VersePhraseExplanation
Mat 5:20that unless your righteousness exceeds ... Pharisees, you will in no way enterThis can be stated in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "that your righteousness must exceed ... Pharisees in order to enter"
Mat 10:29not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledgeThis can be stated in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "your Father knows when even one sparrow dies and falls to the ground"
Mat 12:24This man does not cast out demons except by BeelzebulThis can be stated in a positive form. "This man is only able to cast out the demon because he is a servant of Beelzebul"
Mat 13:34he said nothing to them without a parablehe taught them nothing except by parables. The double negative can be expressed in a positive way. Alternate Translation: "everything he taught them he said in parables"
Mat 13:57A prophet is not without honorThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "A prophet receives honor everywhere" or "People everywhere honor a prophet"
Mat 18:3unless you turn ... children, you will in no way enterThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "you must change ... children in order to enter"
Mat 23:23and not to have left the other undoneThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "while also obeying the less important laws"
Mat 24:22Unless those days are shortened, no flesh would be savedThis can be stated in positive and active form. Alternate Translation: "If God does not shorten the time of suffering, everyone will die"
Mrk 6:4A prophet is not without honor, exceptThis sentence uses a double negative to create emphasis of the positive equivalent. Alternate Translation: "A prophet is always honored, except" or "The only place a prophet is not honored is"
Mrk 9:29This kind cannot be cast out except by prayerThe words "cannot" and "except" are both negative words. In some languages it is more natural to use a positive statement. Alternate Translation: "This kind can be cast out only by prayer"
Mrk 10:14do not forbidThis is a double negative. In some languages it is more natural to use a positive statement. Alternate Translation: "allow"
Mrk 10:29there is no one who has left ... who will not receiveThis can be stated positively. Alternate Translation: "Everyone who has left ... will receive"
Mrk 10:30there is no one who has left ... who will not receiveThis can be stated positively. Alternate Translation: "Everyone who has left ... will receive"
Luk 1:37nothing will be impossible for GodElizabeth's pregnancy was proof that God was able to do anything—even enable Mary to become pregnant without her sleeping with a man. The double negatives in this statement can be stated with positive terms. Alternate Translation: "God can do anything"
Luk 7:6not far from the houseThe double negative can be replaced. Alternate Translation: "near the house"
Luk 7:23not stop believing in me because ofThis double negative means "continues to believe in me despite"
Luk 8:17nothing is hidden that will not be made knownThis double negative can be written as a positive statement. Alternate Translation: "everything that is hidden will be made known"
Luk 8:17nor is anything secret that will not be known and come into the lightThis double negative can be written as a positive statement. Alternate Translation: "and everything that is secret will be made known and will come into the light"
Luk 14:27Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my discipleThis could be stated with positive verbs. Alternate Translation: "If anyone wants to be my disciple, he must carry his own cross and follow me"
Luk 14:33any one of you who does not give up all that he has cannot be my discipleThis can be stated with positive verbs. Alternate Translation: "only those of you who give up all that you have can be my disciples"
Luk 18:29there is no one who has left ... who will not receiveThis could be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "everyone who has left ... will receive"
Luk 18:30there is no one who has left ... who will not receiveThis could be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "everyone who has left ... will receive"
Jhn 4:48Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believeUnless ... not believe here is a double negative. In some languages it is more natural to translate this statement in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "Only if you see a miracle will you believe"
Jhn 5:24will not be condemnedThis can be stated positively. Alternate Translation: "will be judged to be innocent"
Jhn 9:33If this man were not from God, he could do nothingThis sentence uses a double negative pattern. "Only a man from God could do something like that!"
Jhn 10:10does not come if he would not stealThis is a double negative. In some languages it is more natural to use a positive statement. Alternate Translation: "comes only to steal"
Jhn 13:8If I do not wash you, you have no share with meHere Jesus states two negatives to convince Peter to allow him to wash his feet. Jesus implies that Peter must let him wash his feet if he wants to continue being a disciple. Alternate Translation: "If I wash you, you will always belong with me"
Jhn 15:24If I had not done the works that no one else did among them, they would have no sin, butYou can translate this double negative in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "Because I have done among them the works that no one else did, they have had sin, and"
Jhn 16:7if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to youYou can translate this in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "the Comforter will come to you only if I go away"
Jhn 18:30If this man was not an evildoer, we would not have given him over to youYou can translate this double negative in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "This man is an evil doer, and we had to bring him to you for punishment"
Jhn 19:11You do not have any power over me except for what has been given to you from aboveYou can translate this double negative in a positive and active form. Alternate Translation: "You are able to act against me only because God has made you able"
Jhn 20:25Unless I see ... his side, I will not believeYou can translate this double negative in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "I will believe only if I see ... his side"
Jhn 20:27Do not be unbelieving, but believeJesus uses the double negative "Do not be unbelieving" to emphasize the words that follow, "but believe." If your language does not allow double negatives or the reader would not understand that Jesus is emphasizing the words that follow, you can leave these words untranslated. Alternate Translation: "This is what is most important for you to do: you must believe"
Act 25:27it seems unreasonable for me to send a prisoner and to not also stateThe negative words "unreasonable" and "to not" can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "it seems reasonable to me that if I send a prisoner then I should also state"
Act 26:19I did not disobeyThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "I obeyed"
Act 26:25I am not insane ... butThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "I am sane ... and" or "I am able to think well ... and"
Act 27:31Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be savedThe negative words "Unless" and "cannot" can be stated in positive form. The passive phrase "be saved" can be stated in active form. Alternate Translation: "These men must stay in the ship in order for you to survive"
Act 28:6nothing was unusual with himThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "everything about him was as it should be"
Rom 1:13I do not want you to be uninformedPaul is emphasizing that he wanted them to have this information. You can translate this double negative in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "I want you to know"
Rom 4:20did not hesitate in unbeliefYou can translate this double negative in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "kept on acting in faith"
Rom 11:23if they do not continue in their unbeliefThe phrase "do not continue in their unbelief" is a double negative. You can translate this in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "if the Jews start believing in Christ"
Rom 11:25I do not want you to be uninformedHere Paul uses a double negative. You can translate this in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "I very much want you to be aware"
Rom 13:8Owe no one anything, except to love one anotherThis is a double negative. You can translate it in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "Pay all you owe to everyone, and love one another"
Rom 14:14nothing is unclean by itselfYou can translate this in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "everything by itself is clean"
Rom 15:18For I will not dare to speak of anything ... These are things done by word and action, by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Holy SpiritYou can translate this double negative in a positive form. Here "these are things" refers to what Christ has accomplished through Paul. Alternate Translation: "For the sake of the obedience of the Gentiles, I will only speak of what Christ has accomplished through me in my words and actions and by the power of signs and wonders through the power of the Holy Spirit"
Rom 15:19For I will not dare to speak of anything ... These are things done by word and action, by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Holy SpiritYou can translate this double negative in a positive form. Here "these are things" refers to what Christ has accomplished through Paul. Alternate Translation: "For the sake of the obedience of the Gentiles, I will only speak of what Christ has accomplished through me in my words and actions and by the power of signs and wonders through the power of the Holy Spirit"
1Co 2:11no one knows the deep things of God except the Spirit of GodThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "only the Spirit of God knows the deep things of God"
1Co 8:8We are not worse if we do not eat, nor better if we do eat itThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "Some people might think that if we do not eat some things, God will love us less. But they are wrong. Those who think that God will love us more if we do eat those things are also wrong"
1Co 10:13No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to all humanityThis can be stated as a positive. Alternate Translation: "The temptations that affect you are temptations that all people experience"
1Co 11:11the woman is not independent from the man, nor is the man independent from the womanThis can be stated positively. Alternate Translation: "the woman depends on the man, and the man depends on the woman"
1Co 12:1I do not want you to be uninformedThis can be stated as a positive. Alternate Translation: "I want you to know"
1Co 13:6It does not rejoice in unrighteousness. Instead, it rejoices in the truthThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "It rejoices only in righteousness and truth"
1Co 14:10none is without meaningThis can be stated as a positive. Alternate Translation: "they all have meaning"
1Co 14:22not for unbelievers, but for believersThis can be expressed positively and combined with the other positive statement. Alternate Translation: "only for believers"
2Co 1:13We write to you nothing that you cannot read and understandThis can be stated in positive terms. Alternate Translation: "You can read and understand everything we write to you"
2Co 4:2we do not mishandle the word of GodWord of God here is a metonym for the message from God. This phrase uses two negative thoughts to express a positive thought. Alternate Translation: "we do not mishandle God's message" or "we use the word of God correctly"
2Co 4:16So we do not become discouragedThis can be stated as a positive. Alternate Translation: "So we remain confident"
2Co 6:1we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vainPaul pleads with them to allow the grace of God to be effective in their lives. This can be stated in positive terms. Alternate Translation: "we beg you to make use of the grace that you have received from God"
2Co 6:14Do not be tied together with unbelieversThis can be stated in positive terms. Alternate Translation: "Only be tied together with believers"
2Co 6:17Touch no unclean thingThis can be stated in positive terms. Alternate Translation: "Touch only things that are clean"
2Co 8:15did not have any lackThis can be stated positively. Alternate Translation: "had all he needed"
Gal 1:19I saw none of the other apostles except JamesThis double negative emphasizes that James was the only apostle whom Paul saw. Alternate Translation: "the only other apostle I saw was James"
Gal 2:1I was not running—or had not run—in vainPaul uses running as a metaphor for work, and he uses a double negative to emphasize that the work he had done was profitable. Alternate Translation: "I was doing, or had done, profitable work"
Gal 2:2I was not running—or had not run—in vainPaul uses running as a metaphor for work, and he uses a double negative to emphasize that the work he had done was profitable. Alternate Translation: "I was doing, or had done, profitable work"
Eph 5:15Look carefully how you live—not as unwise but as wiseUnwise people do not guard themselves against sin. Wise people, however, can identify sin and flee from it. Alternate Translation: "Therefore you must be careful to live as a wise person rather than a foolish person"
Php 4:15no church supported me in the matter of giving and receiving except you aloneThis can be stated in the positive. Alternate Translation: "you were the only church that sent me money or helped me"
1Th 2:1was not uselessThis can be expressed in a positive manner. Alternate Translation: "was very worthwhile"
1Th 4:7God did not call us to uncleanness, but to holinessThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "God called us to cleanness and holiness"
2Th 3:7We did not live among you as those who had no disciplinePaul uses a double negative to emphasize the positive. This can be stated as a positive. Alternate Translation: "We lived among you as those who had much discipline"
2Th 3:9We did this not because we have no authority. Instead, we didPaul uses a double negative to emphasize the positive. This can be stated as a positive. Alternate Translation: "We certainly have the right to receive food from you, but instead we worked for our food"
2Th 3:10The one who is unwilling to work must not eatThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "If a person wants to eat, he must work"
Tit 3:14needs, and so not be unfruitfulPaul speaks of people doing good work as if they were trees bearing good fruit. This double negative means they should be fruitful or productive. Alternate Translation: "needs; in this way they will be fruitful" or "needs, and so they will do good works"
Phm 1:14But I did not want to do anything without your consentPaul states a double negative to mean the opposite. Alternate Translation: "But I wanted to keep him with me only if you approved"
Heb 2:8He did not leave anything not subjected to himThis double negative means that all things will be subject to Christ. Alternate Translation: "God made everything subject to them"
Heb 2:11is not ashamed to call them brothersThis double negative means that he will claim them as his brothers. Alternate Translation: "is pleased to call them his brothers"
Heb 4:2But that message did not benefit those who did not unite in faith with those who obeyedBut that message did not benefit those who did not join with the people who believed and obeyed. The author is talking about two groups of people, those who received God's covenant with faith, and those who heard it but did not believe. This can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "But that message benefited only those who believed and obeyed it"
Heb 4:15we do not have a high priest who cannot feel sympathy ... Instead, we haveThis double negative means that, in fact, Jesus does feel sympathy with people. Alternate Translation: "we have a high priest who can feel sympathy ... Indeed, we have"
Heb 6:10For God is not so unjust that he would forgetThis double negative can mean that God in his justice will remember what good things his people have done. Alternate Translation: "For God is just and therefore will certainly remember"
Heb 9:7not without bloodThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "he always brought blood"
Heb 11:6without faith it is impossible to please himThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "a person can please God only if he has faith in God"
Heb 12:14also the holiness without which no one will see the LordThis can be expressed as a positive encouragement. Alternate Translation: "also work hard to be holy, because only holy people will see the Lord"
Heb 12:25you do not refuse the one who is speakingThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "you pay attention to the one who is speaking"
Jas 1:6in faith, doubting nothingThis can be stated in the positive. Alternate Translation: "with complete certainty that God will answer"
2Pe 2:3their condemnation has not been idle, and their destruction is not asleepYou can translate these phrases with verbs in positive terms. Alternate Translation: "God will soon condemn them; he is ready to destroy them"
1Jn 3:10Whoever does not do what is righteous is not from God, neither is the one who does not love his brotherThe words "from God" are understood in the second part of the sentence. This can also be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "whoever does not do what is righteous is not from God; whoever does not love his brother is also not from God" or "those who do what is righteous are from God, and those who love their brothers are from God"
1Jn 4:20the one who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seenIf two negative statements in a row are confusing, this can be translated differently. Alternate Translation: "the one who hates his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen"
Rev 21:27nothing unclean will ever enter into it, nor anyoneThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "only what is clean will ever enter, and never anyone"