OET interlinear GAL 1:10

1:10a

In 1:10 Paul explained why he had the authority to speak so harshly in 1:6–9. He was Christ’s servant, and he was trying to please God, not men. He said this because he wanted the Galatians to have confidence that he taught the true gospel. Some English versions introduce this explanation by translating the Greek conjunction at the start of the verse. (See next note.) Some other ways to introduce it are:

I speak like this because

When I speak like this

Does what I just said show

This verse begins with a Greek conjunction that is often translated as “for.” Some English versions, such as the ESV, translate it that way. The BSB has not translated this conjunction, and some other versions, such as the NIV and NET, also do not translate it. Connect 1:10a to 1:9c in a way that is natural in your language.

Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God: This is a rhetorical question. Paul used this rhetorical question to emphasize that he was not trying to win the approval of people. He was seeking the approval of God.

Some ways to translate this emphasis are:

• Use a rhetorical question or questions. For example:

  Am I saying this now to win the approval of people or God? (GW)

  Am I trying to please people? If not that, am I trying to please God?

• Use a rhetorical question followed by a statement. For example:

  Does this sound as if I am trying to win human approval? No indeed! What I want is God’s approval! (GNT)

  Do you think I am trying to make people accept me? No, God is the One I am trying to please. (NCV)

• As two statements. For example:

  I am not trying to please people. I want to please God. (CEV)

Use the most natural form in your language to emphasize that Paul is not trying to win the approval of people.

now: This word shows that Paul was referring to what he had just said in 1:6–9.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

Am I saying this now (GW)

Does what I just said show

When I speak like this

seeking the approval of: In this context, the Greek verb that the BSB translates as seeking the approval of also means “try to please.”Normally this word means “persuade” (as in the KJV). In this context, it is best to consider this word to be close in meaning to the next verb phrase, “seeking to please.”

Some other ways to translate this verb are:

trying to please (CEV)

seeking the favor of (NASB)

trying to make people accept me (NCV)

trying to make people praise me

men: The word men refers to people in general.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

man

people

human beings

1:10b

Or am I striving to please men?: This is a rhetorical question. Paul used this rhetorical question to further emphasize that he did not try to please people. This question is similar to the first part of the rhetorical question in 1:10a.

Some ways to translate this emphasis are:

• Use a question. For example:

  Do you think I am trying to please people? (CEV)

• Use a statement. For example:

  I am most certainly not trying to please men.

Use a natural way in your language to emphasize that Paul did not try to please people.

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine this rhetorical question with the first part of the rhetorical question in 1:10a. For example, the NLT translates both 1:10a and 1:10b as:

Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. (NLT)

Your solution to this issue depends on how your language uses repetition. If repetition adds emphasis, then you may keep both rhetorical questions. But if it is bad style or adds confusion, then it is enough to say this once and use other means to show the emphasis. Paul wanted to emphasize that it is God he wants to please rather than people.

Or: The Greek word that the BSB translates as Or here introduces a question that repeats the first part of the question in 1:10a. It does not indicate an alternative situation. Some English versions do not translate this word. For example:

Am I trying to please people? (GW)

men: As in 1:10a, the word men refers to people in general. Translate it in the same way.

1:10c

If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ: This is a conditional sentence. (A conditional sentence is a sentence with an “if” clause.) Paul used this conditional sentence to state the opposite of what was true. He did this to emphasize the truth. The truth is that he was no longer trying to please people, because he had become a servant of Christ. Before Paul became a Christian, he did try to please people. But then he became a servant of Christ. So he was no longer trying to please people.

Some other ways to translate this sentence are:

If I were still trying to please people, though I’m not, I would not be Christ’s servant.

Suppose I were still trying to please people. Then I would not be a servant of Christ.

I am no longer trying to please people. If I were, I would not be the servant of Christ.

servant of Christ: The Greek word that the BSB translates as servant can also be translated as “slave.” In the same way that a slave serves and obeys his master, Paul served and obeyed Christ.