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interlinearVerse INT GEN EXO LEV NUM DEU JOS JDG RUTH 1SA 2SA PSA AMOS HOS 1KI 2KI 1CH 2CH PRO ECC SNG JOEL MIC ISA ZEP HAB JER LAM YNA NAH OBA DAN EZE EZRA EST NEH HAG ZEC MAL JOB YHN MARK MAT LUKE ACTs YAC GAL 1TH 2TH 1COR 2COR ROM COL PHM EPH PHP 1TIM TIT 1PET 2PET 2TIM HEB YUD 1YHN 2YHN 3YHN REV
2Cor C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C9 C10 C11 C12 C13
OET (OET-LV) But we_are_having the treasure this in earthen vessels, in_order_that the excellent of_the power may_be of_ the _god, and not from us,
OET (OET-RV) So we have this treasure stored in containers made from the dirt, so that the excellence of the power will be from God and not from us ourselves.
Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast
δὲ
but
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 & ¬the treasure this in earthen vessels
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
¬the treasure this
Here, the word this identifies the treasure as “the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (See: 4:6). 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 excellent ˱of˲_the power
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
the excellent ˱of˲_the power
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”
4:7 The message of good news is like great treasure, but it is housed in fragile clay jars—our weak bodies. This insight gives purpose to suffering (4:8–5:10).
OET (OET-LV) But we_are_having the treasure this in earthen vessels, in_order_that the excellent of_the power may_be of_ the _god, and not from us,
OET (OET-RV) So we have this treasure stored in containers made from the dirt, so that the excellence of the power will be from God and not from us ourselves.
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 SR-GNT.