Paragraph 4:4–8

4:4a–b

the wages of the worker are not credited as a gift: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊a worker⌋ does not count/consider his wages as a gift

4:4a

Now: The word Now introduces what Paul wanted to say about this kind of “counting” (4:3c). It does not mean “at this present time” here. Here is another way to translate this word:

So then

Some languages would omit this word to indicate a general connection to the previous verse. For example:

A person who works… (Good News Translation)

the wages of the worker: The phrase the worker is a general way of referring to someone who works for pay. The worker expects to receive money for his work. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

A person who works (Good News Translation)
-or-
when someone works (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
for/about the wage/pay/money worker

4:4b

credited: The word credited has the same meaning as in 4:3c. If possible translate it in the same way here.

as a gift: This phrase is more literally “according to grace/kindness.” An employer does not give wages because he is kind. He gives them because he must, that is the agreement he has with the employee. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

as a favor (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
from kindness

4:4c

but as an obligation: The phrase “his wages are counted” are implied from 4:4b. In some languages some or all of that implied information must be made explicit. For example:

but ⌊are counted⌋ as his due
-or-
but ⌊his wages are counted⌋ as his due

an obligation: This phrase is more literally “according to obligation/requirement.” It contrasts with the meaning of “as a gift” in 4:4b. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

something that has been earned (Good News Translation)
-or-
he is owed them
-or-
a required payment to him

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