OET interlinear COL 3:4

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

ὁ Χριστὸς φανερωθῇ, ἡ ζωὴ ὑμῶν

the Messiah /may_be/_revealed the life ˱of˲_you_all

If your language does not use this passive form, you could translate the idea in active form with: (1) Christ as the subject. Alternate translation: [Christ, your life, reveals himself] or [Christ, your life, appears] (2) God the Father as the subject. Alternate translation: [God the Father reveals Christ, your life,]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἡ ζωὴ ὑμῶν

the life ˱of˲_you_all

Continuing the theme of the Colossians’ life being hidden with Christ, Paul now identifies Christ as the Colossians’ life. In other words, if the Colossians’ life is hidden with Christ, then Christ can be called their life. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this idea with a comparable metaphor, or express it plainly. Alternate translation: [who holds your life] or [with whom you have life]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἡ ζωὴ ὑμῶν

the life ˱of˲_you_all

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind life, you could express the idea with a verb for “living.” Alternate translation: [in whom you live]

Note 4 topic: translate-unknown

φανερωθῇ & σὺν αὐτῷ φανερωθήσεσθε

/may_be/_revealed & with him /will_be_being/_revealed

Paul uses the word is revealed to refer to Christ’s second coming, when he is revealed to everyone as who he truly is. Paul uses the phrase will be revealed with him to refer to how the Colossians will participate with Christ in that second coming and also be revealed as who they truly are. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use words such as “coming” or “returning” instead of “revealing.” Alternate translation: [comes again … will come with him] or [returns … will return with him]

Note 5 topic: grammar-connect-time-simultaneous

ὅταν & τότε

whenever & then

The word When indicates a moment in time, and the word translated then refers back to that same time. Therefore, the events described in two parts of this sentence occur at the same time. Use a construction that indicates simultaneous time in your language. Alternate translation: [When … at the same time]

Note 6 topic: translate-unknown

ἐν δόξῃ

in glory

As a previous note pointed out, the “revealing” language suggests that something will be revealed about Christ and the Colossians. Here, Paul describes it as glory. If it would be helpful in your language, you could clarify that this is one thing that is revealed about Christ and the Colossians: they are glorious. Alternate translation: [as glorious]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἐν δόξῃ

in glory

If your language does not use an abstract noun to express the idea behind glory, you could express the idea in another way. Alternate translation: [as very great]