Galatians 6:3

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

For if anyone thinks they are something when they are nothing, they deceive themselves.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Εἰ γὰρ δοκεῖ τις εἶναί τι, μηδὲν ὤν, ἑαυτὸν φρεναπατᾷ.

Transliteration

For if dokei tis einai ti, mēden ōn, heauton phrenapatai.

Grammar Details

• *dokei*: present, active, indicative, 3rd singular - thinks/seems
• *tis*: nominative, masculine, singular - someone/anyone
• *einai*: present, active, infinitive - to be
• *ti*: accusative, neuter, singular - something
• *mēden*: accusative, neuter, singular - nothing
• *ōn*: present, active, participle, nominative, masculine, singular - being
• *heauton*: accusative, masculine, singular - himself
• *phrenapatai*: present, active, indicative, 3rd singular - deceives

Word Meanings

• *dokei*: thinks/seems/supposes
• *tis*: someone/anyone/a certain one
• *einai*: to be/to exist
• *ti*: something/anything/important
• *mēden*: nothing/not anything
• *ōn*: being/existing
• *heauton*: himself/his own self
• *phrenapatai*: deceives/deludes/misleads his mind

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  For if a man thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  For if a man thinketh himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  If eny ma seme to him silfe that he is somwhat whe in dede he is nothynge the same deceaveth hym silfe in his ymaginacion.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  But yf eny man thinke himselfe to be somwhat (whan in dede he is nothinge) the same disceaueth himselfe.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  For if any man seeme to himselfe, that he is somewhat, when he is nothing, hee deceiueth himselfe in his imagination.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  For if any man seeme to him selfe that he is somewhat, when he is nothyng, the same deceaueth hymselfe in his owne fansie.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  for if any one doth think `himself' to be something -- being nothing -- himself he doth deceive;

• American Standard Version (1901)

  For if a man thinketh himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  For if a man thinketh himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  For if a man has an idea that he is something when he is nothing, he is tricked by himself.

• World English Bible (2000)

  For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Referenced Verses

• 1 Cor 3:18 : 18 Let no one deceive themselves. If anyone among you thinks they are wise in this age, let them become foolish so that they may become wise.
• 2 Cor 12:11 : 11 I have become foolish in boasting; you compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you, because I am in no way inferior to the 'super-apostles,' even though I am nothing.
• 1 Cor 8:2 : 2 If anyone thinks they know something, they do not yet know as they ought to know.
• Prov 26:12 : 12 Do you see a person who is wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.
• Rom 12:3 : 3 For by the grace given to me, I say to everyone among you not to think of yourselves more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith that God has assigned to each of you.
• Gal 2:6 : 6 Now from those who seemed to be important—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show partiality—those of reputation contributed nothing to me.
• 2 Tim 3:13 : 13 But wicked people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
• Jas 1:22 : 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
• Jas 1:26 : 26 If anyone thinks he is religious but does not bridle his tongue, and deceives his heart, his religion is worthless.
• 1 John 1:8 : 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
• Prov 25:14 : 14 Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of gifts never given.
• Rom 12:16 : 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.
• Luke 18:11 : 11 'The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people: robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.'
• 1 Cor 13:2 : 2 If I have the gift of prophecy, understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
• 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.