OET interlinear 2 COR 1:9

1:9a

Indeed: The Greek word here is usually translated “But” (as in the KJV). However, the contrast to 1:8 is not clear, so many English versions translate this Greek word as emphasis here. For example:

In fact (NJB)

we felt we were under the sentence of death: Paul and the other evangelists felt that they would not live to old age, but that people would persecute and kill them. Other ways to translate this clause are:

we had the sentence of death within ourselves (NASB)

we were carrying the sentence of death within our own selves (NJB)

we felt sure that we would be killed

we were certain that someone would kill us

the sentence of death: The Greek word that the BSB translates as sentence usually refers to an official answer or decision made by someone in authority. In this context, Paul and his companions probably did not receive an official answer from someone that they must die, but they felt as if they had. See the examples above.

1:9b

in order that: The Greek phrase is literally “so that” (as in the NJB). The Greek conjunction introduces the purpose for what Paul said in 1:9a. Another way to translate this Greek word is:

But this made us (CEV)

we would not trust in ourselves: Here the word would indicates that Paul and the others should not rely on themselves. For example:

we should rely, not on ourselves (GNT)

not trust in ourselves: The word trust refers to trusting in something. Paul and the others would not trust in their own strength or abilities to escape death. For example:

trust not in ourselves (NJB)

1:9c

in God: Some words from 1:9b are implied but not repeated here. In some languages it is more natural to repeat some of those words. For example:

we would trust in God

who raises the dead: This clause is a general statement about God raising the dead when he wants to and that he will one day raise everyone for judgment. Translate this clause as a general statement. Other ways to translate this clause are:

who can raise the dead (JBP)

who has the power to raise the dead back to life

This clause tells the reader more about God. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that there are other gods and only this one raises the dead. If that is true in your language, translate this clause in a way that tells more about God. For example:

for he raises the dead

He raises the dead.

raises the dead: This phrase refers to causing someone to live again after he has died. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

makes live again those who have died

brings the dead back to life (GW)