complete verse (1 Corinthians 9:17)

Following are a number of back-translations of 1 Corinthians 9:17:

  • Uma: “If for example I carry the Good News because it’s what I want to do, it is appropriate for me to hope/expect a reward/return. But it’s not due to my desire that I carry the Good News. Want to or not, I must carry it because that is the work that God deliberately charged me with [lit., caused-me-to-carry-on-shoulders].” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “If it were me who chose this my work, na, it would be right for me to be given wages. But this is the reason why I do this not from my wish but because God gave me this work to do. Therefore I work because this was entrusted to me by him.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “If my spreading the Good News were just my own idea, it would be allowable for me to be rewarded; but because I am just a servant of God, He commanded me to do this; it’s necessary that I carry it out just because he entrusted this to me.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “If I had been the one who chose this work, it would be right for me to be paid. But since God is the one who entrusted it to me, it’s-enough-that I fulfill the work-he -has-given-to-do.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “If I were doing this out of my own desire it would be possible/acceptable for me to expect help with the things I need from those I teach, which would be like a reward for my effort. But since God is the origin of this position/responsibility of mine, I am just attending-to/facing what he entrusted to me.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “And now, if it were just my own pleasure that I speak this word, then I would have good pay. But the fact is I am not doing just my own pleasure, rather it is essential that I speak this word because God gave me the work that I speak it.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Corinthians 9:17

9:17a If my preaching is voluntary,

If I did this because it was my own choice,
-or-
If I myself had chosen to proclaim the good news,

9:17b I have a reward.

then I could expect to receive something in return.
-or-
then I would have the right to receive payment.

9:17c But if it is not voluntary,

But because it was not my choice/decision ⌊to preach⌋, ⌊but the Lord told me to do it⌋,
-or-
But in fact, I must preach the good news,

9:17d I am still entrusted with a responsibility.

I am only doing my duty/responsibility.
-or-
for ⌊the Lord⌋ has given me this work to do.

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