1 COR 4:15 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) because if you all would have thousands of guardians in Messiah, yet you wouldn’t have many ‘fathers’, because I fathered you in Messiah Yeshua by means of the good message.

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object, red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT For if you would have myriads of guardians in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers; for I fathered you in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

UST When I first preached the good news to you, and God united you to Jesus the Messiah, I became your spiritual father. So, even if you had a million teachers who helped you to live in union with the Messiah, I would still be the only spiritual father you have.

BLB For if you should have ten thousand guardians in Christ, yet not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

AICNT For though you have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus, through the gospel, {I have begotten you}.[fn]

4:15, I have begotten you: That is “I have become your father.”

OEB Though you may have thousands of instructors in the faith of Christ, yet you have not many fathers. It was I who, through union with Christ Jesus, became your father by means of the good news.

WEBBE For though you have ten thousand tutors in Christ, you don’t have many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, I became your father through the Good News.

WMBB For though you have ten thousand tutors in Messiah, you don’t have many fathers. For in Messiah Yeshua, I became your father through the Good News.

NET For though you may have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, because I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

LSV for if a myriad of child-conductors you may have in Christ, yet not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus, through the good news, I begot you;

FBV Even though you may have thousands of Christian instructors, you don't have many fathers—it was in Christ Jesus that I became your father when I shared the good news with you.

TCNT For even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you would not have many fathers. For in Christ Jesus I became a father to you through the gospel.

T4T I say that because as an apostle of Christ Jesus I was the first one who proclaimed the good message to you. As a result, I was the one who enabled you to have eternal life. So even if there were thousands of Christians who instruct you [MET], I am the only one who became like a father to you.

LEB For if you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I fathered you through the gospel.

BBE For even if you had ten thousand teachers in Christ, you have not more than one father: for in Christ Jesus I have given birth to you through the good news.

Moff You may have thousands to superintend you in Christ, but you have not more than one father. It was I who in Christ Jesus became your father by means of the gospel.

Wymth For even if you were to have ten thousand spiritual instructors—for all that you could not have several fathers. It is I who in Christ Jesus became your father through the Good News.

ASV For though ye have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I begat you through the gospel.

DRA For if you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet not many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, by the gospel, I have begotten you.

YLT for if a myriad of child-conductors ye may have in Christ, yet not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus, through the good news, I — I did beget you;

Drby For if ye should have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the glad tidings.

RV For though ye should have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I begat you through the gospel.
(For though ye/you_all should have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet have ye/you_all not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I begat you through the gospel. )

SLT For if ye have ten thousand preceptors in Christ, but not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus by the good news I begat you.

Wbstr For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

KJB-1769 For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
(For though ye/you_all have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye/you_all not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. )

KJB-1611 For though you haue ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet haue yee not many fathers: For in Christ Iesus I haue begotten you through the Gospel.
(For though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye/you_all not many fathers: For in Christ Yesus/Yeshua I have begotten you through the Gospel.)

Bshps For though ye haue ten thousande instructours in Christ, yet haue ye not many fathers: For in Christe Iesu I haue begotten you through the Gospell.
(For though ye/you_all have ten thousand instructours in Christ, yet have ye/you_all not many fathers: For in Christ Yesu I have begotten you through the Gospel.)

Gnva For though ye haue tenne thousand instructours in Christ, yet haue ye not many fathers: for in Christ Iesus I haue begotten you through the Gospel.
(For though ye/you_all have ten thousand instructours in Christ, yet have ye/you_all not many fathers: for in Christ Yesus/Yeshua I have begotten you through the Gospel. )

Cvdl For though ye haue ten thousande instructours in Christ yet haue ye not many fathers. For I haue begotten you in Christ Iesu thorow ye Gospell?
(For though ye/you_all have ten thousand instructours in Christ yet have ye/you_all not many fathers. For I have begotten you in Christ Yesu through ye/you_all Gospel?)

TNT For though ye have ten thousande instructours in Christ: yet have ye not many fathers. In Christ Iesu I have begotten you thorowe the gospell.
(For though ye/you_all have ten thousand instructours in Christ: yet have ye/you_all not many fathers. In Christ Yesu I have begotten you through the gospel. )

Wycl For whi if ye han ten thousynde of vndur maistris in Crist, but not many fadris; for in Crist Jhesu Y haue gendrid you bi the gospel.
(For why if ye/you_all have ten thousand of under masterys in Christ, but not many fathers; for in Christ Yhesu I have born you by the gospel.)

Luth Denn ob ihr gleich zehntausend Zuchtmeister hättet in Christo, so habt ihr doch nicht viele Väter. Denn ich habe euch gezeuget in Christo JEsu durch das Evangelium.
(Because if/whether you(pl)/their/her even ten_thousand culture/disciplinemeister would_have in Christo, so have you(pl)/their/her though/but not many fathers. Because I have you conceived in Christo Yesu through the gospel.)

ClVg Nam si decem millia pædagogorum habeatis in Christo, sed non multos patres. Nam in Christo Jesu per Evangelium ego vos genui.[fn]
(For/Surely when/but_if ten thousands pædagogorum you(pl)_have in/into/on to_Christ/Messiah, but not/no many fathers. For/Surely in/into/on to_Christ/Messiah Yesu through the_Gospel I you(pl) I_gave_birth/kneeling. )

4.15 Pædagogorum. Dum pædagogos nominat, pueros significat. Per Evangelium. Addidit per Evangelium, ne ipsius putaretur esse quod Dei est. Ait enim Dominus in Evangelio: Ne vobis dicatis Patrem in terra, unus est enim Pater Deus Matth. 23.; non ut hoc nomen cæteris tollatur, sed ne gratia Dei qua in æternam vitam generamur, naturæ vel potestati, vel etiam sanctitati cujusquam hominis tribuatur.

4.15 Pædagogorum. While pædagogos names, boys means. Per the_Gospel. Added through the_Gospel, not of_his/her_own putaretur to_be that of_God it_is. He_said because Master in/into/on Evangelio: Don't to_you(pl) let_him_sayis Father in/into/on earth/land, one it_is because Pater God Matth. 23.; not/no as this name the_rests be_removed, but not grace of_God which in/into/on eternal life generamur, of_nature or power, or also sanctitati anyone's of_man giveur.

UGNT ἐὰν γὰρ μυρίους παιδαγωγοὺς ἔχητε ἐν Χριστῷ, ἀλλ’ οὐ πολλοὺς πατέρας; ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ διὰ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου, ἐγὼ ὑμᾶς ἐγέννησα.
(ean gar murious paidagōgous eⱪaʸte en Ⱪristōi, all’ ou pollous pateras; en gar Ⱪristōi Yaʸsou dia tou euangeliou, egō humas egennaʸsa.)

SBL-GNT ἐὰν γὰρ μυρίους παιδαγωγοὺς ἔχητε ἐν Χριστῷ, ἀλλʼ οὐ πολλοὺς πατέρας, ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ διὰ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου ἐγὼ ὑμᾶς ἐγέννησα.
(ean gar murious paidagōgous eⱪaʸte en Ⱪristōi, allʼ ou pollous pateras, en gar Ⱪristōi Yaʸsou dia tou euangeliou egō humas egennaʸsa.)

RP-GNT Ἐὰν γὰρ μυρίους παιδαγωγοὺς ἔχητε ἐν χριστῷ, ἀλλ' οὐ πολλοὺς πατέρας· ἐν γὰρ χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ διὰ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου ἐγὼ ὑμᾶς ἐγέννησα.
(Ean gar murious paidagōgous eⱪaʸte en ⱪristōi, all' ou pollous pateras; en gar ⱪristōi Yaʸsou dia tou euangeliou egō humas egennaʸsa.)

TC-GNT Ἐὰν γὰρ μυρίους παιδαγωγοὺς ἔχητε ἐν Χριστῷ, ἀλλ᾽ οὐ πολλοὺς πατέρας· ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ διὰ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου ἐγὼ ὑμᾶς ἐγέννησα.
(Ean gar murious paidagōgous eⱪaʸte en Ⱪristōi, all ou pollous pateras; en gar Ⱪristōi Yaʸsou dia tou euangeliou egō humas egennaʸsa. )

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, orange:accents differ, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 4:1–21: The Corinthians should respect Paul as a servant of Christ

Paul continued to talk about how the Corinthian believers should think about their Christian leaders, especially himself. He said that Christian leaders are servants of Christ and should be judged only by Christ. Some Corinthian believers were saying that they did not have to listen to Paul’s teaching. Paul encouraged the Corinthians to respect and obey him as their spiritual father.

Other possible section headings include:

Paul encouraged the Corinthians to respect him and Apollos

Paul and Apollos deserved respect as Christ’s servants

Paragraph 4:14–21

Paul wanted the Corinthians to change the way they were thinking about him and accept his authority again. So he used another metaphor—that of a father with his children—to help them understand how they should respect and obey him.

4:15a

Even if you have ten thousand guardians in Christ,

Even though you^(plur) might have thousands of Christian guardians/supervisors,
I can warn/discipline you like that, because even if you have had more people than I can count who tried to guide/correct you as you follow Christ,
Perhaps you have had millions of people to train you in the Christian way.

Even if you have ten thousand guardians in Christ: This is a figure of speech called a hyperbole. Paul did not mean that the Corinthian believers really did have ten thousand guardians. But however many they had, none of them were like Paul. You can reword this sentence like this:

You may have had many teachers in your Christian life. But even if you had ten thousand teachers…

ten thousand: The Greek word that the BSB translates literally as ten thousand was used to indicate a vague but impossibly large number. In translating it, you should try to translate it as a strong statement. There may be a word you use that shows you are exaggerating, such as the English slang “zillion.” In many languages it will probably be more natural to say something like:

a billion/million/trillion

countless/innumerable

too many to count

guardians in Christ: The phrase guardians in Christ indicates that these guardians were people who helped the Corinthians to follow Christ. You may also translate this as:

Christian guardians

leaders who have helped you in the Christian life

guardians: The Greek word that the BSB translates as guardians can also mean “caretaker.” It literally means “one who leads children.” In the Greek culture of Paul’s time, a guardian took care of a boy all the time he was not in school. He trained the boy and watched over him. Other ways to translate this are:

tutors (REB)

guides (RSV)

4:15b

you do not have many fathers;

not many people are like fathers to you.
only one person is like your father.
But I am the only person who is your father in the Christian way.

you do not have many fathers: The Greek clause that the BSB translates as you do not have many fathers means “you have only one father.” This is a metaphor. Paul was talking about himself as the one who had first taught the Corinthians about Christ. If a literal translation would suggest physical, biological fatherhood, it may be necessary to follow the NLT:

you have only one spiritual father (NLT)

4:15c

for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.

For I am the one who first proclaimed the good news to you^(plur) and so became your father in the family of Christ Jesus.
For I am your father. That is, I am the one who led/helped you to believe in Christ Jesus.
I am like a father to you because I am the one who first brought to you the good news about Christ Jesus.

for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel: This verse part explains the basis for Paul calling himself their father. He was like a father to the Corinthians because he was the one who first invited them to become a part of God’s family by telling them the gospel, God’s message about Christ. In some languages it may be helpful to make some of this explicit:

For I became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the good news to you. (NLT)

I say this because you became my children when I told you the good news about Christ Jesus.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-condition-contrary

ἐὰν & μυρίους παιδαγωγοὺς ἔχητε ἐν Χριστῷ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἐάν Γάρ μυρίους παιδαγωγούς ἔχητε ἐν Χριστῷ ἀλλʼ οὒ πολλούς πατέρας ἐν γάρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ διά τοῦ εὐαγγελίου ἐγώ ὑμᾶς ἐγέννησα)

Here Paul is making a conditional statement that sounds hypothetical, but he is already convinced that the condition is not true. He knows that the Corinthians do not have myriads of guardians, but he speaks in this way to emphasize that they have only one spiritual father, no matter how many guardians they have. Use a natural form in your language for introducing a condition that the speaker believes is not true. Alternate translation: [even if you somehow had myriads of guardians in Christ]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / hyperbole

μυρίους παιδαγωγοὺς

ten_thousand (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἐάν Γάρ μυρίους παιδαγωγούς ἔχητε ἐν Χριστῷ ἀλλʼ οὒ πολλούς πατέρας ἐν γάρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ διά τοῦ εὐαγγελίου ἐγώ ὑμᾶς ἐγέννησα)

Here, myriads of guardians is an exaggeration that the Corinthians would have understood to mean a large number of guardians. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express myriads with a word or phrase that refers to a large number. Alternate translation: [many guardians] or [a large number of guardians]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἐν Χριστῷ

in Christ

Here Paul uses the spatial metaphor in Christ to describe the union of believers with Christ. In this case, being in Christ, or united to Christ, could identify: (1) that these guardians are helping the Corinthians in their union with Christ. Alternate translation: [who work to unite you more strongly to Christ] (2) the guardians as fellow believers in Jesus. Alternate translation: [who believe in Christ]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis

οὐ πολλοὺς πατέρας

Here Paul omits some words that may be essential in your language to create a complete thought. In English, these words are essential, so they have been included in the ULT in brackets. If you can translate this sentence without these words, you could do so here. Otherwise, you could retain these words as they appear in the ULT.

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / litotes

οὐ πολλοὺς πατέρας

Alternate translation: [you would have only one father]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / exmetaphor

οὐ πολλοὺς πατέρας; ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ διὰ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου, ἐγὼ ὑμᾶς ἐγέννησα.

Here Paul speaks of himself as a “father” to the Corinthian believers. He became their father through the gospel, which means that he is their spiritual father. He is the one who preached the gospel to them when they became united to Christ Jesus, and that makes him the one who fathered them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express how Paul speaks about fathers by clarifying that Paul refers here to spiritual fathers. Alternate translation: [you would not have many spiritual fathers; for I fathered you spiritually in Christ Jesus through the gospel]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

(Occurrence 2) ἐν & Χριστῷ

in & Christ

Here Paul uses the spatial metaphor in Christ Jesus to describe the union of believers with Christ. In this case, being in Christ, or united to Christ, means that the Corinthians became united to Christ when Paul preached the good news to them. Alternate translation: [when you were united to Christ]

Parallel 1 COR 4:15

Section 4:1–21: The Corinthians should respect Paul as a servant of Christ

Paragraph 4:14–21

4:15a

4:15b

4:15c

Parallel 1 COR 4:15