OET interlinear COL 3:1

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

οὖν

therefore

The word therefore introduces an exhortation based on what Paul has already said about being “raised with Christ” in 2:12. Use a word or phrase that introduces an inference or concluding command based on what has already been said. Alternate translation: “then”

Note 2 topic: grammar-connect-condition-fact

εἰ & συνηγέρθητε τῷ Χριστῷ

if & ˱you_all˲_/were/_raised_up_with ˱with˲_the Messiah

Paul is speaking as if this were a hypothetical possibility, but he means that it is actually true. If your language does not state something as a condition if it is certain or true, then you could translate his words as an affirmative statement. Alternate translation: “Since … you were raised with Christ”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

συνηγέρθητε τῷ Χριστῷ

˱you_all˲_/were/_raised_up_with ˱with˲_the Messiah

Paul again states that believers have been raised from the dead with Christ. By this, he means that believers are united to Christ in his resurrection and thus receive new life. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this idea plainly. Alternate translation: “in union with the Messiah in his resurrection you received new life”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

συνηγέρθητε

˱you_all˲_/were/_raised_up_with

Paul uses the word raised to refer to someone who had died coming back to life. If this word does not refer to coming back to life in your language, you could use a comparable idiom or a short phrase. Alternate translation: “you were restored to life with”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

συνηγέρθητε

˱you_all˲_/were/_raised_up_with

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form, with God as the subject. Alternate translation: “God the Father raised you with”

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

τὰ ἄνω ζητεῖτε

the_‹things› above /be/_seeking

Here Paul speaks as if he wants the Colossians to look for or try to find things above. By using the word seek, Paul wants to tell the Colossians to focus on the things above as if they were something valuable that the Colossians had lost and needed to find. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea with a comparable metaphor, or express it plainly. Alternate translation: “direct your attention to the things above” or “focus on the things above”

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

τὰ ἄνω

the_‹things› above

The things above is another term for heavenly things, which Paul makes clear in the next phrase. If it would be helpful in your language, you could clarify that the phrase refers specifically to things in heaven. Alternate translation: “the heavenly things”

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἐν δεξιᾷ τοῦ Θεοῦ καθήμενος

at /the/_right_‹hand› ¬the ˱of˲_God sitting

This phrase implies two things. First, what Christ sits on is the divine throne in heaven. Second, sitting on this throne means that Christ has assumed a position of authority over the universe with God the Father. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make either or both of these points explicit. Alternate translation: “sitting on the throne at the right hand of God” or “ruling at the right hand of God”