Lectionary Year A
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

January 20, 2002
1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Initial Acquaintance/Rough Translation

A. Comparing Translations

(JFC) The New American Standard Bible and the Revised Standard Version differ slightly:

5 that in every thing you were enriched - NASB
that in every way you were enriched - RSV

6 the testimony concerning Christ - NASB
the testimony of Christ - RSV

7 not lacking in any gift - NASB
not lacking in any spiritual gift - RSV

8 blameless in the day - NASB
guiltless in the day - RSV

9 through whom you were called into fellowship with his Son, - NASB
by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, - RSV

B. Textual Criticism

(JFC) 1 Some of the constant witnesses omit the adjective, klhto.j. Obviously, such an omission would shorten the verse and the word is readily understood by us in the English language, so, perhaps the original was composed without it. Then, the order of the words, Cristou/ VIhsou/, as well as the order of the words, h/| ou;sh| evn Kori,nqw|( h`giasme,noij evn Cristw/| VIhsou/, in verse 2 get changed by some witnesses, yet the printed text of both verses is retained by an equal number of reliable editions. The variants seem to Metzger (TCGNT) to be too difficult to be original and they appear to be "quite un-Pauline in comparison with the style of the salutations in other Pauline letters."

4 For the single pronoun, mou, some witnesses read a plural, hmwn. However, a greater majority of editors preserve the text as received. Some of us "inclusionists" might prefer the image the plural conveys, but, the original might well have had the singular. The vast majority of witnesses prefer the text as printed. Metzger's "Committee thought it more probable that the word (mou) was omitted as inappropriate by several copyists."

8 A few witnesses read, acri, for e[wj te,louj. Such emendation would be briefer than the printed text. However, the major weight of witnesses prefers the received form. Then for h`me,ra|, a few reliable witnesses read parousia, while Papyrus 46 omits the word altogether and many more reliables retain the Textus Receptus. Then, concerning the last word in this verse ([Cristou/]), Metzger explains that in "the presence Ihsou Cristou preceding and following verses might be thought to be reason enough for Paul not to use the word here - and for ordinary scribes to insert it!"

C. Rough Translation

(JFC) 1 Paul called an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God and Sosthenese a fellow believer 2 to the church of God so that those being in Corinth, having been consecrated (perfect, passive, participle) in Christ Jesus, called holy, together with all the ones calling upon the name of the Lord of ours Jesus Christ in every place, of theirs and of ours; 3 grace to you and peace from God father of ours and Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank the God of mine always for you because of the grace of God which was given to you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in all things you are enriched (aorist, passive, indicative) in Him, in every word and in all knowledge, 6 as the testimony of the Christ was confirmed (aorist, passive, indicative) in you, 7 so that you not are to lack (present, passive, infinitive) in any gifts (as expressions of divine grace) awaiting expectantly (present middle or passive, participle) the revelation of the Lord of ours Jesus Christ; 8 who also will confirm you to the end without fault in the day of the Lord of ours Jesus [Christ]. 9 Faithful the God through whom you were called into fellowship with the Son of His Jesus Christ the Lord of ours.



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