ROM 1:9 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=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, 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 For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of his Son, how I continually make mention of you,

UST I can say this truthfully because God testifies for me that I frequently pray for you. I serve him devotedly by proclaiming the good news about his Son, Jesus.

BLB For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of His Son, is my witness how unceasingly I make mention of you,

AICNT For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you

OEB God, to whom I offer the worship of my soul as I tell the goodness of his Son, is my witness how constantly I mention you when I pray,

WEBBE For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the Good News of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you always in my prayers,

WMBB (Same as above)

NET For God, whom I serve in my spirit by preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness that I continually remember you

LSV for God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the good news of His Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you,

FBV I'm always praying for you, as God can confirm—the God I serve with the whole of my being as I share the good news about his Son.

TCNT For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that I continually remember you,

T4T God, whom I devotedly serve as I proclaim to people the gospel concerning his Son, knows that I tell the truth when I say that I always mention you whenever [DOU] I pray to God [HYP].

LEB For God, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, is my witness, how constantly I make mention of you,

BBE For God is my witness, whose servant I am in spirit in the good news of his Son, that you are at all times in my memory and in my prayers,

Moff God is my witness, the God whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, how unceasingly I always mention you in my prayers,

Wymth I call God to witness—to whom I render priestly and spiritual service by telling the Good News about His Son— how unceasingly I make mention of you in His presence,

ASV For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you, always in my prayers

DRA For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make a commemoration of you;

YLT for God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the good news of His Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you,

Drby For [fn]God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the glad tidings of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you,

1.9 Elohim

RV For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you, always in my prayers

SLT For my witness is God, whom I serve in my spirit in the good news of his Son, so that continually I make mention of you, always supplicating in my prayers;

Wbstr For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers,

KJB-1769 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

KJB-1611 For God is my witnesse, whom I serue [fn]with my spirit in the Gospel of his Sonne, that without ceasing I make mention of you, alwayes in my prayers,
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from capitalisation and punctuation and footnotes)

1:9 Or, in my spirit.

Bshps For God is my witnesse, whom I serue with my spirite in the Gospell of his sonne, that without ceassyng I make mention of you,
(For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the Gospel of his son, that without ceassing I make mention of you,)

Gnva For God is my witnesse (whom I serue in my spirit in the Gospel of his Sonne) that without ceasing I make mention of you
(For God is my witness (whom I serve in my spirit in the Gospel of his Sonne) that without ceasing I make mention of you )

Cvdl For God is my witnesse ( whom I serue in my sprete in the Gospell of his sonne) that without ceassynge I make mencion of you besekinge allwayes in my prayers,
(For God is my witness ( whom I serve in my spirit in the Gospel of his son) that without ceassing I make mention of you besekinge always in my prayers,)

TNT For God is my witnes whom I serve with my sprete in the Gospell of his sonne that with out ceasinge I make mencion of you alwayes in my prayers
(For God is my witness whom I serve with my spirit in the Gospel of his son that with out ceasinge I make mention of you always in my prayers )

Wycl For God is a witnesse to me, to whom Y serue in my spirit, in the gospel of his sone,
(For God is a witness to me, to whom I serve in my spirit, in the gospel of his son,)

Luth Denn GOtt ist mein Zeuge, welchem ich diene in meinem Geist am Evangelium von seinem Sohn, daß ich ohne Unterlaß euer gedenke
(Because God is my witness(n), which_one I serve in my spirit in/at/on_the gospel from his son, that I without Unterlaß your(pl) remember)

ClVg Testis enim mihi est Deus, cui servio in spiritu meo in Evangelio Filii ejus, quod sine intermissione memoriam vestri facio[fn]
(Testis because to_me it_is God, to_whom servio in/into/on in_spirit mine in/into/on Evangelio Children his, that without intermissione memory yours I_do )

1.9 Testis. Quod habetis fidem Domino imputo. Nam habenda oro ab eo; vel exponit quando gratias agat, in orationibus scilicet, quomodo? sine intermissione.

1.9 Testis. That you(pl)_have faith Master imputo. For/Surely habenda oro away by_him; or explains when graces act, in/into/on prayers namely, quomodo? without intermissione.

UGNT μάρτυς γάρ μού ἐστιν ὁ Θεός, ᾧ λατρεύω ἐν τῷ πνεύματί μου ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ Υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ, ὡς ἀδιαλείπτως μνείαν ὑμῶν ποιοῦμαι
(martus gar mou estin ho Theos, hō latreuō en tōi pneumati mou en tōi euangeliōi tou Huiou autou, hōs adialeiptōs mneian humōn poioumai)

SBL-GNT μάρτυς γάρ μού ἐστιν ὁ θεός, ᾧ λατρεύω ἐν τῷ πνεύματί μου ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ, ὡς ἀδιαλείπτως μνείαν ὑμῶν ποιοῦμαι
(martus gar mou estin ho theos, hō latreuō en tōi pneumati mou en tōi euangeliōi tou huiou autou, hōs adialeiptōs mneian humōn poioumai)

RP-GNT Μάρτυς γάρ μού ἐστιν ὁ θεός, ᾧ λατρεύω ἐν τῷ πνεύματί μου ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ, ὡς ἀδιαλείπτως μνείαν ὑμῶν ποιοῦμαι,
(Martus gar mou estin ho theos, hō latreuō en tōi pneumati mou en tōi euangeliōi tou huiou autou, hōs adialeiptōs mneian humōn poioumai,)

TC-GNT Μάρτυς γάρ μού ἐστιν ὁ Θεός, ᾧ λατρεύω ἐν τῷ πνεύματί μου ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ, ὡς ἀδιαλείπτως μνείαν ὑμῶν ποιοῦμαι,
(Martus gar mou estin ho Theos, hō latreuō en tōi pneumati mou en tōi euangeliōi tou huiou autou, hōs adialeiptōs mneian humōn poioumai, )

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

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 1:8–17: Paul wanted to visit the believers at/in Rome

In this section, Paul thanked God that, in many places, people had heard about the faith of the believers in Rome. He also told them that he was asking God to make a way for him to go and visit them. He expected that he and they together would strengthen each other in their faith in Jesus Christ. He told them that he had been wanting to visit them for a long time and was eager to preach the gospel to the people there.

Then Paul wrote down the main things he wanted to talk about in the rest of the letter. He spoke of the gospel and who it is for.

Here are other possible headings for this section:

Paul wanted to visit Rome

Paul hoped to visit them

1:9a

God, whom I serve with my spirit in preaching the gospel of His Son, is my witness

For God is able to testify about me. I do his work by means of my spirit for the good news about his Son.
For God is my witness. I do his work regarding the gospel of his Son with my life. God knows that what I say here is true:

The Greek of 1:9a begins with a word that is often translated as “for” (as in the ESV). This word introduces support for Paul saying that he thanked God for the believers in Rome. Some languages can omit this word and imply this connection, as the BSB does.

God…is my witness: This clause is an oath. Paul knew that God could confirm that Paul was praying often for the believers in Rome. It also encourages the believers in Rome to believe that Paul was praying often for them and not doubt what he said here. It also emphasizes that Paul was speaking the truth about praying for them. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

God knows and can tell you

God has seen and can proclaim

whom I serve with my spirit in preaching the gospel of His Son: This clause further describes God. It does not separate this God from other gods. For the correct meaning in some languages, translators must avoid the word whom. Here is one way:

I serve God with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, and he is my witness

This clause also interrupts what Paul wanted the Roman believers to know (in the Greek: “God is my witness…that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers”). In some languages, it is more natural to have this clause in a different place. For example:

For I serve God with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, and he is my witness

^9–10God is my witness that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers. I serve him with my spirit in the gospel of his Son. I am asking…

I serve: Here this word refers to doing things that God wants people to do. For Paul, this word would include his work as an apostle and evangelist. Here are other ways to translate this word:

I do his will

I do everything that he commands me to do

This word does not refer to giving food to God here.

with my spirit: There are two ways to interpret the Greek words that the BSB translates as with my spirit:

It indicates that Paul’s spirit was the means by which he served God. For example:
in my spirit (NASB) (BSB, RSV, NIV11, NJB, KJV, NASB, NET, NABRE, ESV)
It refers to the sincerity of Paul’s service. Paul was saying that he served God completely or wholeheartedly. For example:
whom I serve with my whole heart (NIV) (NIV, GNT, NLT, CEV, NCV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the Greek phrase “in…spirit” does not mean “sincere” anywhere else in the NT.The BSB usually translates the Greek that means “not hypocritical” as “sincere.” Cranfield, Dunn, Jewett, Witherington, Kruse, Barrett, Lenski, Nicoll, Fitzmyer, and Moo support interpretation (1).

my spirit: The word spirit refers to the part of a person that is not the physical part. It includes the thinking, attitudes, emotions, and desires of that person. In some languages spirit is only used after a person has died physically. If that is true in your language, use the word with the correct meaning here. For example:

my insides

my life

in preaching the gospel of His Son: The phrase that the BSB translates as in preaching the gospel of His Son is literally “in the gospel of his Son.” It indicates that Paul’s service to God was in reference to sharing the good news about Jesus Christ. This included preaching, teaching, and doing miracles in the name of Jesus Christ. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

concerning the gospel of his Son

in regard to the gospel of his Son

The BSB supplies the phrase in preaching. This is not in the Greek. While that is part of Paul’s service, he did many other things in relation to the gospel. Here is a more general way to translate the idea:

in spreading the Good News about his Son

gospel: The Greek word that the BSB translates as gospel means “good news.” Here, it refers to the good news that God sent Jesus to rescue us from wrongdoing and reconcile us to God. See how you translated this word in 1:1.

of: The word of here probably indicates that the gospel informs people about Jesus.Moo (on TW) and Kruse (page 57). For example:

about (NLT)

His Son: The phrase His Son refers to Jesus. He is God’s Son. It indicates that the relationship between God and Jesus is similar to the relationship of human fathers and their sons. See how you translated this phrase in 1:3.

1:9b

how constantly I remember you

He is able to testify that I speak a short talk/message/prayer to God about you continually
I am always speaking briefly to God about you

how constantly: This phrase is an exaggeration for emphasis. Here it means “continually” or “all the time.” It does not mean “every minute that Paul was awake.” Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

continually (NET)

never stop (CEV)

I remember you: This word indicates here that Paul referred to them when he to God. It also may indicate remembering to pray for them. Paul prayed briefly but often for the Roman believers.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

γάρ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: μάρτυς Γάρ μού ἐστίν ὁ Θεός ᾧ λατρεύω ἐν τῷ πνεύματι μού ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ Υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ ὡς ἀδιαλείπτως μνείαν ὑμῶν ποιοῦμαι)

For indicates that what follows is the reason why Paul could say in the previous verse that he thanks God for the Roman believers. Use a natural way in your language for indicating a reason. Alternate translation: [You can be sure this is true because]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / infostructure

μάρτυς & μού ἐστιν ὁ Θεός, ᾧ λατρεύω ἐν τῷ πνεύματί μου ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ Υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ, ὡς ἀδιαλείπτως μνείαν ὑμῶν ποιοῦμαι

witness & ˱of˲_me (Some words not found in SR-GNT: μάρτυς Γάρ μού ἐστίν ὁ Θεός ᾧ λατρεύω ἐν τῷ πνεύματι μού ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ Υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ ὡς ἀδιαλείπτως μνείαν ὑμῶν ποιοῦμαι)

If it would be more natural in your language, you could change the order of these clauses and make a new sentence, if you need to do so. Alternate translation: [God is my witness how I continually make mention of you. I serve him in my spirit in the gospel of his Son]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / distinguish

μάρτυς & μού & ᾧ λατρεύω ἐν τῷ πνεύματί μου ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ Υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ

witness & ˱of˲_me & ˱unto˲_whom ˱I˲_˓am˒_serving in the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: μάρτυς Γάρ μού ἐστίν ὁ Θεός ᾧ λατρεύω ἐν τῷ πνεύματι μού ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ Υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ ὡς ἀδιαλείπτως μνείαν ὑμῶν ποιοῦμαι)

This phrase gives further information about God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make the relationship between these phrases clearer. Alternate translation: [my witness, and I serve him in my spirit in the gospel of his Son]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

μάρτυς & μού

witness & ˱of˲_me

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of witness, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [the one who testifies about me]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἐν τῷ πνεύματί μου

in the in the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: μάρτυς Γάρ μού ἐστίν ὁ Θεός ᾧ λατρεύω ἐν τῷ πνεύματι μού ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ Υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ ὡς ἀδιαλείπτως μνείαν ὑμῶν ποιοῦμαι)

Here, spirit refers to the inner person, which is what a person thinks and feels. Paul means that he serves God with complete devotion. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: [with my whole heart] or [wholeheartedly]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ

in the in the gospel

Here, in indicates the means by which Paul served God and gospel refers specifically to proclaiming the gospel. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: [by proclaiming the gospel]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ Υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ

in the in the gospel ˱of˲_the Son ˱of˲_him

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

Note 8 topic: guidelines-sonofgodprinciples

Υἱοῦ

Son

Son is an important title for Jesus, the Son of God.

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / hyperbole

ἀδιαλείπτως

unceasingly

Here, continually is an exaggeration that emphasizes how frequently Paul prayed for the church at Rome. Paul does not mean that he spends all of his time praying for them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use plain language and express the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: [I regularly] or [I habitually]

Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

μνείαν ὑμῶν ποιοῦμαι

mentioning ˱of˲_you_all ˱I˲_˓am˒_making

Here, making mention is an idiom for praying. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent idiom or use plain language. Alternate translation: [I am … praying for you]

Parallel ROM 1:9

Section 1:8–17: Paul wanted to visit the believers at/in Rome

1:9a

1:9b