2 COR 4:7 Interlinear View

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. ἔχομεν
2. eχō
3. we are having
4. we
5. 21920
6. VIPA1··P
7. ˱we˲ ˓are˒ having
8. ˱we˲ ˓are˒ having
9. -
10. Y60
11. 121963
1. Δέ
2. de
3. But
4. -
5. 11610
6. C·······
7. but
8. but
9. PS
10. Y60
11. 121964
1. τόν
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····AMS
7. ¬the
8. ¬the
9. -
10. Y60
11. 121965
1. θησαυρόν
2. thēsauros
3. treasure
4. treasure
5. 23440
6. N····AMS
7. treasure
8. treasure
9. -
10. Y60
11. 121966
1. τοῦτον
2. houtos
3. this
4. -
5. 37780
6. E····AMS
7. this
8. this
9. -
10. Y60; R121830
11. 121967
1. ἐν
2. en
3. in
4. -
5. 17220
6. P·······
7. in
8. in
9. -
10. Y60
11. 121968
1. ὀστρακίνοις
2. ostrakinos
3. earthen
4. -
5. 37490
6. A····DNP
7. earthen
8. earthen
9. -
10. Y60
11. 121969
1. σκεύεσιν
2. skeuos
3. vessels
4. -
5. 46320
6. N····DNP
7. vessels
8. vessels
9. -
10. Y60
11. 121970
1. ἵνα
2. hina
3. in order that
4. -
5. 24430
6. C·······
7. in_order_that
8. in_order_that
9. -
10. Y60
11. 121971
1. ἡ
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····NFS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y60
11. 121972
1. ὑπερβολή
2. huperbolē
3. excellent
4. excellence
5. 52360
6. N····NFS
7. excellent
8. excellent
9. -
10. Y60
11. 121973
1. τῆς
2. ho
3. of the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····GFS
7. ˱of˲ the
8. ˱of˲ the
9. -
10. Y60
11. 121974
1. δυνάμεως
2. dunamis
3. power
4. power
5. 14110
6. N····GFS
7. power
8. power
9. -
10. Y60
11. 121975
1. ᾖ
2. eimi
3. may be
4. -
5. 15100
6. VSPA3··S
7. may_be
8. may_be
9. -
10. Y60
11. 121976
1. τοῦ
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····GMS
7. ¬the
8. ¬the
9. -
10. Y60
11. 121977
1. Θεοῦ
2. theos
3. of god
4. God
5. 23160
6. N····GMS
7. ˱of˲ god
8. ˱of˲ God
9. GN
10. Y60; Person=God
11. 121978
1. καί
2. kai
3. and
4. and
5. 25320
6. C·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. Y60
11. 121979
1. μή
2. mē
3. not
4. -
5. 33610
6. D·······
7. not
8. not
9. -
10. Y60
11. 121980
1. ἐξ
2. ek
3. from
4. -
5. 15370
6. P·······
7. from
8. from
9. -
10. Y60
11. 121981
1. ἡμῶν
2. egō
3. us
4. -
5. 14730
6. R···1G·P
7. us
8. us
9. -
10. Y60; R120621; Person=Paul; R121076; R121078; R121382; Person=Titus
11. 121982

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 4:7–18: Although our bodies are weak, our message is powerful

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

4:7a

Now we have this treasure in jars of clay

¶ But we^(excl) have that valuable thing in jars/containers of clay
¶ We have that spiritual treasure in us weak humans who are like clay pots.

Now: The conjunction that the BSB translates as Now here can also be translated as “But.” It indicates that there is a contrast between the statement that we understand God’s glory (4:6c) and our weakness as humans to follow God.

we: Paul wrote in this section about his experiences with his fellow apostles and evangelists. The believers in Corinth did not experience these things. But some of the truths in this section can apply to believers.

this treasure: The word this indicates that the word treasure refers to “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (4:6c). Refer back to 4:6 in your translation. For example:

that treasure

treasure: This word refers to things that are very valuable. Here the word is a metaphor and refers to the gospel and the knowledge of it (4:6b–c). In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer only to physical treasure. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

Use a word or phrase that can refer to the gospel and the knowledge of it. For example:
valuable thing
thing like a treasure
Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:
spiritual treasure (GNT)
gospel, which is very valuable like a treasure
Translate literally and explain the meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:
This word refers to the gospel and the knowledge of it (4:6).

in jars of clay: This phrase is also a metaphor. It refers to human nature and indicates that human nature is weak. A clay jar is easily broken. In the same way, people can be hurt or damaged in the face of great difficulties. But God empowered Paul and the others to survive all these difficulties.

In some languages a literal translation would not indicate the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

Change it to a simile. For example:
in us as in jars of clay
Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:
in us weak humans who are like jars of clay
Translate literally and explain the meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:
This phrase refers to human nature and indicates that human nature is weak.
Translate the meaning without the metaphor. For example:
in us weak humans You may then want to explain the literal phrase in a footnote. For example:
Literally “in jars of clay.” This phrase refers to human nature and indicates that human nature is weak.

jars of clay: This phrase refers to containers made of a kind of earth that is soft and can be made into various shapes. It becomes hard when dried. People take clay and make bowls and bottles and other things. For example:

earthenware jars (REB)

jars: This word refers generally to any kind of container. It might hold grain or water or something else. Other ways to translate this word are:

pots (GNT)

vessels (RSV)

4:7b

to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us.

to reveal that the superior power within us is from God and not from us.
This shows that the treasure’s power which is best/supreme comes from God and does not come from us.

this surpassingly great power: The Greek phrase is literally “the excellence of the power.” The word “excellence” indicates that the power is a better kind of power than any other kind of power. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the surpassing greatness of the power (NASB)

the supreme power (GNT)

this extraordinary power (NRSV)

The phrase refers to the power of the gospel as revealed in miracles and so forth. For example:

this extraordinary power within us

the superior power of this treasure (GW)

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

δὲ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἔχομεν Δέ τόν θησαυρόν τοῦτον ἐν ὀστρακίνοις σκεύεσιν ἵνα ἡ ὑπερβολή τῆς δυνάμεως ᾖ τοῦ Θεοῦ καί μή ἐξ ἡμῶν)

Here, the word But contrasts the “glory of God” from the previous verse with how Paul and his fellow workers are clay jars. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces a contrast, or you could leave But untranslated. Alternate translation: [However,]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἔχομεν & τὸν θησαυρὸν τοῦτον ἐν ὀστρακίνοις σκεύεσιν

˱we˲_˓are˒_having & (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἔχομεν Δέ τόν θησαυρόν τοῦτον ἐν ὀστρακίνοις σκεύεσιν ἵνα ἡ ὑπερβολή τῆς δυνάμεως ᾖ τοῦ Θεοῦ καί μή ἐξ ἡμῶν)

Here Paul speaks of the knowledge about God’s glory as if it were a treasure, that is, something that is very valuable. He speaks of himself and those who proclaim the gospel as if they were clay jars, which are not valuable and can break easily. He speaks in this way to contrast how valuable and long-lasting the gospel is (the treasure) with how worthless and weak he and those who preach the gospel with him are in comparison (clay jars). If it would be helpful in your language, you could explain the figure of speech or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [we have these riches in disposable containers] or [we have this valuable gospel as weak and worthless people]

Note 3 topic: writing-pronouns

τὸν θησαυρὸν τοῦτον

Here, the word this identifies the treasure as “the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (See: [4:6](../04/06.md)). If it would be helpful in your language, you could make explicit what this refers to. Alternate translation: [the treasure of the knowledge of the glory of God] or [that treasure]

Note 4 topic: translate-unknown

ὀστρακίνοις σκεύεσιν

earthen vessels

Here, the word jars refers to any type of container that is meant to hold something else. The word clay refers to dirt or mud, which was used to make inexpensive and fragile containers. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use words that refer to containers made out of cheap and weak material. Alternate translation: [inexpensive containers] or [fragile and cheap vessels]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

ἡ ὑπερβολὴ τῆς δυνάμεως

the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἔχομεν Δέ τόν θησαυρόν τοῦτον ἐν ὀστρακίνοις σκεύεσιν ἵνα ἡ ὑπερβολή τῆς δυνάμεως ᾖ τοῦ Θεοῦ καί μή ἐξ ἡμῶν)

Here Paul uses the possessive form to characterize the power as something with surpassing greatness. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea in another way. Alternate translation: [the surpassing greatness that characterizes the power] or [the surpassingly great power]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἡ ὑπερβολὴ τῆς δυνάμεως

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of greatness and power, you could express the ideas by using adjectives such as “great” and “powerful.” Alternate translation: [how surpassingly great and powerful these things are]

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. But
2. -
3. 11610
4. PS
5. de
6. C-·······
7. but
8. but
9. PS
10. Y60
11. 121964
1. we are having
2. we
3. 21920
5. eχō
6. V-IPA1··P
7. ˱we˲ ˓are˒ having
8. ˱we˲ ˓are˒ having
9. -
10. Y60
11. 121963
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····AMS
7. ¬the
8. ¬the
9. -
10. Y60
11. 121965
1. treasure
2. treasure
3. 23440
5. thēsauros
6. N-····AMS
7. treasure
8. treasure
9. -
10. Y60
11. 121966
1. this
2. -
3. 37780
5. houtos
6. E-····AMS
7. this
8. this
9. -
10. Y60; R121830
11. 121967
1. in
2. -
3. 17220
5. en
6. P-·······
7. in
8. in
9. -
10. Y60
11. 121968
1. earthen
2. -
3. 37490
5. ostrakinos
6. A-····DNP
7. earthen
8. earthen
9. -
10. Y60
11. 121969
1. vessels
2. -
3. 46320
5. skeuos
6. N-····DNP
7. vessels
8. vessels
9. -
10. Y60
11. 121970
1. in order that
2. -
3. 24430
5. hina
6. C-·······
7. in_order_that
8. in_order_that
9. -
10. Y60
11. 121971
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····NFS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y60
11. 121972
1. excellent
2. excellence
3. 52360
5. huperbolē
6. N-····NFS
7. excellent
8. excellent
9. -
10. Y60
11. 121973
1. of the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····GFS
7. ˱of˲ the
8. ˱of˲ the
9. -
10. Y60
11. 121974
1. power
2. power
3. 14110
5. dunamis
6. N-····GFS
7. power
8. power
9. -
10. Y60
11. 121975
1. may be
2. -
3. 15100
5. eimi
6. V-SPA3··S
7. may_be
8. may_be
9. -
10. Y60
11. 121976
1. of
2. God
3. 23160
4. GN
5. theos
6. N-····GMS
7. ˱of˲ god
8. ˱of˲ God
9. GN
10. Y60; Person=God
11. 121978
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····GMS
7. ¬the
8. ¬the
9. -
10. Y60
11. 121977
1. god
2. God
3. 23160
4. GN
5. theos
6. N-····GMS
7. ˱of˲ god
8. ˱of˲ God
9. GN
10. Y60; Person=God
11. 121978
1. and
2. and
3. 25320
5. kai
6. C-·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. Y60
11. 121979
1. not
2. -
3. 33610
5. mē
6. D-·······
7. not
8. not
9. -
10. Y60
11. 121980
1. from
2. -
3. 15370
5. ek
6. P-·······
7. from
8. from
9. -
10. Y60
11. 121981
1. us
2. -
3. 14730
5. egō
6. R-···1G·P
7. us
8. us
9. -
10. Y60; R120621; Person=Paul; R121076; R121078; R121382; Person=Titus
11. 121982

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 4:7

SR Greek word order

Section 4:7–18: Although our bodies are weak, our message is powerful

4:7a

4:7b

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

OET interlinear 2 COR 4:7

SR Greek word order

Section 4:7–18: Although our bodies are weak, our message is powerful

4:7a

4:7b

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

OET interlinear 2 COR 4:7