OET interlinear 2 COR 1:1

1:1a

Paul: This name explains who wrote the letter. For example:

From Paul (NCV)

In some languages it is more natural to use a full clause. For example:

This letter is from Paul (NLT)

I, Paul, write this letter.

apostle: The Greek word that the BSB translates as apostle means “ambassador” or “messenger.” It refers to a person whom someone sends with his authority to accomplish a mission or a particular purpose. Here, an apostle is a person whom Jesus sends to represent him and teach his message with authority. The word or phrase for apostle in your language should indicate a position of trust and authority.

If you have already translated the Gospels, you can probably use the same term for apostle as you used there. In some languages you may need to change it slightly for this context. You may want to:

• Translate the meaning. For example:

  representative/ambassador

  special messenger

  sent-person

• Borrow a well-known word or phrase from another language. For example, if a common language is Spanish:

  apostol You may then want to explain the meaning of the word in a footnote. For example:

  An apostol is someone whom Christ chose to represent him and who has his authority.

See the term apostle in the Glossary. If the term you choose for apostle means “messenger,” make sure that it does not refer to a person who only delivers a message and then has no further responsibility for the message.

Christ Jesus: Paul often used the phrase Christ Jesus as an alternative to “Jesus Christ.” Putting the word Christ first probably emphasizes that word, but the meaning is the same as “Jesus Christ.” The word Christ is a title. In some languages it is more natural to have the word Christ after the name Jesus. For example:

Jesus Christ (CEV)

Christ: The word Christ is a title for Jesus. It literally means “the anointed one.” The Jews used this title to refer to the person whom God had appointed and promised to send as King and Savior. The Hebrew word is mashiach (English spells this word as “Messiah”). Some ways to translate Christ are:

• Borrow the word from a common language and spell it as a person would say it in your language. You also may want to explain the meaning of Christ. You should indicate that it is a title. For example:

  Christ, the chosen one

  the Christ, the one whom God promised to send

  Christ, the one who was sent

• Translate the meaning of the title. You should indicate that it is a title. In English, the way to show it is a title is to capitalize the words in the phrase. For example:

  The One Who Was Sent

  The One Whom God Chose

The word or phrase may already be commonly used in the churches in your area. Since this is the first time the word Christ is used as a title in this book, you may want a footnote to explain the meaning. For example:

The word “Christ” means “The Chosen One.”

The word “Christ” means “The One Who Was Chosen and Anointed.” God chose Jesus to be the promised Savior.

See also Christ in the Glossary.

1:1b

by the will of God: This phrase indicates that God chose Paul to be an apostle. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

chosen by God to be an apostle (CEV)

because that is what God wanted (NCV)

whom God chose to become one/so

God: The Greek word that the BSB translates as God here refers to the eternal spirit who created everything. He is more powerful than any other spirit, and he is perfectly good and wise. He deserves to be worshiped.

Here are some ways to translate God:

• Use a name or title for God that people in your culture already use.

• Use a descriptive term that fits the truth about God that is revealed in the Bible. For example:

  Creator

  Great Spirit

  Ruler of the universe

Choose a term that is acceptable to the believers and churches in your area. For more detailed information, see God in the Glossary.

1:1c

and Timothy our brother: Paul included Timothy here because the believers in Corinth knew Timothy (Acts 18:5). Probably Paul wrote the letter and Timothy supported his writing in some way. (They may have discussed the problems at Corinth while Paul wrote.) This phrase probably does not imply that Timothy wrote parts of the letter and Paul wrote other parts. Indicate or imply that Paul was responsible for writing the letter, but Timothy was with him as he wrote. You may want to:

• Explain it in your translation. For example:

  Also Timothy our brother is with me

  and our brother Timothy greets you too

• Explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

  Paul included Timothy here because the believers in Corinth knew Timothy (Acts 18:5). Probably Paul wrote the letter and Timothy supported his writing in some way.

Timothy: Timothy traveled with Paul (Acts 16–20), which included going to Corinth. Paul wrote two letters to him (1 Timothy and 2 Timothy).

our brother: Here the word brother refers to a believer in Jesus. The word indicates a close relationship, because all believers become children of God. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer only to an actual brother by birth. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain in your translation. Some examples are:

our brother in Christ

fellow believer

who is also a follower (CEV)

1:1d

To the church of God in Corinth: This phrase refers to the people to whom Paul wrote. In some languages it is more natural to use a full clause. For example:

I am writing to God’s church in Corinth (NLT)

This letter is to the church of God in Corinth

church of God: The Greek word that the BSB translates as church refers to a gathering of people that someone summoned for a particular purpose. The phrase of God indicates that the gathering was a group of believers. The word church does not refer to a building. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

congregation of God

group of believers

gathering of those who follow God

The word or phrase you use should not refer to the separate groupings in the church of Jesus that exist today that each have their own name.

Corinth: This name refers to a city in southern Greece. It was an important city at that time. In some languages people are not familiar with the name Corinth. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain it in your translation. For example:

  the city of Corinth

• Explain it in a footnote. For example:

  Corinth is a city in southern Greece. It was an important city at that time.

1:1e

together with all the saints throughout Achaia: Paul wrote the letter to the believers in Corinth. This phrase indicates that Paul wanted the saints throughout Achaia to read the letter as well. Corinth was a city in a province then named Achaia. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia (ESV)

together with all God’s people throughout the whole of Achaia (REB)

I invite all the saints throughout Achaia to read this letter as well.

saints: The Greek word that the BSB translates as saints is literally “holy ones.” The word refers to all believers. For example:

God’s people (GNT)

throughout Achaia: This phrase refers to the other villages and towns in the province of Achaia. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

in the whole of Achaia (RSV)

within the province of AchaiyaWestern Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation on TW.

Achaia: The name Achaia referred to a province that included Corinth and the southern part of Greece. In some languages people are not familiar with the name Achaia. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain it in your translation. For example:

  the province/region of Achaia

• Explain it in a footnote. For example:

  Achaia was the name of a province that included Corinth and the southern part of Greece.