OET interlinear 1TH 4:15

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

γὰρ

for

Here, the word For introduces a further explanation of what Paul has said about believers who have died. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces a further explanation, or you could leave For untranslated. Alternate translation: [Further,] or [Indeed,]

Note 2 topic: writing-pronouns

τοῦτο & ὑμῖν λέγομεν ἐν λόγῳ Κυρίου, ὅτι

this & ˱to˲_you_all ˱we˲_/are/_saying in /the/_word ˱of˲_/the/_Lord that

Here, the word this refers to what Paul introduces with the word that. This form emphasizes what Paul is about to say. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different form that introduces what a person is about to say. Alternate translation: [we say to you in a word of the Lord that] or [here is what we say to you in a word of the Lord:]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / exclusive

λέγομεν & ἡμεῖς οἱ ζῶντες

˱we˲_/are/_saying & we the_‹ones› living

Here, the word we in the phrase we say only includes Paul and his fellow workers. It does not include the Thessalonians. However, the word we in the phrase we, the ones living does include the Thessalonians. Make sure that this is clear if your language marks these distinctions.

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

λόγῳ

/the/_word

Paul is using the term word to mean a message that is shared by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [a message] or [words]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

λόγῳ Κυρίου

/the/_word ˱of˲_/the/_Lord

Here, Paul is using the possessive form to describe a word that could be: (1) something that the Lord said. Alternate translation: [a word from the Lord] or [a word spoken by the Lord] (2) authorized by the Lord. Alternate translation: [a word that the Lord approves] or [a word that has the Lord’s authority]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / distinguish

ἡμεῖς οἱ ζῶντες, οἱ περιλειπόμενοι

we the_‹ones› living ¬which /being/_remaining

Here, the phrases the ones living and the ones surviving distinguish we from other people. Be sure that this distinction is clear in your translation. Alternate translation: [we, by which I mean those of us who live, who survive]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

εἰς τὴν παρουσίαν τοῦ Κυρίου

to the coming ˱of˲_the Lord

Here, the phrase the coming of the Lord refers to the specific time in the future when Jesus will come back to earth, judge everyone, punish unbelievers, and reward believers. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this idea more explicit. See how you translated the similar phrase in 3:13. Alternate translation: [until when the Lord comes back to earth] or [to the return of our Lord to us]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / doublenegatives

οὐ μὴ φθάσωμεν

by_no_means not /may/_precede

The words translated certainly not are two negative words. In this construction, the second negative does not cancel the first to create a positive meaning. Instead, it gives greater emphasis to the negative. If your language can use two negatives that do not cancel one another to create a positive meaning, you could use a double negative here. If your language does not use two negatives in that way, you could translate with one strong negative, as the ULT does. Alternate translation: [will by no means go before]

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

οὐ μὴ φθάσωμεν

by_no_means not /may/_precede

Here, the phrase will certainly not go before indicates that people who are alive when Jesus comes back will not meet him first. Instead, believers who have died will meet him first, and then believers who are alive will meet him. Paul explains this further in the following verse (see 4:16). If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [will certainly not go to Jesus before] or [will certainly not be with Jesus before]

Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / euphemism

τοὺς κοιμηθέντας

the_‹ones› /having_been/_fallen_asleep

See how you translated the similar phrase in 4:13–14. Alternate translation: [the ones having passed away] or [the ones who are dead]