The existence of many different Bible translations is undoubtedly a blessing. This ensures there's something for every need and linguistic preference. However, even though all translations are based on the same original text, differences do exist. Sometimes a single word is enough to give a text a completely different meaning. To kick off this series, Dr. Tobias Krämer critically examines the biblical passage Romans 11:28.
By Dr. Tobias Krämer
Why, one might ask, can't Bible translators simply translate what's written there? I know that translation is often a process of subjective judgment because decisions have to be made. That's clear, but that's not what I'm talking about here. My question is—and we'll see this in Romans 11:28—why do translators simply have to add words that aren't in the original text? I find that outrageous.
First, let's consider the context. At the end of Romans 11, Paul delivers a powerful message of salvation for Israel: "All Israel will be saved" (v. 26). This is momentous! But it's also something to look forward to. Therefore, Paul asks himself: What can be said about the Jewish people today? He answers this question from two perspectives (v. 28). For what needs to be said about the gospel is different from what needs to be said about election (vv. 28a+b).
The text: “Regarding the gospel, they [the Jews] are enemies for your sake, but regarding election, they are beloved for the sake of the patriarchs.” Two perspectives, two statements. Regarding the gospel, the Jews who reject Jesus are “enemies” (ἐχθροί); but regarding election, they are “beloved” (ἀγαπητοί).
In other words: If you look through the lens of the Gospel, you see many "enemies" among the Jews, because many want nothing to do with the Gospel. But if you look through the lens of election, you still see "beloved." The Jews are and remain beloved by God, even though many of them reject the Gospel. That is astonishing! The question is: If they are beloved by God, are they also enemies of God? The original text doesn't state this; the word "of God" is missing in both cases.
In the first case, the matter is clear. The Jews are, of course, beloved by God, therefore they are beloved of God. But what about the second case? What does this "enmity" refer to? Should one translate in parallel and speak of enemies of God, or precisely not?
Interpretation instead of translation
Several translations interpret verse 28a in this way and therefore add the word "God's." This is the case with the Good News Bible and the Hope for All Bible. For example, the New Geneva Bible states: "Their attitude toward the gospel makes them enemies of God." There you have it. This is clearly interpretation, not translation, because the word "God's" is not there. The question is: Does this interpretation get to the heart of the matter?
In fact, the two halves of the verse are not strictly parallel in construction. The love spoken of in verse 28b is, of course, the love of God. It refers to Israel. The enmity in verse 28a, on the other hand, originates with people, with Jews, and refers to the gospel. Paul experienced this enmity—the rejection of the gospel—dozens of times. He suffered because of it, it caused him distress, it raised theological questions, and it led him to write the major passage on Israel, Romans 9–11, in the first place.
Historically, many reasons are conceivable for why Jews rejected the Gospel. One thing, however, is clear: they did not do so out of enmity toward God. Rather, it stemmed from a lack of understanding or even from a misguided zeal for God, like the 'old' Paul before he encountered Jesus (cf. Romans 10:2–3). To transform the rejection of the Gospel into enmity toward God is a construct. And one might ask what motivated the translators to make this construct. In the original text, the Jews are not enemies of God, but simply enemies, and that this enmity refers to the Gospel is textually clear. That is where it should be left.
Many translations do this as well. Elberfelder and Schlachter translate simply and precisely: "Regarding the gospel, they are indeed enemies for your sake." Other translations explicitly establish the connection between enmity and the gospel. The New Life Bible translates freely but accurately: "Many Jews are now enemies of the good news..."—here, the enmity is clearly related to the gospel. The Volx Bible, on the other hand, is close to the historical facts: "Many Jews simply don't want this new message..." That's exactly how it was.
An act of God's grace
The Jews Paul speaks of are not enemies of God. They do not reject God, but the gospel. Period. This pains God, but it does not change his fundamental stance. For God, it remains: He has chosen Israel, he is in covenant with Israel (the patriarchal covenant), he loves his people – even though many want nothing to do with Jesus. That is the message of verse 28.
For this reason, God will ensure that all Israel will be saved (Romans 11:26-27), so that in the end, God's mercy on his people will have the final word (Romans 11:31). What a demonstration of God's love and grace!
This article first appeared in our newspaper "Israelaktuell," issue 145. You can order the newspaper here . We would also be happy to send you several copies for distribution.
