So: this represents the conjunction often translated “Therefore” (New Revised Standard Version). It introduces the logical conclusion of Paul’s argument on this point.

Give proof … of our boasting: the sense is “give proof of the truthfulness of our boasting.” Good News Translation expresses this sense with “show” and by adding the words “will be sure of it and know that we are right.”

Our boasting about you: different forms of the word “boast” appear nearly thirty times in this letter. The references are sometimes positive (as in this case) and sometimes negative. In this context translators may say something like Contemporary English Version‘s “why we bragged about you,” or possibly “the expression of our happiness with you.” See also 1.12.

Before the churches is literally “in the face of the churches.” Paul wants Christians in other churches to see or be made aware of the love that the Corinthians have. The churches may refer to all the local assemblies. Good News Translation inserts the word “all” (so also New Jerusalem Bible and Martin). Perhaps, though, Paul is referring only to the churches that are mentioned in verses 19 and 23, that is, the churches which appointed these men to represent them. So Nueva Biblia Española says “before their churches.” In view of the difference of opinion among scholars on the meaning of churches here, it is probably better not to add the word “all” as Good News Translation has done.

As in 8.8, the Greek does not specify the object of your love. Good News Translation says “your love to them [Titus and the brothers],” but this could be either their love for Titus and the brothers, which some translations make explicit (Bible en français courant, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, Nova Tradução na Linguagem de Hoje), or their love for Paul. In light of 8.7, it is unlikely that this refers to Christian love in general.

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 .

Verse 17 is a freely-worded quotation from Jer 9.24, the second time that Paul has quoted this verse in his letters to the Corinthians (see 1 Cor 1.31). The quotation marks in Revised Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, and New American Bible indicate that Paul is quoting these words, without identifying the source. Other translations print this verse in italics to show that it is a quotation from scripture, and cite the source from Jeremiah in a note (Nueva Biblia Española, New Jerusalem Bible, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente). Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, and Bible en français courant make explicit that Paul is quoting from the scripture by adding “as the scripture says” (see comments on 13.1). Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente introduces the quotation by adding “The scripture says” and also uses italics for the quotation.

Boast of the Lord: New American Bible, New International Version, and New Revised Standard Version have “boast in the Lord.” Good News Translation correctly takes this to mean “about what the Lord has done.” The Lord in verses 17 and 18 is probably Christ rather than God, though either is possible (in the passage in Jeremiah itself, of course, “the Lord” is God), and the translator should leave the matter open. But if the language forces a decision, it will probably be better to say “the Lord Christ.”

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 .

The God and Father of the Lord Jesus: this is a repetition of the same basic formula used at the beginning of this letter (1.3) and elsewhere (Rom 15.6; Eph 1.3; 1 Peter 1.3). It is used here to emphasize the solemnity of what Paul is about to say. See discussion under 1.3.

When Paul says I do not lie, he is not speaking in general terms but is referring specifically to what he says in this part of the letter. For that reason the English translation “I am not lying” or “I am speaking the truth” (God’s New Covenant) is preferable to “I do not lie.” Probably he is referring to the previous verses, but some interpreters think he is pointing ahead to story he tells in the next two verses. Either seems equally possible.

Both Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation are ambiguous as to whether it is God or Jesus who is blessed for ever. The Greek is clear: God is blessed for ever. Revised English Bible removes the ambiguity in English: “He who is blessed for ever, the God and Father of the Lord Jesus.” As in 1.3, to “bless” means to praise, honor, or glorify. The passive idea will have to be rendered actively in many languages. So the whole verse may read something like “We always praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus forever! For he knows that I am telling the truth.” Or, transposing the two main elements of the verse, “God, the Father of the Lord Jesus, knows that I am not lying. May his name receive honor forever!”

This whole verse is a rather complicated formula used as an oath to guarantee that what has been said is absolutely true. It serves the same purpose as certain expressions in the Muslim world in which the name of Allah is mentioned to support the truth of something said.

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 .

I write this refers to the letter which he is now writing. Revised English Bible says “In writing this letter.” Whether 2 Corinthians was originally one whole letter, or whether it is made up of parts of two or more originally separate letters, is debated by scholars (see “Translating 2 Corinthians,” page 3), but in any case Paul is referring to the entire letter which he is writing and not just the immediately preceding words (see 10.2, 8).

Be severe: although it is not explicitly stated, clearly Paul is talking about being severe with the Corinthian Christians to whom he is writing. This may be directly stated in translation by saying something like “be severe with you,” or “treat you with force,” or “handle you with a strong hand.”

The authority which the Lord has given: this phrase is almost identical with the one in 10.8. The Lord here and in 10.8 is probably Christ, since Paul claims to be speaking for Christ (12.19; 13.3).

On building up and tearing down, see comments on 10.8, where the same words occur in Greek, and where the object is specifically stated as “you” (the Corinthians). Here it may also be necessary to provide the same object for the two verbs. Contemporary English Version translates “so that I could help you and not destroy you.”

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 .