And not only that: this element seems to be omitted by New American Bible and Contemporary English Version. However, the wording found here is often used to compare something important with something even more important and should probably be represented in the receptor language. The use of the word “too” in Knox is an attempt to get at this (“he too is a man whom the churches have appointed”). Revised English Bible has “moreover,” and New Jerusalem Bible renders it “what is more.”
He has been appointed: the passive formulation here will have to be made active in many languages. But since the agent is specified in the original, this should present no major problems. The meaning is “the churches selected him….” However, in some cases the expression used for “churches” may not fit logically with verbs such as “choose” or “appoint.” If this is the case one may have to say “the people of the churches chose….”
By the churches: probably refers to the churches in Macedonia (8.1-6), or possibly by the churches of Asia Minor, or even by the churches in Judea. Since the churches were just mentioned in the previous verse, Revised English Bible uses a pronoun here: “they have duly appointed him…”
To travel with us: Paul is not speaking about traveling around in general. Rather the brother mentioned in verse 18 is to travel with Paul on this specific trip regarding the collection, probably all the way to Jerusalem. Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente says “Moreover, the churches have appointed him to accompany me in the trip that I’m making in order to carry to the end this generous pledge.”
This gracious work: “this charis”; literally “this grace” as in verse 6 above. No doubt Paul has in mind the specific task of sharing with those in need. Contemporary English Version translates “while we carry this gift,” while Moffatt has “on the business of administering this fund.”
The relationship of the final clause, that is, for the glory … our good will, to what precedes is not clear. With most translations Good News Translation connects this clause with “we carry out this service.” It is also possible, however, to connect this clause with the words he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us (so Anchor Bible).
On the glory of the Lord, see comments on 1.20; see also 4.15. The Lord here is probably God. The UBS Greek New Testament prints the pronoun “himself” in square brackets, and the editors express considerable doubt about the correct reading by giving a “C” evaluation to the decision to include the pronoun in the text. If translators follow the UBS Greek New Testament (so New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, New International Version, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Anchor Bible), the translation will say “for the glory of the Lord himself.”
To show our good will: the sense is probably that found in Good News Translation “to show that we want to help,” and New American Bible “for the expression of our eagerness.” However, if these words connect to the words appointed by the churches, then the sense may be that Paul has shown his good will by agreeing to have this Christian travel with them for the purpose of proving that Paul is not being irresponsible or dishonest in his handling of the money (see verse 20).
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 .