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Explore the intricacies of translating Romans 3:25 from Greek to English with a focus on the judicious use of punctuation. This article provides insight into the balance between literal translation and theological interpretation, emphasizing the importance of Greek syntax in understanding and conveying the profound messages of the New Testament. Perfect for scholars, theologians, and anyone interested in the art of Scripture translation.

Romans 3:25 is a pivotal verse in the New Testament, offering deep theological insights into the nature of Christ’s sacrifice and God’s righteousness. However, translating this verse into English presents unique challenges, especially regarding punctuation, which was absent in the original Greek manuscripts. The Greek language relies heavily on word endings and syntax rather than punctuation to convey meaning. Consequently, the task of the translator is not merely linguistic but also interpretive, requiring a careful balance between staying true to the original text and conveying its meaning clearly in the target language.

The Greek Structure and Its Implications

In the original Greek, Romans 3:25 reads:

“ὃν προέθετο ὁ Θεὸς ἱλαστήριον διὰ πίστεως ἐν τῷ αὐτοῦ αἵματι, εἰς ἔνδειξιν τῆς δικαιοσύνης αὐτοῦ, διὰ τὴν πάρεσιν τῶν προγεγονότων ἁμαρτημάτων”

ὃν (whom) προέθετο (God set forth) ὁ (the) Θεὸς (God) ἱλαστήριον (a propitiation) διὰ (through) πίστεως (faith) ἐν (in) τῷ (his) αὐτοῦ (own) αἵματι, (blood,) εἰς (for) ἔνδειξιν (a demonstration) τῆς (of the) δικαιοσύνης (righteousness) αὐτοῦ (of him,) διὰ (because of the) τὴν (the) πάρεσιν (passing over) τῶν (of the) προγεγονότων (previously committed) ἁμαρτημάτων (sins)

Translated literally, it means:

“Whom God set forth a propitiation through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness, because of the passing over of the previously committed sins.”

Greek syntax allows for a fluidity and flexibility that is not as readily available in English. Greek can insert words and even phrases between two related words or phrases, which can make direct translation into English a complex task.

The Challenge of Punctuation in English Translations

The absence of punctuation in the original Greek texts means that English translators must make interpretive decisions about where to place commas, semicolons, or other punctuation marks. These decisions can significantly affect the meaning of the text.

For example, consider two different punctuations of Romans 3:25:

“Whom God set forth as a propitiation through faith in his blood, to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance God had passed over the sins previously committed.”
“Whom God set forth as a propitiation, through faith in his blood to demonstrate his righteousness because in his forbearance, God had passed over the sins previously committed.”

The placement of commas in these translations subtly shifts the emphasis and the connection between Christ as a propitiation, faith, and the demonstration of God’s righteousness.

The Role of Exegesis in Translation

Exegesis involves the critical interpretation of a text, especially biblical texts. When translators engage in exegesis, they attempt to understand the text in its original context and apply that understanding to their translation. However, this process can be a “slippery slope,” as it involves interpreting the text, which can introduce the translator’s theological biases.

Translations like the TNIV (Today’s New International Version) often take a more interpretive approach, potentially adding or emphasizing punctuation to clarify or support a particular theological viewpoint. This approach can be helpful for readers but may also deviate from a strictly literal translation philosophy.

Literal Translation and Its Limitations

A literal translation philosophy strives to remain as close as possible to the original text, both in words and structure. However, the challenge with such an approach is that it may render the text less comprehensible or fluid in the target language. In the case of Romans 3:25, a strictly literal translation might fail to convey the nuances and connections implied in the Greek syntax, especially when it comes to the relationship between faith, Christ’s sacrifice, and God’s righteousness. Literal translation philosophy, which this author wholeheartedly supports, allows the text to be difficult to understand. If we dumb down the translation, we dumb down the reader.

Our primary purpose is to give the Bible readers what God said by way of his human authors, not what a translator thinks God meant in its place.—Truth Matters! Our primary goal is to be accurate and faithful to the original text. The meaning of a word is the responsibility of the interpreter (i.e., reader), not the translator.—Translating Truth!

Navigating the Balance

The key for translators is to navigate the balance between literal translation and the need to make the text understandable and meaningful to modern readers. This balance requires a deep understanding of both the source language (Greek) and the target language (English), as well as the cultural and historical context of the text.

Analyzing the Updated American Standard Version

Romans 3:25 Updated American Standard Version
25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in his blood through faith. This was to demonstrate his righteousness, because in the forbearance of God he passed over the sins previously committed;

Evaluating the provided translation of Romans 3:25 in light of the considerations discussed in the article:

Literalness vs. Interpretive Clarity: This translation strikes a balance between maintaining the literal elements of the Greek text and providing interpretive clarity for English readers. The phrase “whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in his blood through faith” closely follows the Greek structure while ensuring readability in English.
Punctuation and Syntax: The use of punctuation in this translation is judicious [done with good judgment] and aids in conveying the meaning clearly. By placing a period after “faith” and starting a new sentence with “This was to demonstrate his righteousness,” the translation effectively separates the two main ideas in the verse: the act of propitiation and its purpose. This division aligns well with the Greek syntax, which allows for complex relationships between ideas.
Theological Implications: The translation captures key theological concepts effectively. The term “propitiation” is retained, which is crucial as it speaks directly to the sacrificial aspect of Christ’s work, central to Christian theology. Additionally, the phrase “because in the forbearance of God he passed over the sins previously committed” reflects the theological concept of God’s righteousness and patience, consistent with the Pauline doctrine.
Faithfulness to Original Meaning: The translation appears faithful to the original Greek in both word choice and overall meaning. It successfully conveys the idea of Christ being a propitiation (or atoning sacrifice), the role of faith, and God’s righteousness in dealing with previously committed sins.

In summary, this translation of Romans 3:25 is well-executed, balancing literal fidelity to the Greek text with the need for clear and understandable English. It maintains key theological concepts while using punctuation effectively to clarify the complex relationships between the ideas presented in the verse.

In conclusion, translating Romans 3:25 into English with appropriate punctuation is a complex task that involves more than a simple word-for-word translation. It requires a deep understanding of Greek syntax, a careful consideration of the theological implications of punctuation, and a balanced approach to exegesis and literal translation. This process is not just about translating words but about conveying the rich theological depth and meaning of the original text to contemporary readers.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).