inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (2Cor. 7:3)

Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)

The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).

For this verse, translators typically select the exclusive form (excluding the addressee).

Source: Velma Pickett and Florence Cowan in Notes on Translation January 1962, p. 1ff.

The Mal and Babatana translators used an inclusive form.

Source: David Filbeck in The Bible Translator 1994, p. 401ff. (Mal) and David Clark (Babatana).

complete verse (2 Corinthians 7:3)

Following are a number of back-translations of 2 Corinthians 7:3:

  • Uma: “I am speaking like this, not to criticize you, relatives. For like I said earlier, our (excl.) love for you is big–whether we (excl.) live or die, we (excl.) love you.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “I am not saying this because I am scolding you. Because I repeat what I said in the beginning, I really love you. Even though we (incl.) live or die I still love you.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “I’m not saying this because I have something to scold you for. I said before that you were very precious here in our breath. And while we are still alive or even if we die, you cannot be removed out of our breath (that means our love for you will never end).” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “I am not accusing you by this that I have said, because it is true what I have already said that we (excl.) love you. Therefore whatever happens to us (incl.) in our living and even also if we die, our (excl.) love to you will not be lessened.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “It’s not that I am speaking like this passing-judgment on you. Because like I said, you are very dear to us. Whether (we) die or live, we are really united (lit. one us-unit).” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Concerning the word I speak, I am not saying it to accuse anyone of doing me wrong. I have already told you before that I love you as long as I live, even until I die.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on 2 Corinthians 7:3

The word this refers to what Paul has written in the preceding verse. Paul’s denials in verse 2 were not stated in order to criticize the Corinthians (or his opponents in Corinth). He simply states the facts without accusing them of wrongdoing. In some languages it may be more natural to recast the sentence to say “When I speak in this manner, I am not condemning you….” The word condemn is translated in Revised Standard Version as a verb, but Greek has the same noun found in 3.9. Coupled with the verb “to say,” the idea in this context is that of passing negative judgment on someone. Other languages may say something like “criticize,” “denounce,” or “accuse of wrong.”

For: this transition word introduces Paul’s explanation why the Corinthian readers should not take his words as a condemnation.

I said before: probably referring to statements earlier in this letter (see 1.4-7; 3.2; 4.10 and following; 5.14; 6.9, 11-12), but possibly referring to a previous visit to Corinth or to an earlier letter. This may be rendered “I have already said,” but in some languages the verb form itself will make it unnecessary to add an adverb like “before” or “already.”

You are in our hearts: the expression in our hearts is used in 1.22 and 4.6, but the context is different in those cases. Here Paul indicates that the Corinthians are in his heart (and the hearts of his associates). This is an indication of deep affection and may be better not translated literally in a number of languages. Both Translator’s New Testament and Good News Translation render it “you are so dear to us.” In other languages one may wish to say “we love you so very much” or something similar.

To die together and to live together: many scholars interpret this expression as a well-known formula used to indicate lasting friendship. And this sense seems to fit the context here. Combined with the preceding affirmation, the meaning seems to be that “we love you and will keep on loving you no matter what happens.” One translation says “we will not be separated whether we live or die.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellingworth, Paul. A Handbook on Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .