▼ Or “of ministering to.”

▼ 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.

▼ Or “we exhorted.”

▼ 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.

▼ Grk “this grace.”

▼ Grk “as you abound.”

▼ The reading “the love from us that is in you” is very difficult in this context, for Paul is here enumerating the Corinthians’ attributes: How is it possible for them to excel “in the love from us that is in you”? Most likely, because of this difficulty, several early scribes, as well as most later ones (א C D F G Ψ [33] Maj. lat), altered the text to read “your love for us” (so NIV; Grk ἐξ ὑμῶν ἐν ἡμῖν ἀγάπῃ [ex humōn en hēmin agapē]). The reading ἐξ ἡμῶν ἐν ὑμῖν ἀγάπῃ (ex hēmōn en humin agapē) is found, however, in excellent and early witnesses (Ƥ⁴⁶ B 0243 6 104 630 1175 1739 1881 co). As the harder reading it explains the rise of the other reading. What, then, is the force of “in the love from us that is in you”? Most likely, Paul is commending the Corinthians for excelling in deriving some inspiration from the apostles’ love for them.

▼ Grk “you abound.”

▼ Grk “this grace.”