In Rom 1:7 we have a classic Greek construction using the dative declension. The dative is a kind of secondary object and this verse contains a short parade of them. The only way to convey the sense in English is to insert a "helper" word such a "by", "for", "to" before the dative noun or adjective. [Compare the genitive which usually requires the addition of "of" before the noun.] Thus we have:
- Πᾶσιν (Pasin) [Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural] = "to all"
- Ῥώμῃ (Rhōmē) [Noun - Dative Feminine Singular] = "in Rome" (in this case the "in" is explicit)
- ἀγαπητοῖς (agapētois) [Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural] = "to the beloved"
- κλητοῖς (klētois) [Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural] = "to the called"
- ἁγίοις (hagiois) [Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural] = "to the saints"
How does one translate all this parade of datives? There have been numerous correct attempts:
- ESV: To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints
- NASB: to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints
- CSB: To all who are in Rome, loved by God, called as saints
- HCSB: To all who are in Rome, loved by God, called as saints
- ASV: To all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints
- etc.
This is consistent with the use of the word κλητός (klétos) as elsewhere it refers to those called to the Christian community as saints: Matt 20:16, 22:14, Rom 1:1, 6, 8:28, 1 Cor 1:24, Jude 1, Rev 17:14. It is also consistent with the Greek word, ἐκκλησίαν (ekklēsian), usually translated "church" but actually means "called out ones" and would be better translated as "community" or "congregation".