OET interlinear 1COR 9:25

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: translate-unknown

πᾶς & ὁ ἀγωνιζόμενος

everyone & ¬which striving

Here, everyone competing in the games refers generally to any athlete who participates in a competition, not just runners, as in the last verse. Use a word or phrase in your language that refers to athletes who compete in any sport or competition. Alternate translation: “every competitor in athletic competitions”

Note 2 topic: translate-unknown

ἐγκρατεύεται

/is/_controlling_‹himself›

Here Paul specifically has in mind the way an athlete only eats certain foods, trains their body in difficult ways, and behaves differently than most other people. All of this requires self-control. He implies at the end of the verse that we too must exercise self-control. If possible, use a word or phrase that refers to athletic training but that can be applied to the Christian life as well. Alternate translation: “disciplines themselves”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis

ἐκεῖνοι μὲν οὖν ἵνα

those on_one_hand therefore in_order_that

Here Paul omits some words that may be required in your language to make a full sentence. If your language needs these words, you could supply them from the first sentence in the verse. Since English needs these words, the ULT has supplied them in brackets. Alternate translation: “They therefore exercise self-control in order that”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

φθαρτὸν στέφανον

/a/_perishable crown

Here, the wreath refers to a crown made out of leaves gathered from a plant or a tree. This wreath was given to the athlete who won the contest as a symbol of their victory. Since the wreath was made out of leaves, it was perishable. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind perishable wreathby using a word or phrase that refers to what a winning athlete receives while still emphasizing that this prize is perishable. Alternate translation: “a breakable medal”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis

ἡμεῖς & ἄφθαρτον

we & /an/_indestructible_‹one›

Here Paul omits some words that may be required in your language to make a full sentence. If your language needs these words, you could supply them from earlier in the verse. Alternate translation: “we do it in order that we might receive an imperishable one”

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἄφθαρτον

/an/_indestructible_‹one›

Here Paul speaks of a wreath that is imperishable that believers will receive. He speaks of what God will give to believers as a wreath in order to emphasize that Christians will receive something like the honor and glory that a successful athlete receives. Paul emphasizes that it will be better because it will be imperishable. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind this figure of speech plainly or with an analogy. Alternate translation: “an imperishable reward that is like a wreath” or “an imperishable prize”