OET interlinear COL 2:5

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

γὰρ

for

The word For introduces further support for why the Colossians should not be “deceived” (2:4). Even if Paul is physically absent, he is thinking about them and caring for them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could specify what the word For is supporting. Alternate translation: “Do not let yourselves be deceived, because”

Note 2 topic: grammar-connect-condition-fact

εἰ & καὶ

if & also

Paul speaks as if being absent were a hypothetical possibility, but he means that it is actually true. If your language would not use a conditional statement for something that is a current fact, you could translate these words as an affirmation. Alternate translation: “while” or “although”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

τῇ σαρκὶ ἄπειμι

˱in˲_the flesh ˱I˲_/am/_being_absent

In Paul’s culture, being absent in the flesh is a figurative way to speak about not being present in person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a comparable expression or translate the idea plainly. Alternate translation: “I am not there with you” or “I am not present with you”

Note 4 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

ἀλλὰ

but

The word yet introduces a contrast with absent in the flesh. While the Colossians might expect that, since Paul is absent in the flesh, he is also absent “in the spirit,” Paul says the opposite: he is with them in the spirit. Use a word that indicates contrast or contraexpectation in your language. Alternate translation: “despite this” or “you may be sure”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

τῷ πνεύματι σὺν ὑμῖν εἰμι

¬the ˱in˲_spirit with you_all ˱I˲_am

In Paul’s culture, being with someone in the spirit is a figurative way to speak of thinking about and caring about that person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea with a comparable metaphor or plainly. Alternate translation: “I am still connected to you” or “it is as though I were present”

τῷ πνεύματι

¬the ˱in˲_spirit

Here, the spirit could refer to: (1) Paul’s spirit, which would be the part of him that rejoices over the Colossians from a distance. Alternate translation: “in my spirit” (2) the Holy Spirit, which connects Paul with the Colossians, even though they are not physically together. Alternate translation: “in God’s Spirit” or “by the power of God’s Spirit”

Note 6 topic: grammar-connect-time-simultaneous

χαίρων καὶ βλέπων

rejoicing and seeing

Here, rejoicing and seeing are what Paul does while he is with them in the spirit. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make the relationship between the ideas more explicit. Alternate translation: (adding a period after “spirit”) “When I think about you, I rejoice and see”

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / hendiadys

χαίρων καὶ βλέπων

rejoicing and seeing

Paul here expresses a single idea with the two words rejoicing and seeing. He means that he “rejoices” when he “sees.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea by translating rejoicing as an adverb or prepositional phrase. Alternate translation: “joyfully seeing” or “delighting to witness”

Note 8 topic: translate-unknown

ὑμῶν τὴν τάξιν

˱of˲_you_all the order

The phrase good order refers to behavior that properly fits into a larger pattern or arrangement. In the context, that larger pattern is what God expects of his people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a comparable term or translate the idea with a short phrase. Alternate translation: “the fact that you behave according to God’s standards”

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

τὸ στερέωμα & πίστεως ὑμῶν

the firmness & faith ˱of˲_you_all

Paul uses the possessive form to describe the Colossians’ faith as something that has strength. If your language does not use the possessive form to express this idea, you could express the idea by translating strength with an adjective such as “strong.” Alternate translation: “your strong faith”

Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

τὸ στερέωμα & πίστεως ὑμῶν

the firmness & faith ˱of˲_you_all

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas behind the words strength and faith, you could express the ideas behind these abstract nouns in another way. Alternate translation: “how strongly you believe” or “the fact that you firmly believe”