OET interlinear 1COR 8:1

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

περὶ δὲ

concerning and

Just as in 7:1, Now about introduces a new topic that Paul wishes to address. Likely, the topics that he introduces in this way are what the Corinthians wrote to him about. Translate Now about here as you translated “now concerning” in 7:1, 7:25. Alternate translation: “Next, about”

Note 2 topic: translate-unknown

τῶν εἰδωλοθύτων

the idol_sacrificed_‹things›

Here Paul speaks about animals that are slaughtered, offered to a god, and then eaten. For many people in Paul’s culture, this was the only meat that was available for them to eat. In many cases, people would eat this meat at a god’s temple or shrine. However, sometimes the meat could be sold to people, who would then eat it in their homes. In the next few chapters, Paul will speak about whether and how Christians should eat or not eat this meat. If your language has a specific word or phrase for meat from an animal that has been offered to a god, you could use it here. If your language does not have such a word, you can use a descriptive phrase. Alternate translation: “meat from animals sacrificed to idols”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

τῶν εἰδωλοθύτων

the idol_sacrificed_‹things›

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Paul uses the passive form here to focus on what is sacrificed rather than focusing on the person doing the “sacrificing.” If you must state who does the action, you can use a vague or indefinite subject. Alternate translation: “the things that people have sacrificed to idols”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

οἴδαμεν ὅτι πάντες γνῶσιν ἔχομεν

˱we˲_/have/_known that all knowledge ˱we˲_/are/_having

Here Paul could be: (1) expressing his own view about knowledge. Alternate translation: “We know that we all indeed have knowledge” (2) quoting what the Corinthians said in their letter so that he can respond to it, much like he did in 6:12–13; 7:1. Alternate translation: “you wrote, ‘we know that we all have knowledge.’”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

πάντες γνῶσιν ἔχομεν

all knowledge ˱we˲_/are/_having

Here Paul does not specify what the knowledge is about. It becomes clear in 8:4–6 that Paul is speaking about knowledge about other gods, specifically knowing that there is only one God and that other gods do not really exist. If possible, do not give further explanation of knowledge here, since Paul explains later in the chapter. If you must specify what the knowledge is about, you could clarify that it is about the idols or the topic of things sacrificed to idols. Alternate translation: “we all have knowledge about idols” or “we all have knowledge about this issue”

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

πάντες γνῶσιν ἔχομεν & ἡ γνῶσις

all knowledge ˱we˲_/are/_having & ¬the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: περὶ δὲ τῶν εἰδωλοθύτων οἴδαμεν ὅτι πάντες γνῶσιν ἔχομεν ἡ γνῶσις φυσιοῖ ἡ δὲ ἀγάπη οἰκοδομεῖ)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind knowledge, you can express the idea by using a verb such as “know.” Alternate translation: “we all know things. Knowing things”

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἡ δὲ ἀγάπη

¬The ¬the but love

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind love, you can express the idea by using a verb such as “love.” Alternate translation: “but loving other believers” or “but a loving action”

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἀγάπη οἰκοδομεῖ

love /is/_building

Paul here speaks as if believers were a building that one builds up. With this metaphor, he emphasizes that love helps other believers become stronger and more mature, just like building a house makes it strong and complete. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind this figure of speech plainly or with a comparable metaphor. Alternate translation: “love enables other believers to grow” or “love edifies”