OET interlinear 1 TH 4:5

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

μὴ ἐν πάθει ἐπιθυμίας

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: μή ἐν πάθει ἐπιθυμίας καθάπερ καί τά ἔθνη τά μή εἰδότα τόν Θεόν)

Here, not in the passion of lust contrasts with the previous phrase “in holiness and honor” (See: 4:4). If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces this kind of contrast. Alternate translation: [and in contrast, not in the passion of lust]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

μὴ ἐν πάθει ἐπιθυμίας

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: μή ἐν πάθει ἐπιθυμίας καθάπερ καί τά ἔθνη τά μή εἰδότα τόν Θεόν)

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of passion and lust, you could express the same ideas in another way. Alternate translation: [not passionately lusting]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

πάθει ἐπιθυμίας

˓the˒_passion ˱of˲_lust

Here, Paul is using the possessive form to connect passion and lust. More specifically, he could be referring to: (1) passion that is characterized by lust. Alternate translation: [lustful passion]; (2) lust that is characterized by passion. Alternate translation: [passionate lust]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis

καθάπερ καὶ τὰ ἔθνη τὰ μὴ εἰδότα τὸν Θεόν

just_as (Some words not found in SR-GNT: μή ἐν πάθει ἐπιθυμίας καθάπερ καί τά ἔθνη τά μή εἰδότα τόν Θεόν)

Paul is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You could supply words such as “behave” or “act” if it would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [just as also the Gentiles behave, the ones not knowing God] or [just as also the Gentiles, the ones not knowing God, act]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / distinguish

τὰ ἔθνη τὰ μὴ εἰδότα τὸν Θεόν

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: μή ἐν πάθει ἐπιθυμίας καθάπερ καί τά ἔθνη τά μή εἰδότα τόν Θεόν)

Here Paul is distinguishing from Gentiles who do not know God from Gentiles who do know God. Be sure that this distinction is clear in your translation. Alternate translation: [the Gentiles, specifically the ones not knowing God] or [all the Gentiles who do not know God]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

τὰ μὴ εἰδότα τὸν Θεόν

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: μή ἐν πάθει ἐπιθυμίας καθάπερ καί τά ἔθνη τά μή εἰδότα τόν Θεόν)

Here, the phrase not knowing God means that these Gentiles do not listen to, trust in, or obey God. It does not mean that they do not know about God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [the ones not listening to God] or [the ones not obeying God]