complete verse (1 Corinthians 16:9)

Following are a number of back-translations of 1 Corinthians 16:9:

  • Uma: “For here, there is much useful work, although there are also many who oppose [me].” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Because there are still many people here who want to hear the message of God and I should proclaim to them even though many oppose me.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Because there are still many people here who want to hear the word of God, and my staying here has great value. However there are also many enemies of God here.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “because even though many are-opposing-me, I also have many opportunities to do work the outcome of which will be valuable.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “For many here want to listen to my teaching, and it is really having good effects. But many also are the opponents.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Because here in Ephesus I am able to speak much even though there are many who are against me.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on 1 Corinthians 16:9

For a wide door for effective work has opened to me: Good News Bible‘s “there is a real opportunity for great and worthwhile work” makes the meaning of Paul’s metaphor clear. Other languages may be able to use different metaphors that have equivalent meaning. The image of the open door is used, for example, in 2 Cor 2.12. There Good News Bible has “way,” while in this verse it has “opportunity.” In each case Paul is speaking about an opportunity for preaching the Christian message.

For effective work may also be rendered as “for me to do an effective work.”

And (Good News Bible‘s “even though”) translates a Greek word commonly used to introduce a contrast. Good News Bible‘s translation is an appropriate one.

Adversaries refers, not to people who merely fail to accept the Christian message, but to those who actively oppose it also, as in Gal 5.17; Phil 1.28. There are many adversaries can be rendered as “though many people oppose me”; similarly New International Version; New Jerusalem Bible “there are many against me.” The Greek term is less strong than “enemies.”

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 .

Sung version of 1 Corinthians 16

Living Water is produced for the Bible translation movement in association with Lutheran Bible Translators. Lyrics derived from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®).

For more information, see here .