2 COR 1:1 Parallel Verse View

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Text critical issues=minor/spelling Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) [ref]This letter is from Paul, a missionary of Messiah Yeshua by God’s will, and from our brother, Timothy.
¶ It’s written to God’s assembly in Corinth, along with all the believers throughout the province of Achaia.

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
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 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God that is in Corinth, and to all the saints being in the whole of Achaia.

UST I, Paul, write this letter to you, and Timothy, our fellow believer, is with me. God chose to send me to represent the Messiah Jesus, because that is what God wanted. I send this letter to you who are part of the group of believers belonging to God, which is in the city of Corinth. I also send this letter to all the believers who live throughout the region of Achaia.

BSB Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by [the] will of God, and Timothy [our] brother,
§ To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:

MSB Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ[fn] by [the] will of God, and Timothy [our] brother,
§ To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:

BLB Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God being in Corinth, with all the saints being in all Achaia.

AICNT Paul, an apostle of {Christ[fn] Jesus}[fn] by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God that is in Corinth, together with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:

1:1, Christ: The Greek word for Christ means (1) fulfiller of Israelite expectation of a deliverer, the Anointed One, the Messiah, the Christ, (2) the personal name ascribed to Jesus, Christ. (BDAG, Χριστός)

1:1, Christ Jesus: Later manuscripts read “Jesus Christ.” BYZ TR

OEB To the church of God in Corinth, and to all Christ’s people throughout Greece, from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, by the will of God, and from Timothy, who is also a follower.

WEBBE Paul, an apostle of Christ[fn] Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the assembly of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:

1:1 “Christ” means “Anointed One”.

WMBB Paul, an emissary of Messiah[fn] Yeshua through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the assembly of God which is at Corinth, with all the holy ones who are in the whole of Achaia:

1:1 “Messiah” means “Anointed One”.

NET From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God that is in Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia.

LSV Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, through the will of God, and Timotheus the brother, to the Assembly of God that is in Corinth, with all the holy ones who are in all Achaia:

FBV This letter comes from Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ according to the will of God, and from Timothy, our brother. It is sent to the church of God in Corinth, together with all of God's people throughout Achaia.

TCNT Paul, an apostle of [fn]Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:

1:1 Jesus Christ ¦ Christ Jesus CT

T4T I, Paul, who write this letter to you, became an apostle of Christ Jesus because God chose me for that. Timothy, our fellow believer, is with me. I am sending this letter to you who are God’s people in the congregations in Corinth city. I want the believers who live in other places in Achaia province to also read this letter.

LEB Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God that is in Corinth, together with all the saints who are in all Achaia.

BBE Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the purpose of God, and Timothy the brother, to the church of God which is in Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:

Moff Paul an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and brother Timotheus, to the church of God at Corinth as well as to all the saints throughout the whole of Achaia:

Wymth Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God—and our brother Timothy: To the Church of God in Corinth, with all God's people throughout Greece.

ASV Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints that are in the whole of Achaia:

DRA Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother: to the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints that are in all Achaia:

YLT Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, through the will of God, and Timotheus the brother, to the assembly of God that is in Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:

Drby Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ by [fn]God's will, and the brother Timotheus, to the assembly of [fn]God which is in Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia.

1.1 Elohim

RV Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in the whole of Achaia:

SLT Paul, sent of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and brother Timothy, to the church of God being in Corinth, with all holy ones being in the whole of Achaia:

Wbstr Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:

KJB-1769 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

KJB-1611 ¶ Paul an Apostle of Iesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothie our brother, vnto the Church of God, which is at Corinth, with all the Saints, which are in all Achaia:
(¶ Paul an Apostle of Yesus/Yeshua Christ by the will of God, and Timothie our brother, unto the Church of God, which is at Corinth, with all the Saints, which are in all Achaia:)

Bshps Paul an Apostle of Iesu Christe, by the wyll of God, & brother Timotheus. Unto ye Church of God which is at Corinthus, with all the saintes which are in all Achaia:
(Paul an Apostle of Yesu Christ, by the will of God, and brother Timotheus. Unto ye/you_all Church of God which is at Corinthus, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:)

Gnva Pavl an Apostle of JESVS Christ, by the will of God, and our brother Timotheus, to the Church of God, which is at Corinthus with all the Saints, which are in all Achaia:
(Paul an Apostle of YESVS Christ, by the will of God, and our brother Timotheus, to the Church of God, which is at Corinthus with all the Saints, which are in all Achaia: )

Cvdl Paul an Apostle of Iesu Christ, by the will of God, and brother Timotheus. Vnto the congregacion of God which is at Corinthu, with all the sayntes which are i all Achaia.
(Paul an Apostle of Yesu Christ, by the will of God, and brother Timotheus. Unto the congregation of God which is at Corinthu, with all the saints which are 1 all Achaia.)

TNT Paul an Apostle of Iesu Christ by the will of God and brother Timotheus. Vnto the congregacion of God which is at Corinthum with all the saynctes which are in all Achaia.
(Paul an Apostle of Yesu Christ by the will of God and brother Timotheus. Unto the congregation of God which is at Corinthum with all the saynctes which are in all Achaia. )

Wycl Poul, apostle of Jhesu Crist, bi the wille of God, and Tymothe, brothir, to the chirche of God that is at Corinthi, with alle seyntis that ben in al Acaie, grace to you,
(Poul, apostle of Yhesu Christ, by the will of God, and Tymothe, brother, to the church of God that is at Corinthi, with all saints that been in all Acaie, grace to you,)

Luth Paulus, ein Apostel JEsu Christi durch den Willen Gottes, und Bruder Timotheus: Der Gemeinde Gottes zu Korinth samt allen Heiligen in ganz Achaja.
(Paulus, a apostles Yesu Christi through the Will God’s, and brother Timotheus: The Gemeinde God’s to/for Korinth together_with all/everyone saints/holy_ones in all Achaya.)

ClVg Paulus, Apostolus Jesu Christi per voluntatem Dei, et Timotheus frater, ecclesiæ Dei, quæ est Corinthi cum omnibus sanctis, qui sunt in universa Achaia.[fn]
(Paulus, Apostolus Yesu of_Christ through will of_God, and Timotheus brother, assemblies/churches of_God, which it_is Corinthi when/with to_all to_the_saints, who/which are in/into/on universe Achaia. )

1.1 Argumentum Post actam a Corinthiis pœnitentiam, consolatoriam scribit eis Epistolam Apostolus a Troade per Titum; et collaudans eos hortatur ad meliora, contristatos quidem eos, sed emendatos ostendens. Paulus apostolus. Salutationem primo more solito præmittit. Inde de bonis per gratiam collatis gratias Deo agit loquens perfectis: post ad passionis tolerantiam sui exemplo invitat; postea pseudoapostolos deprimendo redarguit detegens versutias eorum. Et se multis modis commendat. Tandem moralis admonitio cum iteratione benedictionis subditur. Salutationem igitur præmittens, contra pseudosuperbiam, Paulum; et contra cordis præsumptionem, apostolum se nominat dicens: Paulus, etc.

1.1 Argumentum After actam from Corinthiis repentance, consolatoriam writes to_them Epistolam Apostolus from Troade through Titum; and necksudans them encourages to better, contristatos indeed them, but emendatos showing. Paulus apostle. Salutationem at_first more solito precedes. Inde from/about good through grace neckstis graces to_God acts speaking perfectis: after to passion tolerantiam self example invites; afterwards pseudoapostolos deprimendo redarguit detegens versutias their. And himself many in_ways recommends. Tandem moralis admonitio when/with iteratione blessingnis is_added. Salutationem therefore beforemittens, on_the_contrary pseudopride, Paulum; and on_the_contrary of_the_heart beforesumptionem, apostolum himself names saying: Paulus, etc.

UGNT Παῦλος, ἀπόστολος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ διὰ θελήματος Θεοῦ, καὶ Τιμόθεος ὁ ἀδελφὸς; τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ τοῦ Θεοῦ τῇ οὔσῃ ἐν Κορίνθῳ, σὺν τοῖς ἁγίοις πᾶσιν τοῖς οὖσιν ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ Ἀχαΐᾳ:
(Paulos, apostolos Ⱪristou Yaʸsou dia thelaʸmatos Theou, kai Timotheos ho adelfos; taʸ ekklaʸsia tou Theou taʸ ousaʸ en Korinthōi, sun tois hagiois pasin tois ousin en holaʸ taʸ Aⱪaia:)

SBL-GNT Παῦλος ἀπόστολος ⸂Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ⸃ διὰ θελήματος θεοῦ καὶ Τιμόθεος ὁ ἀδελφὸς τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ τοῦ θεοῦ τῇ οὔσῃ ἐν Κορίνθῳ, σὺν τοῖς ἁγίοις πᾶσιν τοῖς οὖσιν ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ Ἀχαΐᾳ·
(Paulos apostolos ⸂Ⱪristou Yaʸsou⸃ dia thelaʸmatos theou kai Timotheos ho adelfos taʸ ekklaʸsia tou theou taʸ ousaʸ en Korinthōi, sun tois hagiois pasin tois ousin en holaʸ taʸ Aⱪaia;)

RP-GNT Παῦλος ἀπόστολος Ἰησοῦ χριστοῦ διὰ θελήματος θεοῦ, καὶ Τιμόθεος ὁ ἀδελφός, τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ τοῦ θεοῦ τῇ οὔσῃ ἐν Κορίνθῳ, σὺν τοῖς ἁγίοις πᾶσιν τοῖς οὖσιν ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ Ἀχαΐᾳ·
(Paulos apostolos Yaʸsou ⱪristou dia thelaʸmatos theou, kai Timotheos ho adelfos, taʸ ekklaʸsia tou theou taʸ ousaʸ en Korinthōi, sun tois hagiois pasin tois ousin en holaʸ taʸ Aⱪaia;)

TC-GNT Παῦλος ἀπόστολος [fn]Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ διὰ θελήματος Θεοῦ, καὶ Τιμόθεος ὁ ἀδελφός, τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ τοῦ Θεοῦ τῇ οὔσῃ ἐν Κορίνθῳ, σὺν τοῖς ἁγίοις πᾶσι τοῖς οὖσιν ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ Ἀχαΐᾳ·
(Paulos apostolos Yaʸsou Ⱪristou dia thelaʸmatos Theou, kai Timotheos ho adelfos, taʸ ekklaʸsia tou Theou taʸ ousaʸ en Korinthōi, sun tois hagiois pasi tois ousin en holaʸ taʸ Aⱪaia; )

1:1 ιησου χριστου ¦ χριστου ιησου CT

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

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 1:1–2: Paul and Timothy greeted the believers in Corinth

The beginning of Paul’s letter follows the usual pattern for writing a letter at that time. The three parts are:

Paul introduced himself. He did this by writing his name, his position, and source of authority. He also mentioned Timothy, who helped him to serve the believers in Corinth.
Paul explained who he was writing to.
He greeted them.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

Introduction (NASB)

Greetings from Paul (NLT)

Opening remarks of the letter

Or you may not want to have any section heading here (as in the NIV and GNT).

1:1a

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus

¶ I, Paul, an apostle who represents Christ Jesus
¶ This letter is from me, Paul. I am a chosen messenger of Jesus Christ,

Paul: This name explains who wrote the letter. For example:

From Paul (NCV)

In some languages it is more natural to use a full clause. For example:

This letter is from Paul (NLT)

I, Paul, write this letter.

apostle: The Greek word that the BSB translates as apostle means “ambassador” or “messenger.” It refers to a person whom someone sends with his authority to accomplish a mission or a particular purpose. Here, an apostle is a person whom Jesus sends to represent him and teach his message with authority. The word or phrase for apostle in your language should indicate a position of trust and authority.

If you have already translated the Gospels, you can probably use the same term for apostle as you used there. In some languages you may need to change it slightly for this context. You may want to:

Translate the meaning. For example:
representative/ambassador
special messenger
sent-person
Borrow a well-known word or phrase from another language. For example, if a common language is Spanish:
apostol You may then want to explain the meaning of the word in a footnote. For example:
An apostol is someone whom Christ chose to represent him and who has his authority.

See the term apostle in the Glossary. If the term you choose for apostle means “messenger,” make sure that it does not refer to a person who only delivers a message and then has no further responsibility for the message.

Christ Jesus: Paul often used the phrase Christ Jesus as an alternative to “Jesus Christ.” Putting the word Christ first probably emphasizes that word, but the meaning is the same as “Jesus Christ.” The word Christ is a title. In some languages it is more natural to have the word Christ after the name Jesus. For example:

Jesus Christ (CEV)

Christ: The word Christ is a title for Jesus. It literally means “the anointed one.” The Jews used this title to refer to the person whom God had appointed and promised to send as King and Savior. The Hebrew word is mashiach (English spells this word as “Messiah”). Some ways to translate Christ are:

Borrow the word from a common language and spell it as a person would say it in your language. You also may want to explain the meaning of Christ. You should indicate that it is a title. For example:
Christ, the chosen one
the Christ, the one whom God promised to send
Christ, the one who was sent
Translate the meaning of the title. You should indicate that it is a title. In English, the way to show it is a title is to capitalize the words in the phrase. For example:
The One Who Was Sent
The One Whom God Chose

The word or phrase may already be commonly used in the churches in your area. Since this is the first time the word Christ is used as a title in this book, you may want a footnote to explain the meaning. For example:

The word “Christ” means “The Chosen One.”

The word “Christ” means “The One Who Was Chosen and Anointed.” God chose Jesus to be the promised Savior.

1:1b

by the will of God,

because God chose me
because that is what God wanted. (NCV)
indeed, God chose me for this work.

by the will of God: This phrase indicates that God chose Paul to be an apostle. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

chosen by God to be an apostle (CEV)

because that is what God wanted (NCV)

whom God chose to become one/so

God: The Greek word that the BSB translates as God here refers to the eternal spirit who created everything. He is more powerful than any other spirit, and he is perfectly good and wise. He deserves to be worshiped.

Here are some ways to translate God:

Use a name or title for God that people in your culture already use.
Use a descriptive term that fits the truth about God that is revealed in the Bible. For example:
Creator
Great Spirit
Ruler of the universe

Choose a term that is acceptable to the believers and churches in your area. For more detailed information, see God in the Glossary.

1:1c

and Timothy our brother,

and also Timothy, our^(incl) brother in faith/Christ.
Our fellow believer Timothy also greets you^(plur).

and Timothy our brother: Paul included Timothy here because the believers in Corinth knew Timothy (Acts 18:5). Probably Paul wrote the letter and Timothy supported his writing in some way. (They may have discussed the problems at Corinth while Paul wrote.) This phrase probably does not imply that Timothy wrote parts of the letter and Paul wrote other parts. Indicate or imply that Paul was responsible for writing the letter, but Timothy was with him as he wrote. You may want to:

Explain it in your translation. For example:
Also Timothy our brother is with me
and our brother Timothy greets you too
Explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:
Paul included Timothy here because the believers in Corinth knew Timothy (Acts 18:5). Probably Paul wrote the letter and Timothy supported his writing in some way.

Timothy: Timothy traveled with Paul (Acts 16–20), which included going to Corinth. Paul wrote two letters to him (1 Timothy and 2 Timothy).

our brother: Here the word brother refers to a believer in Jesus. The word indicates a close relationship, because all believers become children of God. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer only to an actual brother by birth. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain in your translation. Some examples are:

our brother in Christ

fellow believer

who is also a follower (CEV)

1:1d

To the church of God in Corinth,

To the church of God in Corinth,
I write to God’s people in the city/town of Corinth,
I write to you^(plur) believers who meet together in Corinth.

To the church of God in Corinth: This phrase refers to the people to whom Paul wrote. In some languages it is more natural to use a full clause. For example:

I am writing to God’s church in Corinth (NLT)

This letter is to the church of God in Corinth

church of God: The Greek word that the BSB translates as church refers to a gathering of people that someone summoned for a particular purpose. The phrase of God indicates that the gathering was a group of believers. The word church does not refer to a building. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

congregation of God

group of believers

gathering of those who follow God

The word or phrase you use should not refer to the separate groupings in the church of Jesus that exist today that each have their own name.

Corinth: This name refers to a city in southern Greece. It was an important city at that time. In some languages people are not familiar with the name Corinth. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

Explain it in your translation. For example:
the city of Corinth
Explain it in a footnote. For example:
Corinth is a city in southern Greece. It was an important city at that time.

1:1e

together with all the saints throughout Achaia:

together with all the rest of God’s holy people in the whole region of Achaia.
and I want God’s people in the other places/parts of Achaia to read this as well.
May other believers in Achaia read this as well.

together with all the saints throughout Achaia: Paul wrote the letter to the believers in Corinth. This phrase indicates that Paul wanted the saints throughout Achaia to read the letter as well. Corinth was a city in a province then named Achaia. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia (ESV)

together with all God’s people throughout the whole of Achaia (REB)

I invite all the saints throughout Achaia to read this letter as well.

saints: The Greek word that the BSB translates as saints is literally “holy ones.” The word refers to all believers. For example:

God’s people (GNT)

throughout Achaia: This phrase refers to the other villages and towns in the province of Achaia. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

in the whole of Achaia (RSV)

within the province of AchaiyaWestern Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation on TW.

Achaia: The name Achaia referred to a province that included Corinth and the southern part of Greece. In some languages people are not familiar with the name Achaia. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

Explain it in your translation. For example:
the province/region of Achaia
Explain it in a footnote. For example:
Achaia was the name of a province that included Corinth and the southern part of Greece.