The Greek noun thanks has no explicit subject (see also 9.15). Good News Translation uses a verb (“thank”) with the exclusive pronoun “we” as the subject. Revised English Bible makes Paul alone the subject of the verb: “I thank God.” The expression thanks be to God is typically Pauline, occurring also in Rom 6.17; 7.25; 1 Cor 15.57; 2 Cor 2.14; 9.15, although the word order in Greek varies in two cases.

The same …: Paul does not state the complete comparison when he writes that Titus has the same concern. To whom is Titus’ concern compared? Probably to the concern that Paul himself has for the Corinthians (see verse 17). Good News Translation and Revised English Bible make this comparison explicit: “as eager as we are.” New Revised Standard Version makes Paul alone the point of comparison: “the same eagerness for you that I myself have.” It is also possible, but less likely in light of verse 17, that the comparison is between Titus’ zeal and the zeal of the Corinthians (7.11; 8.7) and of the Macedonians (8.8).

Earnest care translates the same Greek word translated in Revised Standard Version as “earnestness” in 7.11; 8.7, 8; and “zeal” in 7.12.

On the heart as the center of one’s will, rational activity, and moral choice, see comments on 1.22; 3.3, 15. In this context the idea of God’s putting concern into the heart of Titus may be expressed by a causative verb form in some languages. In others translators may wish to say something like “I thank God because he gave Titus the same love for you that I have” (New Century Version) or “I am grateful that God made Titus care as much about you as we do” (Contemporary English Version).

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 .