6:3a
In this verse, Paul described the basis for the three warnings/commands that precede it. He introduced this basis with a Greek conjunction that most English versions translate as “for.”
(a) This is the basis for the warning not to be conceited in 5:26a. In other words:
5:26a Do not become conceited…6:3a for/because if you think that you are something…, 6:3b you deceive yourself.
(b) This is the basis for the warning to watch yourself lest you be tempted in 6:1c–d. In other words:
6:1c–d Do not think that you are above being tempted…6:3a for/because if you think that you are something…6:3b you deceive yourself ?and can be tempted? .
(c) This is the basis for the warning to bear one another’s burdens in 6:2a. In other words:
6:2a Bear one another’s burdens, 6:3 for/because you are not more important than other people.
Some other ways to begin this verse are:
?I say these things? because
-or-
?Follow these commands,? because
The Berean Standard Bible has not translated this conjunction, and some other versions, such as the New International Version and New Living Translation (2004), also do not translate it. In some languages, it will not be necessary to translate this conjunction either. Connect 3:16a to these preceding warnings/commands in a way that is natural in your language.
If anyone thinks he is something: This clause means “if anyone thinks that he is important.” He thinks that he is more important than other people
Some other ways to translate this clause are:
If anyone thinks he is important (New Century Version)
-or-
Someone who thinks himself important (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
If you think that you are an important/big person
when he is nothing: This clause means “when he is not an important person.” Some other ways to translate this clause are:
when he is not (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
but he is not important/big
-or-
but/when you are not an important person
6:3b
he deceives himself: Some other ways to translate this clause are:
he is only fooling himself (New Century Version)
-or-
you are wrong (Contemporary English Version)
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