OET interlinear 1TH 5:8

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

δὲ

but

Here, the word But introduces a contrast with the people who “sleep” and “get drunk” during the night (see 5:7). If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that contrasts two groups of people. Alternate translation: [In contrast,] or [Unlike them,]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / exclusive

ἡμεῖς

we

Here, the word us includes Paul, his fellow workers, and the Thessalonians. Your language may require you to mark this form.

Note 3 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

ἡμέρας ὄντες

˱of˲_/the/_day being

Here, the phrase being of day provides a reason why the Thessalonians should be sober. If it would be helpful in your language, you could include a word or phrase that introduces a reason. Alternate translation: [because we are of day]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἡμέρας

˱of˲_/the/_day

Here, the phrase of day means basically the same thing as the phrase “sons of day” in 5:5. Paul means that believers obey God and do what is right, just as people usually do what is right during the day. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a comparable figure of speech or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [people who obey God and do what is right]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἡμεῖς δὲ ἡμέρας ὄντες, νήφωμεν

we but ˱of˲_/the/_day being /may_be/_being_sober

Here, the phrase be sober contrasts with the phrase “get drunk” in the previous verse (5:7). Paul means that believers should be self-controlled and obedient to God. He does not just mean that they should not get drunk, although that is part of the command. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [But let us, being of day, not get drunk but be self-controlled]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἐνδυσάμενοι θώρακα πίστεως καὶ ἀγάπης, καὶ περικεφαλαίαν, ἐλπίδα σωτηρίας

/having/_dressed_in /the/_breastplate ˱of˲_faith and love and /the/_helmet /the/_hope ˱of˲_salvation

Here Paul speaks of Christians acting in faith and love as if each of them were a soldier putting on a breastplate. He speaks of Christians experiencing the hope of salvation as if each of them were a soldier putting on a helmet. He means that faith, love, and hope protect believers, just as armor protects soldiers. Paul does not directly state what believers are protected from, but he implies that it is sin and evil powers, including the devil. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a simile or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [acting in faith and love as if they were a breastplate you could put on, and having the hope of salvation as if it were a helmet you would wear] or [protecting yourselves by acting in faith and love and by having the hope of salvation]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

θώρακα πίστεως καὶ ἀγάπης, καὶ περικεφαλαίαν, ἐλπίδα σωτηρίας

/the/_breastplate ˱of˲_faith and love and /the/_helmet /the/_hope ˱of˲_salvation

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of faith, love, hope, and salvation, you could express the same ideas in another way. Alternate translation: [the breastplate, which stands for believing God and loving people, and a helmet, which stands for hoping that God will save us]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

θώρακα πίστεως καὶ ἀγάπης

/the/_breastplate ˱of˲_faith and love

Here, Paul is using the possessive form to define the breastplate as faith and love. If this is not clear in your language, you could express the idea in another way. Alternate translation: [a breastplate, which is faith and love] or [the breastplate that is faith and love]

Note 9 topic: translate-unknown

περικεφαλαίαν

/the/_helmet

A helmet is a strong hat that a soldier would wear to protect his or her head. If your readers would not be familiar with this type of armor, you could use the name of something similar in your area or you could use a more general term. Alternate translation: [a protective hat] or [something to protect our heads]

Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

ἐλπίδα σωτηρίας

/the/_hope ˱of˲_salvation

Here, Paul is using the possessive form to describe hope that is focused on salvation. If this is not clear in your language, you could express the idea in another way. Alternate translation: [the hope for salvation] or [the hope that expects salvation]