For: the transition word here indicates the logical continuation of Paul’s argument. It is, however, sometimes not overtly represented in translation.

The rendering of this service … supplies: literally “the ministry [diakonia] of this service … provides fully.” In a number of languages such a noun phrase does not fit well as the subject of the verb that follows. So it may be necessary to say “when you perform this service, you provide…” or “when you serve in this way, you supply….”

This service refers to the offering that the Gentile churches are raising for the poor Christians in Jerusalem. The Greek word translated here as service, leitourgia, sometimes has a religious sense. Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente accordingly focuses on the spiritual aspect of this word in its translation: “this holy service.” The Greek word, however, often means “public service” in a secular sense.

The wants: the Greek word refers to that which one needs but does not have. The reference is not to something that is simply desired but to something that is essential and needed. New Revised Standard Version shifts from wants to “needs.” Similarly some other translations speak of “providing for people who are in need,” “helping God’s people who lack,” or “meeting the needs of fellow Christians.”

As in 9.1, the saints refers specifically to the Jerusalem Jewish Christians. In the context of the collection, it is important that readers recognize that Gentile Christians are making a contribution for poor Jewish Christians (see Rom 15.27). The Good News Translation translation “God’s people” may be too vague (see comment on 9.1). Translators may wish to add the words “in Jerusalem” following the word “saints” (so Martin).

On the word overflows, see 8.2 above.

Many thanksgivings to God: the sense may be that the Jerusalem Christians will give many thanksgivings to God. Alternatively the sense may be “through the thanksgiving of many people.” If the latter is correct, then Paul may have been referring to thanksgivings by his Gentile converts also.

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 .