When I arrive: the meaning is the same as “come” in verse 2. Perhaps, as often in Paul’s writings, a different verb is used simply for stylistic variety.

Letter: Good News Bible‘s “letters of introduction” is better.

The words I will send those whom you accredit by letter can be understood in two ways, depending on whether the letter is understood to be written by Paul himself (Good News Bible, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible, Barrett, Fee), or by representatives of the church at Corinth (Revised Standard Version); New Revised Standard Version‘s ambiguous “I will send any whom you approve with letters” is not a model to be followed. The Greek is ambiguous because the oldest manuscripts had no punctuation. One may argue that “letters of introduction” would be better received in Jerusalem if they were signed by someone like Paul who was well known there. However, two details make it perhaps more likely that the letters would be written by the Corinthian leaders, as Revised Standard Version suggests. (1) The Greek makes it clear that the Corinthians themselves would choose people to take the fund to Jerusalem. (2) There would be little point in Paul’s writing letters if, as verse 4 suggests, there was a possibility of his going to Jerusalem himself.

Accredit: it is impossible to tell from the Greek whether the Corinthians had already approved people or had still to do so. Good News Bible “have approved” suggests the first, but the context rather suggests the second.

Gift means simply the money that expresses the Corinthian Christians’ generosity.

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .