Lectionary Year A
March 3, 2002
Romans 5:1-11

Initial Acquaintance/Rough Translation

A. Comparing Translations

(JFC) The New American Standard Bible's and the Revised Standard Version's translations differ as indicated here:

2 obtained our introduction by faith into this grace - NASB
obtained access to this grace - RSV

and we exult in hope of the glory of God. - NASB
and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God. - RSV

3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, - NASB
More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, - RSV

perseverance - NASB
endurance - RSV

4 proven character - NASB
character - RSV

5 does not disappoint - NASB
does not disappoint us - RSV

Holy Spirit who has been given to us. - NASB
Holy Spirit which has been given to us. - RSV

6 still helpless, - NASB
still weak, - RSV

B. Textual Criticism

(JFC) 1 For e;comen, several of the major witnesses have ecwmen, a subjunctive instead of the indicative received. Metzger and the Committee (TCGNT) retain e;comen on internal evidence, admitting that the external evidence would seem reasonably to prefer the subjunctive, yet observing that Paul is stating facts here in light of the Gospel he is arguing to sustain. They suppose Paul to have dictated e;comen and "Tertius, his amanuensis (16.22), may have written down ecwmen. (For another set of variant readings involving the interchange of o with w, see 1 Cor. 15.49.)" Besides, many minuscules retain the text as received, too.

2 Again, Metzger and the Committee question whether Īth/| pi,steiŠ, was original and opt to print it in brackets "to represent the balance of evidence,". They state that "the sense is not materially changed by their presence or their absence, for Paul has previously declared that faith is necessary for justification, and therefore it may be that copyists dropped the words a redundant and superfluous after evk pi,stewj in verse 1." Sanday and Headlam, in ICC, agree with putting it in brackets based on the same arguments.

6 At this verse's opening words, e;ti ga.r, several witnesses make changes to reflect more or less awkwardness in repeating the word e;ti. Nevertheless, Metzger and the Committee admit that Paul might have been repeating the word for emphasis' sake. Perhaps we'll see as the study progresses.

11 As in verse 3, a few witnesses would add touto, to the first phrase of this verse, uv mo,non de,. However, more than an equal number of more reliable editors retain the text as printed, advisedly.

C. Rough Translation

(JFC) 1 Then/Therefore by/from/by reason of/by reason of faith we are justified we have peace with/to/toward/ for the sake or purpose of the God through the Lord of ours Jesus Christ 2 through whom also the right to enter we are having (perfect, active, indicative) into the grace the one in which we are standing and we boast/take pride in/rejoice (present, middle or passive, indicative) in the hope to the glory of the God. 3 But not only (this), but also we boast in the trouble/distress/hard circumstances/suffering, we have learned/known/perceived (perfect/active, participle) that suffering patient endurance/steadfastness/perseverance accomplishes/produces/brings about, 4 but the endurance character/worth, but the character hope. 5 But the hope never disappoints/puts to shame/disgraces/humiliates, that the love of the God is being poured out/shed into the hearts of ours through Spirit Holy of the having been given (aorist, passive, participle) to us. 6 For/Even/In addition Christ in our being (present, active, participle) weak still according to the proper time for the ungodly/impious died (aorist, active, indicative). 7 For hardly/scarcely/with difficulty on behalf of one righteous someone the will die/face death; for even for a good one will one perhaps/possibly one dares (present, active, infinitive) to die (aorist, active, infinitive); 8 but shows/demonstrates unto Himself love unto us the God, that moreover sinners being for us Christ on behalf of us died (aorist, active, indicative). 9 Then much more are we being made righteous (aorist, passive, participle) now in the blood of Him we shall be saved (future, passive, indicative) from the anger/wrath/revenge. 10 For if enemies we were being we were being reconciled (aorist, passive, indicative) by the God through the death of the Son of His, much more we were being reconciled (aorist, passive, participle) we were being saved by the life of His; 11 but not only, we are rejoicing/boasting/being glad (present, middle or passive, participle) in the God through the Lord of ours Jesus Christ through whom now the being put into friendship with God we received.



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