Open Bible Data Home  About  News  OET Key

OET OET-RV OET-LV ULT UST BSB MSB BLB AICNT OEB WEBBE WMBB NET LSV FBV TCNT T4T LEB BBE Moff JPS Wymth ASV DRA YLT Drby RV SLT Wbstr KJB-1769 KJB-1611 Bshps Gnva Cvdl TNT Wycl SR-GNT UHB BrLXX BrTr Related Topics Parallel Interlinear Reference Dictionary Search

InterlinearVerse GEN EXO LEV NUM DEU JOB JOS JDG RUTH 1 SAM 2 SAM PSA AMOS HOS 1 KI 2 KI 1 CHR 2 CHR PROV ECC SNG JOEL MIC ISA ZEP HAB JER LAM YNA (JNA) NAH OBA DAN EZE EZRA EST NEH HAG ZEC MAL LAO GES LES ESG DNG 2 PS TOB JDT WIS SIR BAR LJE PAZ SUS BEL MAN 1 MAC 2 MAC 3 MAC 4 MAC YHN (JHN) MARK MAT LUKE ACTs YAC (JAM) GAL 1 TH 2 TH 1 COR 2 COR ROM COL PHM EPH PHP 1 TIM TIT 1 PET 2 PET 2 TIM HEB YUD (JUD) 1 YHN (1 JHN) 2 YHN (2 JHN) 3 YHN (3 JHN) REV

1 Cor C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C9 C10 C11 C12 C13 C14 C15 C16

1 Cor 9 V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6 V7 V8 V9 V10 V11 V12 V13 V14 V15 V16 V17 V18 V19 V20 V21 V23 V24 V25 V26 V27

OET interlinear 1 COR 9:22

◄ ← 1 COR 9:22 ↓ → ► ║ ©

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. Ἐγενόμην
    2. ginomai
    3. I became
    4. -
    5. 10960
    6. VIAM1··S
    7. ˱I˲ became
    8. ˱I˲ became
    9. S
    10. Y59
    11. 116669
    1. τοῖς
    2. ho
    3. to the
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····DMP
    7. ˱to˲ the
    8. ˱to˲ the
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 116670
    1. ἀσθενέσιν
    2. asthenēs
    3. weak
    4. -
    5. 7720
    6. S····DMP
    7. weak
    8. weak
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 116671
    1. ὡς
    2. hōs
    3. -
    4. -
    5. 56130
    6. C·······
    7. as
    8. as
    9. -
    10. -
    11. 116672
    1. ἀσθενής
    2. asthenēs
    3. weak
    4. -
    5. 7720
    6. S····NMS
    7. weak
    8. weak
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 116673
    1. ἵνα
    2. hina
    3. in order that
    4. -
    5. 24430
    6. C·······
    7. in_order_that
    8. in_order_that
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 116674
    1. τούς
    2. ho
    3. the
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····AMP
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 116675
    1. ἀσθενεῖς
    2. asthenēs
    3. weak
    4. -
    5. 7720
    6. S····AMP
    7. weak
    8. weak
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 116676
    1. κερδήσω
    2. kerdainō
    3. I may win
    4. -
    5. 27700
    6. VSAA1··S
    7. ˱I˲ ˓may˒ win
    8. ˱I˲ ˓may˒ win
    9. -
    10. Y59; R114224; Person=Paul
    11. 116677
    1. Τοῖς
    2. ho
    3. To the ones
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. R····DMP
    7. ˱to˲ the ‹ones›
    8. ˱to˲ the ‹ones›
    9. S
    10. Y59
    11. 116678
    1. πᾶσιν
    2. pas
    3. all
    4. -
    5. 39560
    6. E····DMP
    7. all
    8. all
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 116679
    1. γέγονα
    2. ginomai
    3. I have become
    4. I've
    5. 10960
    6. VIEA1··S
    7. ˱I˲ ˓have˒ become
    8. ˱I˲ ˓have˒ become
    9. -
    10. Y59; R114224; Person=Paul
    11. 116680
    1. τά
    2. ho
    3. -
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. R····NNP
    7. the ‹things›
    8. the ‹things›
    9. -
    10. -
    11. 116681
    1. παντᾶ
    2. pas
    3. all things
    4. -
    5. 39560
    6. S····NNP
    7. all ‹things›
    8. all ‹things›
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 116682
    1. παντᾶ
    2. pas
    3. -
    4. -
    5. 39560
    6. E····NNP
    7. all
    8. all
    9. -
    10. -
    11. 116683
    1. ἵνα
    2. hina
    3. in order that
    4. -
    5. 24430
    6. C·······
    7. in_order_that
    8. in_order_that
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 116684
    1. πάντως
    2. pantōs
    3. certainly
    4. certain
    5. 38430
    6. D·······
    7. certainly
    8. certainly
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 116685
    1. τινάς
    2. tis
    3. some
    4. -
    5. 51000
    6. R····AMP
    7. some
    8. some
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 116686
    1. σώσω
    2. sōzō
    3. I may save
    4. -
    5. 49820
    6. VSAA1··S
    7. ˱I˲ ˓may˒ save
    8. ˱I˲ ˓may˒ save
    9. -
    10. Y59; R114224; Person=Paul
    11. 116687

OET (OET-LV) I_became to_the weak, weak, in_order_that the weak I_may_win.
To_the ones all I_have_become all things, in_order_that certainly some I_may_save.

OET (OET-RV) To the weak, I become weak to win them over. Yes, I’ve become all things to all people so[fn] that I might be certain of saving some.

9:27 TODO: Investigate why so many other translations translate πάντως something like ‘by all means’ here (whereas our OET-LV gloss is ‘certainly’).

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 9:1–27: Paul did not use his rights as an apostle

In this section Paul responded to a claim by some of the Corinthians that he was not an apostle. First, he defended his calling and work as an apostle. Then he used himself as an example of someone who did not use his rights.

In chapter 8 and chapter 10 Paul talked about food offered to idols. In this chapter Paul said that he was an example of somebody who had the right to do anything. He was thinking about the right to eat any kind of food. Out of love for others he refrained from doing things that he had a right to do. Instead, he tried to act in a way that would lead others to Christ.

Other possible section headings include:

Paul’s rights as an apostle

Paul's example of not using his rights

Paragraph 9:19–23

In this paragraph Paul explained that he gave up his rights in order to serve others. In this way he could help more people hear and believe the message about Jesus Christ.

9:22a

To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.

the weak: There are two ways to interpret the Greek phrase that the BSB translates as the weak:

  1. It refers to people who were powerless. They were perhaps poor, or slaves. They had low status and low influence. For example:

    When I am with those who are oppressed (NLT96)

  2. It refers to believers whose “conscience is weak,” as in 8:7–13. For example:

    When I am with people whose faith is weak (CEV)

    (CEV, GNT, GW)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This has the strongest support amongst recent commentaries because it fits with Paul’s statement that he himself became weak.9:22 For example, Fee, page 431, says “it is probably a more purely sociological category than a socio-religious one.” See also Thiselton and Garland. It also fits with Paul's purpose of winning the weak, which implies that they were not yet believers.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the poor

those without power/influence

I became weak: This means that Paul worked with his hands and thus accepted a position of low status. Notice that he did not say “like one who is weak” (as in 9:20a, 9:20b and 9:21b), but that he actually became weak.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

I live a life of poverty (NJB)

I become powerless

9:22b-c

I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some: This is a summary of the examples that Paul gave in 9:20, 21 and 22a. Translate this in the way that you normally introduce a summary in your language. One way to translate this is:

In summary, I have become all things to all people so that I may do all that I can to save some of them.

9:22b

I have become all things to all people

I have become all things to all people: This clause indicates that Paul was willing to adapt his way of life to meet the needs of different people. He was willing to change or adjust his behavior to help others.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

When I am with people of any kind, I become like them

I change how I live to be like the people I am with

9:22c

so that by all possible means I might save some.

so that by all possible means I might save some: The Greek word that the BSB translates as so that indicates that this is a purpose clause. Paul wanted to save people, that is, to help them believe in Christ. Some other ways to translate this are:

in order to save some by all possible means

by all possible means: The Greek word that the BSB translates as by all possible means is more literally “certainly.” English versions often use the English idiom “by all means” in order to keep the repetition of the word all (all things, all men, all means).

Here is another way to translate this:

I want to do all that I can do to save some people

save: In 9:19–21 Paul talked about “winning” people. In this verse he used a different verb: to save. Other ways of translating it are:

bring them to salvation

rescue them from punishment for their sin

help them to survive

To “win” and to save are different ways to say the same thing. You may wish to use the same word in this verse as you used in 9:19–21.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

τοῖς ἀσθενέσιν, ἀσθενής & τοὺς ἀσθενεῖς

˱to˲_the weak weak & (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἐγενόμην τοῖς ἀσθενέσιν ἀσθενής ἵνα τούς ἀσθενεῖς κερδήσω Τοῖς πᾶσιν γέγονα παντᾶ ἵνα πάντως τινάς σώσω)

Much like in [8:7–12](../08/07.md), weak identifies a person who easily feels guilty. A weak person thinks some things are wrong that are probably acceptable before God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express weak with a comparable metaphor or express the idea plainly. Alternate translation: [To the sensitive … sensitive … the sensitive] or [To those who often condemn themselves … one who condemns himself … those who often condemn themselves]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / nominaladj

τοῖς ἀσθενέσιν & τοὺς ἀσθενεῖς

˱to˲_the weak & (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἐγενόμην τοῖς ἀσθενέσιν ἀσθενής ἵνα τούς ἀσθενεῖς κερδήσω Τοῖς πᾶσιν γέγονα παντᾶ ἵνα πάντως τινάς σώσω)

Paul is using the adjective weak as a noun in order to describe a group of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this with a noun phrase. Alternate translation: [To people who are weak … the people who are weak]

Note 3 topic: translate-unknown

κερδήσω

˱I˲_˓may˒_win

Just as in [9:19](../09/19.md), to gain someone means to help that person believe in the Messiah. Translate this word the same way you did in [9:19](../09/19.md). Alternate translation: [I might convert] or [I might gain for Christ]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

τοῖς πᾶσιν γέγονα πάντα

˱to˲_the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἐγενόμην τοῖς ἀσθενέσιν ἀσθενής ἵνα τούς ἀσθενεῖς κερδήσω Τοῖς πᾶσιν γέγονα παντᾶ ἵνα πάντως τινάς σώσω)

Here, to become all things means that Paul has lived in many different ways. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind I have become all thingsmore naturally in your language. Alternate translation: [I have lived in all ways with everyone]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / hyperbole

τοῖς πᾶσιν γέγονα πάντα

˱to˲_the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἐγενόμην τοῖς ἀσθενέσιν ἀσθενής ἵνα τούς ἀσθενεῖς κερδήσω Τοῖς πᾶσιν γέγονα παντᾶ ἵνα πάντως τινάς σώσω)

Here, all things and everyone are exaggerations that the Corinthians would have understood to mean that Paul has become many things to many people. Paul speaks in this way to emphasize that he is willing to become anything to anyone as long it leads to saving people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could qualify Paul’s claim and expression the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: [I have become many things to many people]

ἵνα πάντως & σώσω

in_order_that in_order_that certainly & ˱I˲_˓may˒_save

Alternate translation: [so that, by using every means I have, I might save]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

πάντως & σώσω

certainly & ˱I˲_˓may˒_save

Here Paul speaks of how he leads others to faith in Jesus as “saving” them. By this, he means that he himself is the means by which God will save some. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express how Paul says that he can save some with a word or phrase that refers to leading someone towards “salvation,” that is, helping them to believe in Jesus. Alternate translation: [God might by all means use me to save]

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. I became
    2. -
    3. 10960
    4. S
    5. ginomai
    6. V-IAM1··S
    7. ˱I˲ became
    8. ˱I˲ became
    9. S
    10. Y59
    11. 116669
    1. to the
    2. -
    3. 35880
    5. ho
    6. E-····DMP
    7. ˱to˲ the
    8. ˱to˲ the
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 116670
    1. weak
    2. -
    3. 7720
    5. asthenēs
    6. S-····DMP
    7. weak
    8. weak
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 116671
    1. weak
    2. -
    3. 7720
    5. asthenēs
    6. S-····NMS
    7. weak
    8. weak
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 116673
    1. in order that
    2. -
    3. 24430
    5. hina
    6. C-·······
    7. in_order_that
    8. in_order_that
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 116674
    1. the
    2. -
    3. 35880
    5. ho
    6. E-····AMP
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 116675
    1. weak
    2. -
    3. 7720
    5. asthenēs
    6. S-····AMP
    7. weak
    8. weak
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 116676
    1. I may win
    2. -
    3. 27700
    5. kerdainō
    6. V-SAA1··S
    7. ˱I˲ ˓may˒ win
    8. ˱I˲ ˓may˒ win
    9. -
    10. Y59; R114224; Person=Paul
    11. 116677
    1. To the ones
    2. -
    3. 35880
    4. S
    5. ho
    6. R-····DMP
    7. ˱to˲ the ‹ones›
    8. ˱to˲ the ‹ones›
    9. S
    10. Y59
    11. 116678
    1. all
    2. -
    3. 39560
    5. pas
    6. E-····DMP
    7. all
    8. all
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 116679
    1. I have become
    2. I've
    3. 10960
    5. ginomai
    6. V-IEA1··S
    7. ˱I˲ ˓have˒ become
    8. ˱I˲ ˓have˒ become
    9. -
    10. Y59; R114224; Person=Paul
    11. 116680
    1. all things
    2. -
    3. 39560
    5. pas
    6. S-····NNP
    7. all ‹things›
    8. all ‹things›
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 116682
    1. in order that
    2. -
    3. 24430
    5. hina
    6. C-·······
    7. in_order_that
    8. in_order_that
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 116684
    1. certainly
    2. certain
    3. 38430
    5. pantōs
    6. D-·······
    7. certainly
    8. certainly
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 116685
    1. some
    2. -
    3. 51000
    5. tis
    6. R-····AMP
    7. some
    8. some
    9. -
    10. Y59
    11. 116686
    1. I may save
    2. -
    3. 49820
    5. sōzō
    6. V-SAA1··S
    7. ˱I˲ ˓may˒ save
    8. ˱I˲ ˓may˒ save
    9. -
    10. Y59; R114224; Person=Paul
    11. 116687

OET (OET-LV) I_became to_the weak, weak, in_order_that the weak I_may_win.
To_the ones all I_have_become all things, in_order_that certainly some I_may_save.

OET (OET-RV) To the weak, I become weak to win them over. Yes, I’ve become all things to all people so[fn] that I might be certain of saving some.

9:27 TODO: Investigate why so many other translations translate πάντως something like ‘by all means’ here (whereas our OET-LV gloss is ‘certainly’).

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.

OET logo mark

◄ ← 1 COR 9:22 ↑ → ► ║ ©