OET interlinear 1COR 9:27

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ὑπωπιάζω μου τὸ σῶμα

˱I˲_/am/_beating ˱of˲_me the body

Here Paul uses words that continue the boxing metaphor from 9:26. The clause I subdue my body could also be translated “I give my body a black eye.” Paul’s point is that he controls or rules over his body, just like boxers control or rule over any opponents that they have punched in the face. He does not mean that he physically hurts his body. Since this language would be misunderstood in English, the ULT has expressed the idea plainly. You could also express the idea plainly, or you could use a comparable metaphor. Alternate translation: [I rule my body] or [I take control of my body]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / synecdoche

μου τὸ σῶμα, καὶ δουλαγωγῶ

˱of˲_me the body and ˱I˲_/am/_enslaving_‹it›

Here Paul uses my body to refer to himself as a whole. He does not mean that his nonphysical part “subdues” and “enslaves” his physical part. Rather, he means that he “subdues” and “enslaves” himself. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind my bodyby using a natural way in your language to refer to oneself. Alternate translation: [myself and enslave myself]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

δουλαγωγῶ

˱I˲_/am/_enslaving_‹it›

Here Paul speaks as if he were “enslaving” his body. He speaks in this way to again emphasize that he controls and rules over himself. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express enslave it with a comparable metaphor or express the idea plainly. Alternate translation: [control it] or [govern it]

Note 4 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

μή πως ἄλλοις κηρύξας

not somehow ˱to˲_others /having/_proclaimed

Here, having preached to others could identify: (1) a contrast with how he might be disqualified. Alternate translation: [lest, although I have preached to others] (2) what Paul has done before he might be disqualified. Alternate translation: [lest, after having preached to others]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

αὐτὸς ἀδόκιμος γένωμαι

myself unqualified ˱I˲_/may/_become

Here, disqualified continues the athletic imagery. An athlete who is disqualified is unable to win the competition and receive the prize. Paul speaks in this way to emphasize that he wants to be able to receive a reward from God. 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: [I myself might not reach the goal] or [I myself might fail to please God]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

αὐτὸς ἀδόκιμος γένωμαι

myself unqualified ˱I˲_/may/_become

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Paul uses the passive form here to focus on himself, who could be disqualified, rather than focusing on the person doing the “disqualifying.” If you must state who would do the action, Paul implies that “God” would do it. Alternate translation: [God might disqualify even me]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / rpronouns

αὐτὸς & γένωμαι

myself & ˱I˲_/may/_become

Here, myself focuses attention on I. If myself would not draw attention to the Son in your language, you could express the attention or focus in another way. Alternate translation: [even I might be] or [I indeed might be]