[1:4] 1 tn Or “know the truth about”; or “know the certainty of.” The issue of the context is psychological confidence; Luke’s work is trying to encourage Theophilus. So in English this is better translated as “know for certain” than “know certainty” or “know the truth,” which sounds too cognitive. “Certain” assumes the truth of the report. On this term, see Acts 2:36; 21:34; 22:30; and 25:26. The meaning “have assurance concerning” is also possible here.
[1:4] 2 tn Or “you heard about.” This term can refer merely to a report of information (Acts 21:24) or to instruction (Acts 18:25). The scope of Luke’s Gospel as a whole, which calls for perseverance in the faith and which assumes much knowledge of the OT, suggests Theophilus had received some instruction and was probably a believer.
[15:11] 3 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
[15:11] 4 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[17:5] 5 tn Grk “And the.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
[17:5] 6 sn The request of the apostles, “Increase our faith,” is not a request for a gift of faith, but a request to increase the depth of their faith.
