Some translations understand the two halves of this verse as separate questions, whereas others consider that the verse is punctuated as a single question. Translations also vary according to whether the second half is taken as a question or an exclamation (see the punctuation note in the UBS Greek New Testament). These differing views really do not affect the translation. Translators must do what is most effective and natural in their own language.

The question Do you not know…? has the same meaning as in verse 2.

We includes both Paul and his readers and means the same as “God’s people” in verses 1-2, though in verse 1 Paul is referring more specifically to “God’s people” in Corinth.

For angels, see comment on 4.9.

How much more in the second half of the verse introduces a type of argument that is often used in the Gospels (for example, Matt 6.26, 30) and other parts of the New Testament (1 Cor 12.24; 2 Cor 3.9, 11). The word translated How much more is not used elsewhere in the New Testament, but the meaning is clear. Other English equivalents would be “not to mention…” or “let alone….”

Matters pertaining to this life is repeated in verse 4, though Revised Standard Version omits the phrase there for stylistic purposes and says If then you have such cases. Paul does not suggest that matters pertaining to this life are wrong, but that they are far less important than sharing in the final judgment. A possible way of translating this final sentence is “If that is so, we should be even more capable of dealing with everyday matters.”

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 .