OET interlinear 2COR 5:21

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: writing-pronouns

τὸν μὴ γνόντα ἁμαρτίαν & ἐποίησεν & ἐν αὐτῷ

the_‹one› not /having/_known sin & ˱he˲_made & in him

Here, the words one and him refer to Jesus the Messiah. The word he refers to God the Father. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make explicit to whom these pronouns refer. Alternate translation: “Jesus, who did not know sin, God made … in Jesus”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

τὸν μὴ γνόντα ἁμαρτίαν

the_‹one› not /having/_known sin

Here, the phrase having known sin refers to committing or doing sin. It does not refer just to knowing about sin. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that refers to committing sin. Alternate translation: “The one not having done sin” or “The one not having sinned”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἁμαρτίαν ἐποίησεν

sin sin ˱he˲_made

Here Paul speaks as if God made Jesus sin. He could mean that God: (1) treated Jesus as though he were a sinner. Alternate translation: “he regarded as a sinner” (2) identified Jesus with sinners and sin. Alternate translation: “he made like a sinner” (3) caused Jesus to be a sin offering. Alternate translation: “he made to be a sin offering”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν

for us

Here, the phrase for us could indicate that God made Jesus sin: (1) to benefit or help us. Alternate translation: “for our sake” or “for our benefit” (2) instead of or in place of us. Alternate translation: “in place of us” or “instead of us”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἡμεῖς γενώμεθα δικαιοσύνη Θεοῦ

we /may/_become /the/_righteousness ˱of˲_God

Here Paul speaks as if people could become the righteousness of God. He could mean that we: (1) share the righteousness that God gives to those who believe. Alternate translation: “we might share in the righteousness of God” (2) are declared “righteous” by God. Alternate translation: “we might be declared to have the righteousness of God” (3) become those who live “righteously.” Alternate translation: “we might act according to the righteousness of God”

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

δικαιοσύνη Θεοῦ

/the/_righteousness ˱of˲_God

Here Paul uses the possessive form to describe righteousness that could: (1) come from God. Alternate translation: “righteousness from God” (2) belong to God. Alternate translation: “God’s own righteousness”

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἡμεῖς γενώμεθα δικαιοσύνη Θεοῦ

we /may/_become /the/_righteousness ˱of˲_God

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of righteousness, you could express the idea by using an adjective such as “righteous.” Make sure your translation fits with how you understand what righteousness of God means. Alternate translation: “God might make us righteous” or “we might be righteous because of what God does”

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἐν αὐτῷ

in him

Here Paul uses the spatial metaphor in him to describe the union of believers with Christ. In this case, being in him, or united to Christ, explains how people become the righteousness of God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a phrase that indicates that being united to Christ is the means by which people receive the righteousness. Alternate translation: “by being united to him” or “as God unites us to him”