1.5 KiB
who have the firstfruits of the Spirit
Paul compares believers' receiving the Holy Spirit to the firstfruits and vegetables of the season to grow. This emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is only the beginning of what God will give to believers. AT: who have the first of the gifts God gives to us, namely, the Holy Spirit" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor)
waiting for our adoption, the redemption of our body
Here "our adoption" means when we become full members of God's family, as adopted children. The word "redemption" means when God saves us. AT: "waiting for when we are fully members of God's family and he saves our bodies from decay and death" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit and rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor)
For in this certain hope we were saved
You can translate this in an active form. AT: "For God saved us because we hoped in him" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive)
Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he can see?
Paul uses a question to help his audience understand what "hope" is. AT: "But if we are confidently waiting, that means we do not yet have what we want. No one can confidently wait if he already has what he wants" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion)