OET interlinear COL 3:3

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

γάρ

for

The word For introduces the reason why the Colossians should think about the things above (3:1–2): it is because they died. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the transition more explicitly. Alternate translation: “You should think about the things above because”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἀπεθάνετε

˱you_all˲_died_off

Here Paul expresses in slightly different form the idea he already stated in 2:20: the Colossians have been united to Christ in his death. As Christ actually died, so God counts the Colossian believers as having died with Christ. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this idea as you did in 2:20, or express it plainly. Alternate translation: “you died in union with the Messiah” or “you participated in the Messiah’s death”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἡ ζωὴ ὑμῶν κέκρυπται σὺν τῷ Χριστῷ ἐν τῷ Θεῷ

the life ˱of˲_you_all /has_been/_hidden with the Messiah in ¬the God

Here Paul speaks as if the Colossians’ lives were objects that could be hidden where Christ is, and as if the place they were hidden was God. By using this metaphor, Paul wants the Colossians to know that they are safe (with Christ in God) but also that their new life is not yet fully revealed (hidden). If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea plainly. Alternate translation: “God is protecting your new life with Christ and will reveal it when the time comes”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

ἡ ζωὴ ὑμῶν κέκρυπται σὺν τῷ Χριστῷ ἐν τῷ Θεῷ

the life ˱of˲_you_all /has_been/_hidden with the Messiah in ¬the God

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form. Alternate translation: “God has hidden your life with Christ in himself”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἡ ζωὴ ὑμῶν κέκρυπται

the life ˱of˲_you_all /has_been/_hidden

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind life, you could rephrase the sentence so that you could use a verb for “living.” Alternate translation: “you live in a hidden way”