inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (2Cor. 2:11)

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 inclusive form (including the reader of the letter).

Source: SIL International Translation Department (1999)

Satan

The Greek that is typically transliterated in English as “Satan” is transliterated in Kipsigis as “Setani.” This is interesting because it is not only a transliteration that approximates the Greek sound but it is also an existing Kipsigis word with the meaning of “ugly” and “sneaking.” (Source: Earl Anderson in The Bible Translator 1950, p. 85ff. )

In Morelos Nahuatl it is translated as “envious one” (source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.) and in Tibetan: bdud (བདུད།), lit. “chief devil” (except in Rev. 20:2, where it is transliterated) (source: gSungrab website ).

See also devil.

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Satan .

complete verse (2 Corinthians 2:11)

Following are a number of back-translations of 2 Corinthians 2:11:

  • Uma: “That’s why I say we should forgive him, so that the King of Evil-ones doesn’t get an opportunity to tempt us. For we know his schemes.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “That is why we (dual) should forgive our (dual) companions who sin so that we (incl.) will not be fooled/deceived by the leader of demons because we (incl.) know his desires.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And if there is a person who you forgive, I forgive him also; because, for example, if there is someone who sinned there and I forgive him, Christ knows that the reason that I forgive him is so that your relationship to each other may become peaceful. And the reason that I am doing this is so that Satan may not deceive you. We (incl.) know what evil thing he would like to do to us.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “I did that so that Satanas will not deceive and defeat us, for we thoroughly know his evil purposes.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “so that (emphatic) we will not be defeated by Satanas. Because the evil ulterior-motives in his mind are now clear to us.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Because the devil very much is scratching his nails, wanting to spoil the word there where you live. But if the people are reconciled, then the devil won’t win.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on 2 Corinthians 2:11

This verse is a continuation of the sentence begun in verse 10 and states the purpose of the forgiveness. In some languages it may be better to begin a new sentence here, saying something like “I do this in order to prevent Satan from being able to trick us.” Revised Standard Version gaining the advantage actually implies treachery and cunning deception.

Many translators will simply transliterate the name Satan. Satan is the transliteration of a Hebrew word which means “accuser” or “adversary.” By the last two centuries before the birth of Jesus, Judaism had come to think of him as a leader of the forces of evil. Satan was one of the names given to this spiritual being.

The pronouns us and we probably include the readers.

For we are not ignorant of his designs is an example of litotes, that is, of understatement for the sake of emphasis. We are not ignorant of means “we know only too well” (New Jerusalem Bible) or “we know well enough” (Knox). In many languages it will be advisable to translate in this more direct manner, “we know very well.”

His designs: that is, the evil purposes and intentions that Satan has for seducing those who seek to follow the will of God. In many languages it will be both natural and faithful to use a word that has negative connotations, such as “schemes” (New International Version), “intrigues,” “conspiracy,” or “plots.”

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 .