2 COR 5:13 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=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) If we’re being crazy, it’s to serve God, or if we’re being sensible, it’s for all of you,

Key: khaki:verbs, 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 For if we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.

UST So, when we seem crazy, we are serving God. When we seem to think normally, we are serving you.

BLB For if we are beside ourselves, it is to God; or if we are sober-minded it is for you.

AICNT For if we are out of our minds, it is for God; if we are in our right minds, it is for you.

OEB For, if we were ‘beside ourselves,’ it was in God’s service! If we are not in our senses, it is in yours!

2DT For if we lost our mind—for God; if we are sensible—for you!

WEBBE For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God. Or if we are of sober mind, it is for you.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET For if we are out of our minds, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.

LSV for whether we were beside ourselves, [it was] to God; whether we be of sound mind, [it is] to you,

FBV If we are “crazy people,”[fn] it's for God. If we make good sense, it's for you.

5:13 This may have been a criticism of Paul and his companions by those in Corinth.

TCNT If we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.

T4T Some of them say that after God has enabled me to see visions, I talk like a crazy person. If that is so, I want you to realize that I talk that way in order to please God. On the other hand, if you think that I speak and act wisely, that is good. I want you to know that I do speak and act wisely in order to help you.

LEB For if we are out of our senses, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.

BBE For if we are foolish, it is to God; or if we are serious, it is for you.

Moff "I am beside myself," am I? Well, that is between myself and God. I am "sane," am I? Well, that is in your interests;

Wymth For if we have been beside ourselves, it has been for God's glory; or if we are now in our right senses, it is in order to be of service to you.

ASV For whether we are beside ourselves, it is unto God; or whether we are of sober mind, it is unto you.

DRA For whether we be transported in mind, it is to God; or whether we be sober, it is for you.

YLT for whether we were beside ourselves, [it was] to God; whether we be of sound mind — [it is] to you,

Drby For whether we are beside ourselves, [it is] to [fn]God; or are sober, [it is] for you.

5.13 Elohim

RV For whether we are beside ourselves, it is unto God; or whether we are of sober mind, it is unto you.

SLT For whether we be beside ourselves, to God: or be of sound mind, to you.

Wbstr For whether we are beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we are sober, it is for your cause.

KJB-1769 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.

KJB-1611 For whether wee bee besides our selues, it is to God: or whether we bee sober, it is for your cause.
(For whether we be besides ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.)

Bshps For yf we be to feruent, to God are we to feruent: Or yf we kepe measure, for your cause kepe we measure.
(For if we be to fervent, to God are we to fervent: Or if we keep measure, for your cause keep we measure.)

Gnva For whether we be out of our wit, we are it to God: or whether we be in our right minde, we are it vnto you.
(For whether we be out of our wit, we are it to God: or whether we be in our right mind, we are it unto you. )

Cvdl For yf we do to moch, we do it vnto God: yf we kepe measure,we do it for youre sakes.
(For if we do to much, we do it unto God: if we keep measure,we do it for your(pl) sakes.)

TNT For yf we be to fervent to God are we to fervent. Yf we kepe measure for youre cause kepe we measure.
(For if we be to fervent to God are we to fervent. If we keep measure for your(pl) cause keep we measure. )

Wycl For ethir we bi mynde passen to God, ether we ben sobre to you.
(For either we by mind pass to God, either we been sobre to you.)

Luth Denn tun wir zu viel, so tun wir‘s GOtt; sind wir mäßig, so sind wir euch mäßig.
(Because do/put we/us to/for many, so do/put we/us God; are we/us mäßig, so are we/us you mäßig.)

ClVg Sive enim mente excedimus Deo: sive sobrii sumus, vobis.[fn]
(Sive because mind excedimus to_God: if/or sobrii we_are, to_you(pl). )

5.13 Sive enim mente. Quasi dicat: De nobis utique gloriari potestis, quia quidquid agimus, vel est honor Dei, vel utilitas proximi. Sive excedimus, id est, si nos commendamus (in quo putamur insensati), Deo est, id est ad honorem Dei, qui sic nos exaltavit. Sive sobrii: ut non alta de nobis dicamus, ad vestram est hoc utilitatem. Sive enim mente excedimus. Loquitur Apostolus de quadam ineffabili contemplatione et raptu, ubi audivit quod non licet homini loqui. Deo est: non vobis, qui non potestis capere. Sive enim sobrii sumus. Condescendendo. Vobis. Quia sic loquimur, ut capere possitis. Isti sunt angeli de quibus Dominus ait in Evangelio: Videbitis cœlum apertum, et angelos ascendentes et descendentes super Filium hominis; hos eosdem angelos vidit Jacob in scalis ascendentes et descendentes.

5.13 Sive because mind. As_if let_him_say: From/About us certainly to_boast can_you, because whatever we_are_doing, or it_is honour/respect(n) of_God, or utility/advantage neighbours. Sive excedimus, that it_is, when/but_if us commendamus (in where putamur insensati), to_God it_is, that it_is to honour of_God, who/which so us exalted. Sive sobrii: as not/no high from/about us I_will_sayus, to your it_is this benefit. Sive because mind excedimus. Loquitur Apostolus from/about quadam ineffabili contemplation and raptu, where he_heard that not/no although to_man to_speak. to_God it_is: not/no to_you(pl), who/which not/no can_you to_catch. Sive because sobrii we_are. Condescendendo. To_you(pl). Because so to_speakmur, as to_catch you(pl)_can. These are messengers/angels from/about to_whom Master he_said in/into/on Evangelio: Seebitis sky open, and messenger/angels ascending and descendentes over Son of_man; these the_same_ones messenger/angels he_saw Yacob in/into/on scalis ascending and descendentes.

UGNT εἴτε γὰρ ἐξέστημεν, Θεῷ; εἴτε σωφρονοῦμεν, ὑμῖν.
(eite gar exestaʸmen, Theōi; eite sōfronoumen, humin.)

SBL-GNT εἴτε γὰρ ἐξέστημεν, θεῷ· εἴτε σωφρονοῦμεν, ὑμῖν.
(eite gar exestaʸmen, theōi; eite sōfronoumen, humin.)

RP-GNT Εἴτε γὰρ ἐξέστημεν, θεῷ· εἴτε σωφρονοῦμεν, ὑμῖν.
(Eite gar exestaʸmen, theōi; eite sōfronoumen, humin.)

TC-GNT Εἴτε γὰρ ἐξέστημεν, Θεῷ· εἴτε σωφρονοῦμεν, ὑμῖν.
(Eite gar exestaʸmen, Theōi; eite sōfronoumen, humin. )

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

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 5:11–6:2: Allow God to reconcile with you

In this section, Paul explained the goal that he and his coworkers had (5:11a–b). He also said that God knew and approved of what they did (5:11c). He wrote that their accomplishments should cause the believers in Corinth to be proud of them (5:12). The basis for 5:13 may be that the false teachers had accused Paul of being crazy. Sometimes obeying God requires doing things which do not make sense to people who do not know God. Paul also explained the basis for his ministry (5:14–15).

He explained the new way believers should think of each other (5:16–17). He explained the basis for that new way of thinking (5:18–19). He told them that apostles are like ambassadors for Christ, and he urged people to be reconciled to God (5:20). He explained the basis for believers becoming righteous (5:21). He urged believers to follow God completely (6:1–2).

Other examples of headings for this section are:

The Ministry of Reconciliation (NIV)

Paul explained the basis for his ministry

Friendship with God through Christ (GNT)

God wants all people to reconcile with him

5:13a–b

If we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you: The Greek words are literally “Whether we are out of our mind (it is) for God, (or) whether we are in our right mind (it is) for you.” It indicates that at one time (or perhaps more than once) the first part was true. It also indicates that at one time (or perhaps more than once) the second part was true.It is also possible that the text refers to one group thinking Paul was out of his mind and another group thinking Paul was in his right mind. The word if is used rhetorically to cause the believers in Corinth to think at what times Paul and the others may have been out of their minds or in their right minds.

Also, see note below on we are out of our mind for the meaning of that clause.

5:13a

If we are out of our mind, it is for God;

For if we^(excl) are beside ourselves, then we do it for God’s sake,
If our religious experiences seem extreme/crazy, we do that to honor God.

5:13 begins with a conjunction that is often translated “because” or “for.” Here the conjunction introduces an explanation of one of Paul’s attitudes (5:12d). Here is another way to translate this:

For (RSV)

Some languages can allow the context to indicate that 5:13 explains 5:12d, as the BSB does, and do not need to translate the conjunction.

we are out of our mind: The Greek word that the BSB translates as we are out of our mind can refer to:

An ecstatic religious experience, such as a vision, prophetic trance, or speaking in tongues. For example:
we are beside ourselves (RSV)
being insane. For example:
we were crazy (GW)

Some scholars follow interpretation (1).Martin (pp. 126–127) says that Paul probably described visions, tongues, and other such experiences here and that the phrase “for the sake of God” probably indicates he was not referring to insanity. But other scholars follow interpretation (2) and believe he used the words of his enemies, who accused him of being insane. The BSB translation probably allows both interpretations.

If possible, translate in a way that allows both (1) and (2). But some languages must choose one or the other. If that is true in your language, translate in a way that indicates (1). Other ways to translate this clause are:

we have extreme religious experiences

we go out of our minds in religious ecstasy

Do not translate in a way that indicates that Paul said that he was actually insane at any time.

it is for God: This clause indicates that when Paul and the evangelists were out of their minds, this was for the benefit of God. Things like speaking in tongues honor God. But speaking in tongues is not done with the mind of the person, so in that way the person is “out of his mind.” Other ways to translate this clause are:

we do that for God

it is to bring glory to God (NLT)

5:13b

if we are of sound mind, it is for you.

but if we are of good/proper mind/thinking, then we do it for your^(plur) sake.
And if we behave normally/well, we do that to benefit you.

we are of sound mind: This clause refers to being sane and thinking properly. Other ways to translate this clause are:

we are in our right mind (NIV)

we are sane (GW)

our minds are right

it is for you: This clause indicates that when Paul and the evangelists were speaking and acting rationally, this was for the benefit of the believers in Corinth. Things like teaching and preaching helped the believers. Other ways to translate this clause are:

we do that for you

it is for your benefit (NLT)

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

γὰρ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἴτε Γάρ ἐξέστημεν Θεῷ εἴτε σωφρονοῦμεν ὑμῖν)

Here, the word For introduces a further explanation of what Paul said about boasting in the previous verse. In this verse, he indicates that he acts in certain ways for the Corinthians, even if he acts in other ways for God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces further explanation, or you could leave For untranslated. Alternate translation: [Further,] or [In fact,]

Note 2 topic: grammar-connect-condition-fact

(Occurrence -1) εἴτε

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἴτε Γάρ ἐξέστημεν Θεῷ εἴτε σωφρονοῦμεν ὑμῖν)

Here, the word if in both places introduces situations that Paul thinks have happened. He is not using if to introduce things he thinks might happen. If your language does not use the conditional form for things that definitely happened, you could use another form that refers to alternate situations. Alternate translation: [whenever … whenever]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

ἐξέστημεν & σωφρονοῦμεν

˱we˲_flipped_out & ˱we˲_˓are˒_being_sensible

Paul uses two opposite phrases. These phrases could contrast: (1) fanatical or extreme behavior with moderate or sane behavior. Alternate translation: [we are fanatical … we are moderate] (2) ecstatic or visionary behavior with rational or normal behavior. Alternate translation: [we see visions … we have control of our minds]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

Θεῷ & ὑμῖν

˱to˲_God_‹it_is› & ˱for˲_you_all_‹it_is›

The phrases for God and for you could indicate: (1) the people for whose benefit Paul is behaving in these ways. Alternate translation: [it is for God’s sake … it is for your sake] (2) the people to whom he directs his behavior. Alternate translation: [it is in our relationship with God … it is in our relationship with you]

Parallel 2 COR 5:13

Section 5:11–6:2: Allow God to reconcile with you

5:13a–b

5:13a

5:13b

Parallel 2 COR 5:13