UTN uW Translation Notes:

2 Corinthians 4 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

4. Paul’s ministry (2:14–7:4) * Ministry of Moses and ministry of Paul (3:7–4:6) * Suffering and ministry (4:7–18)

Special Concepts in this Chapter

Life and death

In 4:7–14, Paul refers to life, death, and resurrection. When he refers to how he and his fellow workers experience death or dying, he is referring to how they suffer and experience things related to death. When he refers to how he and his fellow workers experience life or being raised, he is most likely referring to how God will resurrect them. He could also be referring to how God delivers them from death when they suffer or are persecuted. Consider what forms you could use to refer to experiences related to death and resurrection. (See: life and death)

Important Figures of Speech in this Chapter

Light and darkness

In 4:3–6, Paul describes a lack of understanding and belief in the gospel as veiling, blinding, and darkness. He describes understanding and belief in the gospel as shining and light. These figures of speech compare believing and understanding to seeing. If possible, preserve these figures of speech, but you could express the ideas in plain language if necessary. (See: light and darkness)

“Outer” and “inner” man

In 4:16, Paul refers to two different parts of himself and his fellow workers: their inner man and their outer man. The “inner” and the “outer” are probably not directly related to the spiritual and physical parts of people. Rather, the inner is connected to what is not seen, and the outer is connected to what is seen (See: 4:18). Consider what form you can use to refer to the parts of a person that people can observe and the parts of a person that they cannot observe. Make sure that your translation does not simply distinguish between the skin and what is under the skin. It is more important to use words that suggest that what people observe is not always what is really true about a person.

Other Possible Translation Difficulties in this Chapter

Exclusive “we”

Throughout this chapter, Paul uses the first person plural. When he uses these words, he does not include the Corinthians unless a note specifies otherwise. He could be referring to: (1) himself and those who preach the gospel with him. (2) just himself. It is recommended that you follow the first option, but both are possible. (See: figs-exclusive)

The contrasts in 4:8–12.

In these verses, Paul contrasts bad things that happen to him and those with him with good things that happen to them. Paul wrote these verses as one long sentence with short clauses because this was a powerful form in his culture. Consider using a form that is powerful in your culture. The UST expresses the idea with many short sentences because this is one kind of powerful form in English.