They long for you: the Greek participle “longing” may mean “to have a great affection or love” (so Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New International Version, Nouvelle version Segond révisée, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, Reina-Valera revisada). On the other hand it is often used by Paul to indicate his desire to see his converts face to face. If this meaning is present here also, then the sense is that the Jerusalem Christians long to see the Gentile Christians who are giving financial help to them. Contemporary English Version adopts this second interpretation, translating “[they] want to see you.”

The surpassing grace: on the meaning of grace here, see comments on 8.1. Surpassing indicates that this grace is far beyond the ordinary. Compare 3.10, where the same verb is used.

Grace of God in you is better translated in some languages as the grace that God has “given you” (Revised English Bible, New Revised Standard Version, New International Version) or “shown you” (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 .