This verse is a continuation of the sentence begun in verse 10 and states the purpose of the forgiveness. In some languages it may be better to begin a new sentence here, saying something like “I do this in order to prevent Satan from being able to trick us.” Revised Standard Version gaining the advantage actually implies treachery and cunning deception.

Many translators will simply transliterate the name Satan. Satan is the transliteration of a Hebrew word which means “accuser” or “adversary.” By the last two centuries before the birth of Jesus, Judaism had come to think of him as a leader of the forces of evil. Satan was one of the names given to this spiritual being.

The pronouns us and we probably include the readers.

For we are not ignorant of his designs is an example of litotes, that is, of understatement for the sake of emphasis. We are not ignorant of means “we know only too well” (New Jerusalem Bible) or “we know well enough” (Knox). In many languages it will be advisable to translate in this more direct manner, “we know very well.”

His designs: that is, the evil purposes and intentions that Satan has for seducing those who seek to follow the will of God. In many languages it will be both natural and faithful to use a word that has negative connotations, such as “schemes” (New International Version), “intrigues,” “conspiracy,” or “plots.”

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 .