For: verse 2 states why Paul considers it not necessary to write to the Corinthians about the collection. He knows that they are already prepared “to give” (Contemporary English Version).

Readiness: this is the same word as in 8.11, 12 and 19. See comments at that point.

Macedonia … Achaia were Roman provinces. On Macedonia see comments on 1.16; 2.13. On Achaia see comments on 1.1. It is important for readers to understand that Corinth was a part of the province of Achaia (see 1.1). Readers of the receptor language translation should know that “the brothers in Achaia” included the Corinthians, who “are willing to help.” Translators may include this information in the text as Contemporary English Version does: “And I have proudly told the Lord’s followers in Macedonia that you people in Achaia have been ready for a whole year.” Or, alternatively, a footnote may be used to provide this information.

The Greek says literally “Achaia has been ready.” Good News Translation indicates that it is the Christians (“brothers”) there who have been ready. Since Paul no doubt means both men and women, translators will want to avoid a word that implies men only. It may be possible to say “the Christians in Achaia” or “you believers in Achaia.” And readers may need to be reminded explicitly that Achaia is a province, not a city, since they may not recall the classifier term used at the beginning of this letter.

For comments on since last year, see 8.10, “a year ago.”

The report of what Paul said to the believers in Macedonia is translated as an indirect quote in most versions, but it will be more natural in some languages to present it as direct speech and to set it off with quotation marks: “I said to them, ‘Our fellow believers in Achaia have been ready to give since last year.’ ”

Your zeal has stirred up most of them: in the context your zeal means specifically the eagerness of the Corinthians to contribute to the collection. The word for zeal is the same as in 7.7, 11, as well as in 11.2 and 1 Cor 3.3, where it is translated “jealousy” in a different context. The verbal expression stirred up has the result that the Macedonians are eager to contribute also. Contemporary English Version says “Now your desire to give has made them want to give.”

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 .