OET interlinear 1COR 9:19

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

ἐλεύθερος γὰρ ὢν

free for being

Here, For introduces verses 19–23. Paul is drawing an inference from what he said in 9:18 about offering the gospel “without charge.” Since he offers the gospel without charge, he is free from all. In this and the following verses, Paul will explain what he does as someone who is free from all and how this is beneficial or a “reward.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could express For with a word or phrase that introduces an explanation or further development. Alternate translation: [So, because I am free]

Note 2 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

ὢν

being

Here, being introduces a phrase that: (1) contrasts with I enslaved myself. Alternate translation: [although I am] (2) gives the reason why Paul can “enslave himself.” Alternate translation: [because I am]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἐλεύθερος & ὢν ἐκ πάντων, πᾶσιν ἐμαυτὸν ἐδούλωσα

free & being from all ˱to˲_all myself ˱I˲_enslaved

Here Paul uses the language of slavery and freedom to describe how he proclaims the gospel. Since he does not charge money when he proclaims the gospel, he is free. No person employs him or tells him what to do. However, Paul decides to serve others, to “enslave himself,” by doing what others think is right. In this way, he acts like a slave who has to do what his master requires. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the slavery and freedom metaphor with a comparable metaphor or express the idea plainly. Alternate translation: [not having to obey all, I choose to obey all]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

πάντων, πᾶσιν

all ˱to˲_all

Here, the Corinthians would have understood all to refer specifically to people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate all by including a word or phrase that clarifies that Paul is speaking about “people.” Alternate translation: [all people … to all people]

Note 5 topic: translate-unknown

κερδήσω

˱I˲_/may/_gain

Here, to gain someone means to help them toward belief in the Messiah. Once people believe, they belong to Christ and his church, and so the person who preached the gospel to them “gained” them as a new part of the church. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind gain plainly or with a comparable phrase. Alternate translation: [I might convert] or [I might gain for Christ]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

τοὺς πλείονας

the more

Here Paul is speaking about how “enslaving himself” to all gains more than if he did not “enslave himself” in this way. He refers specifically to people here, just like all refers to people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express even more things by clarifying that Paul is referring to gaining more people than if he did not “enslave himself.” Alternate translation: [even more people] or [more people in this way]