VersePhraseExplanation
Mat 5:12Rejoice and be very gladRejoice and "be very glad" mean almost the same thing. Jesus wanted his hearers not merely to rejoice but to do even more than rejoice if possible.
Mat 11:29I am meek and lowly in heartHere "meek" and "lowly in heart" mean basically the same thing. Jesus combines them to emphasize that he will be much kinder than the religious leaders. Alternate Translation: "I am gentle and humble" or "I am very gentle"
Mat 21:21if you have faith and do not doubtJesus expresses the same idea both positively and negatively to emphasize that this faith must be genuine. Alternate Translation: "if you truly believe"
Mat 22:38the great and first commandmentHere "great" and "first" mean the same thing. They emphasize that this is the most important commandment.
Mat 23:33You serpents, you offspring of vipersSerpents are snakes, and vipers are poisonous snakes. They are dangerous and often symbols of evil. Alternate Translation: "You are as evil as dangerous and poisonous snakes"
Mrk 4:39Peace! Be still!These two phrases are similar and used to emphasize what Jesus wanted the wind and the sea to do.
Mrk 7:14Listen to me, all of you, and understandThe words "Listen" and "understand" are related. Jesus uses them together to emphasize that his hearers should pay close attention to what he is saying.
Mrk 8:15Keep watch and be on guardThese two terms have a common meaning and are repeated here for emphasis. They can be combined. Alternate Translation: "Keep watch"
Mrk 13:20the elect, those whom he choseThe phrase "those whom he chose" means the same thing as "the elect." Together, they emphasize that God chose these people.
Mrk 14:68neither know nor understand what you are talking aboutBoth "know" and "understand" have the same meaning here. The meaning is repeated to add emphasis to what Peter is saying. Alternate Translation: "I really do not understand what you are talking about"
Luk 1:14You will have joy and gladnessThe words "joy" and "gladness" mean the same thing and are used to emphasize how great the joy will be. Alternate Translation: "you will have great joy" or "you will be very glad"
Luk 1:20silent, unable to speakThese mean the same thing, and are repeated to emphasize the completeness of his silence. Alternate Translation: "completely unable to speak" or "not able to speak at all"
Luk 1:42raised her voice ... said loudlyThese two phrases mean the same thing, and are used to emphasize how excited Elizabeth was. They could be combined into one phrase. Alternate Translation: "exclaimed loudly"
Luk 1:79darkness ... shadow of deathThese two phrases work together to emphasize the deep spiritual darkness of people before God shows them mercy.
Luk 2:20glorifying and praising GodThese are very similar and emphasize how excited they were about what God had done. Alternate Translation: "talking about and praising God's greatness"
Luk 4:7if you will bow down ... worship meThese two phrases are very similar. They can be combined. Alternate Translation: "if you will bow down in worship to me"
Luk 4:41crying out and sayingThese mean about the same thing, and probably refer to cries of fear or anger. Some translations use only one term. Alternate Translation: "screaming" or "shouting"
Luk 6:27love ... do good toThese two phrases mean the same thing, and together emphasize the point.
Luk 24:37terrified and filled with fearstartled and afraid. These two phrases mean about the same thing, and are used together to emphasize their fear.
Jhn 7:10not publicly but in secretThese two phrases mean the same thing. The idea is repeated for emphasis. Alternate Translation: "very secretly"
Jhn 10:1a thief and a robberThis is the use of two words with similar meanings to add emphasis.
Jhn 11:33he was deeply moved in his spirit and was troubledJohn combines these phrases that have similar meanings to express the intense emotional distress and possible anger that Jesus experienced. Alternate Translation: "he was greatly upset"
Act 1:7the times or the seasonsPossible meanings are 1) the words "times" and "seasons" refer to different kinds of time. Alternate Translation: "the general period of time or the specific date" or 2) the two words are basically synonymous. Alternate Translation: "the exact time"
Act 1:25to take the place in this ministry and apostleshipHere the word "apostleship" defines what kind of "ministry" this is. Alternate Translation: "to take Judas' place in this apostolic ministry" or "to take Judas' place in serving as an apostle"
Act 2:7They were amazed and marveledThese two words share similar meanings. Together they emphasize the intensity of amazement. Alternate Translation: "They were greatly amazed"
Act 2:12amazed and perplexedThese two words share similar meanings. Together they emphasize that the people could not understand what was happening. Alternate Translation: "surprised and confused"
Act 2:20the great and remarkable dayThe words "great" and "remarkable" share similar meanings and emphasize the intensity of greatness. Alternate Translation: "the very great day"
Act 2:40he testified and urged themhe seriously told them and begged them. Here the words "testified" and "urged" share similar meanings and emphasize that Peter urged them strongly to respond to what he was saying. Alternate Translation: "he strongly urged them"
Act 3:10they were filled with wonder and amazementHere the words "wonder" and "amazement" share similar meanings and emphasize the intensity of the people's amazement. Alternate Translation: "they were extremely amazed"
Act 4:13ordinary, uneducated menThe words "ordinary" and "uneducated" share similar meanings. They emphasize that Peter and John had received no formal training in Jewish law.
Act 8:21You have no part or share in this matterThe words "part" and "share" mean the same thing and are used for emphasis. Alternate Translation: "You may not participate in this work"
Act 18:9speak and do not be silentThe Lord gives the same command in two different ways to strongly command Paul to speak. Alternate Translation: "you must certainly continue to speak"
Rom 2:5hardness and unrepentant heartThis is a doublet that you can combine as "unrepentant heart."
Rom 2:5on the day of wrath ... the day of the revelation of God's righteous judgmentBoth of these phrases refer to the same day. Alternate Translation: "when God shows everyone that he is angry and that he judges all people fairly"
Rom 2:8wrath and fierce anger will comeThe words "wrath" and "fierce anger" mean basically the same thing and emphasize God's anger. Alternate Translation: "God will show his terrible anger"
Rom 2:9tribulation and distress onThe words "tribulation" and "distress" mean basically the same thing here and emphasize how bad God's punishment will be. Alternate Translation: "awful punishments will happen to"
Rom 8:35Tribulation, or distressThese words both mean the same thing.
Rom 9:1I tell the truth in Christ. I do not lieThese two expressions mean basically the same thing. Paul uses them to emphasize that he is telling the truth.
Rom 9:2great sorrow and unceasing painThese two expressions mean basically the same thing. Paul uses them together to emphasize how great his emotions are.
Rom 9:33stone of stumbling and a rock of offenseBoth of these phrases mean basically the same thing and are metaphors that refer to Jesus and his death on the cross. It was as if the people stumbled over a stone because they were disgusted when they considered Jesus' death on the cross.
Rom 11:12if their failure is the riches of the world, and if their loss is the riches of the GentilesBoth of these phrases mean basically the same thing. If you need to, you can combine them in your translation. Alternate Translation: "when the Jews failed spiritually, the result was that God abundantly blessed the non-Jews"
Rom 11:33Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God!Here "wisdom" and "knowledge" mean basically the same thing. Alternate Translation: "How amazing are the many benefits of both God's wisdom and knowledge!"
Rom 12:1holy, acceptable to GodPossible meanings are 1) "a sacrifice that you give to God alone and that pleases him" or 2) "acceptable to God because it is morally pure"
Rom 13:13in sexual immorality or in uncontrolled lustThese concepts mean basically the same thing. You can combine them in your translation. Alternate Translation: "sexually immoral acts"
Rom 14:13but instead decide this, that no one will place a stumbling block or a snare for his brotherHere "stumbling block" and "snare" mean basically the same thing. Alternate Translation: "but instead make it your goal not to do or say anything that might cause a fellow believer to sin"
Rom 14:14I know and am persuaded in the Lord JesusHere the words "know" and "am persuaded" mean basically the same thing; Paul uses them to emphasize his certainty. Alternate Translation: "I am certain because of my relationship with the Lord Jesus"
Rom 15:19signs and wondersThese two words mean basically the same thing and refer to various kinds of miracles.
Rom 16:18By their smooth and flattering speechThe words "smooth" and "flattering" mean basically the same thing. Paul is emphasizing how these people are deceiving believers. Alternate Translation: "By saying things that seem to be good and true"
Rom 16:26but now has been revealed and made known through the prophetic writings to all nations, by the command of the eternal GodThe verbs "revealed" and "made known" mean basically the same thing. Paul uses both of them to emphasize his point. You can combine these words and translate this in an active form. Alternate Translation: "but now the eternal God has made it known to all the nations through the prophetic writings"
2Co 2:16an aroma from death to deathPossible meanings are 1) that the word "death" is repeated for emphasis and the phrase means "an aroma that causes death" or 2) "an aroma of death that causes people to die"
2Co 2:16aroma from life to lifePossible meanings are 1) that the word "life" is repeated for emphasis and the phrase means "an aroma that gives life" or 2) "an aroma of life that gives people live"
2Co 7:15you welcomed him with fear and tremblingHere "fear" and "trembling" share similar meanings and emphasize the intensity of fear. Alternate Translation: "you welcomed him with great reverence"
2Co 8:12a good and acceptable thingHere the words "good" and "acceptable" share similar meanings and emphasize the goodness of the thing. Alternate Translation: "a very good thing"
Eph 1:4holy and blamelessPaul uses two similar words to emphasize moral goodness.
Eph 2:1your trespasses and sinsThe words "trespasses" and "sins" have similar meanings. Paul uses them together to emphasize the greatness of the people's sin.
Eph 3:10rulers and authoritiesThese words share similar meanings. Paul uses them together to emphasize that every spiritual being will know God's wisdom.
Eph 5:19spiritual songsPossible meanings are 1) these are songs that Holy Spirit inspires a person to sing right at that moment or 2) "spiritual songs" and "hymns" are doublets and mean basically the same thing.
Eph 5:27holy and without faultThe phrase "without fault" means basically the same thing as "holy." Paul uses the two together to emphasize the church's purity.
Eph 6:5deep respect and tremblingThe phrase "deep respect and trembling" uses two similar ideas to emphasize the importance of honoring their masters.
Php 1:10sincere and without offenseThe words "sincere" and "without offense" mean basically the same thing. Paul combines them to emphasize moral purity. Alternate Translation: "completely blameless"
Php 1:20It is my eager expectation and certain hopeHere the word "expectation" and the phrase "certain hope" mean basically the same thing. Paul uses them together to emphasize how strong his expectation is. Alternate Translation: "I eagerly and confidently hope"
Php 2:12with fear and tremblingPaul uses the words "fear" and "trembling" together to show the attitude of reverence that people should have for God. Alternate Translation: "trembling with fear" or "with deep reverence"
Php 2:15blameless and honestThe words "blameless" and "honest" are very similar in meaning and are used together to strenghten the idea. Alternate Translation: "completely innocent"
Php 2:15in the world, in the middle of a crooked and depraved generationHere the word "world" refers to the people of the world. The words "crooked" and "depraved" are used together to emphasize that the people are very sinful. Alternate Translation: "in the world, among people who are very sinful"
Col 2:3wisdom and knowledgeThese words mean basically the same thing here. Paul uses them together to emphasize that all spiritual understanding comes from Christ.
Col 4:1right and fairThese words mean almost the same thing and are used to emphasize the things that are morally correct.
1Th 2:9our labor and toilThe words "labor" and "toil" mean basically the same thing. Paul uses them to emphasize how hard they worked. Alternate Translation: "how hard we worked"
1Th 2:12We were begging you and encouraging and urging youThe words "begging," "encouraging," and "urging" are used together to express how passionately Paul's group encouraged the Thessalonians. Alternate Translation: "We were strongly encouraging you"
1Th 3:7in all our distress and afflictionThe word "affliction" explains why they are in "distress." Alternate Translation: "in all our distress caused by our afflictions"
1Th 4:1we encourage and exhort youPaul uses "encourage" and "exhort" to emphasize how strongly they encourage the believers. Alternate Translation: "we strongly encourage you"
1Th 4:6transgress and wrongThis is a doublet stating the same idea in two ways to reinforce the concept. Alternate Translation: "do wrong things"
2Th 3:8in difficult labor and hardshipPaul emphasizes how hard his circumstances were. Difficult labor implies work that requires great effort. Hardship implies they endured pain and suffering. Alternate Translation: "in very difficult circumstances"
1Ti 2:2a peaceful and quiet lifeHere "peaceful" and "quiet" mean the same thing. Paul wants all believers to be able to live calm lives without trouble from the authorities.
1Ti 2:9with modesty and self-controlBoth of these words mean basically the same thing. Paul is emphasizing that women should wear clothes that are appropriate and do not attract improper attention from men.
1Ti 4:10struggle and work very hardThe words "struggle" and "work very hard" mean basically the same thing. Paul uses them together to emphasize the intensity with which they serve God.
1Ti 5:5requests and prayersThese two words mean basically the same thing. Paul uses them together to emphasize how much these widows pray.
1Ti 5:21to keep these commands without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritismThe words "partiality" and "favoritism" mean basically the same thing. Paul is emphasizing that Timothy must judge honestly and be fair to everyone. Alternate Translation: "to keep these rules without being partial or showing favor to anyone"
Heb 2:2trespass and disobedienceThese two words mean basically the same thing.
Heb 4:13bare and openThese two words mean basically the same thing and emphasize that nothing is hidden from God.
Heb 5:7prayers and requestsBoth of these words mean basically the same thing.
Heb 6:19a secure and reliable anchorHere the words "secure" and "reliable" mean basically the same thing and emphasize the complete reliability of the anchor. Alternate Translation: "a completely reliable anchor"
Heb 8:5a copy and shadowThese words have similar meanings to emphasize that the tabernacle was merely an image of the real tabernacle in heaven. Alternate Translation: "a vague image"
Heb 8:11neighbor ... brotherBoth of these refer to fellow Israelites.
Heb 10:17Their sins and lawless deedsThe words "sins" and "lawless deeds" mean basically the same thing. Together they emphasize how bad the sin is. Alternate Translation: "The things they did that were forbidden and how they broke the law"
Heb 11:13they were foreigners and exiles on earthHere "foreigners" and "exiles" mean basically the same thing. This emphasizes that this earth was not their true home. They were waiting for their true home that God would make for them.
Heb 12:28with reverence and aweThe words "reverence" and "awe" share similar meanings and emphasize the greatness of reverence due to God. Alternate Translation: "with great respect and dread"
Jas 1:17Every good gift and every perfect giftThese two phrases mean basically the same thing. James uses them to emphasize that anything good that a person has comes from God.
Jas 1:21take off all sinful filth and abundant amounts of evilHere the expressions "sinful filth" and "evil" share similar meanings. James uses them to emphasize how bad sin is. Alternate Translation: "stop doing every kind of sinful behavior"
Jas 1:27pure and unspoiledJames speaks of religion, the way one worships God, as if it could be physically pure and unspoiled. These are traditional ways for Jews to say that something is acceptable to God. Alternate Translation: "Completely acceptable"
Jas 4:1Where do quarrels and disputes among you come from?The abstract nouns "quarrels" and "disputes" mean basically the same thing and can be translated with verbs. Alternate Translation: "Why do you quarrel and dispute among yourselves?" or "Why do you fight among yourselves?"
Jas 4:2You fight and quarrelThe words "fight" and "quarrel" mean basically the same thing. James uses them to emphasize how much the people argue among themselves. Alternate Translation: "You constantly fight"
Jas 4:9Grieve, mourn, and cryThese three words have similar meanings. James uses them together to emphasize that the people should be truly sorry for not obeying God.
1Pe 1:10searched and inquired carefullyThe words "inquired carefully" mean basically the same thing as "searched." Together these words emphasize how hard the prophets tried to understand this salvation. Alternate Translation: "examined very carefully"
1Pe 1:19without blemish or spotPeter expresses the same idea in two different ways to emphasize Christ's purity. Alternate Translation: "with no imperfections"
1Pe 2:11foreigners and exilesThese two words mean basically the same thing. Peter speaks of his readers as people who are living in foreign lands away from their home. See how you translated "foreigners" in [1 Peter 1:1](../01/01.md).
1Pe 2:18the good and gentle mastersHere the words "good" and "gentle" share similar meanings and emphasize that such masters treat their servants kindly. Alternate Translation: "the very kind masters"
1Pe 4:13rejoice and be gladThese two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize the intensity of joy. Alternate Translation: "rejoice even more" or "be very glad"
1Pe 4:18the ungodly and the sinnerThe words "ungodly" and "sinner" mean basically the same thing and emphasize the wickedness of these people. Alternate Translation: "ungodly sinners"
2Pe 1:8barren or unfruitfulThese words mean basically the same thing and emphasize that this person will not be productive or experience any benefits from knowing Jesus. Alternate Translation: "unproductive"
2Pe 1:10make your calling and election sureThe words "calling" and "election" share similar meanings and refer to God's choosing them to belong to him. Alternate Translation: "make sure that God has really chosen you to belong to him"
2Pe 3:14spotless and blamelessThe words "spotless" and "blameless" mean basically the same thing and emphasize moral purity. Alternate Translation: "completely pure"
1Jn 3:6No one ... has seen him or known himJohn uses the words "seen" and "known" to say that the person who sins has never met Christ in a spiritual sense. A person behaving according to his sinful nature cannot know Christ. Alternate Translation: "No one ... has ever truly believed in him"
1Jn 3:18let us not love in word nor in tongue, but in actions and truthThe phrases "in word" and "in tongue" both refer to what a person says. The word "love" is understood in the second part of the sentence. Alternate Translation: "do not just say that you love people, but show that you truly love people by helping them"
Rev 4:9forever and everThese two words mean about the same thing and are repeated for emphasis. Alternate Translation: "for all eternity"
Rev 15:1great and marvelousThese words have similar meanings and are used for emphasis. Alternate Translation: "something that greatly amazed me"