OET interlinear 1 COR 4:6

4:6a

In Greek this verse part connects to the previous verse part with a conjunction that is often translated as “but.” Here this word introduces a new idea. Many English versions, including the RSV and GNT, do not translate this conjunction explicitly. Some English versions translate the Greek word as “now” (see the NIV) or “and” (see the KJV). Introduce this new idea in a way that is natural in your language.

Brothers: The Greek word that the BSB translates as Brothers refers to the Corinthian believers in general.

I have applied these things to myself and Apollos: By these things, Paul was probably talking about what he had said in chapter 3. He had used himself and Apollos as examples or illustrations of what he had been saying about Christian workers. He had mentioned himself and Apollos in 3:4–5 and had talked about himself and Apollos in his metaphors about planting (3:6–9b) and building (3:9c-15). For example:

I have used Apollos and myself to illustrate what I’ve been saying (NLT)

for your benefit: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as for your benefit is literally “for you.” Here it means “for your good” or “to help you understand.” Paul used himself and Apollos as examples or illustrations to help the Corinthians understand what he was saying. In some languages it may be natural to translate this phrase at the beginning of the sentence, as the GNT has done:

For your sake, my friends, I have applied all this to Apollos and me…. (GNT)

4:6b

4:6b-c

so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written: The Greek of 4:6b-c is literally “so that from us you may learn the not beyond what is written.” Ancient Greek writing did not use quotation marks to indicate quoted material. So it is not always clear what words are quotations. Because of that, there are two ways to understand these verse parts:

1. 4:6c is a quotation. For example:

   ^4bso that you may learn what the saying means, ^4c“Observe the proper rules.” (GNT) (NIV, GNT, NJB, CEV, NET, NCV, NRSV, REB)

2. Paul was himself encouraging the Corinthians to obey what was written. For example, the GW has translated this as:

   ^4bYou should learn from us ^4cnot to go beyond what is written in Scripture. (GW) (BSB, RSV, GW, NASB, ESV, KJV, NLT)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This interpretation has strong support from English versions and commentaries. Other ways to translate it are:

so that through us you may learn “not to go beyond what is written” (NET)

so that you can learn how the saying “Nothing beyond what is written” is true of us (NJB)

to teach you what this means: “Follow what is written.”

4:6c

not to go beyond what is written: The Greek words that the BSB translates as not to go beyond what is written are literally “not beyond what is written.” If you choose to treat this as a quoted saying, then it may be natural to translate it as a command. This command may be positive or negative:

Follow only what is written in the Scriptures (NCV)

You should not say or do anything other than what is written in the Scriptures

In some languages there may be a saying or idiom that is appropriate in this context. For example:

Follow the rules. (CEV)

Go by the book!

Stick/Keep to the written word!

not to go beyond: This is a metaphor. Not obeying rules is like stepping over a boundary line. It is like going outside the place where one is supposed to be. Consider if there is a metaphor or idiom to express this in your language. Other ways to translate it in English include:

do not do anything apart from….

do only….

keep within….

follow….

what is written: Paul was probably referring to the instructions or commands that are written in the OT Scriptures. He meant that the written word should be followed and that it has authority. You may be able to suggest this authority in your language. One way to do this in English is to say:

what stands written

In your translation you may also need to add the implied information that the writing is about judging people. For example:

what the book says about judging others.

4:6d

Then: There are several ways to understand the function of the Greek word that the BSB translates as Then:

1. It introduces a purpose. For example:

   so that none of you will be puffed up in favor of one against the other (NET) (NASB, RSV, REB, CEV, NET, ESV)

2. It introduces a result. For example:

   Then you won’t arrogantly place one of us in opposition to the other. (GW) (BSB, NIV, NCV, GW, NLT)

3. It introduces an explanation of the meaning of the saying. For example, the NJB translates 4:6b-d as:

   so that you can learn how the saying “nothing beyond what is written” is true of us: no individual among you must become filled with his own importance… (NJB) (KJV, GNT, NJB)

In this context, interpretations (1) and (2) are not very different from one another. Paul’s purpose in teaching was that the Corinthians would learn the meaning of the saying, and he expected the result of this would be that they would not take pride in their teachers. It is recommended that you translate in such a way that the conjunction introduces either purpose or expected result. If you must choose between the two interpretations, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), which is the normal meaning of the conjunction.

take pride in one man over another: The Greek word for take pride in literally means “to be puffed up, to be full of hot air.” In this context it is a metaphor. Paul was referring to people who were proud because of the teacher they followed. In some languages there is an idiom that describes a person who is “puffed up.” Other ways to translate it in English include:

be more proud of one person than another (NCV)

inflated with pride as you take sides in support of one against another (REB)

one man over another: Paul was referring to the way the Corinthians were taking sides and arguing over what teacher or leader was the best. See 1:12b, 1:12c, 1:12d, and 3:4a-b. It may be necessary to make this clear by translating man as “teacher” or “leaders”:

one of your teachers more than another

one of your leaders at the expense of another (NLT)

In some languages it may be natural to translate this verse part with a direct quote. For example:

My purpose is that none of you will speak boastfully in this way: “I follow so-and-so, but you only follow so-and-so.”

I do not want you to be proud and say, “I am following the best teacher. That teacher of yours is not as good.”