1 COR 10:12 Interlinear View

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 10:1–11:1: Avoid idolatry completely

Paul addressed believers who thought it was acceptable to eat meals in an idol’s temple. First he warned them (10:1–13). He used examples from the Old Testament to show them their danger. Then he commanded them (10:14–22). He said that no one can take part in both the Lord’s Supper and idol feasts. He said that believers are free to eat meat sold in the market place unless this will hurt someone else’s conscience (10:23–30). In summary, he said that believers should control their behavior in two ways. They should praise God in everything they do, and they should not allow their actions to harm another person (10:31–11:1).

Here are some other possible section headings:

Don’t worship idols

Do everything for the glory of God

Paragraph 10:11–13

Paul used the story of the Hebrew people to encourage his readers to stand firm and trust God when they face testing and temptation.

10:12a

So the one who thinks he is standing firm

Therefore, if anyone thinks they are standing strong/firmly in their faith,
Therefore in view of all those examples, if you feel confident that you will never sin,

So: The Greek word that the BSB translates as So introduces Paul’s command based on what he has just said.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

Therefore

Because of those examples

the one who thinks he is standing firm: This is a metaphor. The Greek text says literally “anyone who thinks that he stands.” The BSB has supplied the word firm to help suggest the meaning of the metaphor. Paul referred to believers who felt safe spiritually. They were sure they would not sin like the Hebrew people did.

Here are some ways to translate this metaphor:

Keep the figure of speech. For example:
the one who thinks he is standing (NET)
Use the figure of speech and explain the meaning. For example:
you think you can stand strong against temptation
Translate the meaning only. For example:
those who are confident that their faith is strong
you think that you will never sin
those who say, “I will never sin like that”

10:12b

should be careful not to fall.

then they had better take care, for otherwise they will fall into sin.
then you should watch out that you do not stumble over evil ways and sin like our ancestors did.

should be careful not to fall: This is a warning. The word fall is used as a metaphor for sinning. It contrasts with “standing” in 10:12a.

Here are three ways to translate this metaphor:

Keep the figure of speech. For example:
take care, or you may fall (REB)
Use the figure of speech and explain the meaning. For example:
should be careful not to fall into sin
should be careful that they do not stumble over the evil ways
Translate the meaning only. For example:
should be careful not to sin

Translate this figure of speech in the way that is most natural in your language.

General Comment on 10:12a-b

The Greek text uses a third-person subject: “the one who thinks he is standing.” Many English versions use a second-person subject instead: “you.” Another possibility is to use the third-person plural. For example:

So, people who think they are standing firmly should be careful that they don’t fall. (GW)

Paul gave this warning to every believer. Use a form that is natural in your language.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἑστάναι & μὴ πέσῃ

˓to_have˒_stood & (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ὥστε ὁ δοκῶν ἑστάναι βλεπέτω μή πέσῃ)

Here someone who stands is someone who is strong and faithful when following Jesus. People who fall are those who fail to faithfully follow Jesus and whom God punishes, just like he punished the Israelites. “Standing” and “falling” physically represent the spiritual state of the person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express stands and fall with a comparable metaphor or express the idea plainly. Alternate translation: [he has firm footing … he might not slip] or [he acts faithfully … he might not fail]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / imperative3p

βλεπέτω

˱him˲_˓let_be˒_seeing

Here Paul uses a third-person imperative. If you have third-person imperatives in your language, you could use one here. If you do not have third-person imperatives, you could express the idea using words such as “should” or “needs to.” Alternate translation: [he needs to be careful that]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

ἑστάναι, βλεπέτω μὴ πέσῃ

˓to_have˒_stood ˱him˲_˓let_be˒_seeing (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ὥστε ὁ δοκῶν ἑστάναι βλεπέτω μή πέσῃ)

Although he and him are masculine, Paul is using them to refer to anyone, whether man or woman. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express he and him with non gendered words or refer to both genders. Alternate translation: [he or she stands, let him or her be careful that he or she might not fall]

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.

OET interlinear 1 COR 10:12

SR Greek word order

Section 10:1–11:1: Avoid idolatry completely

Paragraph 10:11–13

10:12a

10:12b

General Comment on 10:12a-b

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

OET interlinear 1 COR 10:12

SR Greek word order

Section 10:1–11:1: Avoid idolatry completely

Paragraph 10:11–13

10:12a

10:12b

General Comment on 10:12a-b

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

OET interlinear 1 COR 10:12