2 COR 2:16 Interlinear View

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 2:12–17: Concerns and joys of an apostle

In this section Paul reviewed going to Troas to tell people about Jesus. The idiom “a door was opened” indicates that Paul had an opportunity to preach Jesus where many people would listen (2:12). He expected to meet Titus there, but Titus was not there, so Paul went to Macedonia (2:13). Titus later came to Macedonia and met with Paul (7:5).

In 2:14, Paul stopped talking about his travels. Instead, he thanked God for leading him. Paul compared God’s leading to a victory parade (2:14). He explained that believers represent Jesus (2:15–16b). He indicated that such ministry is difficult (2:16c). He also explained that he and the other evangelists do not preach as a way to earn money (2:17).

Other examples of headings for this section are:

Paul’s Mission as Christ’s Spokesman (GW)

The ways God leads

Paragraph 2:14–17

Paul changed themes here. Paul began this letter talking to the believers in Corinth about shared concerns. At 2:12, he began to tell them that he wanted to talk with Titus about his concerns.

But in 2:14–17 he thanked God for his leading and described the life following him. In some languages it is more natural to begin a new section here. The GNT has the heading “Paul’s Anxiety in Troas” for the section 2:12–13 and the heading “Victory through Christ” for the section 2:14–17.

2:16a–b

To the one, we are an odor of death and demise; to the other, a fragrance that brings life: The first clause, To the one, we are an odor of death, refers to 2:15c. The second clause, to the other, a fragrance that brings life, refers to 2:15b. This is good Greek style. In some languages it is more natural to have the clauses in the same order as in 2:15. For example:

To the one/first we are the fragrance of life, and to the other/second we are the smell of death

2:16a

To the one, we are an odor of death and demise;

On the one hand, to one group we^(excl) are an aroma from death to death,
To the latter we are like the smell of death leading to death.
We are like a deadly stench that kills to those whom God will destroy.

2:16a begins with the Greek conjunction that means “on one hand.” The Greek word indicates contrast: 2:16a refers to one kind of people, and 2:16b refers to another kind of people. For example:

On the first hand/side

But some languages can allow the context to indicate that there are two kinds of people and can omit this conjunction, as the BSB has done.

To the one: This phrase refers to the people who are perishing (2:15c). In some languages a literal translation would not clearly indicate that. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain in your translation. For example:

To the second group

for these last (NJB)

To those who are perishing

This phrase is emphasized. If possible, emphasize this phrase in your translation.

we are an odor of death and demise: The Greek phrase is literally “a smell out of death to death.” There are several ways to interpret this clause:

The phrase “out of” refers to the kind of smell. The word “to” refers to the effect of the smell. For example:
the smell of death leading to death (NJB) (NJB, GNT, NABRE, CEV, REB, NCV, KJV)
Translate literally. In some languages a literal translation has the correct meaning as described in (1). For example:
an odor from death to death (NET) (RSV, NASB, NET, ESV)
The phrase “out of death to death” is based on a Hebrew idiom that emphasizes the word death. Some versions omit the emphasis. For example:
we are a deadly fragrance (GW) (NIV, GW)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).Harris (p. 241) says in his translation “a deadly stench that leads to death.” But in some languages people will properly understand a literal translation. If that is true in your language, follow interpretation (2).

This clause is a metaphor. In some languages it is more natural to use a simile here. For example:

we are like the smell of death

2:16b

to the other, a fragrance that brings life.

and on the other hand, to the other group we are an aroma from life to life.
To the former we are like the smell of life leading to life.
But we are like a beautiful fragrance that gives life to those whom God will save.

2:16b begins with the conjunction that means “on the other hand” here. The conjunction indicates that 2:16b refers to a second kind of people. (2:16a referred to a first kind of people.) For example:

On the second hand/side

But many languages can allow the context to indicate that there are two kinds of people and omit this conjunction, as the BSB has done.

to the other: This phrase refers to the people who are being saved (2:15b). In some languages a literal translation would not clearly refer to that. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain in your translation. For example:

to the first group

for the first (NJB)

to those who are being saved

This phrase is emphasized. If possible, emphasize this phrase in your translation.

a fragrance that brings life: The Greek phrase is literally “a smell out of life to life.” Follow the same option here as you did in 2:16a:

Following option (1) above, the NJB says:
the smell of life leading to life (NJB)
Following option (2) above, the NET says:
a fragrance from life to life (NET)
Following option (3) above, the GW says:
we are a life-giving fragrance (GW)

2:16c

And who is qualified for such a task?

But can anyone be adequate/sufficient to do this work?
Certainly no one is able to hold this responsibility.

And: In 2:14b Paul talked about life as an apostle of Jesus. In 2:14c–16b he talked about the effect of his ministry. In 2:16c he said that doing the work of an apostle is impossible without God helping him. There is some contrast here. In some languages it is more natural to translate the contrast here. For example:

But

Some languages do not need to translate the conjunction to indicate the contrast.

who is qualified for such a task?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes the fact that no one is equal to such a task. Translate this clause with that meaning. Some ways are:

As a rhetorical question. For example:
is anyone equal to the task?
can anyone be equal to the task?
Who could think himself adequate for a responsibility like this? (JBP)
As a statement. For example:
Certainly no one is equal to such a task.
No one really has what it takes to do this work. (CEV)
As a command. For example:
do not think that anyone is equal to the task!
surely do not think that anyone is adequate for a responsibility like this.

Here Paul said that the task God gave him exceeded anyone’s ability to do on his own (as 3:5 explains). In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that Paul was saying that no one can be an apostle. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain the meaning in a footnote. For example:

Here Paul said that he did not have the ability to do a good job as an apostle. But he also knew that God had empowered him to do a good job (1 Corinthians 15:9–10; 2 Corinthians 3:5).

is qualified: This phrase refers to being able to do something. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

is sufficient (RSV)

is capable (GNT)

is adequate (NASB)

for such a task: The Greek word is literally “these (things).” Here the phrase refers to doing the work of an apostle. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

to do this work (CEV)

for a responsibility like this (JBP)

for such a calling (REB)

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

οἷς μὲν & οἷς δὲ

˱to˲_one ˱to˲_one (Some words not found in SR-GNT: οἷς μέν ὀσμή ἐκ θανάτου εἰς θάνατον οἷς δέ ὀσμή ἐκ ζωῆς εἰς ζωήν Καί πρός ταῦτα τίς ἱκανός)

Here, the word translated as indeed indicates that the author is introducing the first of two parts. The word but introduces the second part. The author uses this form to contrast “the ones perishing” and “the ones being saved” (See: [2:15](../02/15.md)). If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a form that naturally contrasts two groups of people. Alternate translation: [on one hand, to the ones … but on the other hand, to the others] or [to the ones … but to the others]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / infostructure

οἷς μὲν ὀσμὴ ἐκ θανάτου εἰς θάνατον, οἷς δὲ ὀσμὴ ἐκ ζωῆς εἰς ζωήν

Here Paul refers to “the ones perishing” before he refers to “the ones being saved,” which is the opposite of the order he used in [2:15](../02/15.md). This was good style in his culture. If reversing the order from [2:15](../02/15.md) would be confusing for your readers, and if it would not be good style, you could reverse the order here to match that in [2:15](../02/15.md). Alternate translation: [to the ones indeed, an aroma from life to life, but to the others, an aroma from death to death]

Note 3 topic: writing-pronouns

(Occurrence -1) οἷς

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: οἷς μέν ὀσμή ἐκ θανάτου εἰς θάνατον οἷς δέ ὀσμή ἐκ ζωῆς εἰς ζωήν Καί πρός ταῦτα τίς ἱκανός)

Here, the phrase to the ones refers to “the ones perishing,” and the phrase to the others refers to “the ones being saved” (See: [2:15](../02/15.md)). If it would be helpful in your language, you could clarify to whom these phrases refer. Alternate translation: [to the latter … to the former] or [to the ones perishing … to the ones being saved]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / exmetaphor

(Occurrence -1) ὀσμὴ

Here Paul continues to speak about fragrance and good smells (See: [2:14–15](../02/14.md)). He specifically explains what kind of aroma he and his fellow workers are. Those who do not believe think that the aroma smells bad, while those who do believe think that the aroma smells good. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a simile or express the idea plainly. Make sure that your translation fits with how you translated the “smelling” language in [2:14–15](../02/14.md). Alternate translation: [we smell like an aroma … we smell like an aroma] or [our message is … our message is]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἐκ θανάτου εἰς θάνατον & ἐκ ζωῆς εἰς ζωήν

from death to death & from life to life

Twice here Paul uses the words from and to with the same word. He could be using this form because: (1) from indicates the source of the aroma, and to indicates the effects of the aroma. Alternate translation: [that smells like death and leads to death … that smells like life and leads to life] or [of death causing death … of life causing life] (2) from and to together emphasize that the aroma is characterized completely by either death or life. Alternate translation: [of death … of life] or [characterized completely by death … characterized completely by life]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἐκ θανάτου εἰς θάνατον & ἐκ ζωῆς εἰς ζωήν

from death to death & from life to life

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of death and life, you could express the ideas by using verbs such as “die” and “live” or adjectives such as “dead” and “alive.” Make sure your translation fits with the option you chose in the previous note. Alternate translation: [that comes from something dying and that leads to people dying … that comes from something living and leads to people living] or [that smells like something dead … that smells like something alive]

Note 7 topic: writing-pronouns

πρὸς ταῦτα

Here, the phrase these things refers back to what those who proclaim the good news must do, things that Paul has outlined in [2:14–16](../02/14.md). If it would be helpful in your language, you could make explicit to what these things refers. Alternate translation: [to do what I have said] or [to preach the gospel like this]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

πρὸς ταῦτα τίς ἱκανός?

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 could imply that the answer is that: (1) Paul and his fellow workers are sufficient since God works through them. Alternate translation: [for these things, we are indeed sufficient!] (2) no one is sufficient. Alternate translation: [for these things, nobody is sufficient!]

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.

OET interlinear 2 COR 2:16

SR Greek word order (including unused variant words in grey)

Section 2:12–17: Concerns and joys of an apostle

Paragraph 2:14–17

2:16a–b

2:16a

2:16b

2:16c

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

OET interlinear 2 COR 2:16

SR Greek word order (including unused variant words in grey)

Section 2:12–17: Concerns and joys of an apostle

Paragraph 2:14–17

2:16a–b

2:16a

2:16b

2:16c

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

OET interlinear 2 COR 2:16