8:17a For not only did he welcome our appeal,

For he was happy to say yes to the request ⌊to return to you (plur.)⌋ ;
-or-
For he gladly agreed to the encouragement ⌊to go again to you⌋.

8:17b but he is eagerly coming to you of his own volition.

indeed, he himself decided to return to you and is doing so with great eagerness.
-or-
And more than that, he is very earnest about this and now comes/came ⌊back⌋ to you by his own choice/deciding.

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