VersePhraseExplanation
Mat 6:28lilies ... They do not work, and they do not spin cloth ... was not clothed like one of theseJesus speaks about the lilies as if they were people who wore clothes. The lilies being clothed is a metaphor for the plants having beautiful and colorful flowers.
Mat 6:29lilies ... They do not work, and they do not spin cloth ... was not clothed like one of theseJesus speaks about the lilies as if they were people who wore clothes. The lilies being clothed is a metaphor for the plants having beautiful and colorful flowers.
Mat 6:30so clothes the grass in the fieldsJesus continues to speak about the lilies as if they were people who wore clothes. The lilies being clothed is a metaphor for the plants having beautiful and colorful flowers.
Mat 6:34tomorrow will be anxious for itselfJesus speaks of "tomorrow" as if it were a person who could worry. Jesus means that a person will have enough to worry about when the next day comes.
Mat 8:15the fever left herIf your language would understand this personification to mean that the fever could think and act on its own, this can be translated as "she became better" or "Jesus healed her."
Mat 8:27even the winds and the sea obey himFor people or animals to obey or disobey is not surprising, but for wind and water to obey is very surprising. This personification describes the natural elements as being able to hear and respond like people.
Mat 11:19wisdom is justified by her deedsHere "wisdom" is described as a woman who is proven to be right by what she does. Jesus means that the results of a wise person's actions prove that he is truly wise. This can be stated in active form. Alternate Translation: "the results of a wise person's deeds prove that he is wise"
Mat 13:22the deceitfulness of richesJesus describes "riches" as if it were a person who could deceive someone. This means people think having more money will make them happy, but it will not. Alternate Translation: "the love of money"
Mrk 4:32it forms large branchesThe mustard tree is described as causing its branches to grow large. Alternate Translation: "with large branches"
Mrk 13:24the moon will not give its lightHere the moon is spoken of as if it were alive and able to give something to someone else. Alternate Translation: "the moon will not shine" or "the moon will be dark"
Mrk 13:28puts out its leavesHere the fig tree is spoken of as if it were alive and able to willingly cause its leaves to grow. Alternate Translation: "its leaves begin to sprout"
Mrk 16:17These signs will go with those who believeMark speaks of miracles as though they were people going along with the believers. Alternate Translation: "People watching those who believe will see these things happen and know that I am with the believers"
Luk 10:6your peace will rest upon himHere "peace" is described as a living thing that can choose where to stay. Alternate Translation: "he will have the peace you blessed him with"
Luk 10:6it will return to youHere "peace" is described as a living thing that can choose to leave. Alternate Translation: "you will have that peace" or "he will not receive the peace you blessed him with"
Luk 11:49God's wisdom saidwisdom is treated as if it was able to speak for God. Alternate Translation: "God in his wisdom said" or "God wisely said"
Jhn 3:8The wind blows wherever it wishesIn the source language, wind and Spirit are the same word. The speaker here refers to the wind as if it were a person. Alternate Translation: "The Holy Spirit is like a wind that blows wherever it wants"
Jhn 5:36the very works that I do, testify about meHere Jesus says that the miracles "testify" or "tell the people" about him. Alternate Translation: "What I do shows the people that God has sent me"
Jhn 7:42Have the scriptures not saidThe scriptures are referred to as if they were actually speaking as a person speaks. Alternate Translation: "The prophets wrote in the scriptures"
Jhn 7:51Does our law judge a manHere Nicodemus speaks of the law as if it were a person. If this is not natural in your language, you may translate it with a personal subject. Alternate Translation: "Do we judge a man" or "we do not judge a man"
Jhn 8:32the truth will set you freeThis is personification. Jesus speaks of "the truth" as if it were a person. Alternate Translation: "if you obey the truth, God will set you free"
Jhn 10:25these testify concerning meHis miracles offer proof about him like a person who testifies would offer proof in a court of law. Alternate Translation: "offer proof concerning me"
Act 2:24for him to be held by itPeter speaks of Christ remaining dead as if death were a person who held him captive. Alternate Translation: "for him to remain dead"
Act 3:21He is the One heaven must receiveHe is the One heaven must welcome. Peter speaks of heaven as if it were a person who welcomes Jesus into his home.
Act 20:32to give you the inheritanceThis speaks about the "word of his grace" as if it were God himself that would give the inheritance to believers. Alternate Translation: "God will give you the inheritance"
Rom 2:2God's judgment is according to truth when it falls on thoseHere Paul speaks of "God's judgment" as if it were alive and could "fall" on people. Alternate Translation: "God will judge those people truly and fairly"
Rom 3:19whatever the law says, it speaks toPaul speaks of the law here as if it were alive and had its own voice. Alternate Translation: "everything that the law says people should do is for" or "all the commands that Moses wrote in the law are for"
Rom 3:21It was witnessed by the Law and the ProphetsThe words "the Law and the Prophets" refer to the parts of scripture that Moses and the prophets wrote in the Jewish scriptures. Paul describes them here as if they were people testifying in court. You can translate this in an active form. Alternate Translation: "What Moses and the prophets wrote confirms this"
Rom 5:5that hope does not disappointPaul uses personification here as he speaks of "confidence" as if it were alive. Alternate Translation: "we are very confident that we will receive the things that we wait for"
Rom 5:12through one man sin entered ... death entered through sinPaul describes sin as a dangerous thing that came into the world through the actions of "one man," Adam. This sin then became an opening through which death, pictured here as another dangerous thing, also came into the world.
Rom 5:14death ruled from Adam until MosesPaul is speaking of death as if it were a king who ruled. Alternate Translation: "people continued to die from the time of Adam until the time of Moses as a consequence of their sin"
Rom 5:17death ruledHere Paul speaks of "death" as a king who ruled. The "rule" of death causes everyone to die. Alternate Translation: "everyone died"
Rom 5:20the law came inHere Paul speaks of the law as if it were a person. Alternate Translation: "God gave his law to Moses"
Rom 5:21as sin ruled in deathHere Paul speaks of "sin" as if it were a king that ruled. Alternate Translation: "as sin resulted in death"
Rom 5:21even so grace might rule through righteousness for everlasting life through Jesus Christ our LordPaul speaks of "grace" here as if it were a king that ruled. Alternate Translation: "grace gave people everlasting life through the righteousness of Jesus Christ our Lord"
Rom 5:21so grace might rule through righteousnessPaul speaks of "grace" here as if it were a king that ruled. The word "righteousness" refers to God's ability to make people right with him. Alternate Translation: "so God might give his free gift to people to make them right with him"
Rom 6:9death no longer has authority over himHere "death" is described as a king or ruler that has power over people. Alternate Translation: "He can never die again"
Rom 6:12do not let sin rule in your mortal bodyPaul speaks of people sinning as if sin was there master or king that controlled them. Alternate Translation: "Do not let sinful desires control you"
Rom 6:12in order that you may obey its lustsPaul speaks of a person having evil desires as if it sin were a master that had evil desires.
Rom 6:14Do not allow sin to rule over youPaul speaks of "sin" here as if it were a king who rules over people. Alternate Translation: "Do not let sinful desires control what you do" or "Do not allow yourselves to do the sinful things you want to do"
Rom 6:16whether you are slaves to sin ... or slaves to obedienceHere, Paul speaks of "sin" and "obedience" as if they were masters that a slave would obey. Alternate Translation: "whether you are like slaves to sin ... or like slaves to obedience" or "You are either a slave to sin ... or you are a slave to obedience"
Rom 7:7I would never have known sin, if it were not through the law ... But sin took the opportunity ... brought about every lustPaul is comparing sin to a person who can act.
Rom 7:8I would never have known sin, if it were not through the law ... But sin took the opportunity ... brought about every lustPaul is comparing sin to a person who can act.
Rom 7:9sin regained lifeThis can mean 1) "I realized that I was sinning" or 2) "I strongly desired to sin"
Rom 7:11For sin took the opportunity through the commandment and deceived me. Through the commandment it killed meAs in [Romans 7:7-8](./07.md), Paul is describing sin as a person who can do 3 things: take the opportunity, deceive, and kill. Alternate Translation: "Because I wanted to sin, I deceived myself into thinking that I could sin and obey the commandment at the same time, but God punished me for disobeying the commandment by separating me from him"
Rom 7:11took the opportunity through the commandmentPaul is comparing sin to a person who can act. See how you translated this in [Romans 7:8](./08.md).
Rom 7:13sin ... brought about death in mePaul is viewing sin as though it were a person who could act.
Rom 7:17the sin that lives in mePaul describes sin as a living being that has the power to influence him.
Rom 7:20rather sin that lives in mePaul speaks of "sin" as if it were alive and living inside him.
Rom 7:21that evil is actually present in mePaul speaks of "evil" here as if it were alive and living inside him.
Rom 8:3For what the law was unable to do because it was weak through the flesh, God didHere the law is described as a person who could not break the power of sin. Alternate Translation: "For the law did not have the power to stop us from sinning, because the power of sin within us was too strong. But God did stop us from sinning"
Rom 8:6the mind set on the flesh ... the mind set on the SpiritHere Paul speaks of both the "flesh" and the "spirit" as if they were living persons. Alternate Translation: "the way sinful people think ... the way people who listen to the Holy Spirit think"
Rom 8:19the eager expectation of the creation waits forPaul describes everything that God created as a person who eagerly waits for something.
Rom 8:20not of its own will, but because of him who subjected itHere Paul describes "creation" as a person who can desire. Alternate Translation: "not because this is what the created things wanted, but because it is what God wanted"
Rom 9:17For the scripture saysHere the scripture is personified as if God were talking to Pharaoh. Alternate Translation: "The scripture records that God said"
Rom 10:5the righteousness that comes from the lawPaul speaks of "righteousness" as if it were alive and able to move. Alternate Translation: "how the law makes a person right before God"
Rom 10:6But the righteousness that comes from faith says thisHere "righteousness" is described as a person who can speak. Alternate Translation: "But Moses writes this about how faith makes a person right before God"
Rom 10:8But what does it say?The word "it" refers to "the righteousness" of [Romans 10:6](./06.md). Here Paul describes "righteousness" as a person who can speak. Paul uses a question to emphasize the answer he is about to give. Alternate Translation: "But this is what Moses says"
Rom 10:8The word is near youPaul speaks of God's message as if it were a person who can move. Alternate Translation: "You have heard the message"
Rom 10:11For scripture saysPaul speaks of the Scripture as if it were alive and had a voice. You can make explicit who wrote the Scripture that Paul uses here. Alternate Translation: "For Isaiah wrote in the Scriptures"
Rom 11:2what the scripture saysPaul is referring to the Scriptures as if they were able to speak.
Rom 12:21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with goodPaul describes "evil" as though it were a person. You can translate this in an active form. Alternate Translation: "Do not let those who are evil defeat you, but defeat those who are evil by doing what is good"
Rom 13:10Love does not harm one's neighborThis phrase portrays love as a person who is being kind to other people. Alternate Translation: "People who love their neighbors do not harm them"
Rom 15:21Those to whom no tidings of him cameHere Paul speaks of the "tidings" or message about Christ as if it were alive and able to move by itself. Alternate Translation: "Those whom no one had told the news about him"
Rom 16:19For your example of obedience reaches everyoneHere Paul speaks of the Roman believers' obedience as if it were a person who could go to people. Alternate Translation: "For everyone has heard how you obey Jesus"
1Co 8:8food will not present us to GodPaul speaks of food as though it were a person who could make God welcome us. Alternate Translation: "food does not give us favor with God" or "the food we eat does not make God pleased with us"
1Co 11:14Does not even nature itself teach you ... for him?He is speaking of the way people in society normally act as if it were a person who teaches. Alternate Translation: "You know just from looking at the way people normally act ... for him."
1Co 13:4Love is patient and kind ... endures all thingsHere Paul speaks about love as if it were a person.
1Co 13:7Love is patient and kind ... endures all thingsHere Paul speaks about love as if it were a person.
1Co 15:54when this perishable body has put on what is imperishableHere the body is spoken of as if it were a person, and becoming imperishable is spoken of as if being imperishable was clothing that a body would wear. Alternate Translation: "when this perishable body has become imperishable" or "when this body that can rot can no longer rot"
1Co 15:54when this mortal body has put on immortalityHere the body is spoken of as if it were a person, and becoming immortal is spoken of as if being immortal was clothing that a body would wear. Alternate Translation: "when this mortal body has become immortal" or "when this body that can die can no longer die"
2Co 1:12Our conscience testifiesPaul speaks of not being guilty as if his conscience were a person that could speak. Alternate Translation: "We know by our conscience"
2Co 3:6the letter killsPaul speaks of the Old Testament law as a person who kills. Following that law leads to spiritual death. Alternate Translation: "the written law leads to death"
2Co 4:12death is at work in us, but life is at work in youPaul speaks of death and life as if they are persons who can work. This means that they are always in danger of physical death so that the Corinthians can have spiritual life.
2Co 8:2the abundance of their joy and the extremity of their poverty have produced great riches of generosityPaul speaks of "joy" and "poverty" as if they were living things that can produce generosity. Alternate Translation: "because of the people's great joy and extreme poverty, they have become very generous"
Gal 3:8foreseeingBecause God made the promise to Abraham and they wrote it down before the promise came through Christ, the scripture is like someone who knows the future before it happens. Alternate Translation: "predicted" or "saw before it happened"
Gal 3:22scripturePaul is treating scripture as though it were a person and is speaking of God, who wrote scripture. Alternate Translation: "God"
Gal 5:16the desires of the sinful natureThe sinful nature is spoken of as if it were a person and wanted to sin. Alternate Translation: "what you want to do because of your sinful nature" or "the things you want to do because you are sinful"
Gal 5:19the works of the sinful natureThe sinful nature is spoken of as if it were a person who does things. Alternate Translation: "what people do because of their sinful nature" or "the things people do because they are sinful"
Gal 5:24have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desiresPaul speaks of Christians who refuse to live according to their sinful nature as if it were a person and they have killed it on a cross. Alternate Translation: "refuse to live according the sinful nature with its passions and desires, as if they killed it on a cross"
Gal 5:24the sinful nature with its passions and desiresThe sinful nature is spoken of as if it were a person that had passions and desires. Alternate Translation: "their sinful nature, and the things they strongly want to do because of it"
Php 4:7will guard your hearts and your thoughts in ChristThis presents God's peace as a soldier who protects our hearts and thoughts from worrying. Here "hearts" is a metonym for a person's emotions. Alternate Translation: "will be like a soldier and guard your emotions and thoughts in Christ" or "will protect you in Christ and will keep you from worrying about the troubles of this life"
1Th 2:13It is this word that is also at work among you who believePaul speaks of God's gospel message as if it were a person who was doing work. "Word" is a metonym for "message." Alternate Translation: "It is this set of God's instructions that enables those of you who believe to work well together"
1Ti 5:18For the scripture saysThis is personification that means that this is what someone has written in the scriptures. Alternate Translation: "For we read in the scriptures that"
1Ti 5:24they go before them into judgmenttheir sins go before those people into judgment. Paul speaks of sins as if they were moving. Possible meanings are 1) Their sins are so obvious that everyone will know they are guilty even before anyone testifies against them or 2) Their sins are evident, and God judges them now.
2Ti 3:15the sacred writings. These are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ JesusPaul speaks of the sacred writings as if they were a person who could make someone else wise. Alternate Translation: "that when you read the word of God, you can become wise so as to receive salvation from Christ Jesus by faith"
Tit 2:11the grace of God has appeared ... trains usPaul speaks of the grace of God as if it were a person who goes to other people and trains them to live holy lives.
Tit 2:12the grace of God has appeared ... trains usPaul speaks of the grace of God as if it were a person who goes to other people and trains them to live holy lives.
Tit 3:4when the kindness of God our savior and his love for mankind appearedPaul speaks of God's kindness and love as if they were people that came into our sight.
Heb 4:12living and activeThis speaks about God's word as if it were alive. It means when God speaks, it is powerful and effective.
Heb 4:12It is able to knowThis speaks about God's word as if it were a person who could know something. Alternate Translation: "God's word exposes"
Heb 6:7the land that drinks in the rainFarmland that benefits from much rain is spoken of as if it were a person who drinks in the rainwater. Alternate Translation: "the land that absorbs the rain"
Heb 6:7that gives birth to the plantsFarmland that produces crops is spoken of as if it gives birth to them. Alternate Translation: "that produces plants"
Heb 6:7the land that receives a blessing from GodRain and crops are seen as proof that God has helped the farmland. The farmland is spoken of as if it were a person who could receive God's blessing.
Heb 6:19hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtainConfidence is spoken of as if it were a person who could go into the most holy place of the temple.
Heb 7:17For scripture witnesses about himThis speaks about scripture as if it were a person who could witness about something. Alternate Translation: "For God witnesses about him through the scriptures" or "For this is what was written about him in the scripture"
Heb 7:19the law made nothing perfectThe law is spoken of as if it were a person who could act. Alternate Translation: "no one could become perfect by obeying the law"
Heb 11:29they were swallowed upThe water is spoken of as if it were an animal. Alternate Translation: "the Egyptians drowned in the water"
Heb 12:4You have not yet resisted or struggled against sinHere "sin" is spoken of as if it were a person whom someone fights in a battle. Alternate Translation: "You have not yet had to endure attacks of sinners"
Heb 12:5the encouragement that instructs youOld Testament scripture is spoken of as if it were a person who could encourage others. Alternate Translation: "what God has instructed you in the scriptures to encourage you"
Heb 12:11who have been trained by itwho have been trained by discipline. The discipline or correction done by the Lord is spoken of as if it were the Lord himself. This can be stated in active form. Alternate Translation: "whom God has trained by disciplining them"
Heb 12:24the sprinkled blood that speaks better than Abel's bloodThe blood of Jesus and the blood of Abel are spoken of as if they were people calling out. Alternate Translation: "the sprinkled blood of Jesus that says better things than the blood of Abel"
Jas 1:4Let endurance complete its workHere endurance is spoken of as if it were a person at work. Alternate Translation: "Learn to endure any hardship"
Jas 1:14each person is tempted by his own desireA person's desire is spoken of as if it were someone else who was tempting him to sin.
Jas 1:14which drags him away and entices himEvil desire continues to be spoken of as if it were a person who could drag away someone else.
Jas 1:15Then after the desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, and after the sin is full grown, it gives birth to deathDesire continues to be spoken of as a person, this time clearly as a woman who becomes pregnant with a child. The child is identified as sin. Sin is another female baby that grows up, becomes pregnant, and gives birth to death. This chain of metaphors is a picture of someone who ends up dying both spiritually and physically because of his evil desires and his sin.
Jas 2:9convicted by the law as lawbreakersHere the law is spoken of as if it were a human judge. Alternate Translation: "guilty of breaking God's law"
Jas 2:13Mercy triumphs overMercy is better than or "Mercy defeats." Here mercy and justice are spoken of as if they were persons.
Jas 4:1Do they not come from your desires that fight among your members?James speaks of desires as they were enemies who waged war against the believers. In reality, of course, it is the people who have these desires who fight among themselves. Alternate Translation: "They come from your desires for evil things, by which you end up harming each other"
Jas 4:4friendship with the worldHere the world's value system is spoken of as if it were a person that others could be friends with.
Jas 5:3their rust will be a witness against you. ItJames wrote of their valuable things being ruined as if they were a person in a courtroom accusing the wicked of their crimes. Alternate Translation: "and when God judges you, your ruined treasures will be like someone who accuses you in court. Their corrosion" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]] )
Jas 5:4the pay of the laborers is crying out—the pay that you have withheld from those who harvested your fieldsThe money that should have been paid is spoken of as a person who is shouting because of the injustice done to him. Alternate Translation: "the fact that you did not pay those you hired to work in your fields shows that you have done wrong"
1Pe 3:20when the patience of God was waitingThe word "patience" is a metonym for God himself. Peter writes of God's patience as if it is a person. Alternate Translation: "when God was waiting patiently"
1Pe 4:8for love covers a multitude of sinsPeter describes "love" as if it were a person who places a cover over the sins of others. Possible meanings are 1) "for a person who loves will not try to find out if another person has sinned" or 2) "for a person who loves will forgive the sins of other people, even if those sins are many"
2Pe 2:3their condemnation has not been idle, and their destruction is not asleepPeter speaks of "condemnation" and "destruction" as if they are persons who act. The two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize how soon the false teachers will be condemned.
2Pe 3:10the day of the Lord will come as a thiefPeter speaks of the day when God will judge everyone as if it were a thief who will unexpectedly and take people by surprise.
2Pe 3:13where righteousness will dwellPeter speaks of "righteousness" as if it were a person. This is a metonym for people who are righteous. Alternate Translation: "where righteous people will dwell" or "where people will live righteously"
1Jn 3:15no murderer has eternal life residing in himEternal life is something God gives believers after they die, but it is also the power God gives believers in this life to help them to stop sinning and to do what please him. Here eternal life is spoken of as if it were a person that could live in someone. Alternate Translation: "a murderer does not have the power of spiritual life"
1Jn 4:18Instead, perfect love throws out fearHere "love" is described as a person with the power to remove fear. God's love is perfect. Alternate Translation: "But when our love is complete, we are no longer afraid"
3Jn 1:12by the truth itselfthe truth itself speaks well of him. Here "truth" is described as a person speaking. Alternate Translation: "everyone who knows the truth knows he is a good person"
Rev 9:6death will flee from themJohn speaks of death as if it were a person or animal that could run away. Alternate Translation: "they will not be able to die" or "they will not die"
Rev 12:16The earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon was pouring out of his mouthThe earth is spoken of as if it were a living thing, and a hole in the earth is spoken of as if it were a mouth that could drink up the water. Alternate Translation: "A hole in the ground opened up and the water went down into the hole"
Rev 14:8her immoral passionBabylon is spoken of as if it were a prostitute who has caused other people to sin along with her. This may well have a double meaning: literal sexual immorality and also the worship of false gods.
Rev 14:13their deeds will follow themThese deeds are spoken of as if they were alive and able to follow those who did them. Possible meanings are 1) "others will know the good deeds these people have done" or 2) "God will reward them for their deeds"
Rev 16:8it was given permission to scorch the peopleJohn speaks about the sun as if it were a person. This can be stated in active form. Alternate Translation: "and caused the sun to severely burn the people"
Rev 18:1General Information:The pronouns "she" and "her" refer to the city of Babylon, which is spoken of as if it were a prostitute.
Rev 18:3her immoral passionBabylon is spoken of as if it were a prostitute who has caused other people to sin along with her. This may well have a double meaning: literal sexual immorality and also the worship of false gods.
Rev 18:4General Information:The pronouns "she" and "her" refer to the city of Babylon, which is spoken of as if it were a prostitute.
Rev 19:5a voice came out from the throneHere John speaks of the "voice" as if it were a person. Alternate Translation: "someone spoke from the throne"
Rev 20:6Over these the second death has no powerHere John describes "death" as a person with power. Alternate Translation: "These people will not experience the second death"
Rev 20:9fire came down from heaven and devoured themHere John speaks of fire as if it were alive. Alternate Translation: "God sent fire from heaven to burn them up"
Rev 20:11The earth and the heaven fled away from his presence, but there was no place for them to goJohn describes heaven and earth as if they were people who were trying to escape God's judgment. This means that God completely destroyed the old heaven and earth.
Rev 20:13The sea gave up the dead ... Death and Hades gave up the deadHere John speaks of the sea, death, and Hades as if they were living persons.
Rev 21:9the bride, the wife of the LambThe angel speaks of Jerusalem as if it were a woman who is about to marry her groom, the Lamb. Jerusalem is metonymy for those who believers who will inhabit it.