Neither Revised Standard Version nor Good News Translation translates the Greek word marking the logical relation of verse 8 to its context. This Greek word often means “but,” though in the present context it indicates that Paul is returning to his earlier thought regarding “good courage” in 5.6. Revised English Bible indicates the force of this connecting word by translating it with the words “I say”: “We are confident, I say…” (so also New International Version). And New American Bible begins this verse with the words “I repeat….”

Be away from the body: Paul would rather die and be with the Lord Jesus. One African translation has said “it is fitting that we leave this human body in order to arrive at the place of the Lord.”

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 .