For the sake of Christ: in the Greek text these words come at the end of the list of troubles (as in Good News Translation), but the expression actually modifies the verb. The idea is that, if the problems listed are experienced for the sake of Christ, then Paul is satisfied.

Then: this transition word, often rendered “therefore” (New Revised Standard Version, New American Bible, and Translator’s New Testament), is omitted by Good News Translation, but translators will probably want to retain it in most languages, since it shows the logical connection between what has been said and what Paul says in this verse. Anchor Bible has “so,” and New International Version translates it “that is why….”

Insults: perhaps the meaning of the Greek word here is “difficulties” which are caused by being mistreated. Translator’s New Testament, in fact, translates the word “ill-treatment,” and New American Bible has “mistreatment.”

Hardships: see comment on 6.4.

Persecutions: for Paul the persecutions were for religious reasons. Compare Mark 4.17 and Rom 8.35, where the same word is used.

Calamities: see comment on 6.4.

This series of five nouns may be more naturally rendered as verbal expressions in some languages: “I am happy when I lack strength, when people insult me, when I am in need, when people persecute me, and when I suffer.”

For when I am weak, then I am strong: considered superficially, this statement is actually a contradiction in terms. The meaning, of course, is that Paul has real, spiritual strength just when he acknowledges his weakness and dependence on Christ. It will, however, be unwise to make too much explicit in translating this brief but powerful paradox. If readers are likely to misunderstand it, perhaps a footnote is in order.

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 .