OET interlinear COL 4:3

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-time-simultaneous

ἅμα

together

In this context, the word together does not refer to people being together but rather, it refers to actions happening together or at the same time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that indicates that the Colossians should pray for Paul at the same time they pray about other things (the things mentioned in 4:2). Alternate translation: [at the same time]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / exclusive

ἡμῶν & ἡμῖν

us & ˱to˲_us

In this verse, the word us refers to Paul and Timothy but not to the Colossians.

Note 3 topic: grammar-connect-logic-goal

ἵνα

in_order_that

The phrase so that could introduce: (1) the content of what they should pray. Alternate translation: [that] or [asking that] (2) the purpose for which the Colossians should pray for Paul. Alternate translation: [in order that]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ὁ Θεὸς ἀνοίξῃ ἡμῖν θύραν τοῦ λόγου

¬the God /may/_open_up ˱to˲_us /a/_door ˱for˲_the word

Here Paul speaks of God providing opportunities for Paul and Timothy to preach the gospel as if God were “opening” a door to them for the word. The image is of God opening a door so that Paul and Timothy can go in and preach the message about Christ. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a comparable metaphor or express the idea plainly. Alternate translation: [God may give us opportunities to preach the word]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / doublet

τοῦ λόγου, λαλῆσαι

˱for˲_the word /to/_speak

Here, for the word and to speak mean almost the same thing. If your language would not use both of phrases here, you could combine them into one. Alternate translation: [to speak]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

τοῦ λόγου

˱for˲_the word

Here, word represents a message that is made up of words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [for the message] or [for what we say]

Note 7 topic: grammar-connect-logic-goal

λαλῆσαι

/to/_speak

The phrase to speak indicates the purpose for which the “door” is opened. If to speak would not indicate purpose in your language, you could use a word or phrase that does indicate purpose. Alternate translation: [in order that we might speak] or [so that we can speak]

Note 8 topic: translate-unknown

τὸ μυστήριον

the mystery

Paul speaks of his message as the mystery of Christ. This does not mean that the message is hard to understand, but rather that it had not previously been revealed. Now, however, Paul does “make it clear” (as 4:4 says). If it would be helpful in your language, you could replace mystery with a short descriptive phrase. Alternate translation: [the concealed message] or [the previously hidden message]

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

τὸ μυστήριον τοῦ Χριστοῦ

the mystery ˱of˲_the Messiah

Here Paul uses the possessive form to speak of a mystery whose content is a message about Christ. If your language does not use the possessive form to express that idea, you could express the idea with a preposition such as “about” or a relative clause such as “that concerns.” Alternate translation: [the mystery that concerns Christ]

Note 10 topic: writing-pronouns

δι’ ὃ

because_of which

The pronoun which refers back to the “mystery of Christ.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could state explicitly what which refers to by adding a word such as “mystery.” Alternate translation: [on account of which mystery]

Note 11 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

δέδεμαι

˱I˲_/have_been/_bound

Here Paul uses the phase I have been bound to refer to how he is in prison. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a comparable word or phrase that stands for being in prison or express the idea plainly. Alternate translation: [I am imprisoned] or [I am incarcerated]

Note 12 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

δέδεμαι

˱I˲_/have_been/_bound

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form with a vague or indefinite subject. Alternate translation: [they have bound me] or [the authorities have bound me]