Parallel 2COR 3:2

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἡ ἐπιστολὴ ἡμῶν ὑμεῖς ἐστε ἐνγεγραμμένη ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ἡμῶν, γινωσκομένη καὶ ἀναγινωσκομένη ὑπὸ πάντων ἀνθρώπων

the letter ˱of˲_us you_all are (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἡ ἐπιστολὴ ἡμῶν ὑμεῖς ἐστε ἐγγεγραμμένη ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ἡμῶν γινωσκομένη καὶ ἀναγινωσκομένη ὑπὸ πάντων ἀνθρώπων)

Here Paul continues to speak about “letters,” but now he tells the Corinthians that they themselves are the letter of recommendation for Paul and his fellow workers. This letter is not a physical document, but is written in their hearts, and all men can read it. Paul speaks in this way to indicate that the recommendation he relies on is the Corinthian believers. In other words, the fact that they believe and that they are close with Paul (in our hearts) shows that Paul is trustworthy and a true apostle. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea with a simile or in some other natural way. Alternate translation: “You yourselves are like our letter of recommendation, which you wrote on us and that is known and read by all men” or “We do not need a letter of recommendation because you yourselves are the recommendation that is in our hearts and that is known and understood by all men”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / rpronouns

ὑμεῖς ἐστε

you_all are

Here, the word translated yourselves emphasizes You. Consider using a natural way to emphasize You in your language. Alternate translation: “You indeed are” or “It is you who are”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / exclusive

ἡ ἐπιστολὴ ἡμῶν & ταῖς καρδίαις ἡμῶν

the letter ˱of˲_us & the hearts ˱of˲_us

Here, just as in 3:1, the word our does not include the Corinthians. It could refer to: (1) Paul and those who proclaim the gospel with him. Alternate translation: “the letter for us who preach the gospel … our hearts” (2) just Paul. Alternate translation: “my letter … my heart”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

ἡ ἐπιστολὴ ἡμῶν & ἐνγεγραμμένη

the letter ˱of˲_us & (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἡ ἐπιστολὴ ἡμῶν ὑμεῖς ἐστε ἐγγεγραμμένη ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ἡμῶν γινωσκομένη καὶ ἀναγινωσκομένη ὑπὸ πάντων ἀνθρώπων)

With the phrase our letter, Paul uses the possessive form to describe a letter that could: (1) recommend “us.” Alternate translation: “the letter for us written” or “a letter that recommends us written” (2) be written by “us.” Alternate translation: “a letter written by us”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

ἐνγεγραμμένη ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ἡμῶν

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἡ ἐπιστολὴ ἡμῶν ὑμεῖς ἐστε ἐγγεγραμμένη ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ἡμῶν γινωσκομένη καὶ ἀναγινωσκομένη ὑπὸ πάντων ἀνθρώπων)

In the Paul’s culture, hearts are the places where humans think and plan. What Paul means is that the recommendation from the Corinthians is not written down on paper but, rather, is a part of their relationship with Paul. If it would be helpful in your language, you could refer to the place where humans think in your culture or express the idea plainly. Alternate translation: “written inside us” or “expressed by our relationship”

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

ἐνγεγραμμένη

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἡ ἐπιστολὴ ἡμῶν ὑμεῖς ἐστε ἐγγεγραμμένη ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ἡμῶν γινωσκομένη καὶ ἀναγινωσκομένη ὑπὸ πάντων ἀνθρώπων)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you must state who did the action, Paul states in the following verse that “Christ” did it (See: 3:3). Alternate translation: “that Christ has written”

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

γινωσκομένη καὶ ἀναγινωσκομένη ὑπὸ πάντων ἀνθρώπων

/being/_known and /being/_read by all people

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you could express the ideas in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “which all men know and read”

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / doublet

γινωσκομένη καὶ ἀναγινωσκομένη

/being/_known and /being/_read

Here, the words known and read express very similar ideas. It is likely that known indicates that people are aware that there is a letter, while read indicates that they know what the letter says. If you do not have words that express these distinctions, and if the repetition would be confusing in your language, you could express the idea with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “read” or “noticed”

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

πάντων ἀνθρώπων

all people

Although the word men is masculine, Paul is using it to refer to all people, both men and women. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word that applies to both men and women or you could refer to both genders. Alternate translation: “every person” or “all men and women”