OET interlinear 1COR 1:17

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

γὰρ

for

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

not & sent_out me Christ /to_be/_baptizing but /to_be/_gospel_preaching

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

but /to_be/_gospel_preaching

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

not /may_be/_voided the cross ˱of˲_the Messiah

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

not /may_be/_voided the cross ˱of˲_the Messiah

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”