OET interlinear 1 COR 1:26

1:26a

In Greek, 1:26 begins with a conjunction. The conjunction introduces one basis for Paul’s statement in 1:25. The foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom and the weakness of God is stranger than man’s strength. One basis for Paul saying that is that God was foolish in calling the foolish Corinthian believers to become believers (1:26–31). According to human wisdom God should have called wise and important people to become believers. Some English versions do not translate this conjunction.

Paul also used this conjunction to introduce a new part/step/point of his argument. In the BSB this change is shown by beginning a new paragraph. You should begin this part of the argument in a way that is natural in your language.

Brothers: Paul often used a term of address (like Brothers) when he began a new topic. Here he introduced the topic of boasting only about God and never boasting about ourselves.

In the BSB, the word Brothers is first in the sentence. You should put/place it where it sounds natural in your language.

If a literal translation suggests that Paul was only addressing males, you may need to be more explicit or general. For example:

Brothers and sisters

Christian friends

consider the time of your calling: In Greek this clause is literally “Consider your calling.”The KJV translates this as an indicative clause: “ye see your calling.” It is alone in this among the major English versions, although it is supported by Barrett, p. 56. The imperative is supported by Fee p. 79, Thiselton p. 179. Paul wanted the Corinthian believers to think about who they were when God called them to be his people. Specifically, he wanted them to remember that they had no high status or position in the world when God called them.

Most of the first Corinthian believers were uneducated people, poor people, and slaves. However, they had become proud. Paul wanted to remind them that they had no reason to be proud of themselves. The only reason they had to be proud now came from their relationship with Christ.

the time of your calling: The Greek phrase that BSB translates as the time of your calling is literally your calling. This phrase refers to the time when God called or invited the Corinthians to believe the gospel. In some languages, it may be more natural to state who called the Corinthians. For example:

when God called you

In some languages it may be necessary to say what God called the Corinthians to do. If that is true in your language, you may add the implied information. For example:

when God called you to be Christians (GW)

when God called you to follow Christ

1:26b

Not many of you were wise by human standards: In Greek this clause indicates/shows what the Corinthian people were originally like according to human standards. When the Corinthian believers were called, not many of them were considered wise by other people. Another way to translate this phrase is:

From the human point of view, few of you were wise (GNT)

by human standards: In Greek this phrase is literally “according to the flesh.” This phrase is often used to contrast earthly, worldly standards with divine standards. Worldly people did not consider the Corinthian believers to be wise, influential, or noble people.

In some languages it may be more natural to make these people the subject of the sentence. For example:

The people of this world didn’t think that many of you were wise. (CEV)

1:26c

not many were powerful: The Greek word that the BSB translates as powerful refers to those people who were powerful in society and politics, the prominent leaders in Corinth. Many languages have idioms for influential people. Some languages use phrases such as “big men” or “people with big names.” Some other ways to translate this are:

Not many of you had great influence. (NCV)

not many were influential (NIV)

You were not in powerful positions… (GW)

1:26d

not many were of noble birth: The Greek word that the BSB translates as noble birth refers to people whose parents are members of the ruling classes. Some languages have a term for “nobles” or “high caste” that can be used here. Some other ways to translate this are:

not many were born to a privileged position (NET)

You were not…in the upper social classes. (GW)

Not many of you came from important families. (NCV)

You may have an idiom in your language for a privileged birth. If that is true you may use it here since Paul is talking generally. For example:

He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.