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InterlinearVerse GEN EXO LEV NUM DEU JOB JOS JDG RUTH 1 SAM 2 SAM PSA AMOS HOS 1 KI 2 KI 1 CHR 2 CHR PROV ECC SNG JOEL MIC ISA ZEP HAB JER LAM YNA (JNA) NAH OBA DAN EZE EZRA EST NEH HAG ZEC MAL LAO GES LES ESG DNG 2 PS TOB JDT WIS SIR BAR LJE PAZ SUS BEL MAN 1 MAC 2 MAC 3 MAC 4 MAC YHN (JHN) MARK MAT LUKE ACTs YAC (JAM) GAL 1 TH 2 TH 1 COR 2 COR ROM COL PHM EPH PHP 1 TIM TIT 1 PET 2 PET 2 TIM HEB YUD (JUD) 1 YHN (1 JHN) 2 YHN (2 JHN) 3 YHN (3 JHN) REV
2 Cor C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C9 C10 C11 C12 C13
2 Cor 4 V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6 V7 V8 V9 V10 V11 V12 V13 V14 V15 V17 V18
OET (OET-LV) Therefore not we_are_losing_heart, but if also the outside of_us person is_being_ruined, but the person inside of_us is_being_renewed by_day and day.
OET (OET-RV) Because of that we’re not discouraged because even if our outer person is being ruined, our inner person is being renewed day by day
In this section, Paul continued to speak of the difficulties that he and the other evangelists encountered as they did the work of the new covenant. He referred to their bodies as jars of clay (4:7a), which are easily shattered. He said this to show that our human nature is weak and easily fails as we follow God. But Paul was also encouraged that God enabled him to do the work of the new covenant in spite of great difficulties (4:7b–9).
He wrote that he and the other evangelists experienced things similar to what Jesus experienced before he died, but those experiences showed to other people how Jesus lived (4:10–11). He wrote that the believers experienced the good effects of Jesus’ life (4:12). He supported his ministry of preaching with a quote from the Old Testament (4:13), and he explained the promise there (4:14). He wrote that their ministry benefited the believers in Corinth and others as well (4:15).
Lastly, Paul wrote how they continue in spite of the difficulties (4:16–18).
Other examples of headings for this section are:
Spiritual Treasure in Clay Jars (NCV)
Even though our bodies are weak, God gives us strength to tell the gospel
A glorious, powerful message taught by weak messengers
Therefore we do not lose heart.
¶ Therefore, we(excl) do not become dejected.
¶ So we do not despair.
Therefore: This word introduces a result of what Paul said in 4:7–15.
we do not lose heart: Here the Greek verb that the BSB translates as lose heart means “despair.” For example:
we are not discouraged (GW)
See how you translated this clause in 4:1.
Though our outer self is wasting away,
But although our bodies decay,
Even though our bodies weaken with age and suffering,
Though: The Greek phrase here is literally “but even if” (as in the NET). The conjunction “but” indicates that 4:16b contrasts to 4:16a. For example:
but though (KJV)
Instead, although
Rather, although
Some languages will not need to translate the contrast here.
The phrase “even if” indicates that 4:16b is bad news but 4:16c is good news. Other ways to translate this Greek phrase are:
Even though (GNT)
indeed, though (NJB)
our outer self is wasting away: The term outer self refers to the physical body. The clause refers to the physical body decaying. The bodies of Paul and his coworkers were wearing out with age and the hardships they experienced. Other ways to translate this clause are:
our outer man is decaying (NASB)
The outward man does indeed suffer wear and tear (JBP)
Our physical body is becoming older and weaker (NCV)
our bodies are weakening with age and hardship
yet our inner self is being renewed day by day.
yet our inner being is being made new again each day.
yet every day God makes our spirits completely strong/healthy/good again.
our inner self is being renewed: The clause is passive. The Holy Spirit or God renews the inner person. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:
the Holy Spirit renews us inwardly
our inner self: The term inner self refers to a person’s spirit and his emotions. Other ways to translate this word are:
our inner person (NET)
the inward man (JBP)
our spirit (NCV)
renewed: This word refers to making something to be like new again. Here the word refers to the Holy Spirit making Paul’s inner man come into the best condition again, as if it were a completely healthy body. Other ways to translate this word are:
made new (NCV)
receives fresh strength (JBP)
becoming healthy/strong again in regard to our new life
God gives new strength to our hearts/spirits
Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result
διὸ
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Διό οὐκ ἐγκακοῦμεν ἀλλʼ εἰ καί ὁ ἔξω ἡμῶν ἄνθρωπος διαφθείρεται ἀλλʼ ὁ ἔσω ἡμῶν ἀνακαινοῦται ἡμέρᾳ καί ἡμέρᾳ)
Here, the word So introduces an inference or conclusion based on what Paul has said, probably focusing on what he said in [4:7–15](../04/07.md). If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces an inference or conclusion from a previous section. Alternate translation: [So then,] or [Because of all that,]
Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit
οὐκ ἐνκακοῦμεν
not (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Διό οὐκ ἐγκακοῦμεν ἀλλʼ εἰ καί ὁ ἔξω ἡμῶν ἄνθρωπος διαφθείρεται ἀλλʼ ὁ ἔσω ἡμῶν ἀνακαινοῦται ἡμέρᾳ καί ἡμέρᾳ)
See you how translated the word discouraged in [4:1](../04/01.md). It could refer to: (1) losing motivation and confidence. Alternate translation: [we do not lose hope] (2) becoming tired or exhausted. Alternate translation: [we do not become tired]
Note 3 topic: grammar-connect-condition-fact
εἰ καὶ
if (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Διό οὐκ ἐγκακοῦμεν ἀλλʼ εἰ καί ὁ ἔξω ἡμῶν ἄνθρωπος διαφθείρεται ἀλλʼ ὁ ἔσω ἡμῶν ἀνακαινοῦται ἡμέρᾳ καί ἡμέρᾳ)
Here Paul is speaking as if our outer man is decaying were a hypothetical possibility, but he means that it is actually true. If your language does not state something as a condition if it is certain or true, and if your readers might misunderstand and think that what Paul is saying is not certain, then you could express the idea by indicating that our outer man is indeed decaying. Alternate translation: [despite the fact that] or [although]
Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit
ὁ ἔξω ἡμῶν ἄνθρωπος
the outside ˱of˲_us person
Here, the phrase outer man refers to the part of the person that others can observe and see. It includes the physical part of the person, but it is not only a person’s body. Alternate translation: [our observable self] or [our external part]
Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations
ἄνθρωπος & ἔσω
person & inside
Although the word man is masculine, Paul is using it to refer to any person, either man or woman. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word that applies to both men and women or you could refer to both genders. Alternate translation: [person … inner person]
Note 6 topic: grammar-collectivenouns
ἄνθρωπος διαφθείρεται & ἔσω & ἀνακαινοῦται
person ˓is_being˒_ruined & inside & ˓is_being˒_renewed
Here the author is speaking of outer and inner men in general, not of one particular man. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a form that refers to men or people in general. Alternate translation: [men are decaying … inner men are being renewed] or [persons are decaying … outer persons are being renewed]
Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor
διαφθείρεται
˓is_being˒_ruined
Here Paul speaks as if the outer man were a dead thing that was decaying. He speaks in this way to indicate that the outer man is in the process of dying or passing away. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [is dying] or [is passing away]
Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit
ὁ ἔσω ἡμῶν
the the_‹person› inside ˱of˲_us
Here, the phrase inner man could refer to: (1) the part of the person that others cannot observe and see. Alternate translation: [our hidden part] or [our inward part] (2) the spiritual part of the person. Alternate translation: [our heart] or [our spiritual part]
Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive
ὁ ἔσω ἡμῶν ἀνακαινοῦται
the the_‹person› inside ˱of˲_us ˓is_being˒_renewed
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you must state who does the action, Paul implies that God does it. Alternate translation: [God is renewing our inner man]
4:16-17 we never give up: This call to endurance is given with a reminder of what is in store in the future (5:1-10). The human body is in the process of dying in the normal course of growing old, and Paul was particularly worn away physically and emotionally (4:8-12). Yet he was being renewed every day—his spirit’s life was being rejuvenated and revitalized by the power of God.
OET (OET-LV) Therefore not we_are_losing_heart, but if also the outside of_us person is_being_ruined, but the person inside of_us is_being_renewed by_day and day.
OET (OET-RV) Because of that we’re not discouraged because even if our outer person is being ruined, our inner person is being renewed day by day
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.