OET interlinear 2 COR 5:3

5:3a

because when we are clothed: There is a textual issue here. The Greek NT 4 indicates that there are three different verbs in the various ancient Greek manuscripts here. Two mean “unclothed” and one means “clothed.” The Greek NT 4 indicates a significant degree of doubt as to which is the original verb. Fourteen English versions in Translator’s Workplace follow the Greek verb that means “clothed.” It is recommended that you follow “clothed” here.Of the English versions in Translator’s Workplace, only the NRSV follows “unclothed.” The Greek NT 4 also recommends it. As “unclothed,” the verse would indicate that when we die and lose our earthly body (5:1a), we will not be “naked.” That means we will not exist as spirits only but will inhabit our eternal bodies. The Greek clause is literally “if indeed also we are clothed.” Here the word “if” is used rhetorically. Paul believes we are clothed to be true. Using “if” requires that readers think about what Paul said and agree with him. The word does not express doubt here. Here the word “indeed” emphasizes the meaning of “if.” Other ways to translate this clause are:

if we are indeed assured that we are clothed

because it will clothe us so (NCV)

After we have indeed clothed ourselves with it

when we are clothed: This clause continues the metaphor of wearing a body like clothing from 5:2b. It indicates that the person has already put on the clothes. It implies that the person has not removed the clothes. The clause looks at the time after the longing is fulfilled and the person has been clothed in 5:2b. Other ways to translate this are:

After we have put it on (GW)

being clothed (GNT)

Use the same method to translate this clause that you used in 5:1b or 5:2b. For example:

• Translate literally. See the examples above.

• Translate it as a simile. For example:

  when we become like someone clothed

  when we become like someone who put clothing on

• Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:

  when we are clothed, namely that we have that heavenly body

  when we gain that body like putting on heavenly clothing

• Translate the meaning without the metaphor. For example:

  when we receive it

  when we gain that body

5:3b

we will not be found naked: This clause repeats a similar meaning to “we are clothed.” It emphasizes the result of receiving a heavenly body.

This clause is passive. Here the passive probably only indicates being naked. It probably does not indicate someone seeing them naked. In some languages an active clause must be used. If so, translate in a way that only indicates being naked. For example:

we will not be naked

This clause continues the metaphor of a body being like clothing. Use the same method to translate this clause that you used above.

• Translate literally. Another example is:

  we shall not prove to be naked

• Translate it as a simile. For example:

  we will not be like someone naked

• Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:

  we will not be naked, namely, without a heavenly body

  we will not be without that body like a naked person

• Translate the meaning without the metaphor. For example:

  we will not be without a heavenly body

  we will not be without that body