2 Corinthians 1:9

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened so that we would not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Ἀλλὰ αὐτοὶ ἐν ἑαυτοῖς τὸ ἀπόκριμα τοῦ θανάτου ἐσχήκαμεν, ἵνα μὴ πεποιθότες ὦμεν ἐφʼ ἑαυτοῖς, ἀλλʼ ἐπὶ τῷ Θεῷ τῷ ἐγείροντι τοὺς νεκρούς:

Transliteration

But ourselves in ourselves the apokrima of thanatou we have eschēkamen, so that not pepoithotes we might be upon ourselves, but upon the Theō the one egeironti the nekrous:

Grammar Details

• *apokrima*: accusative, neuter, singular - sentence/verdict
• *thanatou*: genitive, masculine, singular - of death
• *eschēkamen*: perfect indicative, active, 1st person plural - we have had
• *pepoithotes*: perfect participle, active, nominative, masculine, plural - having trusted/been confident
• *Theō*: dative, masculine, singular - on God
• *egeironti*: present participle, active, dative, masculine, singular - raising
• *nekrous*: accusative, masculine, plural - dead ones

Word Meanings

• *apokrima*: sentence/verdict/response/decree
• *thanatou*: death/mortality
• *eschēkamen*: we have had/experienced/received
• *pepoithotes*: having trusted/been confident/relied upon
• *egeironti*: raising/awakening/causing to rise
• *nekrous*: dead ones/corpses

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  yea, we ourselves have had the sentence of death within ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raiseth the dead:

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  Also we receaved an answer of deeth in oure selves and that because we shuld not put oure trust in oure selves: but in God which rayseth the deed to lyfe agayne

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  and had concluded in oure selues yt we must nedes dye. But this was done, because we shulde not put oure trust in oure selues, but in God, which rayseth vp the deed to life agayne:

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  Yea, we receiued the sentence of death in our selues, because we shoulde not trust in our selues, but in God, which rayseth the dead.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  Yea, we receaued the sentence of death in our selues, that we should not put our trust in our selues, but in God, whiche rayseth the dead:

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  Yes, we ourselves have had the sentence of death within ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead,

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  but we ourselves in ourselves the sentence of the death have had, that we may not be trusting on ourselves, but on God, who is raising the dead,

• American Standard Version (1901)

  yea, we ourselves have had the sentence of death within ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raiseth the dead:

• American Standard Version (1901)

  yea, we ourselves have had the sentence of death within ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raiseth the dead:

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  Yes, we ourselves have had the answer of death in ourselves, so that our hope might not be in ourselves, but in God who is able to give life to the dead:

• World English Bible (2000)

  Yes, we ourselves have had the sentence of death within ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead,

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  Indeed we felt as if the sentence of death had been passed against us, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.

Referenced Verses

• Rom 4:17-25 : 17 As it is written: 'I have made you a father of many nations.' He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. 18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, 'So shall your offspring be.' 19 And without weakening in faith, he did not consider his own body, which was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—or the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver in unbelief concerning the promise of God, but he was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 being fully convinced that God was able to do what He had promised. 22 Therefore, it was credited to him as righteousness. 23 Now the words 'it was credited to him' were not written for his sake alone, 24 but also for us, to whom it will be credited—to those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
• 2 Cor 3:5 : 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.
• 2 Cor 4:7 : 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
• Ps 44:5-7 : 5 You are my King, O God; command victories for Jacob. 6 Through You we will push back our adversaries; in Your name we will trample those who rise against us. 7 For I do not trust in my bow, nor does my sword save me.
• Prov 28:26 : 26 Whoever trusts in his own heart is a fool, but the one who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
• 2 Cor 12:7-9 : 7 And because of the extraordinary revelations, so that I might not become conceited, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me, so that I would not become conceited. 8 Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore, I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
• Luke 18:9 : 9 Jesus also told this parable to some who trusted in their own righteousness and treated others with contempt:
• Heb 11:19 : 19 Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and in a sense, he did receive Isaac back from death as a symbol.
• Job 40:14 : 14 Then I will also praise you, that your own right hand can save you.
• Ps 22:29 : 29 for the kingdom belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations.
• Jer 9:23-24 : 23 But let the one who boasts boast in this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord who exercises kindness, justice, and righteousness on the earth, for in these things I delight, declares the Lord. 24 The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will punish all who are circumcised only in the flesh.
• Jer 17:5-7 : 5 This is what the LORD says: Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD. 6 They will be like a shrub in the desert, dwelling in a parched place in the wilderness, in a land of salt where no one lives, and will not see when prosperity comes. 7 Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him.
• Ezek 33:13 : 13 If I say to the righteous person, 'You will surely live,' but they trust in their righteousness and commit iniquity, none of their righteous acts will be remembered. They will die because of the iniquity they have committed.
• Ezek 37:1-9 : 1 The hand of the Lord was upon me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me all around them, and behold, there were very many bones lying on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. 3 He said to me, 'Son of man, can these bones live?' I answered, 'Sovereign Lord, You alone know.' 4 Then He said to me, 'Prophesy over these bones and say to them, “Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!”' 5 This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: 'Behold, I am going to bring breath into you, and you will come to life.' 6 'I will attach tendons to you, make flesh grow on you, and cover you with skin. I will put breath in you so that you come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.' 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them, and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. 9 Then He said to me, 'Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it: “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds, and breathe into these slain, so that they may live.”' 10 So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army. 11 Then He said to me, 'Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, “Our bones are dried up, our hope is gone, and we are cut off.”' 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them, “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: 'Behold, I will open your graves, my people, and bring you up from them. I will bring you back to the land of Israel.'” 13 Then you will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them, my people. 14 I will put My Spirit in you, and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.
• 2 Cor 4:13-14 : 13 Since we have the same spirit of faith in accordance with what is written: 'I believed, therefore I spoke,' we also believe and therefore speak. 14 We know that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you.