The Greek word translated as Now in Revised Standard Version may be understood to indicate a contrast with what precedes, “But.” Paul’s appeal is based not only on the example of the Macedonian Christians, but also on an appeal to the spiritual resources of the Corinthian Christians.

You excel in everything: the verb used here has the meaning “to have more than enough” or “to be present in abundance,” and by extension, “to be extremely rich.” This is the same Greek verb translated by Revised Standard Version as “have overflowed” in 8.2. Just as the churches of Macedonia had “overflowed,” now the church in Corinth is “overflowing” in everything. However, the comparative idea of Contemporary English Version (“You do everything better than anyone else”) should probably be avoided. Translators may rather consider “you are rich in every respect” (New American Bible) or “you are outstanding in every sphere” (Barclay).

Faith here can refer to “faith that saves” or, more likely, to “faith that performs miracles” (see 1 Cor 12.9, 10).

In utterance is literally “in word.” Here Paul is referring to the ability to speak eloquently (see 1 Cor 1.5). New Jerusalem Bible, God’s New Covenant, and Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente translate this as “eloquence,” Revised English Bible as “discourse.”

In knowledge refers to knowledge about spiritual realities. In 1 Corinthians Paul speaks frequently about knowledge. Jesus Christ is said to be its source (1.5). But it is passing (13.8) and without love it is useless (13.2) and can actually cause pride (8.1) and the destruction of others (8.11). See also the use of this term in 2 Cor 6.6.

In all earnestness is translated as “concern for everything” (New Jerusalem Bible) and “the utmost zeal” (God’s New Covenant). The Corinthians have a zeal for the Christian cause. See 7.11 and 12.

In some languages it will be more natural to translate the nouns faith, utterance, knowledge, and earnestness as verbal expressions. A possible model using verbal expressions may be “you have strong faith, you preach well, you are very wise, and you do not give up.”

The Greek manuscripts provide strong support for two different readings in this verse. The editors of the UBS Greek New Testament have followed the more difficult reading, “in our love for you” (literally “the from us in you [plural] love”). This reading is followed by New Revised Standard Version: “in our love for you” (so also revised New American Bible, Anchor Bible; footnotes of Good News Translation and New International Version). Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente, and Martin also follow the text of the UBS Greek New Testament but with different interpretations from that in New Revised Standard Version and from each other. Traduction œcuménique de la Bible says “and the love that you have received from us,” meaning that the love originating with Paul and his companions is now dwelling within the Corinthians. Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente says “and among you there is that love that I have taught you to have.” Martin translates “in the love that we have aroused in you,” and explains this as referring to the readers’ attitude to Paul. According to Martin, the sense is that Paul’s love has aroused the Corinthians to love Paul in return. This understanding agrees in part with the translation in Revised Standard Version, which is based on a different reading in the Greek text.

The other reading, in your love for us (Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New International Version), seems more appropriate in the context of this verse; but precisely because the other reading is more difficult, a scribe may have changed the text to read “in your love for us.” The editors of the UBS Greek New Testament give a “C” evaluation to this reading, meaning that translators should feel free to choose either reading.

The above discussion shows that, even when translators have decided which Greek reading to translate, they still have the difficult task of determining the exact meaning of the words. If the text of the UBS Greek New Testament is followed, then Traduction œcuménique de la Bible and Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente seem to capture more faithfully the correct meaning. It is probably going to far to specify that the love the Corinthians have is for Paul. In line with the Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente translation, one may say “and there is among you that love that we [or, I] taught you to have [for all people].”

See that you excel in this gracious work also: literally “in order that in this grace you might overflow also,” repeating with imperative meaning the same verb used in the indicative earlier in this verse. Revised Standard Version correctly translates these words as a command. Also indicates that as they have excelled in the items mentioned in 8.7, they must likewise excel in their contribution to the poor in Jerusalem.

The structure of this verse will require special attention in many languages, since the words set off by dashes in Revised Standard Version constitute a sort of parenthetical statement and contain considerable implicit information. One possible structure for the whole verse is the following:
• You have great faith. You know how to preach well. You have much knowledge and are so sincere. And you love us very much. In fact, you do everything so extremely well. So we really want you to do especially well also in this matter of giving generously.

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 .