My partner: the term koinōnos used here is very close in meaning to fellow worker, which follows. It refers to someone with whom one shares intimately, as a close associate. The term is used in 1.7, whereRevised Standard Version translates using the verb “share,” and it is also related to koinōnia, translated “taking part” in 8.4. Some other possible translations in this context are “my companion” (New American Bible) or “my colleague” (Moffatt).

The words fellow worker in your service contain a slight ambiguity (see comments on 1.24 and 6.1). Most likely Titus is Paul’s fellow worker to help the Corinthians (Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible). Revised English Bible says “my fellow worker in dealings with you.” But it is also possible to understand the Greek to mean “your fellow-worker” (as in Schonfield’s The Original New Testament), though this is unlikely in the context.

Our brethren refers to the other persons who are traveling with Titus (so Good News Translation). Good News Bible avoids the problem of inclusive–exclusive pronouns by saying “the other brothers.” Some languages, however, must use a possessive pronoun here; the pronoun our probably does not include the readers. This refers to the other two men who had been chosen to accompany Titus. Contemporary English Version states specifically “the other two followers.”

Messengers of the churches: literally “apostles” or “sent ones” of the churches. Paul is not referring to the twelve apostles, however. The precise identity of the churches is not known to us (see comment on 8.19). But this expression clearly refers to local congregations or assemblies of believers in the place from which Paul is writing.

The glory of Christ seems to refer to the churches in Revised Standard Version. New Jerusalem Bible correctly says “they are emissaries of the churches and the glory of Christ.” To say that someone is the glory of someone else makes little sense in English. Some translations therefore attempt to express the meaning of glory of Christ: “an honor to Christ” (New International Version), “bring glory to Christ” (Good News Translation).

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 .