OET interlinear COL 1:22

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

δὲ

but

The word But here introduces a strong contrast from the previous sentence. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a strong contrast from what was just said. Alternate translation: [Instead of that,]

Note 2 topic: grammar-connect-time-sequential

νυνὶ

now

The word now does not refer to the moment at which Paul writes this letter or the moment at which it is read to the Colossians. Instead, it refers to the time since they believed, including the present moment. This follows as a sequence to the previous verse, which referred to the time when they had not yet believed. If the meaning of now would be misunderstood your language, you could add a phrase such as “that you have believed.” Alternate translation: [now that you have faith in Jesus,]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

ἐν τῷ σώματι τῆς σαρκὸς αὐτοῦ

in the body ˱of˲_the flesh ˱of˲_him

Here Paul uses the phrase the body of his flesh to refer to Jesus and everything that he did while in a human body. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea plainly. Alternate translation: [by Jesus in his physical body]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

τῷ σώματι τῆς σαρκὸς αὐτοῦ

the body ˱of˲_the flesh ˱of˲_him

Here Paul describes Jesus’ body that is characterized by flesh. This refers to Jesus’ body during his earthly life, not his glorified body after the resurrection. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an expression that makes this idea clear. Alternate translation: [his physical body] or [his body before the resurrection]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

διὰ τοῦ θανάτου

through his death

Here, Paul has not stated whose death this is. This death is not that of the Colossians but that of Jesus on the cross. If your language would state who died, you could add a possessive word to clarify. Alternate translation: [through his death] or [through Jesus’ death]

Note 6 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

παραστῆσαι ὑμᾶς

/to/_present you_all

Here, to present you gives the purpose for which God reconciled the Colossians by the death of his Son. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a purpose phrase such as “so that” or “in order to.” Alternate translation: [so that he might present you]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

παραστῆσαι ὑμᾶς ἁγίους, καὶ ἀμώμους, καὶ ἀνεγκλήτους, κατενώπιον αὐτοῦ

/to/_present you_all holy and blameless and unindictable in_front_of him

Here Paul is describing the Colossians as though Jesus had brought them to stand before God the Father, by which he means that Jesus has made them acceptable to God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this idea in plain language. Alternate translation: [to make you acceptable before him, holy and blameless and above reproach]

Note 8 topic: translate-unknown

ἁγίους, καὶ ἀμώμους, καὶ ἀνεγκλήτους

holy and blameless and unindictable

The words blameless and above reproach are adjectives that describe a person or thing that is free from blemishes and that cannot be blamed for doing anything wrong. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use relative clauses instead. Alternate translation: [as people who are holy and who have no faults and who cannot be blamed for doing anything wrong]

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / doublet

ἁγίους, καὶ ἀμώμους, καὶ ἀνεγκλήτους

holy and blameless and unindictable

These words, holy, blameless, and above reproach, mean basically the same thing here. The repetition is used to emphasize the completeness of what the Son did to take away the Colossians’ sin. After trusting in Jesus, they are now completely morally pure. If your language does not use repetition in this way or you do not have three words that mean this, you could use fewer words and express the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: [completely pure] or [without any sin at all]