So: the transition word used here is a rather strong one linking the following declaration to what has just been said. It is rendered “thus” (Anchor Bible), “no wonder…!” (Revised English Bible), “that is why…” (New Jerusalem Bible), and “hence” (Moffatt). It is probably not wise to leave it untranslated as in Contemporary English Version and New American Bible.

We do not lose heart: this is linked to 4.1, where the same verb is used, but it is also linked in thought to the previous verse: the apostles are encouraged by the extension of God’s grace. It is not clear whether all of the first person plural pronouns in this section include the readers, or whether the readers are included only in verse 10. If the pronouns are exclusive, neither is it clear whether Paul includes his companions or only himself (so Moffatt).

The second part of this verse is similar in thought to 3.18.

Outer nature: this refers to the physical part of human existence. Paul does not use this expression elsewhere, but in Rom 6.6 he does talk about “the old person” with much the same sense (likewise Col 3.9 and Eph 4.22). Some possible translation models here are “our body [or, bodies]” (New American Bible, Contemporary English Version), “the physical part of us” (Barclay), and “the outward part of our nature” (Knox).

Wasting away: the verb used here may be rendered “is gradually decaying” (Good News Translation), “wearing out,” or “gradually dying” (Contemporary English Version).

Inner nature: the reference is to the nonphysical, spiritual part of one’s being and stands in contrast with the outer nature. The same expression is translated by Revised Standard Version as “my inmost self” in Rom 7.22 and may be seen as practically synonymous with the “new creature” in 5.17 and Gal 6.15. It has been translated here as “we ourselves” (Contemporary English Version), “our inner being” (New American Bible), “our spirit inside us” (New Century Version), and “our inner life” (Knox).

Being renewed: this verb stands in contrast with wasting away and has been rendered “is refreshed” (Knox), “receives fresh strength” (Phillips), “are being made stronger” (Contemporary English Version).

Note that New International Version uses the adverbs “outwardly” and “inwardly” to translate the two difficult terms in this verse, and that New American Bible reverses the order of the two contrasting parts, speaking first of renewal “even though our body is being destroyed.”

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 .