Luke 1:73-75

1:73 the oath ¹  that he swore to our ancestor ²  Abraham.

This oath grants ³ 

1:74 that we, being rescued from the hand of our ⁴  enemies,

may serve him without fear, ⁵ 

1:75 in holiness and righteousness ⁶  before him for as long as we live. ⁷ 

[1:73]  ¹ tn This is linked back grammatically by apposition to “covenant” in v. 72, specifying which covenant is meant.

[1:73]  ² tn Or “forefather”; Grk “father.”

[1:73]  ³ tn Again for reasons of English style, the infinitival clause “to grant us” has been translated “This oath grants” and made the beginning of a new sentence in the translation.

[1:74]  ⁴ tc Many important early mss (א B L W [0130] Ë^1,13 565 892 pc) lack “our,” while most (A C D [K] Θ Ψ 0177 33 Ï pc) supply it. Although the addition is most likely not authentic, “our” has been included in the translation due to English stylistic requirements.

[1:74]  ⁵ tn This phrase in Greek is actually thrown forward to the front of the verse to give it emphasis.

[1:75]  ⁶ sn The phrases that we…might serve him…in holiness and righteousness from Luke 1:74-75 well summarize a basic goal for a believer in the eyes of Luke. Salvation frees us up to serve God without fear through a life full of ethical integrity.

[1:75]  ⁷ tn Grk “all our days.”