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InterlinearVerse GENEXOLEVNUMDEUJOBJOSJDGRUTH1 SAM2 SAMPSAAMOSHOS1 KI2 KI1 CHR2 CHRPROVECCSNGJOELMICISAZEPHABJERLAMYNA (JNA)NAHOBADANEZEEZRAESTNEHHAGZECMALLAOGESLESESGDNG2 PSTOBJDTWISSIRBARLJEPAZSUSBELMAN1 MAC2 MAC3 MAC4 MACYHN (JHN)MARKMATLUKEACTsYAC (JAM)GAL1 TH2 TH1 COR2 CORROMCOLPHMEPHPHP1 TIMTIT1 PET2 PET2 TIMHEBYUD (JUD)1 YHN (1 JHN)2 YHN (2 JHN)3 YHN (3 JHN)REV

1 Cor C1C2C3C4C5C6C7C8C9C10C11C12C13C14C15C16

1 Cor 2 V2V3V4V5V6V7V8V9V10V11V12V13V14V15V16

OET interlinear 1 COR 2:1

 1 COR 2:1 ©

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. Κἀγώ
    2. kagō
    3. And I
    4. and
    5. 25040
    6. R···1N·S
    7. and_I
    8. and_I
    9. PS
    10. Y59
    11. 113557
    1. ἐλθών
    2. erχomai
    3. having come
    4. -
    5. 20640
    6. VPAA·NMS
    7. ˓having˒ come
    8. ˓having˒ come
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113558
    1. πρός
    2. pros
    3. to
    4. -
    5. 43140
    6. P·······
    7. to
    8. to
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113559
    1. ὑμᾶς
    2. su
    3. you all
    4. -
    5. 47710
    6. R···2A·P
    7. you_all
    8. you_all
    9. -
    10. Y59; R113561
    11. 113560
    1. ἀδελφοί
    2. adelfos
    3. brothers
    4. Brothers
    5. 800
    6. N····VMP
    7. brothers
    8. brothers
    9. -
    10. Y59; F113560; F113571; F113585; F113609; F113635
    11. 113561
    1. ἦλθον
    2. erχomai
    3. came
    4. -
    5. 20640
    6. VIAA1··S
    7. came
    8. came
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113562
    1. οὒ
    2. ou
    3. not
    4. didn't
    5. 37560
    6. D·······
    7. not
    8. not
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113563
    1. καθʼ
    2. kata
    3. according to
    4. -
    5. 25960
    6. P·······
    7. according_to
    8. according_to
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113564
    1. ὑπεροχήν
    2. huperoχē
    3. prominence
    4. -
    5. 52470
    6. N····AFS
    7. prominence
    8. prominence
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113565
    1. λόγου
    2. logos
    3. of speech
    4. -
    5. 30560
    6. N····GMS
    7. ˱of˲ speech
    8. ˱of˲ speech
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113566
    1. λόγων
    2. logos
    3. -
    4. -
    5. 30560
    6. N····GMP
    7. ˱of˲ messages
    8. ˱of˲ words
    9. -
    10. -
    11. 113567
    1. ē
    2. or
    3. -
    4. 22280
    5. C·······
    6. or
    7. or
    8. -
    9. Y59
    10. 113568
    1. σοφίας
    2. sofia
    3. wisdom
    4. wisdom
    5. 46780
    6. N····GFS
    7. wisdom
    8. wisdom
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113569
    1. καταγγέλλων
    2. kataŋgellō
    3. proclaiming
    4. -
    5. 26050
    6. VPPA·NMS
    7. proclaiming
    8. proclaiming
    9. -
    10. Y59; R113253; Person=Paul
    11. 113570
    1. ὑμῖν
    2. su
    3. to you all
    4. -
    5. 47710
    6. R···2D·P
    7. ˱to˲ you_all
    8. ˱to˲ you_all
    9. -
    10. Y59; R113561
    11. 113571
    1. τό
    2. ho
    3. the
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····ANS
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113572
    1. μυστήριον
    2. mustērion
    3. mystery
    4. -
    5. 34660
    6. N····ANS
    7. mystery
    8. mystery
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113573
    1. μαρτύριον
    2. marturion
    3. -
    4. -
    5. 31420
    6. N····ANS
    7. testimony
    8. testimony
    9. -
    10. -
    11. 113574
    1. τοῦ
    2. ho
    3. the
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····GMS
    7. ¬the
    8. ¬the
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 113575
    1. Θεοῦ
    2. theos
    3. of god
    4. -
    5. 23160
    6. N····GMS
    7. ˱of˲ god
    8. ˱of˲ God
    9. GN
    10. Y59; Person=God
    11. 113576

OET (OET-LV)And_I having_come to you_all, brothers, came not according_to prominence of_speech or wisdom, proclaiming to_you_all the mystery of_ the _god.

OET (OET-RV)Brothers and sisters, when I visited you all, I didn’t try to impress you with flowery words or great wisdom when I taught you about God’s incredible plan,

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 2:1–5

In this paragraph Paul used himself as an example of someone who did not depend on false, human wisdom. When he preached to the Corinthians, he talked only about what the Lord Jesus Christ did to save them. He trusted in God’s power to enable them to believe. He did not try to persuade them with clever speech.

2:1a

When I came to you, brothers,

When I came to you: In Greek this sentence begins with a word that means “And I (emphatic).” Paul was referring to the time when he had been in Corinth and preached to the Corinthians (see Acts 18:1–4). He used himself as an example of one who boasted only of what the Lord had done (1:31).

came to you: Consider whether it is more natural to translate this phrase using a word meaning came or a word meaning “went.”

brothers: The Greek word that the BSB translates as brothers here refers to all the believers in Corinth.

2:1b

I did not come with eloquence or wisdom

I did not come with eloquence or wisdom: Paul indicated that when he spoke in Corinth, he did not make eloquent, clever speeches or show off his learning. He used normal words and a normal way of speaking. In some languages it may be more natural to translate the phrase with eloquence or wisdom as a clause. For example:

I did not come speaking eloquently or showing off my great wisdom.

I didn’t use big words or try to sound wise. (CEV)

eloquence or wisdom: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as eloquence or wisdom is literally “excellence of speech or [excellence] of wisdom.” “Excellence of speech” or eloquence refers to speaking in a complicated and elegant way in order to sound clever and important. “Excellence…of wisdom” or wisdom here refers to human cleverness or learning. Another way to translate this is:

I did not use big words and great learning. (GNT)

2:1c

as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.

the testimony about God: There is a textual issue here:

  1. Some Greek manuscripts have the word that means “mystery.” For example:

    the mystery of God (NRSV) (NRSV, GNT, NJB, GW, NLT, CEV, NCV)

  2. Other manuscripts have the word that means “testimony.” For example:

    the testimony of God (NET) (BSB, NET, NIV, KJV, RSV, NASB, ESV, REB, NLT96)

It is recommended that you follow option (1). It is from the UBS Greek text. Thus the NRSV is used in the Display.

The Greek word that some versions translated as “mystery” is used in a special way here. It refers to a message or truth that God did not tell people in the past, but that he has now revealed to his people. Other ways to translate “mystery of God” are:

God’s secret message

God’s secret truth (GNT)

the message that God has revealed

the mystery that God has shared with us (CEV)

General Comment on 2:1a-c

In some languages it may not be necessary or natural to use the verb “come” twice in this verse. If this is true in your language, you may say it only once. For example:

When I came to you, my friends, to preach God’s secret truth, I did not use big words and great learning.

General Comment on 2:1b-c

In some languages it may be more natural to change the order of phrases in 2:1b-c. For example:

1cI did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you 1bin lofty words or wisdom. (NRSV)

1cI did not come preaching God’s secret 1bwith fancy words or a show of human wisdom. (NCV)

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

κἀγὼ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Κἀγώ ἐλθών πρός ὑμᾶς ἀδελφοί ἦλθον οὒ καθʼ ὑπεροχήν λόγου ἤ σοφίας καταγγέλλων ὑμῖν τό μυστήριον τοῦ Θεοῦ)

Here, And I introduces how Paul himself fits into the pattern he introduced in the last chapter. Just as God chooses the weak and the foolish, Paul preaches the gospel in weak and foolish ways. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind this connection with a word or phrase that introduces an example or a comparison. Alternate translation: [In the same way, I]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

ἀδελφοί

brothers

Although brothers is masculine, Paul is using it to refer to both men or women. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express brothers with a non gendered word or refer to both genders. Alternate translation: [brothers and sisters]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / explicitinfo

ἐλθὼν πρὸς ὑμᾶς & ἦλθον οὐ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Κἀγώ ἐλθών πρός ὑμᾶς ἀδελφοί ἦλθον οὒ καθʼ ὑπεροχήν λόγου ἤ σοφίας καταγγέλλων ὑμῖν τό μυστήριον τοῦ Θεοῦ)

Here Paul twice says that he has come to them. This is a structure that makes sense in Paul’s language. However, If it would be helpful in your language, you could: (1) translate the first come with a different word, such as “visit.” Alternate translation: [having visited you, did not come] (2) combine these two phrases. Alternate translation: [did not come to you]

Note 4 topic: grammar-connect-time-background

ἐλθὼν πρὸς ὑμᾶς

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Κἀγώ ἐλθών πρός ὑμᾶς ἀδελφοί ἦλθον οὒ καθʼ ὑπεροχήν λόγου ἤ σοφίας καταγγέλλων ὑμῖν τό μυστήριον τοῦ Θεοῦ)

The phrase having come to you gives background information. It describes what happened before Paul did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this connection by clarifying by using a word that introduces action that has already occurred. Alternate translation: [after I came to you] or [when I came to you]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / go

ἐλθὼν πρὸς ὑμᾶς & ἦλθον οὐ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Κἀγώ ἐλθών πρός ὑμᾶς ἀδελφοί ἦλθον οὒ καθʼ ὑπεροχήν λόγου ἤ σοφίας καταγγέλλων ὑμῖν τό μυστήριον τοῦ Θεοῦ)

Here Paul is speaking about how he had previously visited the Corinthians. Use a form in your language that refers to a past visit. Alternate translation: [after arriving where you live, did not arrive]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

ὑπεροχὴν λόγου ἢ σοφίας

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Κἀγώ ἐλθών πρός ὑμᾶς ἀδελφοί ἦλθον οὒ καθʼ ὑπεροχήν λόγου ἤ σοφίας καταγγέλλων ὑμῖν τό μυστήριον τοῦ Θεοῦ)

Here Paul uses the possessive form to describe speech and wisdom that have superiority. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind the meaning of this form by translating superiority as an adjective. Alternate translation: [superior speech or superior wisdom]

Note 7 topic: translate-unknown

ὑπεροχὴν λόγου ἢ σοφίας

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Κἀγώ ἐλθών πρός ὑμᾶς ἀδελφοί ἦλθον οὒ καθʼ ὑπεροχήν λόγου ἤ σοφίας καταγγέλλων ὑμῖν τό μυστήριον τοῦ Θεοῦ)

Here, superiority refers to how something or someone has more authority, skill, knowledge, or power than something or someone else. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind the meaning of this word with a comparable word or a short description. Alternate translation: [greatness of speech or of wisdom] or [speech or wisdom that was better than what others have]

Note 8 topic: grammar-connect-time-simultaneous

σοφίας, καταγγέλλων ὑμῖν τὸ μυστήριον τοῦ Θεοῦ

wisdom proclaiming ˱to˲_you_all (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Κἀγώ ἐλθών πρός ὑμᾶς ἀδελφοί ἦλθον οὒ καθʼ ὑπεροχήν λόγου ἤ σοφίας καταγγέλλων ὑμῖν τό μυστήριον τοῦ Θεοῦ)

The phrase proclaiming to you the mystery of God gives the situation in which Paul did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make it explicit by including a word that indicates that these things are happening at the same time. Alternate translation: [or wisdom when I proclaimed to you the mystery of God]

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

τὸ μυστήριον τοῦ Θεοῦ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Κἀγώ ἐλθών πρός ὑμᾶς ἀδελφοί ἦλθον οὒ καθʼ ὑπεροχήν λόγου ἤ σοφίας καταγγέλλων ὑμῖν τό μυστήριον τοῦ Θεοῦ)

Here Paul uses the possessive form to describe a mystery that is: (1) revealed by God. Alternate translation: [the mystery given by God] or [the mystery from God] (2) about God. Alternate translation: [the mystery about God] or [the mystery concerning God]

Note 10 topic: translate-textvariants

μυστήριον

mystery

In Paul’s language, mystery and “testimony” look and sound very similar. While some early and important manuscripts have “testimony” here, other early and important manuscripts have mystery. Unless there is a good reason to translate “testimony,” it is best to follow the ULT here.

TSN Tyndale Study Notes:

2:1 When I first came to you: See Acts 18:1-17. lofty words and impressive wisdom: Human wisdom and philosophy don’t bring people to Christ (see 1 Cor 1:17, 21; 2:2). The message of the cross has its own power to convert the human heart (see 1:17; Rom 1:16; Gal 6:14).
• God’s secret plan: See study note on 1 Cor 2:7.

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. And I
    2. and
    3. 25040
    4. PS
    5. kagō
    6. R-···1N·S
    7. and_I
    8. and_I
    9. PS
    10. Y59
    11. 113557
    1. having come
    2. -
    3. 20640
    4. erχomai
    5. V-PAA·NMS
    6. ˓having˒ come
    7. ˓having˒ come
    8. -
    9. Y59
    10. 113558
    1. to
    2. -
    3. 43140
    4. pros
    5. P-·······
    6. to
    7. to
    8. -
    9. Y59
    10. 113559
    1. you all
    2. -
    3. 47710
    4. su
    5. R-···2A·P
    6. you_all
    7. you_all
    8. -
    9. Y59; R113561
    10. 113560
    1. brothers
    2. Brothers
    3. 800
    4. adelfos
    5. N-····VMP
    6. brothers
    7. brothers
    8. -
    9. Y59; F113560; F113571; F113585; F113609; F113635
    10. 113561
    1. came
    2. -
    3. 20640
    4. erχomai
    5. V-IAA1··S
    6. came
    7. came
    8. -
    9. Y59
    10. 113562
    1. not
    2. didn't
    3. 37560
    4. ou
    5. D-·······
    6. not
    7. not
    8. -
    9. Y59
    10. 113563
    1. according to
    2. -
    3. 25960
    4. kata
    5. P-·······
    6. according_to
    7. according_to
    8. -
    9. Y59
    10. 113564
    1. prominence
    2. -
    3. 52470
    4. huperoχē
    5. N-····AFS
    6. prominence
    7. prominence
    8. -
    9. Y59
    10. 113565
    1. of speech
    2. -
    3. 30560
    4. logos
    5. N-····GMS
    6. ˱of˲ speech
    7. ˱of˲ speech
    8. -
    9. Y59
    10. 113566
    1. or
    2. -
    3. 22280
    4. ē
    5. C-·······
    6. or
    7. or
    8. -
    9. Y59
    10. 113568
    1. wisdom
    2. wisdom
    3. 46780
    4. sofia
    5. N-····GFS
    6. wisdom
    7. wisdom
    8. -
    9. Y59
    10. 113569
    1. proclaiming
    2. -
    3. 26050
    4. kataŋgellō
    5. V-PPA·NMS
    6. proclaiming
    7. proclaiming
    8. -
    9. Y59; R113253; Person=Paul
    10. 113570
    1. to you all
    2. -
    3. 47710
    4. su
    5. R-···2D·P
    6. ˱to˲ you_all
    7. ˱to˲ you_all
    8. -
    9. Y59; R113561
    10. 113571
    1. the
    2. -
    3. 35880
    4. ho
    5. E-····ANS
    6. the
    7. the
    8. -
    9. Y59
    10. 113572
    1. mystery
    2. -
    3. 34660
    4. mustērion
    5. N-····ANS
    6. mystery
    7. mystery
    8. -
    9. Y59
    10. 113573
    1. of
    2. -
    3. 23160
    4. GN
    5. theos
    6. N-····GMS
    7. ˱of˲ god
    8. ˱of˲ God
    9. GN
    10. Y59; Person=God
    11. 113576
    1. the
    2. -
    3. 35880
    4. ho
    5. E-····GMS
    6. ¬the
    7. ¬the
    8. -
    9. Y59
    10. 113575
    1. god
    2. -
    3. 23160
    4. GN
    5. theos
    6. N-····GMS
    7. ˱of˲ god
    8. ˱of˲ God
    9. GN
    10. Y59; Person=God
    11. 113576

OET (OET-LV)And_I having_come to you_all, brothers, came not according_to prominence of_speech or wisdom, proclaiming to_you_all the mystery of_ the _god.

OET (OET-RV)Brothers and sisters, when I visited you all, I didn’t try to impress you with flowery words or great wisdom when I taught you about God’s incredible plan,

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 2:1 ©