The words I say this not as a command point back to what Paul has just written in the preceding verses. Some other possible models, in addition to Good News Translation, are “I am not saying that you must do it” (Good News for the World) or “I am not issuing any orders” (Moffatt).

But to prove: the conjunction marks contrast between what Paul is not doing (issuing orders) and what he really hopes to do. In some languages it will be necessary to add the implied information following the conjunction: “but what I want to do is to prove….” Anchor Bible has “I intend to verify the reality of your love.”

The earnestness of others refers to the generosity of the Macedonian Christians. The generosity of the Macedonian Christians becomes the standard by which Paul measures the love of the Corinthians. Martin says “but I am seeking to try out the reality of your love also by using the eagerness of others [as a standard].”

Your love has no stated object. Probably Paul is thinking primarily of their love for fellow Christians, and perhaps also for him (see 8.24). In those languages where an object is required, one may say simply “for other people.”

Genuine: the word so translated is rendered “true” in Phil 4.3; 1 Tim 1.2; Titus 1.4. It is the opposite of fake, counterfeit or false. In some languages it may be translated negatively by saying something like “not a lie” or something similar. Others may have specific terms used in commerce to distinguish quality goods from inferior imitations. If such a term is used figuratively, it would be appropriate here.

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 .