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Eph C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6

Eph 3 V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6 V7 V9 V10 V11 V12 V13 V14 V15 V16 V17 V18 V19 V20 V21

OET interlinear EPH 3:8

◄ ← EPH 3:8 ↓ → ► ║ ©

SR Greek word order (including unused variant words in grey)

    1. Greek word
    2. Greek lemma
    3. OET-LV words
    4. OET-RV words
    5. Strongs
    6. Role/Morphology
    7. OET Gloss
    8. VLT Gloss
    9. CAPS codes
    10. Confidence
    11. OET tags
    12. OET word #
    1. Ἐμοί
    2. egō
    3. To me
    4. -
    5. 14730
    6. R···1D·S
    7. ˱to˲ me
    8. ˱to˲ me
    9. S
    10. Y64
    11. 128968
    1. τῷ
    2. ho
    3. the
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····DMS
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 128969
    1. ἐλαχιστοτέρῳ
    2. elaχistoteros
    3. very least
    4. least
    5. 16470
    6. A····DMS
    7. very_least
    8. very_least
    9. -
    10. Y64; F128981; F128990; F129045; F129048; F129061; F129079; F129185; F129187; F129195
    11. 128970
    1. πάντων
    2. pas
    3. of all
    4. -
    5. 39560
    6. E····GMP
    7. ˱of˲ all
    8. ˱of˲ all
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 128971
    1. τῶν
    2. ho
    3. -
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····GMP
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. -
    11. 128972
    1. ἁγίων
    2. hagios
    3. +the holy ones
    4. -
    5. 400
    6. S····GMP
    7. ˓the˒ holy ‹ones›
    8. ˓the˒ holy ‹ones›
    9. -
    10. Y64; F129045; F129048
    11. 128973
    1. ἐδόθη
    2. didōmi
    3. was given
    4. given
    5. 13250
    6. VIAP3··S
    7. ˓was˒ given
    8. ˓was˒ given
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 128974
    1. ἡ
    2. ho
    3. the
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····NFS
    7. ¬the
    8. ¬the
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 128975
    1. χάρις
    2. χaris
    3. grace
    4. grace
    5. 54850
    6. N····NFS
    7. grace
    8. grace
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 128976
    1. αὕτη
    2. houtos
    3. this
    4. -
    5. 37780
    6. E····NFS
    7. this
    8. this
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 128977
    1. ἐν
    2. en
    3. -
    4. -
    5. 17220
    6. P·······
    7. to
    8. to
    9. -
    10. -
    11. 128978
    1. τοῖς
    2. ho
    3. to the
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····DNP
    7. ˱to˲ the
    8. ˱to˲ the
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 128979
    1. ἔθνεσιν
    2. ethnos
    3. pagans
    4. -
    5. 14840
    6. N····DNP
    7. pagans
    8. pagans
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 128980
    1. εὐαγγελίσασθαι
    2. euaŋgelizō
    3. to good message preach
    4. preach
    5. 20970
    6. VNAM····
    7. ˓to˒ good_message_preach
    8. ˓to˒ gospel_preach
    9. -
    10. Y64; R128970
    11. 128981
    1. τό
    2. ho
    3. the
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····ANS
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 128982
    1. τόν
    2. ho
    3. -
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····AMS
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. -
    11. 128983
    1. ἀνεξιχνίαστον
    2. anexiχniastos
    3. untraceable
    4. -
    5. 4210
    6. A····ANS
    7. untraceable
    8. untraceable
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 128984
    1. πλοῦτον
    2. ploutos
    3. -
    4. -
    5. 41490
    6. N····AMS
    7. riches
    8. riches
    9. -
    10. -
    11. 128985
    1. πλοῦτος
    2. ploutos
    3. riches
    4. riches
    5. 41490
    6. N····ANS
    7. riches
    8. riches
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 128986
    1. τοῦ
    2. ho
    3. of the
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····GMS
    7. ˱of˲ the
    8. ˱of˲ the
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 128987
    1. Χριστοῦ
    2. χristos
    3. chosen one messiah
    4. messiah
    5. 55470
    6. N····GMS
    7. chosen_one/messiah
    8. Messiah
    9. WN
    10. Y64; Person=Jesus
    11. 128988

OET (OET-LV) To_me, the very_least of_all the_holy ones, the this grace was_given, to_the pagans to_good_message_preach the untraceable riches of_the chosen_one/messiah,

OET (OET-RV) Although I was the least of the ones dedicated to this message, I was given the grace to preach this positive message to the non-Jews, to tell them about the endless riches of the messiah

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 3:1–13: God sent Paul to preach the good news to the non-Jews

In 3:1, Paul was about to pray for the Christians. Instead, in 3:2 he stopped his sentence and began to write about the special work that God had given him. It was not until 3:14 that Paul resumed his prayer.

The special work that God had given Paul was to preach God’s message to the Gentiles. The blessings of God are for the Gentiles as well as for the Jews, but God had hidden this great truth for a long time. Then God gave Paul the task of telling people about this truth. In this way, everyone would know that God was very wise and loving because he saved both Jews and Gentiles and united them into one church.

Here are some other titles for this section:

God’s mysterious plan revealed (NLT)

Paul’s work in telling the Good News (NCV)

God’s plan to unite Jews and Gentiles in Christ is revealed to Paul

Paragraph 3:7–13

In the previous verses 3:3–6, Paul talked about God’s mystery/plan. However, beginning in 3:7, he changed topics. Here he talked about his work preaching the gospel to the Gentiles.

Even though Paul was not one of the twelve apostles, God gave him the work of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles. God intended that through the church, made up of Jews and Gentiles, all the angels and evil spirits would see his wisdom. So Paul urged the Christians not to be discouraged by the fact that he was suffering in prison. He reminded them that it was for their honor that he was suffering in prison.

3:8a

Though I am less than the least of all the saints,

Though: The BSB has supplied the word Though in order to emphasize Paul’s amazement that God would choose him to do this task. The Greek text begins 3:8a with an emphatic “To me,” as in the RSV. Try to find a natural way in the language to show this emphasis. Some other versions do this by adding “but” or “yet” at the beginning of 3:8b. For example:

I am the least of all God’s people. Yet, God showed me his kindness… (GW)

I am the least important of all God’s people. But God was kind… (CEV)

I am less than the least: The phrase less than the least is a strong statement that means “the very least” or “the most unimportant.”

Paul humbly said that he was not important. Try to find a strong expression in your language. Be careful that your translation does not mean that Paul was physically smaller or weaker than other believers. In some languages the correct idea can be expressed by an idiom, such as:

I am behind all God’s people

I am lower than all God’s people

If your language makes comparisons by contrasting one phrase with another, you may need to translate this phrase in a different way. For example:

All of God’s people might have a name, but I have no name, I am underneath everyone.

all the saints: A literal English translation of the Greek is “holy ones.” It means “people set apart for God.” This Greek word refers to every believer. See how you translated this same expression in 2:19b.

See Holy, Meaning 1, special use in the Glossary for more information.

3:8b

this grace was given me:

this grace was given me: This clause is a passive. God gave this grace to Paul.

this grace: The meaning of grace here is “privilege, special work.” Here it refers to Paul’s work as an apostle and preacher of the gospel.

The phrase this grace is a short way of saying the same thing Paul just said in 3:7a: “This work of preaching the gospel that God in his grace gave me.”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

he graciously gave me the privilege (NLT)

God showed me his kindness by allowing me (GW)

See grace, Meaning 4 in the Glossary for more information.

3:8c

to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

to preach: The word preach means to publicly tell or announce a message. See how you translated “preached” in 2:17a.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

to announce

to declare publicly

to the Gentiles: Here the word Gentiles refers to people who are not Jews. See how you translated Gentiles in 3:6c.

unsearchable riches of Christ: The word unsearchable means “too great/big to be understood or imagined.”

riches of Christ: The phrase riches of Christ refers to the spiritual blessings of Christ, not just to material wealth. These spiritual riches may refer to:

  1. riches which Christ gives. For example:

    endless treasures available to them in Christ (NLT)

  2. riches which Christ possesses, that is, his divine glory and perfection.

Most versions use words that could be understood either way. If you must choose, follow interpretation (1).

In your translation, avoid any word that refers only to material wealth.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

immeasurable wealth of Christ (GW)

because of Christ there are blessings that cannot be measured (CEV)

the riches of Christ, which are too great to understand fully (NCV)

The unimaginable blessings of Christ

Also, see how you translated riches in 1:7c and 1:18c.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἀνεξιχνίαστον

untraceable

Paul speaks of everything that Christ offers as something so physically vast that it cannot be fully explored. Alternate translation: [unable to be completely known]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

πλοῦτος τοῦ Χριστοῦ

riches ˱of˲_the Messiah

Paul speaks of the truth about Christ and the blessings he brings as if they were material wealth.

TSN Tyndale Study Notes:

3:8 Paul considered himself the least deserving of all God’s people (literally the least of God’s people) because he was once an ardent persecutor of believers (see 1 Cor 15:9; 1 Tim 1:12-16).
• the endless treasures available to them in Christ: See Eph 1:3-14.

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

    1. OET-LV words
    2. OET-RV words
    3. Strongs
    4. Greek word
    5. Greek lemma
    6. Role/Morphology
    7. OET Gloss
    8. VLT Gloss
    9. CAPS codes
    10. Confidence
    11. OET tags
    12. OET word #
    1. To me
    2. -
    3. 14730
    4. S
    5. egō
    6. R-···1D·S
    7. ˱to˲ me
    8. ˱to˲ me
    9. S
    10. Y64
    11. 128968
    1. the
    2. -
    3. 35880
    5. ho
    6. E-····DMS
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 128969
    1. very least
    2. least
    3. 16470
    5. elaχistoteros
    6. A-····DMS
    7. very_least
    8. very_least
    9. -
    10. Y64; F128981; F128990; F129045; F129048; F129061; F129079; F129185; F129187; F129195
    11. 128970
    1. of all
    2. -
    3. 39560
    5. pas
    6. E-····GMP
    7. ˱of˲ all
    8. ˱of˲ all
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 128971
    1. +the holy ones
    2. -
    3. 400
    5. hagios
    6. S-····GMP
    7. ˓the˒ holy ‹ones›
    8. ˓the˒ holy ‹ones›
    9. -
    10. Y64; F129045; F129048
    11. 128973
    1. the
    2. -
    3. 35880
    5. ho
    6. E-····NFS
    7. ¬the
    8. ¬the
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 128975
    1. this
    2. -
    3. 37780
    5. houtos
    6. E-····NFS
    7. this
    8. this
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 128977
    1. grace
    2. grace
    3. 54850
    5. χaris
    6. N-····NFS
    7. grace
    8. grace
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 128976
    1. was given
    2. given
    3. 13250
    5. didōmi
    6. V-IAP3··S
    7. ˓was˒ given
    8. ˓was˒ given
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 128974
    1. to the
    2. -
    3. 35880
    5. ho
    6. E-····DNP
    7. ˱to˲ the
    8. ˱to˲ the
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 128979
    1. pagans
    2. -
    3. 14840
    5. ethnos
    6. N-····DNP
    7. pagans
    8. pagans
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 128980
    1. to good message preach
    2. preach
    3. 20970
    5. euaŋgelizō
    6. V-NAM····
    7. ˓to˒ good_message_preach
    8. ˓to˒ gospel_preach
    9. -
    10. Y64; R128970
    11. 128981
    1. the
    2. -
    3. 35880
    5. ho
    6. E-····ANS
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 128982
    1. untraceable
    2. -
    3. 4210
    5. anexiχniastos
    6. A-····ANS
    7. untraceable
    8. untraceable
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 128984
    1. riches
    2. riches
    3. 41490
    5. ploutos
    6. N-····ANS
    7. riches
    8. riches
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 128986
    1. of the
    2. -
    3. 35880
    5. ho
    6. E-····GMS
    7. ˱of˲ the
    8. ˱of˲ the
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 128987
    1. chosen one messiah
    2. messiah
    3. 55470
    4. WN
    5. χristos
    6. N-····GMS
    7. chosen_one/messiah
    8. Messiah
    9. WN
    10. Y64; Person=Jesus
    11. 128988

OET (OET-LV) To_me, the very_least of_all the_holy ones, the this grace was_given, to_the pagans to_good_message_preach the untraceable riches of_the chosen_one/messiah,

OET (OET-RV) Although I was the least of the ones dedicated to this message, I was given the grace to preach this positive message to the non-Jews, to tell them about the endless riches of the messiah

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.

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◄ ← EPH 3:8 ↑ → ► ║ ©