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1 Cor C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C9 C10 C11 C12 C13 C14 C15 C16

1 Cor 1 V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6 V7 V8 V9 V10 V11 V12 V13 V14 V15 V16 V18 V19 V20 V21 V22 V23 V24 V25 V26 V27 V28 V29 V30 V31

OET interlinear 1 COR 1:17

← 1 COR 1:17 ↓ → ► ║ ©

SR Greek word order (including unused variant words in grey)

    1. Greek word
    2. Greek lemma
    3. OET-LV words
    4. OET-RV words
    5. Strongs
    6. Role/Morphology
    7. OET Gloss
    8. VLT Gloss
    9. CAPS codes
    10. Confidence
    11. OET tags
    12. OET word #
    1. οὒ
    2. ou
    3. not
    4. didn't
    5. 37560
    6. C·······
    7. not
    8. not
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113294
    1. Γάρ
    2. gar
    3. For/Because
    4. Because
    5. 10630
    6. C·······
    7. for
    8. for
    9. S
    10. Y59
    11. 113295
    1. ἀπέστειλεν
    2. apostellō
    3. sent out
    4. -
    5. 6490
    6. VIAA3··S
    7. sent_out
    8. sent_out
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113296
    1. ἀπέσταλκεν
    2. apostellō
    3. -
    4. -
    5. 6490
    6. VIEA3··S
    7. ˓has˒ sent_out
    8. ˓has˒ sent_out
    9. -
    10. -
    11. 113297
    1. μέ
    2. egō
    3. me
    4. -
    5. 14730
    6. R···1A·S
    7. me
    8. me
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113298
    1. ὁ
    2. ho
    3. -
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····NMS
    7. ¬the
    8. ¬the
    9. -
    10. -
    11. 113299
    1. Χριστός
    2. χristos
    3. chosen one messiah
    4. Messiah
    5. 55470
    6. N····NMS
    7. chosen_one/messiah
    8. Christ
    9. WN
    10. Y59; Person=Jesus
    11. 113300
    1. βαπτίζειν
    2. baptizō
    3. to be immersing
    4. immerse
    5. 9070
    6. VNPA····
    7. ˓to_be˒ immersing
    8. ˓to_be˒ baptizing
    9. -
    10. Y59; R113253; Person=Paul
    11. 113301
    1. ἀλλά
    2. alla
    3. but
    4. -
    5. 2350
    6. C·······
    7. but
    8. but
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113302
    1. εὐαγγελίζεσθαι
    2. euaŋgelizō
    3. to be good message preaching
    4. preach
    5. 20970
    6. VNPM····
    7. ˓to_be˒ good_message_preaching
    8. ˓to_be˒ gospel_preaching
    9. -
    10. Y59; R113253; Person=Paul
    11. 113303
    1. εὐαγγελίσασθαι
    2. euaŋgelizō
    3. -
    4. -
    5. 20970
    6. VNAM····
    7. ˓to˒ good_message_preach
    8. ˓to˒ gospel_preach
    9. -
    10. -
    11. 113304
    1. οὐκ
    2. ou
    3. not
    4. -
    5. 37560
    6. D·······
    7. not
    8. not
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113305
    1. ἐν
    2. en
    3. in
    4. -
    5. 17220
    6. P·······
    7. in
    8. in
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113306
    1. σοφίᾳ
    2. sofia
    3. wisdom
    4. wisdom
    5. 46780
    6. N····DFS
    7. wisdom
    8. wisdom
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113307
    1. λόγου
    2. logos
    3. of message
    4. -
    5. 30560
    6. N····GMS
    7. ˱of˲ message
    8. ˱of˲ word
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113308
    1. ἵνα
    2. hina
    3. in order that
    4. -
    5. 24430
    6. C·······
    7. in_order_that
    8. in_order_that
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113309
    1. μή
    2. mē
    3. not
    4. -
    5. 33610
    6. D·······
    7. not
    8. not
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113310
    1. κενωθῇ
    2. kenoō
    3. may be voided
    4. -
    5. 27580
    6. VSAP3··S
    7. ˓may_be˒ voided
    8. ˓may_be˒ voided
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113311
    1. ὁ
    2. ho
    3. the
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····NMS
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113312
    1. σταυρός
    2. stauros
    3. stake
    4. execution
    5. 47160
    6. N····NMS
    7. stake
    8. cross
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113313
    1. τοῦ
    2. ho
    3. of the
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····GMS
    7. ˱of˲ the
    8. ˱of˲ the
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113314
    1. Χριστοῦ
    2. χristos
    3. chosen one messiah
    4. -
    5. 55470
    6. N····GMS
    7. chosen_one/messiah
    8. Messiah
    9. WN
    10. Y59; Person=Jesus
    11. 113315

OET (OET-LV) For/Because not sent_out me chosen_one/messiah to_be_immersing, but to_be_good_message_preaching, not in wisdom of_message, in_order_that not may_be_voided the stake of_the chosen_one/messiah.

OET (OET-RV) Because Messiah didn’t send me to immerse people in water, but to preach the good message—but not with words of wisdom just in case the messiah’s execution on the post gets deprived of importance.

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 1:10–2:16: Believers should not divide up into competing factions. They should be united by true wisdom, the message of the cross.

In this section Paul wrote about a serious problem in the Corinthian church. The Corinthian believers were dividing up into competing groups. They were following whichever human leader they admired the most. Paul tried to solve this problem by reminding the Corinthians of the message of the cross. He wanted them to stop following human wisdom and to follow God’s wisdom.

Paragraph 1:10–17

There were divisions among the believers at Corinth. They divided into groups according to which leader they thought was the best one to follow. Paul taught them that Christ was not divided, so neither should his church be divided. His message was that all believers are united in Christ.

1:17a

For Christ did not send me to baptize,

For: The conjunction For introduces the reason why Paul had only baptized a few Corinthian believers.

Christ did not send me to baptize: Paul was thankful that he did not baptize a lot of people because baptizing people was not the main task that Christ gave him. He was not saying, however, that Christ had commanded him not to baptize people. It was just not his main responsibility.

send me: The focus of this clause is not on where Christ sent Paul but on what Christ send Paul to do. The Greek text does not say where Christ sent Paul.

In some languages it may be necessary to specify where God sent Paul. In some languages it may be possible to be general, using “out/around.” For example:

Christ did not send me out…

In other languages it may be necessary to be more specific. For example:

send me to Corinth/you

send me to faraway towns

send me to foreign places

1:17b

but to preach the gospel,

but: There is contrast here. The contrast is between what Christ did not send Paul to do and what Christ did send him to do. Some English versions do not use a conjunction here. For example:

Christ did not send me to baptize. He sent me to tell the Good News (GNT)

to preach the gospel: The phrase preach the gospel indicates that Christ sent Paul out to do something special for him. He sent Paul out to preach the good news about salvation to people.

General Comment on 1:17

In 1:17a-b Paul makes a negative statement first, and then a positive statement:

Negative: For Christ did not send me to baptize,

Positive: but Christ did send me to preach the Gospel.

However, in other languages it may be more natural to structure this verse differently. For example:

17aFor Christ sent me, not to baptize people, 17bbut to preach the gospel.

In other languages it may be more natural to reorder the clauses. For example:

17bChrist sent me to preach the gospel. 17aHe did not send me to baptize people.

If you reorder the clauses, you need to be careful about how you translate 1:17c so that the verse will be natural in your language.

1:17c

not with words of wisdom,

not with words of wisdom: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as with words of wisdom is literally “in wisdom of speech/word.” There are two ways to interpret the phrase with words of wisdom here:

  1. It means “wisdom which is expressed through speech.” This refers to the rhetoric and intellectual arguments of Greek philosophy.See Fee, p. 64, and Hodge pp. 17–18. For example:

    eloquent wisdom (RSV) (RSV, NIV, GNT, NCV, ESV)

  2. It means “wise speech”; that is, rhetorical skill, a clever way of talking.See Garland p. 56; Thiselton p. 143–45. For example:

    clever speech (NET) (NASB, REB, NET, NLT, CEV, JBP)

In some languages there may not be much difference between these two interpretations. In some English versions it is difficult to be sure which interpretation is being followed (KJV, GW).

In some languages it is necessary to choose between the two interpretations. If that is true in your language, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It has slightly more support from commentaries and English versions. However, you may also use the interpretation that is followed by your own major language version.

wisdom: The Greek word that the BSB translates as wisdom is a key/important word in this section of 1 Corinthians (1:17–31). Here it refers to the philosophical arguments that the Greek people greatly admired.

1:17d

lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power: The Greek clause is literally “in order that the cross of Christ should not be emptied of its power.” The English word lest introduces a result that Paul wanted to avoid.

If Paul preached the gospel with words of human wisdom, the power/impact of the death of Christ on the cross would be less. Paul did not want people to believe the gospel message only because of words of human wisdom. He wanted to present the gospel fully and effectively. People should decide to follow Christ because of Christ’s death on the cross for them.

the cross of Christ: The phrase the cross of Christ literally refers to the wooden cross on which Christ died. However, in this context it is a figure of speech referring to Christ’s death for us. Another way to translate this phrase is:

Christ’s death on the cross… (GNT)

be emptied of its power: The phrase be emptied of its power here means “have its power taken away,” or “be made useless/powerless.” Another way to translate this phrase is:

is not robbed of its power (GNT)

This is a passive phrase. In some languages it may be more natural to translate it using an active verb. For example:

does not lose its power

does not become powerless

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

γὰρ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: οὒ Γάρ ἀπέστειλεν μέ Χριστός βαπτίζειν ἀλλά εὐαγγελίζεσθαι οὐκ ἐν σοφίᾳ λόγου ἵνα μή κενωθῇ ὁ σταυρός τοῦ Χριστοῦ)

Here, For introduces an explanation for why Paul has baptized so few people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this connection with a word that introduces an explanation, and you could clarify that it explains how little he baptizes. Alternate translation: [I only baptized a few people, because]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / infostructure

οὐ & ἀπέστειλέν με Χριστὸς βαπτίζειν, ἀλλὰ εὐαγγελίζεσθαι

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: οὒ Γάρ ἀπέστειλεν μέ Χριστός βαπτίζειν ἀλλά εὐαγγελίζεσθαι οὐκ ἐν σοφίᾳ λόγου ἵνα μή κενωθῇ ὁ σταυρός τοῦ Χριστοῦ)

If your language would not naturally put the negative statement before the positive statement, you could reverse them and introduce not with wise speech by repeating proclaim. Alternate translation: [Christ sent me to proclaim the gospel, not to baptize. I proclaim the gospel]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis

ἀλλὰ εὐαγγελίζεσθαι

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: οὒ Γάρ ἀπέστειλεν μέ Χριστός βαπτίζειν ἀλλά εὐαγγελίζεσθαι οὐκ ἐν σοφίᾳ λόγου ἵνα μή κενωθῇ ὁ σταυρός τοῦ Χριστοῦ)

In this clause, Paul has omitted some words that might be necessary to make a complete thought in your language. If you do need these words in your language, you could repeat the “sending” language. Alternate translation: [but he sent me to proclaim the gospel]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis

οὐκ ἐν σοφίᾳ λόγου

not in wisdom ˱of˲_word

In this clause, Paul has omitted some words that might be necessary to make a complete thought in your language. If you do need these words in your language, you could repeat the “proclaiming” language. Alternate translation: [I do not proclaim it with wise speech]

Note 5 topic: grammar-connect-logic-goal

ἵνα

in_order_that

Here, so that introduces the purpose for which Paul does not use “wise speech.” Here, you could use a word or phrase that normally indicates purpose. Alternate translation: [in order that]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

μὴ κενωθῇ ὁ σταυρὸς τοῦ Χριστοῦ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: οὒ Γάρ ἀπέστειλεν μέ Χριστός βαπτίζειν ἀλλά εὐαγγελίζεσθαι οὐκ ἐν σοφίᾳ λόγου ἵνα μή κενωθῇ ὁ σταυρός τοῦ Χριστοῦ)

Here Paul speaks as if the cross of Christ were a container that was full of power and which he does not wish to empty of that power. By this, he means that he does not want to take away the power that the cross and the message about it have. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this phrase with a comparable metaphor or express the idea plainly, including the idea of power. Alternate translation: [the cross of Christ would not lose its power]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

μὴ κενωθῇ ὁ σταυρὸς τοῦ Χριστοῦ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: οὒ Γάρ ἀπέστειλεν μέ Χριστός βαπτίζειν ἀλλά εὐαγγελίζεσθαι οὐκ ἐν σοφίᾳ λόγου ἵνα μή κενωθῇ ὁ σταυρός τοῦ Χριστοῦ)

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 the cross that could be emptied rather than the person doing the “emptying.” If you must state who does the action, Paul implies that he himself would do it. Alternate translation: [I would not empty the cross of Christ]

TSN Tyndale Study Notes:

1:17 The important thing is not baptism, but the preaching of the Good News; baptism signifies people’s response to the message.
• clever speech: Eloquence, or an appeal to human wisdom.
• for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power: Too much emphasis on eloquence and the persuasiveness of human reason can distract from the simple message that Christ died for people’s sins so that they could be forgiven (1 Cor 2:1-5; 15:1-3).

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

    1. OET-LV words
    2. OET-RV words
    3. Strongs
    4. Greek word
    5. Greek lemma
    6. Role/Morphology
    7. OET Gloss
    8. VLT Gloss
    9. CAPS codes
    10. Confidence
    11. OET tags
    12. OET word #
    1. For/Because
    2. Because
    3. 10630
    4. S
    5. gar
    6. C-·······
    7. for
    8. for
    9. S
    10. Y59
    11. 113295
    1. not
    2. didn't
    3. 37560
    5. ou
    6. C-·······
    7. not
    8. not
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113294
    1. sent out
    2. -
    3. 6490
    5. apostellō
    6. V-IAA3··S
    7. sent_out
    8. sent_out
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113296
    1. me
    2. -
    3. 14730
    5. egō
    6. R-···1A·S
    7. me
    8. me
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113298
    1. chosen one messiah
    2. Messiah
    3. 55470
    4. WN
    5. χristos
    6. N-····NMS
    7. chosen_one/messiah
    8. Christ
    9. WN
    10. Y59; Person=Jesus
    11. 113300
    1. to be immersing
    2. immerse
    3. 9070
    5. baptizō
    6. V-NPA····
    7. ˓to_be˒ immersing
    8. ˓to_be˒ baptizing
    9. -
    10. Y59; R113253; Person=Paul
    11. 113301
    1. but
    2. -
    3. 2350
    5. alla
    6. C-·······
    7. but
    8. but
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113302
    1. to be good message preaching
    2. preach
    3. 20970
    5. euaŋgelizō
    6. V-NPM····
    7. ˓to_be˒ good_message_preaching
    8. ˓to_be˒ gospel_preaching
    9. -
    10. Y59; R113253; Person=Paul
    11. 113303
    1. not
    2. -
    3. 37560
    5. ou
    6. D-·······
    7. not
    8. not
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113305
    1. in
    2. -
    3. 17220
    5. en
    6. P-·······
    7. in
    8. in
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113306
    1. wisdom
    2. wisdom
    3. 46780
    5. sofia
    6. N-····DFS
    7. wisdom
    8. wisdom
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113307
    1. of message
    2. -
    3. 30560
    5. logos
    6. N-····GMS
    7. ˱of˲ message
    8. ˱of˲ word
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113308
    1. in order that
    2. -
    3. 24430
    5. hina
    6. C-·······
    7. in_order_that
    8. in_order_that
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113309
    1. not
    2. -
    3. 33610
    5. mē
    6. D-·······
    7. not
    8. not
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113310
    1. may be voided
    2. -
    3. 27580
    5. kenoō
    6. V-SAP3··S
    7. ˓may_be˒ voided
    8. ˓may_be˒ voided
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113311
    1. the
    2. -
    3. 35880
    5. ho
    6. E-····NMS
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113312
    1. stake
    2. execution
    3. 47160
    5. stauros
    6. N-····NMS
    7. stake
    8. cross
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113313
    1. of the
    2. -
    3. 35880
    5. ho
    6. E-····GMS
    7. ˱of˲ the
    8. ˱of˲ the
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113314
    1. chosen one messiah
    2. -
    3. 55470
    4. WN
    5. χristos
    6. N-····GMS
    7. chosen_one/messiah
    8. Messiah
    9. WN
    10. Y59; Person=Jesus
    11. 113315

OET (OET-LV) For/Because not sent_out me chosen_one/messiah to_be_immersing, but to_be_good_message_preaching, not in wisdom of_message, in_order_that not may_be_voided the stake of_the chosen_one/messiah.

OET (OET-RV) Because Messiah didn’t send me to immerse people in water, but to preach the good message—but not with words of wisdom just in case the messiah’s execution on the post gets deprived of importance.

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.

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← 1 COR 1:17 ↑ → ► ║ ©