¹ tn A new sentence was started here in the translation and the word “thus” was supplied to indicate that it expresses the result of the previous clause.

² tn Or “we exhorted.”

³ tn The words “this work” are not in the Greek text but are implied. Direct objects in Greek were often omitted and must be supplied from the context.

⁴ tn Grk “this grace.”

⁵ tn The comparative form of this adjective is used here with elative meaning.

⁶ tn This verb has been translated as an epistolary aorist.

⁷ tn Or “of his own free will.”

⁸ tn This verb has been translated as an epistolary aorist.

⁹ tn Grk “the brother of whom the praise in the gospel [is] throughout all the churches.”

¹⁰ tn Grk “gospel, and not only this, but.” Here a new sentence was started in the translation.

¹¹ tn Grk “he”; the referent (the brother mentioned in v. 18) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

¹² tn That is, the offering or collection being taken to assist impoverished Christians.

¹³ tn The words “to help” are not in the Greek text but are implied (see L&N 25.68).

¹⁴ tn “This” refers to sending the brother mentioned in 2 Cor 8:18 to Corinth along with Titus. The words “We did this” have no equivalent in the Greek text, but are necessary to maintain the thought flow in English. The Greek participle that begins v. 20 continues the sentence begun in v. 18 which concerns the sending of the other brother mentioned there.

¹⁵ sn An allusion to Prov 3:4.

¹⁶ tn This verb has been translated as an epistolary aorist.

¹⁷ tn Grk “If concerning Titus” (εἴτε ὑπὲρ Τίτου, eite Juper Titou); the Greek sentence opens with an ellipsis which must be supplied: If [there is any question] about Titus.”

¹⁸ tn Grk “apostles.”

¹⁹ tc The sense of this translation is attested by the fact that most of the later mss, along with several early and important ones (א C D² Ψ 0225 0243 1739 1881 Ï lat), have the imperative verb ἐνδείξασθε (ejndeixasqe) in place of the participle ἐνδεικνύμενοι (endeiknumenoi), which is found in B D* F G 33 pc. Since an imperatival participle is more Hebraic in style, many scribes would not have understood the idiom as easily and would have been likely to change the participle to an imperative (so TCGNT 513-14). But there is no good reason why scribes would change the imperative into a participle. Thus, ἐνδεικνύμενοι is almost surely the wording of the original text.

tn In the Greek text ἐνδεικνύμενοι (endeiknumenoi) is a present participle which is translated as an imperative verb (see BDF §468; ExSyn 650-52).

²⁰ tn Or “our boasting about you.”