OET interlinear 1COR 1:21

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

γὰρ

for

Here, For introduces an explanation of how God has turned the wisdom of the world into foolishness (1:20). You could use a word that introduces an explanation in your language or a short phrase that identifies that this verse explains the previous verse. Alternate translation: “That is,”

Note 2 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

ἐπειδὴ & οὐκ ἔγνω ὁ κόσμος διὰ τῆς σοφίας τὸν Θεόν, εὐδόκησεν ὁ Θεὸς

since & not knew the world by its wisdom ¬the God took_pleasure ¬the God

Here, since introduces the reason for the second half of the verse, which , begins with God was pleased. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this more explicit or break the two pieces into two sentences and use a transition word that indicates result. Alternate translation: “because … the world did not know God through wisdom, therefore God was pleased”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

ἐν τῇ σοφίᾳ τοῦ Θεοῦ

in the wisdom ¬the ˱of˲_God

Here Paul uses the possessive form to speak of wisdom that God uses when he makes decisions or acts. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind this form by adding “plans” or “thinking” and translating wisdom with an adjective such as “wise.” Alternate translation: “in God’s wise plan” or ”in God’s wise thinking”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / synecdoche

ὁ κόσμος

the world

Here Paul uses the world to refer to the humans that are part of the the world. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning of this word by translating the world with a word or phrase that refers to people who do not believe in Christ, or you could use a phrase like “people of the world.” Alternate translation: “the people of the world”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

τῆς μωρίας τοῦ κηρύγματος

its the foolishness ˱of˲_the proclamation

Here Paul uses the possessive form to speak of preaching that is characterized by foolishness. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind this form by translating foolishness as an adjective describing the preaching or the content of the preaching. Alternate translation: “the foolish preaching” or “the foolish message that we preach”

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / irony

τῆς μωρίας

its the foolishness

Paul describes the preaching as foolishness. He does not actually think his message is foolish. Instead, he speaks from the perspective of the world and its wisdom, because the message is foolish to the world. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this way of speaking with an expression that indicates that Paul is using irony or speaking from another person’s perspective. Alternate translation: “the so-called foolishness”