Paul now returns to addressing the readers as a group, rather than addressing a typical individual within the Corinthian church.

In these first three sentences Paul is being ironic. Revised Standard Version shows irony by making these sentences into statements rather than questions. Translators need to determine how they express irony or sarcasm in their own languages.

You are filled translates a verb which in nonfigurative language means “to have enough to eat (and drink),” as in Acts 27.38. The contrast with verse 11 (“we hunger and thirst”) makes it possible that Paul really meant this here. Arndt-Gingrich, though, think the language is figurative, referring to spiritual food. Good News Bible appears to agree. Translators will need to decide whether to think of this phrase as figurative or literal language. If it is decided to pick a literal meaning, one may say “Already you have received enough to eat and drink.” The translator’s choice will affect the understanding of rich in the second sentence. It is unlikely that this word has a literal meaning (see 1.26). In many languages which can use a word for rich both literally and figuratively, there will be no problem. If a translator feels that Paul is using this word in a figurative or spiritual sense, one can render this sentence as “You already have all the spiritual blessings, don’t you?” “Do you already have all the spiritual blessings?” or “God’s Spirit has given you all the gifts you need, hasn’t he?”

Without us (Good News Bible‘s “even though we are not”) may also mean “without our help,” but the last part of the verse supports Good News Bible‘s translation. This phrase also introduces the theme of a contrast between the apostles’ hard life and the easy life which the Corinthian Christians expect to enjoy or think that they already have.

The phrase you have become kings refers to a particular past event. You did reign in the next sentence has exactly the same construction in Greek. In certain languages there is no word which equals the concept of king. In such cases one may use a word for a high ruler such as a chief, and say “Do you already rule as chiefs, even though we do not?” or “You already rule as chiefs.”

We and you in the last clause are emphasized, adding to the contrast. The final sentence of this verse may be restructured as “I wish you were really ruling so that we could rule together with you.”

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .