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2 Cor C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C9 C10 C11 C12 C13

2 Cor 2 V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6 V7 V8 V9 V10 V11 V12 V13 V14 V15 V16

OET interlinear 2 COR 2:17

◄ ← 2 COR 2:17 ↓ ► ║ ©

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

    1. Greek word
    2. Greek lemma
    3. OET-LV words
    4. OET-RV words
    5. Strongs
    6. Role/Morphology
    7. OET Gloss
    8. VLT Gloss
    9. CAPS codes
    10. Confidence
    11. OET tags
    12. OET word #
    1. οὒ
    2. ou
    3. not
    4. -
    5. 37560
    6. C·······
    7. not
    8. not
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121451
    1. Γάρ
    2. gar
    3. For/Because
    4. -
    5. 10630
    6. C·······
    7. for
    8. for
    9. S
    10. Y60
    11. 121452
    1. ἐσμέν
    2. eimi
    3. we are
    4. -
    5. 15100
    6. VIPA1··P
    7. ˱we˲ are
    8. ˱we˲ are
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121453
    1. ὡς
    2. hōs
    3. like
    4. -
    5. 56130
    6. C·······
    7. like
    8. like
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121454
    1. οἱ
    2. ho
    3. the
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····NMP
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121455
    1. λοιποί
    2. loipos
    3. -
    4. -
    5. 30620
    6. S····NMP
    7. others
    8. others
    9. -
    10. -
    11. 121456
    1. πολλοί
    2. pollos
    3. many
    4. -
    5. 41830
    6. S····NMP
    7. many
    8. many
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121457
    1. καπηλεύοντες
    2. kapēleuō
    3. peddling
    4. peddling
    5. 25850
    6. VPPA·NMP
    7. peddling
    8. peddling
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121458
    1. τόν
    2. ho
    3. the
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····AMS
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121459
    1. λόγον
    2. logos
    3. message
    4. message
    5. 30560
    6. N····AMS
    7. message
    8. word
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121460
    1. τοῦ
    2. ho
    3. the
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····GMS
    7. ¬the
    8. ¬the
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121461
    1. Θεοῦ
    2. theos
    3. of god
    4. -
    5. 23160
    6. N····GMS
    7. ˱of˲ god
    8. ˱of˲ God
    9. GN
    10. Y60; Person=God
    11. 121462
    1. ἀλλʼ
    2. alla
    3. but
    4. -
    5. 2350
    6. C·······
    7. but
    8. but
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121463
    1. ὡς
    2. hōs
    3. as
    4. -
    5. 56130
    6. C·······
    7. as
    8. as
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121464
    1. ἐξ
    2. ek
    3. of
    4. -
    5. 15370
    6. P·······
    7. of
    8. of
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121465
    1. εἰλικρινείας
    2. eilikrineia
    3. sincerity
    4. sincerity
    5. 15050
    6. N····GFS
    7. sincerity
    8. sincerity
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121466
    1. ἀλλʼ
    2. alla
    3. but
    4. -
    5. 2350
    6. C·······
    7. but
    8. but
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121467
    1. ὡς
    2. hōs
    3. as
    4. -
    5. 56130
    6. C·······
    7. as
    8. as
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121468
    1. ἐκ
    2. ek
    3. of
    4. -
    5. 15370
    6. P·······
    7. of
    8. of
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121469
    1. Θεοῦ
    2. theos
    3. god
    4. -
    5. 23160
    6. N····GMS
    7. god
    8. God
    9. GN
    10. Y60; Person=God
    11. 121470
    1. κατέναντι
    2. katenanti
    3. in front of
    4. front
    5. 27130
    6. P·······
    7. in_front_of
    8. in_front_of
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121471
    1. κατενώπιον
    2. katenōpion
    3. -
    4. -
    5. 27140
    6. P·······
    7. in_front_of
    8. in_front_of
    9. -
    10. -
    11. 121472
    1. τοῦ
    2. ho
    3. -
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····GMS
    7. ¬the
    8. ¬the
    9. -
    10. -
    11. 121473
    1. Θεοῦ
    2. theos
    3. god
    4. -
    5. 23160
    6. N····GMS
    7. god
    8. God
    9. GN
    10. Y60; Person=God
    11. 121474
    1. ἐν
    2. en
    3. in
    4. -
    5. 17220
    6. P·······
    7. in
    8. in
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121475
    1. Χριστῷ
    2. χristos
    3. chosen one messiah
    4. Messiah
    5. 55470
    6. N····DMS
    7. chosen_one/messiah
    8. Christ
    9. WN
    10. Y60; Person=Jesus
    11. 121476
    1. λαλοῦμεν
    2. laleō
    3. we are speaking
    4. -
    5. 29800
    6. VIPA1··P
    7. ˱we˲ ˓are˒ speaking
    8. ˱we˲ ˓are˒ speaking
    9. -
    10. Y60; R120621; Person=Paul; R121076; R121078; R121382; Person=Titus
    11. 121477

OET (OET-LV) For/Because not we_are like the many peddling the message of_ the _god, but as of sincerity, but as of god, in_front_of god in chosen_one/messiah we_are_speaking.

OET (OET-RV) We’re not like the many others who are peddling God’s message to make a profit, but we speak in front of God in sincerity. As followers of God, we speak about Messiah.

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.

2:17a

For we are not like so many others, who peddle the word of God for profit.

For: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as For introduces an explanation of 2:16c. 2:17 explains why being an apostle of Jesus is so difficult. In some languages it is more natural to indicate what Paul was explaining. For example:

This work is so difficult because

Such responsibility is hard because

Such a calling is difficult because

peddle the word of God for profit: The Greek word that the BSB translates as peddle…for profit refers to selling something in a way that deceives the buyer. The seller’s goal is to make more money than a reasonable amount of profit. For example, a grain seller may use dishonest scales. He puts nine kilograms of grain on the scale, but the scale reads ten kilograms. In that way he can sell it at the price of ten kilograms of grain and make extra money.

The Greek word can also indicate that the seller changes the product in such a way that he makes more money. For example, a wine seller may only partially fill bottles with wine and fill them the rest of the way with water. In that way he can sell more bottles of wine at the full price.

Paul used this Greek word figuratively. Using it here, he probably ridiculed the false teachers who had come to Corinth. The reason they preached was to have people pay them for preaching. They did not preach to help those listening (11:7). They also changed the gospel (11:4) so that the hearers would be more eager to accept them and give them money. Here is a way to translate this that includes both of these meanings:

hucksters who preach for personal profit (NLT)

(Here the word “hucksters” refers figuratively to the false teachers deceiving the listeners in what they say.) Other ways to translate this clause are:

aim to make money by changing the word of God

preach a corrupted word of God in order to make money

2:17b

On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity,

On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity: The Greek clause is literally “but as from sincerity…we speak in Christ before God.” The phrase “as from sincerity” contrasts with the deceivers in 2:17a. For example:

but in Christ we speak as persons of sincerity…and standing in his presence (NRSV)

in Christ: This phrase probably means “through our union with Christ” or “in the cause of Christ.” Paul’s relationship with Jesus enabled him to preach accurately and sincerely. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

As Christ’s spokesmen (GW)

as servants of Christ (GNT)

through Christ

we speak before God: Paul knew that God sees all things, so Paul always spoke truthfully. For example:

in the sight of God we speak (RSV)

sincerity: This word refers to having pure motives. Paul and the others did not do anything for selfish or wrong reasons. Other ways to translate this word are:

true/straight motives

for no evil reasons

2:17c

as men sent from God.

as men sent from God: God chose Paul and the other evangelists to go and tell others about Jesus. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

as commissioned by God (RSV)

because God has sent us (GNT)

as envoys of God (NJB)

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

γάρ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: οὒ Γάρ ἐσμέν ὡς οἱ πολλοί καπηλεύοντες τόν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ ἀλλʼ ὡς ἐξ εἰλικρινείας ἀλλʼ ὡς ἐκ Θεοῦ κατέναντι Θεοῦ ἐν Χριστῷ λαλοῦμεν)

Here, the word For could introduce: (1) an explanation of the implied answer to the previous question, which is that Paul and his fellow workers are “sufficient” since God works through them. Alternate translation: [But we are sufficient, because] (2) an explanation of why Paul and his fellow workers are like an aroma of life or death (See: [2:16](../02/16.md)). Alternate translation: [We are an aroma of life or death because]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / exclusive

ἐσμεν & λαλοῦμεν

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: οὒ Γάρ ἐσμέν ὡς οἱ πολλοί καπηλεύοντες τόν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ ἀλλʼ ὡς ἐξ εἰλικρινείας ἀλλʼ ὡς ἐκ Θεοῦ κατέναντι Θεοῦ ἐν Χριστῷ λαλοῦμεν)

Here, just as in [2:14–15](../02/14.md), the word we does not include the Corinthians. It could refer to: (1) Paul and those who proclaim the gospel with him. Alternate translation: [we who preach are … we speak] (2) just Paul. Alternate translation: [I am … I speak]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / nominaladj

οἱ πολλοὶ

the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: οὒ Γάρ ἐσμέν ὡς οἱ πολλοί καπηλεύοντες τόν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ ἀλλʼ ὡς ἐξ εἰλικρινείας ἀλλʼ ὡς ἐκ Θεοῦ κατέναντι Θεοῦ ἐν Χριστῷ λαλοῦμεν)

Paul is using the adjective many as a noun in order to refer many people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this one with a noun phrase. Alternate translation: [the many people]

Note 4 topic: translate-unknown

καπηλεύοντες

peddling

Here, the word peddling refers to the practice of selling goods that one has. The word implies that the person who is peddling is trying to make as much profit as they can, whether by honest or deceitful means. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that refers to selling something for as much money as possible. Alternate translation: [trading in] or [selling off]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

τὸν λόγον

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: οὒ Γάρ ἐσμέν ὡς οἱ πολλοί καπηλεύοντες τόν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ ἀλλʼ ὡς ἐξ εἰλικρινείας ἀλλʼ ὡς ἐκ Θεοῦ κατέναντι Θεοῦ ἐν Χριστῷ λαλοῦμεν)

Here, the word word represents what someone says in words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [the words] or [the communication]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

τὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: οὒ Γάρ ἐσμέν ὡς οἱ πολλοί καπηλεύοντες τόν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ ἀλλʼ ὡς ἐξ εἰλικρινείας ἀλλʼ ὡς ἐκ Θεοῦ κατέναντι Θεοῦ ἐν Χριστῷ λαλοῦμεν)

Here Paul uses the possessive form to describe the word that could be: (1) from God. Alternate translation: [the word from God] (2) about God. Alternate translation: [the word about God]

Note 7 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

(Occurrence -1) ἀλλ’ ὡς

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: οὒ Γάρ ἐσμέν ὡς οἱ πολλοί καπηλεύοντες τόν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ ἀλλʼ ὡς ἐξ εἰλικρινείας ἀλλʼ ὡς ἐκ Θεοῦ κατέναντι Θεοῦ ἐν Χριστῷ λαλοῦμεν)

Here Paul uses but as to introduce a contrast with the many who “peddle” God’s word. Paul repeats but as to continue and emphasize this contrast, not to contrast sincerity and from God. If the repetition of but as would be confusing, you could use but as once and express the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: [but instead as … and even more as]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἐξ εἰλικρινείας

of sincerity

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of sincerity, you could express the idea by using an adjective such as “sincere.” Alternate translation: [those who are sincere]

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ὡς ἐκ Θεοῦ

like as as of God

Here, the phrase as from God indicates that God sent Paul and his fellow workers to speak the gospel. The word as indicates how they speak. It does not mean that they are not really from God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [as those whom God has sent] or [as ones sent by God]

Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

λαλοῦμεν

˱we˲_˓are˒_speaking

Here, Paul implies that they are speaking the word of God that he already mentioned. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make what they speak more explicit. Alternate translation: [we speak the word of God]

Note 11 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

κατέναντι Θεοῦ

in_front_of God

Here, the phrase in the presence of God could indicate that: (1) they speak as they do because they know that God sees or knows what they do. So, they speak in a way that pleases God. Alternate translation: [as God desires] or [with God watching] (2) they speak with God as a witness guaranteeing what they say. Alternate translation: [with God as witness] or [with God guaranteeing it]

Note 12 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἐν Χριστῷ

in Christ

Paul uses the spatial metaphor in Christ to describe the union of believers with Christ. In this case, being in Christ, or united to Christ, explains how they speak. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a phrase that indicates that they speak as those who are united to Christ. Alternate translation: [as Christians] or [as those united to Christ]

TSN Tyndale Study Notes:

2:17 Paul contrasts his service with that of his opponents.
• They preach for personal profit and adulterate the truth, like merchants in Paul’s day who offered shoddy goods, or innkeepers who watered down the wine. By contrast, Paul preached with sincerity and with Christ’s authority (cp. 1:12; 4:2). Paul’s denial of mercenary motives reemerges in 11:1–12:21.

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

    1. OET-LV words
    2. OET-RV words
    3. Strongs
    4. Greek word
    5. Greek lemma
    6. Role/Morphology
    7. OET Gloss
    8. VLT Gloss
    9. CAPS codes
    10. Confidence
    11. OET tags
    12. OET word #
    1. For/Because
    2. -
    3. 10630
    4. S
    5. gar
    6. C-·······
    7. for
    8. for
    9. S
    10. Y60
    11. 121452
    1. not
    2. -
    3. 37560
    5. ou
    6. C-·······
    7. not
    8. not
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121451
    1. we are
    2. -
    3. 15100
    5. eimi
    6. V-IPA1··P
    7. ˱we˲ are
    8. ˱we˲ are
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121453
    1. like
    2. -
    3. 56130
    5. hōs
    6. C-·······
    7. like
    8. like
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121454
    1. the
    2. -
    3. 35880
    5. ho
    6. E-····NMP
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121455
    1. many
    2. -
    3. 41830
    5. pollos
    6. S-····NMP
    7. many
    8. many
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121457
    1. peddling
    2. peddling
    3. 25850
    5. kapēleuō
    6. V-PPA·NMP
    7. peddling
    8. peddling
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121458
    1. the
    2. -
    3. 35880
    5. ho
    6. E-····AMS
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121459
    1. message
    2. message
    3. 30560
    5. logos
    6. N-····AMS
    7. message
    8. word
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121460
    1. of
    2. -
    3. 23160
    4. GN
    5. theos
    6. N-····GMS
    7. ˱of˲ god
    8. ˱of˲ God
    9. GN
    10. Y60; Person=God
    11. 121462
    1. the
    2. -
    3. 35880
    5. ho
    6. E-····GMS
    7. ¬the
    8. ¬the
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121461
    1. god
    2. -
    3. 23160
    4. GN
    5. theos
    6. N-····GMS
    7. ˱of˲ god
    8. ˱of˲ God
    9. GN
    10. Y60; Person=God
    11. 121462
    1. but
    2. -
    3. 2350
    5. alla
    6. C-·······
    7. but
    8. but
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121463
    1. as
    2. -
    3. 56130
    5. hōs
    6. C-·······
    7. as
    8. as
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121464
    1. of
    2. -
    3. 15370
    5. ek
    6. P-·······
    7. of
    8. of
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121465
    1. sincerity
    2. sincerity
    3. 15050
    5. eilikrineia
    6. N-····GFS
    7. sincerity
    8. sincerity
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121466
    1. but
    2. -
    3. 2350
    5. alla
    6. C-·······
    7. but
    8. but
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121467
    1. as
    2. -
    3. 56130
    5. hōs
    6. C-·······
    7. as
    8. as
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121468
    1. of
    2. -
    3. 15370
    5. ek
    6. P-·······
    7. of
    8. of
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121469
    1. god
    2. -
    3. 23160
    4. GN
    5. theos
    6. N-····GMS
    7. god
    8. God
    9. GN
    10. Y60; Person=God
    11. 121470
    1. in front of
    2. front
    3. 27130
    5. katenanti
    6. P-·······
    7. in_front_of
    8. in_front_of
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121471
    1. god
    2. -
    3. 23160
    4. GN
    5. theos
    6. N-····GMS
    7. god
    8. God
    9. GN
    10. Y60; Person=God
    11. 121474
    1. in
    2. -
    3. 17220
    5. en
    6. P-·······
    7. in
    8. in
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 121475
    1. chosen one messiah
    2. Messiah
    3. 55470
    4. WN
    5. χristos
    6. N-····DMS
    7. chosen_one/messiah
    8. Christ
    9. WN
    10. Y60; Person=Jesus
    11. 121476
    1. we are speaking
    2. -
    3. 29800
    5. laleō
    6. V-IPA1··P
    7. ˱we˲ ˓are˒ speaking
    8. ˱we˲ ˓are˒ speaking
    9. -
    10. Y60; R120621; Person=Paul; R121076; R121078; R121382; Person=Titus
    11. 121477

OET (OET-LV) For/Because not we_are like the many peddling the message of_ the _god, but as of sincerity, but as of god, in_front_of god in chosen_one/messiah we_are_speaking.

OET (OET-RV) We’re not like the many others who are peddling God’s message to make a profit, but we speak in front of God in sincerity. As followers of God, we speak about Messiah.

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.

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