So: this logical transition word may also be rendered “Therefore” (Anchor Bible and Barclay) or “That is why” (Moffatt and Knox).
The past tense used at the beginning of this verse (I thought) is called by scholars an “epistolary” aorist (see 7.14; 8.17). This means that the writer uses the past tense, in the perspective of the readers for whom the time of Paul’s actions will be in the past when they read his letter. If the past tense in the receptor language will indicate that Paul had already sent the brothers on to Corinth before writing these words, the use of the present tense may be better: “So I think it is necessary…” (though see comments on 2 Cor. 9.3). It is true, of course, that Paul continues to have this opinion. However, if in the receptor language the writer of a letter takes the point of view of the readers, the past tense may be preferred.
As in verse 3, Good News Translation says “these brothers,” since Paul is referring to persons whom he has already mentioned in chapter 8 (though see comments on 2 Cor. 9.3).
Arrange in advance: the verb so translated is found only in this verse but comes from a more frequently occurring verb that involves repairing, arranging, or putting things in order. An added prefix here indicates that the verbal action is done beforehand or in advance. Titus and his companions were to go ahead of Paul and make sure that the money promised was actually collected. God’s New Covenant translates “making things straight well in advance,” and New Century Version has “finish getting in order.”
This gift you have promised is literally “your promised blessing.” Though the Greek does not indicate to whom the promise was made, the context seems to indicate that they promised Paul.
An exaction: the verb that comes from the same root as this noun occurs in 2.11 and 7.2, where Revised Standard Version translates as “gaining an advantage over” someone and “take advantage of” someone. The New International Version translation “grudgingly given” perhaps fails to capture an important aspect of meaning. Paul wants the Corinthians to have the money ready before he arrives, lest it appear that he uses force or other inappropriate methods to obtain money from them. Perhaps a better translation is “an extortion” (New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible), or “because I have forced you to give,” or “not as money wrung [or, squeezed] out of you” (Moffatt).
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 .