33 Grk “flesh.”
34 Grk “fruit of work”; the genitive ἔργου (ergou) is taken as an attributed genitive in which the head noun, καρπός (karpos), functions attributively (cf. ).
35 Grk “what I shall prefer.” The Greek verb αἱρέω (haireō) could also mean “choose,” but in this context such a translation is problematic for it suggests that Paul could perhaps choose suicide (cf. L&N 30.86). I don’t know what I prefer. Paul is here struggling with what would be most beneficial for both him and the church. He resolves this issue in vv. 24–25.

In other versions

If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.

If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!

Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose.

But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better.

But if it is to live in the flesh, this is fruitful work for me, and which I will prefer I do not know.

But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.

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