2 Corinthians 8

1 And we make known to you, brethren, the grace of God, that hath been given in the assemblies of Macedonia,

We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given to the churches of Macedonia.

2 because in much trial of tribulation the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, did abound 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 because, according to [their] power, I testify, and above [their] power, they were willing of themselves,

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 with much entreaty calling on us to receive the favour and the fellowship of the ministration to the saints,

they urgently pleaded with us for the privlege of sharing in this ministry to the believers.

5 and not according as we expected, but themselves they did give first 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 so that we exhorted Titus, that, according as he did begin before, so also he may finish to you also this favour,

So we urged Titus, who had already begun this task, to complete among you this act of grace.

7 but even as in every thing ye do abound, in faith, and word, and knowledge, and all diligence, and in your love to us, that also in this grace ye may abound;

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 not according to command do I speak, but because of the diligence of others, and of your love proving the genuineness,

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 ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that because of you he became poor — being rich, that ye by that poverty may become 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 an opinion in this do I give: for this to you [is] expedient, who not only to do, but also to will, did begin before — a year ago,

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 and now also finish doing [it], that even as [there is] the readiness of the will, so also the finishing, out of that which ye have,

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 the willing mind is present, according to that which any one may have it is well-accepted, not according to that which he hath 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 for not that for others release, and ye pressured, [do I speak, ]

For this task is not in order that others may be relieved and you may be burdened. Instead, there should be fairness.

14 but by equality, at the present time your abundance — for their want, that also their abundance may be for your want, that there may be 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 according as it hath been written, 'He who [did gather] much, had nothing over; and he who [did gather] 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 And thanks to God, who is putting the same diligence for you in the heart of Titus,

But thanks be to God, who put into Titus' heart the same earnest care that I have for you.

17 because indeed the exhortation he accepted, and being more diligent, of his own accord he went forth unto you,

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 we sent with him the brother, whose praise in the good news [is] through all the assemblies,

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 appointed by vote by the assemblies, our fellow-traveller, with this favour that is ministered by us, unto the glory of the same Lord, and your willing mind;

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 avoiding this, lest any one may blame us in this abundance that is ministered by us,

We are avoiding the possibility that anyone should complain about us concerning this generosity that we are carrying out.

21 providing right things, not only before the Lord, but also before men;

We take care to do what is honorable, not only before the Lord, but also before people.

22 and we sent with them our brother, whom we proved in many things many times being diligent, and now much more diligent, by the great confidence that is toward 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 whether — about Titus — my partner and towards you fellow-worker, whether — our brethren, apostles of assemblies — 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 the shewing therefore of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf, to them shew ye, even in the face of the assemblies.

So show them your love, and show to the churches the reason for our boasting about you.