OET interlinear 2TIM 2:6

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

τὸν κοπιῶντα γεωργὸν δεῖ πρῶτον τῶν καρπῶν μεταλαμβάνειν

the laboring farmer ˱it˲_/is/_fitting first ˱of˲_the fruits /to_be/_partaking

Here Paul speaks about a farmer who is hardworking. He speaks about this to help Timothy understand how to behave. Just as this kind of farmer should be first to share in the fruits, so Timothy will be first to receive rewards if he works hard to serve Jesus. Since Paul tells Timothy in 2:7 to think carefully about the examples that he gives in this verse and in 2:4–5, you should not explain the meaning of this metaphor here. However, if it would be helpful in your language, you could use a form that indicates that Paul is using a metaphor or giving an example. Alternate translation: “Now imagine that you are a farmer. It is necessary for the hardworking farmer first to share in the fruits”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / genericnoun

τὸν κοπιῶντα γεωργὸν

the laboring farmer

The word farmer represents farmers in general, not one particular farmer. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea in another way. Alternate translation: “any hardworking farmer”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

πρῶτον τῶν καρπῶν μεταλαμβάνειν

first ˱of˲_the fruits /to_be/_partaking

Here Paul implies that other people will share in the fruits, but the farmer is one who should share in them first. In other words, he is the one who deserves to receive the benefits of his work before anyone else does. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make that idea more explicit. Alternate translation: “to share in the fruits before anyone else does” or “to receive the first share of the fruits”