OET interlinear 1TIM 3:15

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

ἐὰν δὲ βραδύνω

if but ˱I˲_/may_be/_slowing

Here Paul is indicating that, instead of coming quickly to Timothy, he may delay. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different form that indicates that Paul may delay in contrast to what he said in the previous verse about what he was hoping for. Alternate translation: “but knowing that I may delay” or “yet being aware that I might delay”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

βραδύνω

˱I˲_/may_be/_slowing

Here Paul may be implying that: (1) he himself might choose to delay. Alternate translation: “I choose to wait” or “I need to stay away longer” (2) something might cause or force Paul to delay. Alternate translation: “I am delayed” or “anything delays me”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

δεῖ & ἀναστρέφεσθαι

˱it˲_/is/_fitting & /to_be_being/_conducted

Here Paul could be implying that he is instructing Timothy in how: (1) believers should behave. Alternate translation: “it is necessary for believers” (2) Timothy should behave. Alternate translation: “it is necessary for you to behave”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἐν οἴκῳ Θεοῦ

in /the/_household ˱of˲_God

Here Paul speaks of believers as if they were part of the household of God. He means that God considers them to be members of his own family. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea in simile form or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “among people who are like the household of God” or “among God’s people”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / distinguish

ἥτις ἐστὶν ἐκκλησία Θεοῦ ζῶντος

which is /the/_assembly ˱of˲_God /the/_living

This phrase introduces further information about the household of God. It does not distinguish between a household of God that is the church and one that is not the church. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a form that introduces further information, not a distinction. Alternate translation: “by which I mean the church of the living God”

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

ἐκκλησία Θεοῦ ζῶντος

/the/_assembly ˱of˲_God /the/_living

Here, Paul is using the possessive form to describe the church that worships and belongs to the living God. If this is not clear in your language, you could express the idea in another way. Alternate translation: “the church that worships the living God”

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

Θεοῦ ζῶντος

˱of˲_God ˱of˲_God /the/_living

Here, the phrase the living God identifies God as the one who “lives.” The primary point is that God actually “lives,” unlike idols and other inanimate things that people call “god.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that emphasizes that God really “lives.” Alternate translation: “of the God who lives” or “of the true God”

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

στῦλος καὶ ἑδραίωμα τῆς ἀληθείας

/the/_pillar and foundation ˱of˲_the truth

Here Paul speaks as if the truth were the roof of a building and of the church as if it were a pillar and support that held up that roof. He means that the church helps to preserve and proclaim the truth. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea in simile form or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “which is like a pillar and support of the truth” or “which preserves and presents the truth”

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / doublet

στῦλος καὶ ἑδραίωμα

/the/_pillar and foundation

The terms pillar and support mean similar things. Paul is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “a foundation” or “a strong support”

Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

τῆς ἀληθείας

˱of˲_the truth

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of truth, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “of the true teaching”