OET interlinear 1COR 3:11

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

γὰρ

for

Here, for introduces the reason why the people who build on the foundation should “be careful how” they build “on it” (3:10). They need to “be careful” because what they build must match the only foundation that exists, which is Jesus Christ. If for would not indicate this connection in your language, you could express the idea with a word that gives a reason or basis for a command. Alternate translation: [because]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / exmetaphor

θεμέλιον & ἄλλον οὐδεὶς δύναται θεῖναι, παρὰ τὸν κείμενον, ὅς ἐστιν Ἰησοῦς Χριστός.

foundation & another no_one /is/_able /to/_lay beside the_‹one› lying which is Jesus Christ

Paul continues the metaphor about houses, again speaking about a foundation. Here, he reminds the Corinthians that each house has only one foundation, and once that foundation has been laid, no one lays another foundation for the house. He speaks in this way to remind them that only one person can introduce them to the gospel, and anyone who tries to introduce them to another gospel is building a different house, not the same house. Paul then directly states that the foundation refers to the message about Jesus Christ that he preached to them and which should be the starting point and basis for everything else they learn about the gospel. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning of this metaphor with a comparable metaphor or express the idea plainly. Alternate translation: [no one can first proclaim a gospel to you other than the one that I already proclaimed to you, which is Jesus Christ]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

τὸν κείμενον

the_‹one› lying

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 what is being laid rather than focusing on the person doing the “laying.” If you must state who does the action, Paul implies that he himself does it. Alternate translation: [the one that I already laid]

ὅς ἐστιν Ἰησοῦς Χριστός.

which is Jesus Christ

If you use the second alternate translation, you may need to change the comma to a period before it. Alternate translation: [which is Jesus Christ] or [That foundation is Jesus Christ]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

Ἰησοῦς Χριστός

Jesus Christ

Here Paul uses the words translated Jesus Christ to refer to the message he proclaimed to them about Jesus Christ. If it would be helpful in your language, you could include a word or phrase that refers to Paul’s message about Jesus Christ. Alternate translation: [the good news about Jesus Christ]