations, for his name’s sake;

DRA By whom we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith, in all nations, for his name;

YLT through whom we did receive grace and apostleship, for obedience of faith among all the nations, in behalf of his name;

Drby by whom we have received grace and apostleship in behalf of his name, for obedience of faith among all the nations,

RV through whom we received grace and apostleship, unto obedience of faith among all the nations, for his name’s sake:

SLT By whom we received grace and sending forth, to the obedience of faith in all nations for his name:

Wbstr By whom we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for his name:

KJB-1769 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

KJB-1611 By whom we haue receiued grace and Apostleship [fn]for obedience to the faith among all nations for his Name,
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from capitalisation and punctuation and footnotes)

1:5 Or, to the obedience of faith.

Bshps By whom we haue receaued grace and apostleship, that obedience myght be geuen vnto the fayth in his name, among all heathen.
(By whom we have received grace and apostleship, that obedience might be given unto the faith in his name, among all heathen.)

Gnva By whom we haue receiued grace and Apostleship (that obedience might be giuen vnto ye faith) for his Name among al ye Gentiles,
(By whom we have received grace and Apostleship (that obedience might be given unto ye/you_all faith) for his Name among all ye/you_all Gentiles, )

Cvdl by whom we haue receaued grace and Apostelshippe amonge all Heythen, to set vp the obedience of faith vnder his name,
(by whom we have received grace and Apostelshippe among all Heathen, to set up the obedience of faith under his name,)

TNT by whom we have receaved grace and apostleshyppe to bringe all maner hethe people vnto obedience of the fayth that is in his name:
(by whom we have received grace and apostleshyppe to bring all manner hethe people unto obedience of the faith that is in his name: )

Wycl bi whom we han resseyued grace and the office of apostle, to obeie to the feith in alle folkis for his name,
(by whom we have received grace and the office of apostle, to obey to the faith in all folks/people for his name,)

Luth (durch welchen wir haben empfangen Gnade und Apostelamt, unter allen Heiden den Gehorsam des Glaubens aufzurichten unter seinem Namen,
((durch which_(ones) we/us have received grace and apostlesamt, under all/everyone heathens the Gehorsam the faiths on/in/toprepare under his name(s),)

ClVg per quem accepimus gratiam, et apostolatum ad obediendum fidei in omnibus gentibus pro nomine ejus,[fn]
(through which we_received grace, and apostolatum to obediendum of_faith in/into/on to_all nations for by_name his, )

1.5 In omnibus gentibus. Non solum Judæis, cum quibus (quia sine lege vocati) non debent sub lege agere. Pro nomine ejus. Pro ejus gloria, non nostra sicut vos facitis.

1.5 In to_all nations. Not/No only To_the_Jews, when/with to_whom (because without lawfully called) not/no they_should under lawfully to_act. For by_name his. For his glory, not/no our like you(pl) you_do.

UGNT δι’ οὗ ἐλάβομεν χάριν καὶ ἀποστολὴν εἰς ὑπακοὴν πίστεως ἐν πᾶσιν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν ὑπὲρ τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ,
(di’ hou elabomen ⱪarin kai apostolaʸn eis hupakoaʸn pisteōs en pasin tois ethnesin huper tou onomatos autou,)

SBL-GNT διʼ οὗ ἐλάβομεν χάριν καὶ ἀποστολὴν εἰς ὑπακοὴν πίστεως ἐν πᾶσιν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν ὑπὲρ τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ,
(diʼ hou elabomen ⱪarin kai apostolaʸn eis hupakoaʸn pisteōs en pasin tois ethnesin huper tou onomatos autou,)

RP-GNT δι' οὗ ἐλάβομεν χάριν καὶ ἀποστολὴν εἰς ὑπακοὴν πίστεως ἐν πᾶσιν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν, ὑπὲρ τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ,
(di' hou elabomen ⱪarin kai apostolaʸn eis hupakoaʸn pisteōs en pasin tois ethnesin, huper tou onomatos autou,)

TC-GNT δι᾽ οὗ ἐλάβομεν χάριν καὶ ἀποστολὴν εἰς ὑπακοὴν πίστεως ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ἔθνεσιν, ὑπὲρ τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ,
(di hou elabomen ⱪarin kai apostolaʸn eis hupakoaʸn pisteōs en pasi tois ethnesin, huper tou onomatos autou, )

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

1:5a

Through Him and on behalf of His name,

Through whom/him, to make his name great,
This will cause all people to honor Jesus Christ: through him,
To make his name great, God enabled him

Paul talked about the gospel in 1:2a–1:4c. In 1:5a he again discussed more about himself and his work for Jesus. But he connected his next words to “Jesus Christ our Lord” with “through Him.” In the Greek, the sentence continues. However, the BSB begins a new sentence here. In some languages, a new sentence here would be more natural or more clear. For example:

Through him we have received… (NABRE)

Through Him and on behalf of His name: The phrase that the BSB translates as Through Him is literally “through whom.” This clause further describes Jesus. It does not separate this Jesus from other men named Jesus. For the correct meaning in some languages, translators must avoid the word “whom.” The word Through indicates that Paul received grace and apostleship by means of Jesus. God enabled Jesus to give Paul grace and apostleship. Here are other ways to translate this word:

by the authority given to him he gave to us

God enabled him to give us

God gave power to Jesus and so he/Jesus was kind to us and gave us the work of being apostles

on behalf of His name: This phrase refers to helping, causing advantage for, or honoring the one named. The apostles taught others about Jesus, spread the news of Jesus, and did good deeds in his name.

In some languages it is more natural to say “him” instead of His name here. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

for the honor of his name (GW)

for him (NCV)

to benefit him

This phrase connects to the end of the clause (1:5c). For example:

…^5cof winning the obedience of faith among all the nations ^5afor the honour of his name (NJB)

1:5b

we received grace and apostleship

we^(excl) received the grace/gift to be his apostles,
God was kind to us by making us his apostles/representatives,
to give us the privilege/gift of becoming his special messengers,

we received: In English, the word received implies someone gave what was received. The English word “take” does not imply that someone gave it. It is implied here that God graciously gave Paul and others apostleship.

Many languages have the same word for both “receive” and “take.” In some of those languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that God did not graciously give apostleship but Paul just took it. If that is true in your language, you should use “give” here. For example:

have been given

he has given

we: Sometimes in NT letters, the writer referred to himself with we instead of “I.” There are two ways to interpret the word we here:

Paul referred to himself and others. For example:
we (NET) (BSB, RSV, NIV, NJB, NASB, NABRE, ESV, KJV, NET, GW, NLT)
Paul referred to himself. For example:
I (REB) (GNT, NCV, CEV, REB)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because Paul consistently used the first person singular to refer to his apostolic mission in the rest of Romans, but he used we here instead. So, he probably had a reason not to use “I” here.Dunn (page 16) says, “Somewhat unexpectedly (in view of v 1) Paul links others with himself—we received. He does not regard himself as the sole apostle to the Gentiles, which would in any case have been a difficult position to maintain in writing to a largely Gentile church which he had not founded.” Barrett, Cranfield, Jewett, Fitzmyer, Stott, Schreiner, and Witherington also support interpretation (1).

grace and apostleship: There are two ways to interpret the phrase grace and apostleship:

This is a figure of speech that means gracious apostleship. In kindness, God made Paul and others apostles. For example:
the privilege of being an apostle (GNT) (GNT, NABRE, REB, NCV)
This is not a figure of speech, but refers to two things, grace and apostleship. For example:
grace and apostleship (RSV) (BSB, RSV, NIV, NJB, NASB, ESV, KJV, NET, GW, CEV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because Paul was establishing his apostleship in these verses and not speaking generally of God’s grace to us.The technical word for the figure of speech in interpretation (1) is hendiadys. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language says, “Hendiadys is a figure of speech in which two words connected by a conjunction are used to express a single notion that would normally be expressed by an adjective and a substantive.” Many scholars support interpretation (1). For example, Cranfield (pages 65–66) says that it is not necessary for Paul to write that he has received grace in a general sense at this point in Romans. Instead Paul wrote about his authority as an apostle and that he received it not because of any merit of his own. Here are other ways to translate this phrase according to interpretation (1):

the free gift of apostleship

the grace that enabled us to be apostles

the privilege and authority as apostles (NLT)

he was kind, giving us the work of apostles

grace: This word refers to kindness that is given to people without requiring anything in return. This kindness is not given because they have done anything to deserve it. See the examples above.

apostleship: The word apostleship refers to the work that an apostle does. For example:

to be an/his apostle

becoming his special representative

See how you translated “apostle” in 1:1.

1:5c

to call all those among the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.

so that people among the non-Jews would believe the good news and therefore obey him/Christ.
in order that people would obey him/Jesus because they believe in him, including those among all people groups who are not Jews.
so that the Gentiles’ faith causes them to obey it.

to call…to…obedience: The word to introduces the purpose of being an apostle: to call the Gentiles to obey the gospel of Jesus. The phrase that the BSB translates as to call…to…obedience is literally “unto/to obedience.” Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

for the obedience of those among the Gentiles

so that the people among the Gentiles would obey

to lead people…to…obey (GNT)

all those among the Gentiles: This phrase connects to the phrase “the obedience of faith.” For example:

the obedience of faith among all the nations for the honour of his name (NJB)

There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the BSB translates as Gentiles here:

It refers to all people groups, excluding the Jews. For example:
all the Gentiles (NIV) (NIV, BSB, NASB, NRSV, NABRE, NET, NLT)
It means all people groups, including the Jews. For example:
all the nations (RSV) (RSV, NJB, GNT, ESV, KJV, REB, NCV, GW, CEV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because 1:6 has “in whom you^(plur)” in the Greek, which seems to indicate only some of those in “To all those in Rome” (1:7).Cranfield (page 67).

Gentiles: The Greek word that the BSB translates as Gentiles refers to ethnic groups or people groups rather than to political states or countries.An ethnic group is a group of people who consider themselves a group because they share the same physical appearance, language, religion, culture, and history, or because they share two or more of these things. In modern times it is very common for borders of countries to pass directly through an area where an ethnic group lives, so that the ethnic group (in the way that Luke was using the Greek word) lives in two “nations” (using the sense of the word as used today). Here are other ways to translate this word:

tribes

peoples

peoples of one language/culture

the obedience that comes from faith: The phrase that the BSB translates as the obedience that comes from faith is literally “the obedience of faith.” There are three main ways to interpret the words “the obedience of faith” here:

It indicates that faith is a basisIn this TN, “basis” refers to the situation out of which something arises. It is sometimes called “grounds.” It does not indicate direct cause, as a reason-result relationship between clauses does. for the obedience. Faith produces obedience.See Wallace (pages 104–106) for his category of “Genitive of Production/Producer.” People obey because they believe. For example:
the obedience that comes from faith (NIV) (NIV, BSB)
It indicates that a person obeys all the teachings connected to faith. For example:
obedience to the faith (KJV) (KJV, JBP)
It means and faith. For example:
believe and obey (GNT) (GNT, NLT, CEV, REB, NCV)

The RSV, the NJB, and a number of English versions translate the Greek as “the obedience of faith.” Both the Greek and that English translation are ambiguous, possibly meaning either interpretation (1) or (2). A number of scholars say that Paul meant several things here.Kruse (page 52) says, “care must be taken not to assume that faith consisting in obedience can be separated from faith expressing itself in obedience.” Schreiner (page 35) says, “The two most likely options are…the obedience that springs from or flows from faith…or ‘the obedience that is faith.’…Paul may have intended both ideas, and this is the most likely solution.” Garlington (1991, PhD thesis, in Kruse, page 52) says that “faith’s obedience” or “believing obedience” are better translations of this phrase and preserve the intended ambiguity. Stott also supports two interpretations. Hanna and Witherington support interpretation (1).

So if you can translate in a way that allows interpretation (1) or (2), you should do so. However, if you must make a choice, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).Paul did not say “and” even though he could have. So, interpretation (3) is not likely. The Greek phrase uses “faith” not “the faith,” so interpretation (2) is less likely than interpretation (1). Here are other ways to translate this phrase according to interpretation (1):

the obedience produced by faith

obedience based on faith

people obey Christ because they believe the message about him

believing obedience

faith’s obedience

obedience: This word means “doing as told, directed, or asked.” In some languages a verb is required or more natural here. For example:

obey him

follow him

faith: To have faith in a person refers to believing in him, who he is, and who he claims to be.

In some languages a verb is required or more natural here. For example:

believe the gospel

believing it

1:5a–c

(reordered) so that people of all non-Jewish ethnic groups would believe in him and therefore obey him in order that his name would become great.

(reordered) in order that people among all tribes not Jewish would obey him/Jesus because they believe in him. This will cause them to honor him.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

δι’ οὗ

through whom

Here, whom refers to Jesus. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: [through Jesus]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

δι’ οὗ ἐλάβομεν χάριν καὶ ἀποστολὴν

through whom ˱we˲_received grace (Some words not found in SR-GNT: διʼ οὗ ἐλάβομεν χάριν καί ἀποστολήν εἰς ὑπακοήν πίστεως ἐν πᾶσιν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν ὑπέρ τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ)

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of grace and apostleship, you could express the same ideas in another way. Alternate translation: [he who acted kindly toward us and made us his apostles]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / exclusive

ἐλάβομεν

˱we˲_received

Here, we is exclusive, and your language may require you to mark this form. It could refer to: (1) Paul and other apostles, as in the UST. (2) Paul speaking about himself in a plural form. Alternate translation: [I received]

Note 4 topic: grammar-connect-logic-goal

εἰς

Here, for introduces a purpose clause. Paul is stating the purpose for which Jesus made Paul and other people his apostles. Use a natural way in your language to introduce a purpose clause. Alternate translation: [for the purpose of]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

εἰς ὑπακοὴν πίστεως ἐν πᾶσιν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν

to (Some words not found in SR-GNT: διʼ οὗ ἐλάβομεν χάριν καί ἀποστολήν εἰς ὑπακοήν πίστεως ἐν πᾶσιν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν ὑπέρ τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ)

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of obedience and faith, you could express the same ideas in another way. Alternate translation: [for people to faithfully obey Jesus among all the Gentiles]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

εἰς ὑπακοὴν πίστεως

Here, obedience of faith could refer to: (1) obedience that is characterized by trust in God. Alternate translation: [for obedience by trusting in God] or [obedience that comes from trusting in God] (2) obedience that results from trusting in God. Alternate translation: [faith that results in obedience]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἐν πᾶσιν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν

among all the pagans

Here, the Gentiles could refer to: (1) the nations. Use this interpretation if you interpreted we to refer to all the apostles and retained it in your translation. Alternate translation: [among all people groups] (2) non-Jewish people groups. Use this interpretation if you interpreted we to refer only to Paul and translated it as “I”. Alternate translation: [among all non-Jewish people]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / infostructure

ἐλάβομεν χάριν καὶ ἀποστολὴν εἰς ὑπακοὴν πίστεως ἐν πᾶσιν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν ὑπὲρ τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ

˱we˲_received grace (Some words not found in SR-GNT: διʼ οὗ ἐλάβομεν χάριν καί ἀποστολήν εἰς ὑπακοήν πίστεως ἐν πᾶσιν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν ὑπέρ τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ)

If it would be more natural in your language, you could change the order of these phrases. Alternate translation: [we received grace and apostleship for the sake of his name, for obedience of the faith among all the Gentiles]

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

ὑπὲρ τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: διʼ οὗ ἐλάβομεν χάριν καί ἀποστολήν εἰς ὑπακοήν πίστεως ἐν πᾶσιν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν ὑπέρ τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ)

Here, name could refer to: (1) Jesus himself. Alternate translation: [for the sake of Jesus] (2) Jesus’ reputation. Alternate translation: [for the sake of Jesus’ fame]

Parallel ROM 1:5

Section 1:1–7: Introduction

1:5a

1:5b

1:5c

1:5a–c