2 Corinthians 8
1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the charity of God, which is given by the congregations of Macedonia;
We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given to the churches of Macedonia.
2 that in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy, and their extreme poverty, superabounded to the riches of their liberality:
During a great test of affliction, the abundance of their joy and the extremity of their poverty have produced great riches of generosity.
3 that to their power, (I bear witness, ) yes, beyond their power, they were willing of themselves; with much entreaty
For I bear witness that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond what they were able, and of their own free will,
4 requesting us to accept the charity and the participation of the service, which is for the saints.
they urgently pleaded with us for the privlege of sharing in this ministry to the believers.
5 Yes, beyond our expectations; for they first gave themselves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.
This did not happen as we had expected. Instead, they first gave themselves to the Lord. Then they gave themselves to us by the will of God.
6 This moved us to entreat Titus, that as he had formerly begun, so he would also finish the same charity among you likewise.
So we urged Titus, who had already begun this task, to complete among you this act of grace.
7 Now as you abound in every gift, (in faith, and speech, and knowledge, and all diligence, and in your love to us, ) I wish that you may abound in this gift also.
But you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us. So also make sure that you excel in this act of grace.
8 I speak not this as an injunction, but on account of the diligence of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
I say this not as a command. Instead, I say this in order to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it to the eagerness of other people.
9 (For you know the charity of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor; that you, through his poverty, might be rich.)
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Even though he was rich, for your sakes he became poor, so that through his poverty you might become rich.
10 And in this I give my opinion, not only to do, but also to be willing since the last year.
In this matter I will give you advice that will help you. One year ago, you not only started to do something, but you desired to do it.
11 At present, therefore, finish the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will; so also let there be to finish, according to your ability.
Now finish it. Just as there was an eagerness and desire to do it then, may you also bring it to completion, as much as you can.
12 For if there be a willing mind, according to what a person has, he is accepted; and not according to what he has not.
For if you are eager to do this deed, it is a good and acceptable thing. It must be based on what a person has, not on what he does not have.
13 However, I mean not that others should be eased and you distressed; but on account of equality,
For this task is not in order that others may be relieved and you may be burdened. Instead, there should be fairness.
14 that now your abundance may be a supply for their want; that again, their abundance may be a supply for your want; that there may be an equality.
Your abundance at the present time will supply what they need. This is also so that their abundance may supply your need, and so that there may be fairness.
15 As it is written, "He who gathered much, had nothing over; and he who gathered little, had no lack."
It is as it is written: “The one with much did not have anything left over, and the one who had little did not have any lack.”
16 Now thanks be to God, who has put the same earnest care concerning you, into the heart of Titus.
But thanks be to God, who put into Titus' heart the same earnest care that I have for you.
17 For he, indeed, received an exhortation; but from his great earnestness, was going to you of his own accord.
For he not only accepted our appeal, but he was also very earnest about it. He came to you of his own free will.
18 And with him we have sent the brother, whose praise in the gospel is throughout all the congregations.
We have sent with him the brother who is praised among all of the churches for his work in proclaiming the gospel.
19 And not only so, but who was also chosen by the congregations our fellow-traveler, with this charity, which is ministered by us, to the glory of the Lord himself, and of your readiness:
Not only this, but he also was selected by the churches to travel with us in our carrying out this act of grace. This is for the honor of the Lord himself and for our eagerness to help.
20 using this precaution, that none may blame us in the distribution of this abundance;
We are avoiding the possibility that anyone should complain about us concerning this generosity that we are carrying out.
21 premeditating things comely, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in sight of men.
We take care to do what is honorable, not only before the Lord, but also before people.
22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes found diligent in many things; but now much more diligent, from the great confidence which he has in you.
We are also sending another brother with them. We have tested him in many ways and found him diligent for many tasks. He is even more eager now because of the great confidence he has in you.
23 If any inquire concerning Titus, he is my partner and fellow-laborer for you; or if our brethren be inquired of, they are Apostles of congregations, and a glory of Christ.
As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you. As for our brothers, they are sent by the churches. They are an honor to Christ.
24 Wherefore, the proof of your love, and of our boasting concerning you, display before them, and before the face of the congregations.
So show them your love, and show to the churches the reason for our boasting about you.
