OET interlinear 1COR 3:9

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

γάρ

for

Here, For introduces a summary statement that concludes the whole section in which Paul compares those who proclaim the gospel to farmers (3:5–8). If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind Forby using a word or phrase that introduces a summary statement. Alternate translation: [Thus,] or [In the end,]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / exclusive

ἐσμεν

˱we˲_are

Here, we refers to Paul, Apollos, and others who proclaim the gospel; we does not include the Corinthians.

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

Θεοῦ & συνεργοί

˱of˲_God & fellow-workers

Here Paul uses the possessive form to describe: (1) fellow workers who work for God. Alternate translation: [coworkers under God’s leadership] (2) workers who join God in God’s work. Alternate translation: [people who work with God]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / infostructure

Θεοῦ γεώργιον, Θεοῦ οἰκοδομή ἐστε.

˱of˲_God ˱of˲_God /the/_field ˱of˲_God /the/_building ˱you_all˲_are

Here Paul switches from a metaphor about farming to a metaphor about building. He makes this switch without using any connecting words, and he makes the switch within one sentence. Consider whether your language would include the introduction of a new topic at the end of the previous section or at the beginning of a new section, and put God’s building where it would be understood as introducing a new section. Include you are again if it would be necessary. Additionally, if your language would not begin a new section without using a connecting word or phrase, you could use such a word or phrase here. Alternate translation: [you are God’s field. In fact, you are also God’s building]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

Θεοῦ γεώργιον

˱of˲_God ˱of˲_God /the/_field

Here Paul concludes the farming metaphor he began in 3:6. He identifies the Corinthians as a field that is owned by God. It is in this field that those who proclaim the gospel “plant” and “water” the crop. By calling the Corinthians a God’s field, Paul means to say that they belong to God and that they are the people among whom those who proclaim the gospel labor. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this figure of speech with a comparable metaphor or express the idea plainly. Alternate translation: [people who belong to God and among whom we work]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / exmetaphor

Θεοῦ οἰκοδομή

˱of˲_God ˱of˲_God ˱of˲_God /the/_building

Here Paul introduces a new metaphor that compares the Corinthians to a building. This building belongs to God, and those who proclaim the gospel, including Paul, help to construct the building. He uses this metaphor and variations of it in 3:9–17. Here, he calls the Corinthians God’s building, by which he means basically the same thing as when he calls them God’s field. They belong to God, and he and others who proclaim the gospel work among them. 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: [people who belong to God and among whom we work]