Open Bible Data Home About News OET Key
OET OET-RV OET-LV ULT UST BSB MSB BLB AICNT OEB WEBBE WMBB NET LSV FBV TCNT T4T LEB BBE Moff JPS Wymth ASV DRA YLT Drby RV SLT Wbstr KJB-1769 KJB-1611 Bshps Gnva Cvdl TNT Wycl SR-GNT UHB BrLXX BrTr Related Topics Parallel Interlinear Reference Dictionary Search
InterlinearVerse GEN EXO LEV NUM DEU JOB JOS JDG RUTH 1 SAM 2 SAM PSA AMOS HOS 1 KI 2 KI 1 CHR 2 CHR PROV ECC SNG JOEL MIC ISA ZEP HAB JER LAM YNA (JNA) NAH OBA DAN EZE EZRA EST NEH HAG ZEC MAL LAO GES LES ESG DNG 2 PS TOB JDT WIS SIR BAR LJE PAZ SUS BEL MAN 1 MAC 2 MAC 3 MAC 4 MAC YHN (JHN) MARK MAT LUKE ACTs YAC (JAM) GAL 1 TH 2 TH 1 COR 2 COR ROM COL PHM EPH PHP 1 TIM TIT 1 PET 2 PET 2 TIM HEB YUD (JUD) 1 YHN (1 JHN) 2 YHN (2 JHN) 3 YHN (3 JHN) REV
2 Cor C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C9 C10 C11 C12 C13
2 Cor 6 V1 V3 V4 V5 V6 V7 V8 V9 V10 V11 V12 V13 V14 V15 V16 V17 V18
OET (OET-LV) For/Because he_is_saying:
In_a_time acceptable I_listened_to from_you, and in the_day of_salvation I_gave_help to_you.
Behold, now is the_time acceptable, see, now is the_day of_salvation.
OET (OET-RV) because he said,
⇔ ‘I listened to you at the right time,
⇔ and I helped you on the day when you were saved.’
§ Listen, today is the right time to ask. And listen again, today is the right day to get saved.
In this section, Paul explained the goal that he and his coworkers had (5:11a–b). He also said that God knew and approved of what they did (5:11c). He wrote that their accomplishments should cause the believers in Corinth to be proud of them (5:12). The basis for 5:13 may be that the false teachers had accused Paul of being crazy. Sometimes obeying God requires doing things which do not make sense to people who do not know God. Paul also explained the basis for his ministry (5:14–15).
He explained the new way believers should think of each other (5:16–17). He explained the basis for that new way of thinking (5:18–19). He told them that apostles are like ambassadors for Christ, and he urged people to be reconciled to God (5:20). He explained the basis for believers becoming righteous (5:21). He urged believers to follow God completely (6:1–2).
Other examples of headings for this section are:
The Ministry of Reconciliation (NIV)
Paul explained the basis for his ministry
Friendship with God through Christ (GNT)
God wants all people to reconcile with him
In the time of favor…in the day of salvation: These two phrases refer to the same general time when God will both respond and help. Translate in a way that allows the two phrases to refer to the same period of time. Do not indicate in your translation that these phrases refer to different periods of time.
The Greek does not have the word the in either time phrase. It refers to a time of…favor and a day of salvation. Here is another way to translate this:
At an acceptable time… (JBP)
And in a day of salvation…
6:2a–b is a quote from Isaiah 49:8. If you footnote the location of quotes from the Old Testament, you may want to do so here.
For He says: “In the time of favor I heard you,
For he/God said, “At an acceptable time I have listened to you(sing),
I say that because in Scripture God says, “On the right day, I responded to you,
For: This conjunction introduces an explanation of something about 6:1.
Some languages allow the context to imply the connection to 6:1 and do not need to translate this word.
He says: God spoke the following words. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
God says (NLT)
For God’s word is— (JBP)
In the Scriptures God says (CEV)
In the time of favor I heard you: Here the word heard has the meaning of “responded” or “answered.” God always hears, but he chose to act at that time. This clause does not imply that God had not heard earlier. Other ways to translate this are:
In the hour of my favor I answered you (REB)
At the appropriate time I acted on what I heard from you
In the time of favor: This phrase probably refers to the day that God had decided was acceptable to him.Martin (p. 330) and Thrall (p. 453). Other ways to translate this phrase are:
At an acceptable time (NRSV)
At the right time (GW)
On an appropriate/proper day
you: In the Old Testament, this prophecy was addressed to the person who would save Israel. Here, Paul used this prophecy to encourage the believers in Corinth. He indicated that God would hear and help them.
In some languages a literal translation of this word would not indicate that meaning clearly. If that is true in your language, explain its meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:
In the Old Testament, the prophecy was addressed to the person who would save Israel. Here, Paul used this prophecy to encourage the believers in Corinth. He indicated that God would hear and help them.
and in the day of salvation I helped you.”
and on a day of rescue/saving I have helped you.”(sing)
on a day to save, I came to your aid.”
in the day of salvation I helped you: Here the phrase the day of salvation refers to a time when God rescued or saved the people of Israel from danger. God helped the person who led the people at that time. Other ways to translate this clause are:
on a day to be saved I have helped you
on the day of deliverance I came to your aid (REB)
in a time of rescue/saving, I helped you
Behold, now is the time of favor;
Look, now is the acceptable time,
Indeed/Hey, an appropriate day is today,
Behold: The Greek word that the BSB translates as Behold is often translated as “look.” It emphasizes the saying: now is the time of favor. Paul ended the quote in 6:2b and indicated here that those words of God apply now. Other ways to translate this Greek word are:
See (NRSV)
Listen! (GNT)
Indeed (NLT)
now is the time of favor: This clause is similar to 6:2a. Paul used this prophecy to encourage the people in Corinth. This clause urges all people to accept God’s favor. Other ways to translate this clause are:
now is the acceptable time (NRSV)
the right time is now
Today is the acceptable/proper day
now is the day of salvation!
look, now is the day/time to be rescued/saved.
indeed/hey, today is the day for God to save.
A Greek word that is often translated as “look” occurs at the beginning of 6:2d. It emphasizes the saying: “now is the day of salvation.” Other ways to translate this Greek word are:
see (NRSV)
Listen!
Indeed
In some languages it is more natural to omit the Greek word here, allowing the emphasis from “look” in 6:2c to continue.
now is the day of salvation: This clause is similar to 6:2b. Paul again applied this prophecy to the people in Corinth. This clause urges all people to accept God’s salvation. Other ways to translate this clause are:
now is the time to be saved
the day of deliverance is now
today is the day of rescue/saving
Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result
γάρ
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: λέγει Γάρ Καιρῷ δεκτῷ ἐπήκουσα σοῦ καί ἐν ἡμέρᾳ σωτηρίας ἐβοήθησα σοί Ἰδού νῦν Καιρός εὐπρόσδεκτος ἰδού νῦν Ἡμέρα σωτηρίας)
Here, the word for introduces a reason why the Corinthians should “receive the grace of God” (See: [6:1](../06/01.md)). If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different word or phrase that introduces reason for an exhortation. Alternate translation: [because] or [since]
Note 2 topic: writing-quotations
λέγει
˱he˲_˓is˒_saying
Here, the phrase he says introduces words that God speaks in the Scriptures. Specifically, Paul is quoting from a Greek translation of [Isaiah 49:8](../isa/49/08.md). If it would be helpful in your language, you use a form that indicates that God speaks these words that come from Isaiah. Alternate translation: [according to Isaiah the prophet God says,] or [God speaks these words through Isaiah:]
Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / parallelism
καιρῷ δεκτῷ ἐπήκουσά σου, καὶ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ σωτηρίας ἐβοήθησά σοι. ἰδοὺ, νῦν καιρὸς εὐπρόσδεκτος; ἰδοὺ, νῦν ἡμέρα σωτηρίας
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: λέγει Γάρ Καιρῷ δεκτῷ ἐπήκουσα σοῦ καί ἐν ἡμέρᾳ σωτηρίας ἐβοήθησα σοί Ἰδού νῦν Καιρός εὐπρόσδεκτος ἰδού νῦν Ἡμέρα σωτηρίας)
The two clauses in the quotation mean basically the same thing. The second emphasizes the meaning of the first by repeating the same idea with different words. Hebrew poetry was based on this kind of repetition, and it would be good to show this to your readers by including both phrases in your translation rather than combining them. However, if the repetition might be confusing, you could connect the phrases with a word other than and in order to show that the second phrase is repeating the first one, not saying something additional. Make sure that you use the same form for Paul’s interpretation of the quotation, which is also in parallel form. Alternate translation: [At an acceptable time I listened to you; yes, in a day of salvation I helped you. Behold, now is a favorable time; yes, now is a day of salvation]
Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit
καιρῷ δεκτῷ
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: λέγει Γάρ Καιρῷ δεκτῷ ἐπήκουσα σοῦ καί ἐν ἡμέρᾳ σωτηρίας ἐβοήθησα σοί Ἰδού νῦν Καιρός εὐπρόσδεκτος ἰδού νῦν Ἡμέρα σωτηρίας)
Here, the phrase an acceptable time refers to a point in time that someone considers to be a proper or appropriate for doing something. Paul could be implying that this time is acceptable to: (1) God. Alternate translation: [At a time that I considered right] or [At a time appropriate for me] (2) people. Alternate translation: [At a time that people considered right] or [At a time appropriate for people]
Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit
ἐπήκουσά σου
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: λέγει Γάρ Καιρῷ δεκτῷ ἐπήκουσα σοῦ καί ἐν ἡμέρᾳ σωτηρίας ἐβοήθησα σοί Ἰδού νῦν Καιρός εὐπρόσδεκτος ἰδού νῦν Ἡμέρα σωτηρίας)
Here, the word listened indicates that God both listened and responded. If it would be helpful in your language, you could clarify that God did not just listen but also acted in response. Alternate translation: [I answered you] or [I listened to you and responded]
Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / yousingular
σου & σοι
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: λέγει Γάρ Καιρῷ δεκτῷ ἐπήκουσα σοῦ καί ἐν ἡμέρᾳ σωτηρίας ἐβοήθησα σοί Ἰδού νῦν Καιρός εὐπρόσδεκτος ἰδού νῦν Ἡμέρα σωτηρίας)
Because God is speaking to one person, his special servant, you in the quotation is singular.
Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / possession
ἐν ἡμέρᾳ σωτηρίας
in ˓the˒_day ˱of˲_salvation
Here, the phrase day of salvation refers to the time when God will bring salvation for his people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea in another way. Alternate translation: [in the time of salvation] or [at the time when I gave salvation]
Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns
σωτηρίας
˱of˲_salvation
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of salvation, you could express the idea by using a verb such as “save.” Alternate translation: [when I saved]
Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / exclamations
(Occurrence -1) ἰδοὺ, νῦν
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: λέγει Γάρ Καιρῷ δεκτῷ ἐπήκουσα σοῦ καί ἐν ἡμέρᾳ σωτηρίας ἐβοήθησα σοί Ἰδού νῦν Καιρός εὐπρόσδεκτος ἰδού νῦν Ἡμέρα σωτηρίας)
Here, the words Behold and Look draw the attention of the audience and ask them to listen carefully. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea with words or phrases that ask the audience to listen, or you could use another form that draws the audience’s attention to the statements that follow. Alternate translation: [Pay attention! Now … Pay attention! Now] or [Listen, now … Now]
(Occurrence -1) καιρὸς εὐπρόσδεκτος & ἡμέρα σωτηρίας
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: λέγει Γάρ Καιρῷ δεκτῷ ἐπήκουσα σοῦ καί ἐν ἡμέρᾳ σωτηρίας ἐβοήθησα σοί Ἰδού νῦν Καιρός εὐπρόσδεκτος ἰδού νῦν Ἡμέρα σωτηρίας)
The phrases a day of salvation and a favorable time repeat the words from the quotation exactly, except that Paul uses a word that emphasizes that the time is good (favorable) instead of just being appropriate (acceptable). Use the form that you used in the quotation, although, if possible, use a word for a good time instead of just an acceptable time. Alternate translation: [is a time that God considers good … is a time of salvation] or [is a time appropriate for God … is a time when God gives salvation]
6:2 This quotation from Isa 49:8 clinches the point that God’s offer of salvation could secure reconciliation between Paul and the Corinthians; their reconciliation with Paul would follow naturally from their true acceptance of the Good News.
OET (OET-LV) For/Because he_is_saying:
In_a_time acceptable I_listened_to from_you, and in the_day of_salvation I_gave_help to_you.
Behold, now is the_time acceptable, see, now is the_day of_salvation.
OET (OET-RV) because he said,
⇔ ‘I listened to you at the right time,
⇔ and I helped you on the day when you were saved.’
§ Listen, today is the right time to ask. And listen again, today is the right day to get saved.
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.