Translation commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:13

Do you not know may be translated as “I am sure that you know” or “I am certain that you are aware of the fact that.”

After the words Do you not know (see also 3.16), there follow two clauses that closely parallel each other in Greek and are not linked by any conjunction such as Revised Standard Version‘s and. This suggests that the two clauses have almost the same meaning. Some scholars think that Paul is referring to priests in the first half of the verse, and Levites in the second. However, at least some of the Old Testament passages that form the background to this verse do not distinguish clearly between priests and Levites (see Num 18.5 and Deut 18.1). It is more likely that Paul says the same thing twice to give greater emphasis. As always in such cases, translators should ask themselves whether such repetition will be good style in their own languages. If not, they should find other ways of conveying emphasis. For example, if the translator judges that Paul is referring to the same people in both cases, it is possible to translate and those who serve at the altar as “and when they offer sacrifices … they get their share of the sacrifices.”

The Greek expressions translated those who are employed and those who serve are grammatically masculine and certainly refer to men, though Paul did not need to emphasize this fact, which would be well known to his readers.

Revised Standard Version, Good News Bible, and many other translations use the word temple twice. The same Greek word is used in both places, but the first time it is plural, literally “the holy things.” Some translations make a slight difference in meaning; for example, Revised English Bible uses “temple service” and “temple offerings.” Translator’s New Testament and Moffatt have “temple rites” and “temple.” It is possible that Paul is thinking particularly of Num 18.5, which mentions first the “Holy Place” and then the “altar” (Good News Bible). If this is so, the “holy things” will refer to things used in Temple ritual, and the second reference will be to the Temple itself. Revised Standard Version‘s translation is therefore more precise than Good News Bible‘s.

The word translated serve was used more generally in Greek to mean “to concern oneself with,” “to be engaged in.” However, it was sometimes used in religious texts, and in this case in the context of the altar, so Good News Bible‘s translation “offer the sacrifices” can be justified.

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 .

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