2 Corinthians 8
1 But we make known to you, brethren, the grace of God bestowed in the assemblies of Macedonia;
Now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the churches of Macedonia.
2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty has abounded to the riches of their [free-hearted] liberality.
In the terrible ordeal they suffered, their abundant joy and deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity.
3 For according to [their] power, I bear witness, and beyond [their] power, [they were] willing of their own accord,
For I testify that they gave according to their ability and even beyond it. Of their own accord,
4 begging of us with much entreaty [to give effect to] the grace and fellowship of the service which [was to be rendered] to the saints.
they earnestly pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.
5 And not according as we hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord, and to us by God's will.
And not only did they do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us, because it was the will of God.
6 So that we begged Titus that, according as he had before begun, so he would also complete as to you this grace also;
So we urged Titus to help complete your act of grace, just as he had started it.
7 but even as ye abound in every way, in faith, and word, and knowledge, and all diligence, and in love from you to us, that ye may abound in this grace also.
But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in the love we inspired in you —see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
8 I do not speak as commanding [it], but through the zeal of others, and proving the genuineness of your love.
I am not making a demand, but I am testing the sincerity of your love in comparison to the earnestness of others.
9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sakes he, being rich, became poor, in order that ye by his poverty might be enriched.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.
10 And I give [my] opinion in this, for this is profitable for you who began before, not only to do, but also to be willing, a year ago.
And this is my opinion about what is helpful for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give, but even to have such a desire.
11 But now also complete the doing of it; so that as [there was] the readiness to be willing, so also to complete out of what ye have.
Now finish the work, so that you may complete it just as eagerly as you began, according to your means.
12 For if the readiness be there, [a man is] accepted according to what he may have, not according to what he has not.
For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
13 For [it is] not in order that there may be ease for others, and for you distress,
It is not our intention that others may be relieved while you are burdened, but that there may be equality.
14 but [on the principle] of equality; in the present time your abundance for their lack, that their abundance may be for your lack, so that there should be equality.
At the present time, your surplus will meet their need, so that in turn their surplus will meet your need. Then there will be equality.
15 According as it is written, He who [gathered] much had no excess, and he who [gathered] little was nothing short.
As it is written: “He who gathered much had no excess, and he who gathered little had no shortfall.”
16 But thanks [be] to God, who gives the same diligent zeal for you in the heart of Titus.
But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same devotion I have for you.
17 For he received indeed the entreaty, but, being full of zeal, he went of his own accord to you;
For not only did he welcome our appeal, but he is eagerly coming to you of his own volition.
18 but we have sent with him the brother whose praise [is] in the glad tidings through all the assemblies;
Along with Titus we are sending the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in the gospel.
19 and not only [so], but [is] also chosen by the assemblies as our fellow-traveller with this grace, ministered by us to the glory of the Lord himself, and [a witness of] our readiness;
More than that, this brother was chosen by the churches to accompany us with the offering —the gracious gift we administer to honor the Lord Himself and to show our eagerness to help.
20 avoiding this, that any one should blame us in this abundance [which is] administered by us;
We hope to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this generous gift.
21 for we provide for things honest, not only before [the] Lord, but also before men.
For we are taking great care to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of men.
22 And we have sent with them our brother whom we have often proved to be of diligent zeal in many things, and now more diligently zealous through the great confidence [he has] as to you.
And we are sending along with them our brother whose earnestness has been proven many times and in many ways, and now even more so by his great confidence in you.
23 Whether as regards Titus, [he is] my companion and fellow-labourer in your behalf; or our brethren, [they are] deputed messengers of assemblies, Christ's glory.
As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you. As for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, to the glory of Christ.
24 Shew therefore to them, before the assemblies, the proof of your love, and of our boasting about you.
In full view of the churches, then, show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our boasting about you.
