complete verse (1 Corinthians 16:18)

Following are a number of back-translations of 1 Corinthians 16:18:

  • Uma: “They are the ones who are strengthening my heart, like they also strengthen your hearts. That’s why I request that you honor people like them.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “because my liver has been encouraged by them, like they also encouraged your livers. It is fitting for you to respect people like them.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “They make me happy, just like they also have made you happy. Show your respect for people like this.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “They have strengthened my mind just like they will do to you when they return-home there (near addressee). May you acknowledge people like that.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “For they made me happy, like that also with you. Welcome/treat-well such people.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “But they very much strengthen me like they strengthen you there. Pay respect to all who do like they do.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on 1 Corinthians 16:18

The meaning of refreshed is probably in this context “setting someone’s mind at rest.” If so, they refreshed my spirit as well as yours would mean that the Corinthian Christians’ minds were set at rest when Stephanas and his companions brought them good news about Paul.

The verb translated Give recognition is not commonly used in the sense of recognizing someone’s authority, though in the light of verse 16 this may be the meaning here. Probably no more than “pay attention to what they say” is meant here. This final sentence may thus be rephrased as “You must pay close attention to what these people say.”

Such men is the same phrase as in verse 16, where it referred probably to males. However, in the present verse there is no reason why the word can not have a more general meaning; for example, “such people,” as in New Revised Standard Version and Revised English Bible. Paul will mention a woman church leader in the next verse.

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 .