OET interlinear 2COR 4:7

uW Translation Notes:

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]