OET interlinear 1COR 9:4

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

μὴ οὐκ ἔχομεν ἐξουσίαν φαγεῖν καὶ πεῖν?

not not ˱we˲_/are/_having right /to/_eat and /to/_drink

Paul does not ask this question because he is looking for information. Rather, he asks it to involve the Corinthians in what he is arguing. The question assumes that the answer is “yes, you do.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind this question with a strong affirmation. Alternate translation: “We most definitely have the right to eat and to drink.”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / doublenegatives

μὴ οὐκ

not not

The Greek words translated certainly not are two negative words. In Paul’s culture, two negative words made the statement even more negative. English speakers would misunderstand two negatives, so the ULT expresses the idea with one strong negative. If your language can use two negatives as Paul’s culture did, you could use a double negative here. If your language does not use two negatives in this way, you can translate with one strong negative, as the ULT does. Alternate translation: “by no means”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / exclusive

ἔχομεν

˱we˲_/are/_having

Here, we refers to Paul and Barnabas (See: 9:6). It does not include the Corinthians.

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

μὴ οὐκ ἔχομεν ἐξουσίαν

not not ˱we˲_/are/_having right

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind right, you can express the idea by using a verbal phrase such as “are able to” or “can require.” Alternate translation: “Are we certainly not able”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

φαγεῖν καὶ πεῖν

/to/_eat and /to/_drink

Here, to eat and to drink refers not primarily to the physical process of “eating” and “drinking.” Rather, the phrase refers primarily to what is needed to eat and to drink, that is, food and drink. Paul is saying that he and Barnabas have the right to receive food and drink so that they can eat and drink. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express to eat and to drink by clarifying that Paul refers to “food” and “drink.” Alternate translation: “to food to eat and beverages to drink”

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

φαγεῖν καὶ πεῖν

/to/_eat and /to/_drink

Although Paul does not explicitly say this, he implies that we have the right to receive the food and drink from the Corinthians. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express what Paul is saying by clarifying that the food to eat and the beverages to drink would have come from the Corinthians in support of Paul’s work. Alternate translation: “to be supported by you so that we can eat and drink”