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Semantic Analysis

Semantic Analysis: 2 Corinthians (Full Book) — Maithili Destination Language

Scope and Method

This document analyzes the entire Greek text of 2 Corinthians, chapter 1 through chapter 13. The core passage (2 Corinthians 5:11-21) receives verse-by-verse treatment of every load-bearing term. Every other chapter receives a chapter-level treatment of its load-bearing theological vocabulary using the same fields: original word, transliteration, literal meaning, semantic range, English variants, contextual theological meaning, and destination-language (Maithili) rendering with risk tier.

Governing rule: Any term already fixed in the baseline Romans translation_memory.json (e.g. grace = अनुग्रह, faith = विश्वास, righteousness = धार्मिकता, salvation = उद्धार, sin = पाप, glory = महिमा, apostle = प्रेरित, church = मण्डली, gospel = सुसमाचार, Lord = प्रभु, Jesus = यीशु, God = परमेश्वर, Holy Spirit = पवित्र आत्मा, Father = पिता, resurrection = पुनरुत्थान, covenant = वाचा, power of God = परमेश्वरक सामर्थ्य) is reused exactly here without re-litigating the choice. Such terms are marked “[TM reuse]” with only a brief note on how the 2 Corinthians context inflects them. New terms required specifically for 2 Corinthians doctrines are analyzed in full and are candidates for addition to translation memory (see 08_core_glossary.md).


PART A: Core Passage — 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 (Verse-by-Verse)

2 Corinthians 5:11

“Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others; but what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.”

TermTransliterationLiteral MeaningSemantic RangeEnglish VariantsContextual Theological MeaningMaithili RenderingRisk
φόβος τοῦ κυρίουphobos tou kyrioufear/dread of the lord/masterreverential awe; terror; respect for authority”fear of the Lord,” “reverence for the Lord”Paul’s motive for ministry: reverential awe before Christ’s coming judgment (cf. 5:10), not superstitious dreadप्रभुक भय (prabhuk bhay)Medium — must read as reverential awe before the sovereign Lord, not the folk-religious fear of ghosts/spirits (भूत-प्रेत) or appeasement-fear of an unpredictable deity common in regional folk practice
πείθωpeithōto persuade, win overpersuade; convince; (mid/pass.) trust, obey”persuade,” “try to persuade,” “appeal to”Paul’s sincere apostolic appeal to human conscience, not manipulationमनाएब (manāeb)Low
φανερόωphaneroōto make visible, manifestdisclose; reveal; make plainly known”known,” “manifest,” “plain”Paul’s transparent life laid open before God’s sight — ties to sincerity themeप्रकट (prakaṭ)Low
συνείδησιςsyneidēsisjoint-knowledge (with oneself)moral awareness; conscience”conscience”Human moral faculty by which Paul’s sincerity can be recognizedअन्तरात्मा/विवेक (antarātmā/vivek)Medium — avoid a purely ritual-purity reading; this is moral self-awareness before God
κύριοςkyrioslord, master[TM reuse] प्रभु”Lord”Christ as exclusive sovereign Lord who will judgeप्रभु (prabhu)Critical — reuse baseline exactly

2 Corinthians 5:12

“We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart.”

TermTransliterationLiteral MeaningSemantic RangeEnglish VariantsContextual Theological MeaningMaithili RenderingRisk
συνιστάνω ἑαυτούςsynistanō heautousto stand together with, commendself-recommend; establish credentials”commending ourselves,” “recommend ourselves”Ironic reference to rival teachers’ self-promotion; Paul refuses this posture — directly tied to Genuine vs False Apostleshipअपनाकेँ प्रमाणित करब (apnākē̃ pramāṇit karab)Medium — must not read as false modesty; it is a pointed contrast with the false apostles’ self-promotion practice (see ch. 10-11)
καύχημαkauchēmaboast, ground for boastingmatter of pride; boast-material; occasion for legitimate confidence”boast about us,” “reason to be proud”Legitimate ground for the Corinthians’ confidence in Paul’s genuine ministry, contrasted with illegitimate boastingगौरवक कारण (gauravak kāraṇ)Medium — context-sensitive; see “boasting” full treatment in ch. 10-11
πρόσωπον / καρδίαprosōpon / kardiaface / heartoutward appearance / inner disposition”outward appearance” / “heart”Contrast between superficial credentials (rival teachers’ letters, appearance, rhetoric) and inward reality God seesबाहरी रूप / हृदय (bāharī rūp / hṛdaya)Low

2 Corinthians 5:13

“For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.”

TermTransliterationLiteral MeaningSemantic RangeEnglish VariantsContextual Theological MeaningMaithili RenderingRisk
ἐξίστημιexistēmito stand outside oneselfbe beside oneself; ecstatic experience; astonished”beside ourselves,” “out of our mind,” “ecstatic”Possibly a reference to ecstatic spiritual experience (cf. 12:1-4) offered wholly to God, not for public displayबाहर भऽ जाएब/उन्माद (bāhar bha jāeb)Medium — must not be rendered with vocabulary suggesting trance-possession states associated with regional folk-shamanic or Devi-possession (देवी आवेश) practice; render as “God-directed spiritual fervor,” not possession
σωφρονέωsōphroneōto be of sound mindbe sensible, self-controlled, sober-minded”in our right mind,” “sober,” “sensible”Paul’s ordinary, reasoned ministry conducted for the Corinthians’ benefitसचेत/समझदार (sacet/samajhdār)Low

2 Corinthians 5:14

“For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died.”

TermTransliterationLiteral MeaningSemantic RangeEnglish VariantsContextual Theological MeaningMaithili RenderingRisk
ἀγάπη τοῦ Χριστοῦagapē tou Christoulove of ChristChrist’s love for believers (primary reading) or believers’ love for Christ”love of Christ,” “Christ’s love”The controlling motive of all apostolic ministry: Christ’s self-giving love, not duty or profitख्रीष्टक प्रेम (Khrīṣṭak prem)High — must be distinguished from the devotional bhakti-prem vocabulary used for Krishna/Radha romantic-devotional love; this is self-sacrificial covenant love, not romantic-devotional rasa
συνέχωsynechōto hold together, press uponconstrain; compel; control; hem in”controls us,” “compels us,” “constrains us”Christ’s love as the singular, sufficient motivating force of ministryबाध्य करब (bādhya karab)Medium
κρίνωkrinōto judge, decidejudge; conclude; determine”concluded,” “judged,” “reasoned”Paul’s settled theological conviction, a reasoned doctrinal conclusionनिष्कर्ष निकालब (niṣkarṣ nikālab)Low
ὑπὲρ πάντων ἀπέθανενhyper pantōn apethanenhe died on behalf of/for allsubstitutionary/representative death”died for all,” “died on behalf of all”Substitutionary atonement: Christ’s death representatively counted for all who are united to himसभक हेतु मरलाह (sabhak hetu maralāh)Critical — core substitutionary-atonement claim; must not be softened to mere exemplary death

2 Corinthians 5:15

“and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.”

TermTransliterationLiteral MeaningSemantic RangeEnglish VariantsContextual Theological MeaningMaithili RenderingRisk
ζάωzaōto livelive; be alive (physically/spiritually)“live,” “those who live”New existence oriented away from self, toward Christजीबए (jībae)Low
ἐγείρωegeirōto raise up[TM reuse root] — cf. πυनरुत्थान (resurrection)“was raised,” “raised up”Christ’s bodily resurrection as basis for the believer’s transformed life purposeपुनरुत्थान भेलाह (punaruthān bhelāh)Critical — reuse baseline पुनरुत्थान; never पुनर्जन्म

2 Corinthians 5:16

“From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.”

TermTransliterationLiteral MeaningSemantic RangeEnglish VariantsContextual Theological MeaningMaithili RenderingRisk
κατὰ σάρκαkata sarkaaccording to fleshworldly/human standard of judgment; physical descent; sinful nature (context-dependent)“according to the flesh,” “from a worldly point of view,” “human standards”Rejecting merely human/worldly criteria (lineage, status, external credentials) for evaluating persons, even Christशारीरिक दृष्टिसँ / मानवीय दृष्टिसँ (śārīrik dṛṣṭisã̃ / mānavīya dṛṣṭisã̃)High — must be distinguished from the baseline’s positive use of “flesh” in “seed of David according to the flesh” (Romans 1:3, दाऊदक वंशसँ); here the phrase is a negative evaluative standard, not a genealogical fact. Also must not collide with caste/lineage-based “according to birth” categories central to Panjikaran culture — this verse actually rejects that standard of evaluation
γινώσκωginōskōto knowknow by experience/observation; recognize; evaluate”regarded,” “known,” “recognized”Paul’s former (pre-conversion or early) way of assessing Christ by external/human categories, now abandonedजानब/पहचानब (jānab/pahacānab)Low

2 Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

TermTransliterationLiteral MeaningSemantic RangeEnglish VariantsContextual Theological MeaningMaithili RenderingRisk
ἐν Χριστῷen Christōin Christunion with Christ; incorporation into Christ’s identity/body”in Christ,” “united to Christ”The locus of the new-creation reality; identity grounded in union with Christ, not caste, lineage, or meritख्रीष्टमे (Khrīṣṭame)High — foundational for Christian Identity in Christ doctrine (cf. Romans baseline); must not be diluted to mere “following Christ’s teaching”
καινὴ κτίσιςkainē ktisisnew creation/creaturea fresh, God-wrought act of creation; new order of existence”new creation,” “new creature”A believer united to Christ is remade — a genuinely new act of God’s creative power, inaugurating the New Creation doctrineनव सृष्टि (nav sṛṣṭi)Critical — see full glossary entry; must never be रendered with पुनर्जन्म (rebirth/reincarnation), which would relocate this claim inside the samsara cycle
τὰ ἀρχαῖα παρῆλθενta archaia parēlthenthe old things passed byformer condition/order has ended”the old has passed away,” “old things have passed”Definitive, once-for-all break with the old sinful identity/order (not a repeatable cycle)पुरनका बीति गेल (puranakā bīti gel)Medium
ἰδοὺ γέγονεν καινάidou gegonen kainabehold, new things have come to befresh, permanent reality now in force”the new has come,” “everything has become new”The decisively inaugurated new reality of life in Christदेखू, नव भऽ गेल अछि (dekhū, nav bha gel achi)Medium

2 Corinthians 5:18

“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”

TermTransliterationLiteral MeaningSemantic RangeEnglish VariantsContextual Theological MeaningMaithili RenderingRisk
καταλλάσσωkatallassōto exchange, reconcilerestore to favor; change from enmity to friendship”reconciled,” “restored to favor”God himself is the agent who reconciles hostile sinners to himself through Christ’s work aloneमेल कराओल (mel karāol)Critical — see glossary; God is subject/agent, humans are recipients — must not read as mutual negotiation or ritual appeasement offered by humans to God
διακονία τῆς καταλλαγῆςdiakonia tēs katallagēsservice/ministry of the reconciliationthe entrusted task of proclaiming and mediating this reconciliation”ministry of reconciliation”The apostolic (and by extension every believer’s) commission to proclaim God’s completed reconciling workमेल-मिलापक सेवकाई (mel-milāpak sevakāī)Critical — combines two Critical/Medium terms; central to Reconciliation with God doctrine

2 Corinthians 5:19

“that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.”

TermTransliterationLiteral MeaningSemantic RangeEnglish VariantsContextual Theological MeaningMaithili RenderingRisk
κόσμοςkosmosworld, ordered universehumanity; created order; world-system”world”The scope of God’s reconciling intention — all humanity, no caste/lineage exceptionसंसार (sansār)Low
λογίζομαιlogizomaito reckon, count, creditimpute; calculate; charge to one’s account”counting,” “reckoning,” “holding against”God’s forensic decision NOT to charge sinners’ trespasses to their account — the negative counterpart to imputed righteousnessआरोपित करब (āropit karab) — here negated: “आरोपित नहि कएलनि”Critical — shares its root with baseline “imputed_righteousness” (आरोपित धार्मिकता); reviewers must confirm the forensic, legal-accounting sense is preserved, not merely “forgave” in a loose sense
παράπτωμαparaptōmaa false step, fall besidetrespass; wrongdoing; slip”trespasses,” “sins,” “wrongdoings”Specific wrongful acts not held against the reconciled sinnerअपराध (aparādh)Medium — distinct from the broader baseline term पाप (sin); keep अपराध for this specific “trespass” nuance where the Greek uses παράπτωμα rather than ἁμαρτία
λόγος τῆς καταλλαγῆςlogos tēs katallagēsword of the reconciliationthe message/proclamation entrusted for preaching”message of reconciliation,” “word of reconciliation”The content of gospel proclamation entrusted to believersमेल-मिलापक वचन (mel-milāpak vacan)Critical
τίθημιtithēmito place, put, entrustcommit; deposit; assign”entrusting,” “committing”God’s deliberate commissioning act, giving the message into human handsसुपुर्द करब (supurd karab)Low

2 Corinthians 5:20

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

TermTransliterationLiteral MeaningSemantic RangeEnglish VariantsContextual Theological MeaningMaithili RenderingRisk
πρεσβεύωpresbeuōto be an elder/envoy, act as ambassadorrepresent as an authorized envoy of a sovereign”ambassadors,” “envoys,” “representatives”Apostles (and by extension gospel-messengers) act with delegated royal authority on Christ’s behalf — distinct from a generic messengerराजदूत (rājadūt)High — must convey authorized representation of a King, tying to Christ’s Lordship; avoid a term implying a mere errand-runner
παρακαλέωparakaleōto call alongsideappeal; entreat; urge; comfort (context-dependent)“making his appeal,” “entreating,” “imploring”God’s own urgent appeal voiced through human ambassadors — the appeal is God’s, not merely Paul’sविनती करब (vinatī karab)Medium — [TM reuse note]: same root as baseline “exhort” (उत्साहित करब) but here the sense is entreaty, per the baseline’s own context-sensitivity rule; use विनती करब for this beseeching sense
καταλλάγητεkatallagētebe reconciled! (imperative, passive)receive reconciliation; be restored to favor”be reconciled to God”The gospel appeal: sinners are urged to receive (not achieve) the reconciliation God has already accomplishedपरमेश्वरसँ मेल करू (parameśvarasã̃ mel karū)Critical — the passive imperative must not be rendered as a work the hearer performs to earn peace; it is a summons to receive an accomplished reconciliation

2 Corinthians 5:21

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

TermTransliterationLiteral MeaningSemantic RangeEnglish VariantsContextual Theological MeaningMaithili RenderingRisk
τὸν μὴ γνόντα ἁμαρτίανton mē gnonta hamartianthe one not having known sinsinless, without personal experience of sin”who knew no sin,” “who had no sin”Christ’s sinlessness is the necessary premise for substitutionary exchangeजे पाप नहि जनने रहथि (je pāp nahi janane rahathi)Critical — Christ’s real sinlessness must be unambiguous
ἁμαρτίαν ἐποίησενhamartian epoiēsenhe made [to be] sintreated/constituted as a sin-offering or as bearing sin’s guilt (not made morally sinful in nature)“made him to be sin,” “made him sin for us”The heart of substitutionary atonement: Christ representatively bears sin’s guilt/penalty, without himself becoming morally corruptओहिकेँ हमरा सभक हेतु पाप बनाओल गेलनि (ohikē̃ hamarā sabhak hetu pāp banāol gelani)Critical — HIGHEST-SENSITIVITY rendering in this passage: must carry a mandatory translator note clarifying this is forensic/representative bearing of sin’s guilt and penalty, not a claim that Christ became morally sinful in nature. Given no prior Maithili Christian tradition addresses this verse, expect this segment to require Human theologian review every occurrence
δικαιοσύνη θεοῦdikaiosynē theourighteousness of God[TM reuse] धार्मिकता + परमेश्वर”righteousness of God,” “God’s righteousness”Believers united to Christ receive God’s own righteous standing — the reconciling exchange completedपरमेश्वरक धार्मिकता (parameśvarak dhārmiktā)Critical — reuse baseline धार्मिकता exactly; never धर्म or सतीत्व

PART B: Chapter-by-Chapter Analysis (Full Book)

Chapter 1 — Comfort in Suffering; the Seal and Guarantee of the Spirit

TermTransliterationLiteral MeaningSemantic RangeEnglish VariantsContextual Theological MeaningMaithili RenderingRisk
παράκλησιςparaklēsiscalling alongsidecomfort; encouragement; consolation”comfort,” “consolation,” “encouragement”God as “Father of mercies and God of all comfort” (1:3) who comforts believers in affliction so they can comfort others — foundational for the Suffering and Comfort in Ministry doctrineसान्त्वना (sāntvanā)Medium — distinguish from a fatalistic “this too shall pass” resignation; this is active divine comfort from a personal God, not stoic endurance or karma-acceptance
θλῖψιςthlipsispressure, crushingaffliction; tribulation; distress”affliction,” “trouble,” “suffering”Real, severe suffering endured in gospel ministry (1:4,8), the occasion for God’s comfortक्लेश (kleś)Medium — avoid a purely ritual-penance connotation; this is suffering for the gospel’s sake, not self-imposed austerity (तप) as practiced in regional ascetic traditions
σφραγίζωsphragizōto sealmark with a seal of ownership/authentication”sealed,” “put his seal on us”God’s mark of ownership and authentication upon believers via the Spirit (1:22)मुहर लगाएब (muhar lagāeb)Medium
ἀρραβώνarrabōnearnest money, down payment, pledgea partial payment guaranteeing the full amount to come”guarantee,” “deposit,” “down payment,” “pledge”The Holy Spirit given now as God’s guarantee of the believer’s full future inheritance (1:22; also 5:5)बयाना (bayānā)High — बयाना is a familiar commercial/agrarian term (earnest money in land or marriage transactions), which makes it vivid and natural, but risks reducing the Spirit to a mere financial token; require a translator note clarifying the Spirit himself (not a lesser substitute) is given, guaranteeing a certain, personal inheritance
ναί / ἀμήνnai / amēnyes / truly, so be itaffirmation; certainty”Yes,” “Amen”All God’s promises find their “Yes” in Christ (1:20) — total covenant reliabilityहँ / आमीन (hã̃ / āmīn)Low — आमीन reuses baseline transliteration convention
ἀπόστολος (reuse)apostolos[TM reuse] प्रेरित”apostle”Paul’s authorized apostleship, the basis of his authority to write (1:1)प्रेरितMedium — reuse baseline

Chapter 2 — Forgiveness, the Fragrance of Christ, and Sincere Proclamation

TermTransliterationLiteral MeaningSemantic RangeEnglish VariantsContextual Theological MeaningMaithili RenderingRisk
θριαμβεύωthriambeuōto lead in triumphal processiondisplay publicly as a Roman general parading captives/spoils”leads us in triumphal procession,” “triumph”God’s public, victorious display of Christ’s triumph through the apostles’ ministry — an image unfamiliar to Maithili readers without cultural precedent for Roman triumph paradesविजय-जुलूस (vijay-julūs)Medium — requires an explanatory translator note describing the Roman triumphal-procession custom, since no equivalent regional image conveys “captive being displayed as evidence of a conqueror’s victory”
ὀσμήosmēsmell, odorfragrance; aroma (pleasant or as a byword)“aroma,” “fragrance,” “smell”Believers are “the aroma of Christ” — the same proclamation is life-giving fragrance to some, deadly stench to others (2:15-16)सुगंध (sugandh)Medium — avoid confusion with the ritual incense/fragrance offerings (धूप) central to Hindu puja; this is a metaphor for the effect of gospel proclamation, not a ritual offering
καπηλεύω τὸν λόγονkapēleuō ton logonto peddle/retail (the word)sell for profit; adulterate for gain; huckster”peddlers of God’s word,” “corrupt God’s word for profit”Paul explicitly denies commercializing the gospel message (2:17) — foundational for Sincerity and Apostolic Authority doctrineपरमेश्वरक वचनक व्यापार करनिहार नहि (parameśvarak vacanak vyāpār karanihār nahi)High — highly relevant given the live regional concern about religious commercialization (fees for pandit-led rites, guru-business models); this verse must land with its full force, not be softened into vague “misuse”
εἰλικρίνεια (introduced; full treatment ch. 1-2 & throughout)eilikrineiasee full entry belowPaul’s sincerity of motive, contrasted with hucksterismनिष्कपटताHigh — see glossary

Chapter 3 — Letter and Spirit; the Veiled and Unveiled Glory; the New Covenant

TermTransliterationLiteral MeaningSemantic RangeEnglish VariantsContextual Theological MeaningMaithili RenderingRisk
καινὴ διαθήκηkainē diathēkēnew covenantthe covenant inaugurated by Christ, fulfilling and superseding the Sinai covenant”new covenant”Paul as a “minister of a new covenant” (3:6), central to The New Covenant versus the Old doctrineनयका वाचा (nayakā vācā)High — builds on baseline वाचा (covenant); नयका is native Maithili adjective (not Hindi नई), per grammar standard. Must be paired with explicit contrast to the Mosaic covenant (व्यवस्था, baseline “law” term) so the supersession claim is clear without implying two competing gods or an abandoned earlier revelation
γράμμαgrammaletter, written characterthe written law/legal code, in contrast to Spirit”the letter,” “written code""The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (3:6) — legal code without the Spirit’s inward work brings condemnationअक्षर (akṣar)Medium — must not be read as disparaging Scripture itself; the contrast is law-as-external-code vs. Spirit’s inward work, not Scripture vs. Spirit
πνεῦμα (here = the [Holy] Spirit)pneumabreath, spirit[TM reuse] पवित्र आत्मा (contextually implied)“the Spirit,” “Spirit”The life-giving, internally transformative work of the Holy Spirit under the new covenantआत्मा (referring to पवित्र आत्मा)High — even where the Greek lacks the adjective “holy,” render with the established पवित्र आत्मा referent understanding intact to avoid confusion with a generic/impersonal “spirit”
κάλυμμαkalymmacovering, veilliteral veil (Moses’); figurative veil over hearts/minds in unbelief”veil”Moses’ literal veil (hiding the fading glory) and the figurative veil over unbelieving hearts, removed only in Christ (3:13-16)परदा (pardā)High — परदा risks activating the culturally loaded practice of घूंघट (the customary face-veiling of daughters-in-law before elders in Mithila households); a mandatory translator note must clarify this veil is about spiritual perception of God’s glory and covenant fulfillment, not a domestic modesty custom
ἐλευθερίαeleutheriafreedom, libertyfreedom from bondage; liberty of access”freedom,” “liberty""Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (3:17) — freedom to behold God’s glory unveiled, not freedom from all moral constraintस्वतंत्रता (svatantratā)Medium
μεταμορφόωmetamorphoōto change form/shapebe transformed; be transfigured”transformed,” “changed,” “transfigured”Believers progressively transformed into Christ’s likeness “from glory to glory” by the Spirit (3:18)रूपान्तरण (rūpāntaraṇ)High — must be carefully distinguished from Puranic narratives of deities or devotees changing physical form/shape (rūp-parivartan) as a supernatural feat; this is gradual, Spirit-wrought moral-relational transformation into Christ’s likeness, not a single magical shape-change
εἰκώνeikōnimage, likenessvisual representation; exact likeness; (LXX) idol-image”image,” “likeness”Believers being transformed into “the same image” (Christ’s image), anticipating ch. 4’s Christological useस्वरूप (svarūp)Critical — see glossary; NEVER प्रतिमा, which in Maithili/Hindi religious usage specifically denotes a temple idol-statue (mūrti)
παρρησίαparrēsiafreedom/boldness of speechopenness; frankness; confidence”boldness,” “openness,” “confidence”Paul’s confident, open manner of ministry (3:12), contrasted with Moses’ veiled approachनिडरता (niḍartā)Medium
διακονία (compound phrases: τοῦ θανάτου / τῆς δικαιοσύνης)diakoniaservice, ministry[new base term] — see glossary; here in construct: “ministry of death,” “ministry of righteousness""ministry of death,” “ministry of righteousness/the Spirit”Contrast between the old covenant’s condemning ministry and the new covenant’s life-giving, righteousness-bringing ministryसेवकाई (sevakāī)Medium — reuse across compounds: मृत्युक सेवकाई / धार्मिकताक सेवकाई

Chapter 4 — Treasure in Jars of Clay; the God of This Age; the Inner and Outer Self

TermTransliterationLiteral MeaningSemantic RangeEnglish VariantsContextual Theological MeaningMaithili RenderingRisk
ὁ θεὸς τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτουho theos tou aiōnos toutouthe god of this ageSatan, as the usurping object of this present age’s worship/blindness”the god of this age,” “the god of this world”Satan’s blinding power over unbelief (4:4), an ironic use of “god”— NOT a claim of dual legitimate deityएहि संसारक ईश्वर (ehi sansārak īśvar)Critical — deliberately renders with ईश्वर (the generic Hindu term explicitly rejected for the true God in baseline god entry) rather than परमेश्वर, precisely to mark Satan as a false, usurping object of worship distinct from the one true परमेश्वर. Requires mandatory translator note explaining this deliberate distinction so readers do not conclude Satan is a legitimate co-equal देवता
εἰκών (Χριστοῦ, τοῦ θεοῦ)eikōnimage[see ch. 3]“image of God,” “image of Christ”Christ as “the image of God” (4:4), his very likeness — Deity of Christ doctrine extensionस्वरूप (svarūp)Critical — reuse; never प्रतिमा
θησαυρὸς ἐν ὀστρακίνοις σκεύεσινthēsauros en ostrakinois skeuesintreasure in earthen vesselsvaluable content held in a fragile, ordinary container”treasure in jars of clay,” “treasure in earthen vessels”The gospel’s surpassing power held in weak, mortal apostles, so that power is seen as God’s, not theirs (4:7) — anticipates Power in Weakness doctrineमाटीक भाँड़मे खजाना (māṭīk bhāṇḍ-me khajānā)Medium — natural agrarian/domestic image in Mithila, low collision risk
ἐγκακέωenkakeōto become weary/lose heartgive up; despair; grow discouraged”we do not lose heart”Paul’s resilience grounded in gospel hope despite affliction (4:1,16)हिम्मत नहि हारब (himmat nahi hārab)Low
ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος / ὁ ἔξω ἄνθρωποςho esō anthrōpos / ho exō anthrōposthe inner man / the outer maninward spiritual self vs. outward physical body”inner self/outer self,” “inward man/outward man”The outer body wastes away while the inner self is renewed daily by the Spirit (4:16)भितरका मनुष्य / बाहरका मनुष्य (bhitarkā manuṣya / bāharkā manuṣya)Low
αἰώνιον βάρος δόξηςaiōnion baros doxēseternal weight of gloryan incomparably weighty, everlasting glory”eternal weight of glory,” “eternal glory”Present light affliction produces incomparable future glory (4:17)अनन्त महिमाक बोझ (anant mahimāk bojh)Medium — reuses baseline महिमा

Chapter 5 (verses 1-10; verses 11-21 = Core Passage above)

TermTransliterationLiteral MeaningSemantic RangeEnglish VariantsContextual Theological MeaningMaithili RenderingRisk
σκῆνος / ἐπίγειος οἰκίαskēnos / epigeios oikiatent / earthly housetemporary dwelling; the mortal body as a tent”earthly tent,” “earthly house,” “tent”The mortal body as a temporary dwelling, destroyed at death but replaced by a permanent heavenly body (5:1)डेरा (ḍerā)Low
στενάζωstenazōto groansigh; groan under burden”groan,” “long,” “sigh”Believers groan under present mortal burdens, longing for resurrection embodiment (5:2,4)कराहब (karāhab)Low
βῆμα τοῦ Χριστοῦbēma tou Christoujudgment seat/tribunal of Christofficial judgment platform; place of evaluative judgment”judgment seat of Christ,” “tribunal of Christ”All believers will appear before Christ to have their works evaluated (5:10) — assurance-related but distinct from a determination of salvation itselfख्रीष्टक न्याय-आसन (Khrīṣṭak nyāy-āsan)High — significant cultural collision risk: this concept sits uncomfortably close to the Hindu folk-tradition image of Yamaraj’s judgment court and Chitragupta’s karmic ledger, which determines a soul’s next rebirth. A mandatory translator note must clarify that Christ’s judgment seat evaluates a believer’s works/service for reward, and is not a karmic tribunal determining salvation, rebirth, or one’s fundamental standing (which is already secured by the reconciliation of 5:18-21)

Chapter 6 — Unequally Yoked; the Temple of God; Suffering Catalogued

TermTransliterationLiteral MeaningSemantic RangeEnglish VariantsContextual Theological MeaningMaithili RenderingRisk
ἑτεροζυγέωheterozygeōto be yoked with a different kindmismatched yoking (agricultural image, cf. Deut 22:10)“unequally yoked,” “mismatched”Warning against binding partnership between believers and unbelief (6:14)अलग जुआमे जोताएब (alag juā-me jotāeb)Medium — this agrarian yoke (जुआ) image translates very naturally in Mithila’s farming culture; low risk of misunderstanding the literal image, but ensure the applied meaning (partnership/allegiance, not merely marriage) is retained
ΒελίαρBeliarBelial (a name for Satan)worthlessness personified; Satan”Belial”Christ and Satan (Belial) as incompatible allegiances (6:15)बेलियाल (Beliyāl)Low — transliterated proper noun; ensure it is not confused with any regional demon-figure name
ναὸς θεοῦnaos theoutemple/sanctuary of Godthe inner shrine, God’s dwelling place”temple of God,” “God’s temple”Believers corporately are God’s dwelling place, the Spirit’s true “temple” (6:16) — a positive, redefined use of temple imagery, not identical to the church-as-assembly senseपरमेश्वरक मन्दिर (parameśvarak mandir)High — this deliberately uses मन्दिर (rejected in baseline as the rendering for “church,” since मन्दिर there meant a Hindu temple building housing an idol). Here it functions differently: it names God’s own indwelling presence in his people, redefining “temple” away from an idol-housing structure. A mandatory translator note must distinguish this metaphorical “we are God’s temple” (6:16) from both (a) मण्डली (church-as-assembly, baseline term) and (b) a literal Hindu temple building
θλῖψις (recatalogued, 6:4-10)thlipsis[see ch. 1]“afflictions,” “hardships”Extended catalogue of apostolic suffering as proof of genuine ministry (Suffering and Comfort in Ministry; Genuine Apostleship)क्लेशMedium — reuse

Chapter 7 — Godly Sorrow and Repentance; Comfort Restored

TermTransliterationLiteral MeaningSemantic RangeEnglish VariantsContextual Theological MeaningMaithili RenderingRisk
λύπη κατὰ θεόνlypē kata theonsorrow according to Godsorrow that aligns with God’s own judgment of sin, leading to repentance”godly sorrow,” “sorrow as God intends”Sorrow that produces repentance leading to salvation, contrasted with worldly sorrow that produces death (7:9-10)परमेश्वरक अनुसार शोक (parameśvarak anusār śok)Medium — distinguish from both stoic non-attachment ideals and from a merit-based penance mindset (जहाँ पश्चाताप स्वयं एक साधना बनि जाए)
μετάνοιαmetanoiachange of mindinward turning from sin toward God; repentance”repentance”The God-given, salvation-producing response to conviction of sin (7:9-10)पश्चाताप (paścātāp)Medium — must convey inward turning toward God, not merely regret or a ritual act of penance (प्रायश्चित)
ζῆλοςzēloszeal, ardorearnestness; zealous concern”zeal,” “earnestness”The Corinthians’ renewed zeal for what is right, evidence of genuine repentance (7:11)उत्साह/सरगर्मी (utsāh/saragarmī)Low
φόβος καὶ τρόμος (reuse root)phobos kai tromosfear and tremblingreverent seriousness in receiving Paul’s representatives (7:15)“fear and trembling”Reverent submission to apostolic authority, not literal terrorभय आ काँपब (bhay ā kā̃pab)Low

Chapter 8 — The Grace of Giving; Christ’s Voluntary Poverty; Equality

TermTransliterationLiteral MeaningSemantic RangeEnglish VariantsContextual Theological MeaningMaithili RenderingRisk
χάρις (in the giving context)charis[TM reuse] अनुग्रह”grace,” “generous gift,” “act of grace”God’s grace expressed through the Macedonians’/Corinthians’ giving (8:1,4,6,7,9) — the same word as saving grace, applied to generosityअनुग्रह (anugraha)Critical — reuse baseline अनुग्रह exactly, per one-term-one-rendering rule, even in the giving context. Mandatory translator note: giving flows FROM received grace, and is not to be reframed as दान-पुण्य (merit-earning almsgiving), a live risk since religious almsgiving for merit is a familiar regional category this term must not collapse into
ἁπλότηςhaplotēssingleness, simplicitygenerosity; sincerity; open-handedness”generosity,” “liberality,” “sincerity”The Macedonians’/Corinthians’ open-handed generosity in giving (8:2; 9:11,13)उदारता (udārtā)High — must be presented as a grace-produced response, not a merit-generating religious duty; pair consistently with अनुग्रह context to avoid a दान-पुण्य reading
ἰσότηςisotēsequality, fairnessfair balance; equity”equality,” “fair balance”The goal of giving is not poverty for some and excess for others, but equitable provision within the body of Christ (8:13-14)समानता (samāntā)Low
πλούσιος ὢν ἐπτώχευσενplousios ōn eptōcheusenbeing rich, he became poorvoluntary self-impoverishment despite inherent wealth”though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor”Christ’s pre-existent riches and voluntary incarnational poverty (8:9) — directly connects to the Incarnation doctrine established in the Romans baseline (देहधारण)धनी रहितहुँ दरिद्र भेलाह (dhanī rahitahũ daridra bhelāh)High — must be read alongside देहधारण (baseline incarnation term); this is Christ’s voluntary self-humbling in the incarnation for believers’ spiritual enrichment, not a literal economic case study nor an avatar-descent narrative of temporary divine slumming
προθυμίαprothymiaeagerness, readinesswillingness; readiness of mind”eagerness,” “readiness”Genuine, willing eagerness to give, contrasted with compulsion (8:11-12)तत्परता (tatparatā)Low

Chapter 9 — The Cheerful Giver; Sowing and Reaping; the Indescribable Gift

TermTransliterationLiteral MeaningSemantic RangeEnglish VariantsContextual Theological MeaningMaithili RenderingRisk
ἱλαρὸς δότηςhilaros dotēscheerful giverjoyful, willing giver (not under compulsion)“cheerful giver,” “joyful giver""God loves a cheerful giver” (9:7) — giving from joy, not obligationउल्लासपूर्ण दाता (ullāsapūrṇa dātā)Medium — दाता alone could evoke the meritorious almsgiver of दान-पुण्य religious culture; the modifier उल्लासपूर्ण (joyful) plus surrounding grace-context must carry the distinction that this is a grace-response, not merit accumulation
περισσεύωperisseuōto abound, overflowbe abundant; increase; surplus”abound,” “overflow,” “increase”God’s provision multiplying generosity and its fruit (9:8)बढ़ब/उमड़ब (baṛhab/umaṛab)Low
σπείρω / θερίζωspeirō / therizōto sow / to reapagricultural planting and harvest imagery”sow” / “reap”Generosity as sowing that produces a corresponding harvest of blessing (9:6) — a very natural image for Mithila’s agrarian cultureबोअब / काटब (boab/kāṭab)Low
ἀνεκδιήγητος δωρεάanekdiēgētos dōreaindescribable/inexpressible gifta gift beyond full verbal description”indescribable gift,” “inexpressible gift”Likely referring to Christ himself or the totality of God’s grace, closing the giving section (9:15)अवर्णनीय उपहार (avarṇanīya upahār)Medium — use उपहार (ordinary “gift”) rather than वरदान here, reserving आत्मिक वरदान (baseline “spiritual gifts”) for its specific Spirit-enablement sense

Chapter 10 — Spiritual Warfare and Apostolic Authority

TermTransliterationLiteral MeaningSemantic RangeEnglish VariantsContextual Theological MeaningMaithili RenderingRisk
ὅπλα οὐ σαρκικάhopla ou sarkikaweapons not fleshlyspiritual, not merely human/military, weapons”weapons of our warfare,” “not of the flesh”Paul’s apostolic authority operates by spiritual, not worldly, means (10:3-4)शारीरिक नहि, आत्मिक हथियार (śārīrik nahi, ātmik hathiyār)Medium
ὀχύρωμαochyrōmafortress, strongholdfortified place; entrenched position (literal or figurative)“strongholds”Arguments and proud obstacles against the knowledge of God, torn down by spiritual power (10:4-5)गढ़ (gaṛh)Low
αἰχμαλωτίζωaichmalōtizōto take captivecapture as a prisoner of war”take captive”Taking every thought captive to obey Christ (10:5)बन्दी बनाएब (bandī banāeb)Low
καυχάομαι ἐν Κυρίῳkauchaomai en Kyriōto boast in the Lordlegitimate boasting whose object is the Lord, not self”let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord”Contrasted with rivals’ self-commendation; legitimate boasting locates all credit in Christ (10:17-18)प्रभुमे गौरव करब (prabhume gaurav karab)High — context-sensitive; see full “boasting” glossary entry distinguishing legitimate boasting-in-the-Lord from prideful self-boasting
συνιστάνω ἑαυτόν (reuse, ch. 10)synistanō heauton[see 5:12]“commend oneself”Paul’s rivals commend themselves; Paul insists only the Lord’s commendation counts (10:12,18)अपनाकेँ प्रमाणित करबMedium — reuse
πραΰτης καὶ ἐπιείκειαprautēs kai epieikeiameekness and gentlenesshumility and forbearance, as displayed by Christ”meekness and gentleness of Christ”Paul appeals to Christ’s own gentle character as the model for exercising apostolic authority (10:1)ख्रीष्टक नम्रता आ कोमलता (Khrīṣṭak namratā ā komalatā)Medium

Chapter 11 — False Apostles, Satan Disguised, and Paul’s “Foolish” Boasting

TermTransliterationLiteral MeaningSemantic RangeEnglish VariantsContextual Theological MeaningMaithili RenderingRisk
ψευδαπόστολοςpseudapostolosfalse apostleone falsely claiming apostolic authority”false apostles”Rival teachers falsely claiming Christ’s authorized commission (11:13) — core to Genuine versus False Apostleship doctrineझूठा प्रेरित (jhūṭhā prerit)High — builds on baseline प्रेरित; must be unambiguous that these figures lack genuine divine commissioning, not merely that they are doctrinally mistaken
ὑπερλίαν ἀπόστολοιhyperlian apostoloisuper-apostles, exceedingly-eminent apostlesPaul’s ironic/sarcastic title for the false teachers who exalt themselves”super-apostles,” “most eminent apostles” (used sarcastically)Paul’s biting irony toward self-promoting rival teachers (11:5; 12:11)अति-श्रेष्ठ प्रेरित (ati-śreṣṭha prerit)High — must preserve Paul’s ironic tone; a flat literal rendering risks readers taking the title at face value as a genuine compliment rather than Paul’s sarcasm
ἄγγελος φωτόςangelos phōtosangel of lighta being who appears as a luminous, benevolent heavenly messenger”angel of light”Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (11:14), so his servants disguise themselves as servants of righteousnessज्योतिर्मय स्वर्गदूत (jyotirmay svargadūt)Medium — must not be confused with the generally positive luminous divine-being imagery common in regional devotional art/Puranic description; the point here is deceptive disguise, not genuine holiness
πανουργίαpanourgiacraftiness, cunningcleverness for deceptive ends”cunning,” “craftiness,” “cleverness”The serpent’s deception of Eve (11:3) as a warning paradigm for the Corinthians’ vulnerability to deceptive teachingचालाकी (cālākī)Medium — this “serpent” reference must be clearly framed as the Genesis deceiver, distinct from the generally revered folk/Puranic serpent (nāga) imagery found in regional festivals (e.g. Nag Panchami); a brief translator note preventing conflation is advisable
ἀφροσύνηaphrosynēsenselessness, follyfoolishness (Paul’s ironic self-description while boasting)“foolishness,” “folly”Paul’s self-consciously “foolish” boasting about his sufferings, undertaken only to expose the false apostles (11:1,16-21)मूर्खता (mūrkhatā)Low — tone-marking, not doctrinal risk

Chapter 12 — Paradise, the Thorn in the Flesh, and Power in Weakness

TermTransliterationLiteral MeaningSemantic RangeEnglish VariantsContextual Theological MeaningMaithili RenderingRisk
τρίτος οὐρανός / παράδεισοςtritos ouranos / paradeisosthird heaven / paradisethe immediate presence of God; highest heavenly realm”third heaven,” “paradise”Paul’s unique visionary experience of God’s presence (12:2-4), recounted reluctantlyतेसर स्वर्ग / परादीस (tesar svarg / parādīs)Medium — स्वर्ग (heaven) is shared vocabulary with Hindu cosmology (Indra’s heaven, etc.); a brief note distinguishing the Christian “third heaven” (God’s immediate presence) from a tiered Puranic cosmological heaven is prudent
ἄρρητα ῥήματαarrēta rhēmataunspeakable/inexpressible wordswords not permitted or not possible to utter”words that cannot be told,” “unspeakable words”The ineffable nature of Paul’s revelatory experience (12:4)अकथनीय शब्द (akathanīya śabda)Low
σκόλοψ τῇ σαρκίskolops tē sarkithorn/stake in the flesha persistent physical or circumstantial affliction (specific nature debated)“thorn in the flesh,” “thorn in my flesh”Paul’s persistent, humbling affliction, given to prevent pride despite his revelations (12:7)शरीरमे काँटा (śarīr-me kā̃ṭā)Medium — natural idiom; must be presented as purposeful (God-permitted, for humility), not fatalistic suffering or unexplained bad karma
ἀσθένειαastheneiaweakness, sicknessfrailty; incapacity; illness”weakness,” “infirmity”Paul’s weaknesses become the very place where Christ’s power is displayed (12:9-10) — the doctrinal center of Power in Weaknessदुर्बलता (durbaltā)High — see glossary; must not carry a shame connotation that Paul’s argument explicitly reverses
δύναμις (ἐν ἀσθενείᾳ τελειοῦται)dynamis (en astheneia teleioutai)power [is perfected in weakness][TM reuse] सामर्थ्य”power is made perfect in weakness”Christ’s own statement to Paul (12:9): power reaches its fullest expression precisely in human weakness, not despite itसामर्थ्य दुर्बलतामे सिद्ध होइत अछि (sāmarthya durbaltāme siddha hoit achi)Critical — reuse baseline सामर्थ्य exactly; never शक्ति (Shakta-goddess association per baseline rule)
σημεῖα τοῦ ἀποστόλουsēmeia tou apostolousigns of the apostleauthenticating marks/miracles confirming genuine apostleship”signs of a true apostle”Miraculous signs, patient endurance, and sacrificial ministry as God’s authentication of Paul’s genuine apostleship, against the false apostles (12:12)सच्चा प्रेरितक चिन्ह (saccā prerītak cinha)High — central to Genuine versus False Apostleship doctrine

Chapter 13 — Self-Examination, Restoration, and the Trinitarian Benediction

TermTransliterationLiteral MeaningSemantic RangeEnglish VariantsContextual Theological MeaningMaithili RenderingRisk
ἑαυτοὺς πειράζετεheautous peirazetetest/examine yourselvesself-examine for genuineness of faith”examine yourselves,” “test yourselves”Corinthians urged to test whether they are “in the faith” — genuine union with Christ, not mere religious affiliation (13:5)अपनाकेँ परखू (apnākē̃ parakhū)Medium
ἀδόκιμοςadokimosunapproved, failing the testdisqualified; found wanting; counterfeit”disqualified,” “fail to meet the test,” “unless indeed you fail the test”Warning that a merely nominal, un-genuine faith fails the test of true union with Christ (13:5-7)अयोग्य (ayogya)Medium
καταρτίζω / κατάρτισιςkatartizō / katartisisto mend, restore, equip fullymake complete; restore to proper condition; equip”be restored,” “aim for restoration,” “mend your ways”Paul’s final appeal for the church’s full spiritual restoration and maturity (13:9,11)पूर्ण करब / सुधारब (pūrṇa karab / sudhārab)Medium
φίλημα ἅγιονphilēma hagionholy kissa customary greeting among believers, marking familial affection and unity”holy kiss”A culturally-conditioned first-century greeting expressing genuine familial love among believers (13:12)पवित्र चुम्बन (pavitra cumban)Medium — physical kissing as a greeting between believers (including across genders) is not customary in Mithila’s social norms; requires a translator note explaining this as a culturally-conditioned first-century expression of holy affection, for which a functionally equivalent respectful greeting (e.g., हाथ जोड़ब/नमस्कार) may be commended in application without altering the literal translation of the text itself
ἡ χάρις τοῦ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, καὶ ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ ἡ κοινωνία τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματοςthe grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy SpiritTrinitarian benediction”grace… love… fellowship”The closing benediction names all three Persons of the Trinity in a single formula — grace (अनुग्रह), love (प्रेम), fellowship (सङ्गति), each reused exactly from baseline/established renderingsप्रभु यीशु ख्रीष्टक अनुग्रह, परमेश्वरक प्रेम, आ पवित्र आत्माक सङ्गति (13:14)Critical — every noun reuses an established Critical/High/Low baseline term (अनुग्रह, प्रेम as ordinary “love,” सङ्गति); consistency across all three is essential since this is among the most frequently quoted verses in the curriculum

Summary of Full-Book Coverage Confirmation

Every chapter of 2 Corinthians (1 through 13) has been reviewed and contains load-bearing theological vocabulary requiring destination-language decisions; no chapter is without new or reused terminology requiring documentation. Chapter 5 verses 11-21 (the core passage) received full verse-by-verse treatment; chapter 5 verses 1-10 were treated at chapter level alongside the rest of the book.

All Critical and High risk items identified above are candidates for doctrine_risk_registry.json extension and require routing to human theologian review in Phase 2. See 08_core_glossary.md for the consolidated term table.

Library content is free and openly licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — share and adapt it for non-commercial use, with attribution to tri-bible.ai.

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