OET interlinear 2COR 2:16

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

οἷς μὲν & οἷς δὲ

˱to˲_one on_one_hand & ˱to˲_one on_the_other_hand

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). 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

˱to˲_one on_one_hand /an/_aroma from death to death ˱to˲_one on_the_other_hand /an/_aroma from life to life

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. This was good style in his culture. If reversing the order from 2:15 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. 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 μὲν ὀσμὴ ἐκ θανάτου εἰς θάνατον οἷς δὲ ὀσμὴ ἐκ ζωῆς εἰς ζωήν καὶ πρὸς 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). 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

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: οἷς μὲν ὀσμὴ ἐκ θανάτου εἰς θάνατον οἷς δὲ ὀσμὴ ἐκ ζωῆς εἰς ζωήν καὶ πρὸς ταῦτα τίς ἱκανός)

Here Paul continues to speak about fragrance and good smells (See: 2:14–15). 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. 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

for these_‹things›

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. 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?

for these_‹things› who_‹is› worthy

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!”