The verse division in the UBS Greek New Testament is different from that in Revised Standard Version. In the Greek verse 14 begins with the words your abundance at the present time. For this reason Good News Translation combines verses 13 and 14.

That others should be eased: or, more literally, “that others should have relief” (Anchor Bible). The word “relief” is the same as used in 2.13 and 7.5, where it is rendered “rest” in Revised Standard Version. In the context of Acts 24.23 this word is translated “liberty.” In some languages one may translate this phrase “I do not mean to place a heavy load on you so that other people can carry a light load….”

Equality: the two phrases containing this term may be translated by a single sentence in some languages. It may be possible to say “I want things to be equal for everyone involved.”

Your abundance … their abundance: the idea here is more like super-abundance, that is, what is left over when all normal needs are taken care of. The same word is used of the “pieces left over” in the feeding of the four thousand in Mark 8.8. Here Anchor Bible translates “your surplus … their surplus.”

At the present time: though the same words are found in Rom 8.18 and refer to the time of suffering before God’s glory is revealed, it is not likely that such a theological meaning is intended here. In this context Paul seems to be referring only to the time when the Jerusalem Christians have needs and the Corinthian Christians have resources enough to help meet those needs.

Their want is literally “the needs of others.” Note that New Revised Standard Version has changed the word want to “need,” and most other modern versions translate this way. Paul is referring to the needs of the Jerusalem Christians. Some interpreters think that Paul is referring to the needs of the Macedonian Christians, but translators who retain the pronoun their or a similar expression will not have to decide this issue.

So that their abundance may supply your want: at the time when Paul was writing, the Jerusalem Christians did not have an abundance. Good News Translation adds the word “when” to indicate that Paul is referring to a future time when the situations of the two groups of Christians might be reversed. Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente says “so that one day their abundance might supply your needs.”

Their want and your want: the meaning is not “that which is desired or wanted” but rather “what is lacking and needed.” It stands in contrast with your abundance and their abundance.

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 .