presume
The word “presume” translates the Greek verb λογίζομαι (logizomai), a word which generally carries the idea of “considering,” “calculating,” or “taking [something] into account.” In this translation, it is usually rendered with “count” when used by Paul (refer to the discussion on v. 26 below), but here, context requires an alternate translation. Some translations use “suppose,” but because “suppose” is used more exclusively for another Greek word in this translation (νομίζω; nomizō), “presume” is used here. This accurately communicates the intended idea while maintaining consistency as much as possible throughout the translation.

who passes judgment
Though some translations render the participial phrase ὁ κρίνων (ho krinōn) as “when you judge,” the participle is better taken as functioning adjectivally. The same kind of construction is found a few other times in this chapter (vv. 21, 22 [2x]) as Paul directly addresses the reader in a rhetorical fashion. Thus, the translation here is “[you] who passes judgment.” Paul is asking rhetorically whether person who judges others thinks he will escape God’s judgment.

REPAY
“Repay” translates the verb ἀποδίδωμι (apodidōmi), which communicates paying someone back what is justly owed them, whether good or bad. The translation “repay” brings this across accurately, and is also consistent with use of the Hebrew words שִׁלַּם (shillam) and שׁוּב (shuv) used in Psalm 62:12 and Proverbs 24:12 respectively, to which Paul is alluding here.

works out
Many translations have “does evil” here, but the translation as “works out evil” more precisely brings out the emphasis of the Greek wording with the use of the word κατεργάζομαι (katergazomai). This translation helps to show that this is distinct from another word for “doing” (ποιέω; poieō). In addition, “working out” provides a more consistent translation of κατεργάζομαι (katergazomai), and also brings out the notion of working from the inside out. Here, inward sin works itself out in evil deeds. Thus, Paul is describing the affliction and turmoil which will be brought upon the soul of every man who accomplishes evil works because of inward sin.

naturally
The wording of this verse requires a difficult interpretive choice regarding whether Paul intends the word “naturally” (φύσις; physis) to refer to the Gentiles not naturally having the Law, or rather, naturally doing the things of the Law. Rather than forcing an interpretive decision, this translation maintains the word order of the Greek text, leaving the interpretive decision to the reader, pastor, or teacher. This avoids translation bias while accurately portraying the original text.

transgression
The expression “breaking the law” (in some English translations) is more of a modern conception of legal phraseology. In ancient cultural understanding, statutes and laws were not pictured as barriers, but boundary lines, and thus to act outside of what is right by law was not to “break” but to “cross over” or “transgress” those boundaries. That is precisely the idea here, communicated by the word παράβασις (parabasis), which means to overstep or transgress. Thus, as Paul argues, it is ironic that those who would boast in the boundaries set by the Law of God would be the same to step across or transgress those boundaries. Translating the word as such here helps show the reader Paul’s intentional wordplay off the term “transgressor” in verse 25.

counted
The word “counted” here translates the Greek verb λογίζομαι (logizomai) which generally carries the idea of “considering,” “calculating,” or “taking [something] into account.” While the semantic range of this word prevents it from being translated the same way everywhere, the goal is at least to provide consistency for its usage by a given author. When used by Paul, it is translated consistently with “count” whenever contextually possible, as it is here, and sometimes with “consider.” This consistency is important because λογίζομαι (logizomai) will become an important term in Paul’s argumentation in chapter 4 regarding how righteousness is “counted” to a person.

fulfills
This translation renders τελέω (teleō) as “fulfill” when used in reference to a law (cf. James 2:8) to emphasize that the author is speaking of bringing it to completion or to its intended goal. This translation also distinguishes it from another Greek word, φυλάσσω (phylassō; “observe”), used in the previous verse.

through
“Through” is a straightforward translation of the preposition διά (dia). This brings out Paul’s argument that the Jews who possess the Law and circumcision are actually condemned by the Law when they transgress it (cf. v. 25).