2 Corinthians 8

Great Generosity

1 Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia,2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord,4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints,5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.6 So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well.

7 But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the tlove we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also.8 I am not speaking this as a command, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also.9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.10 I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it. 11 But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability.12 For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.13 For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality-14 at this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality;15 as it is written, "HE WHO gathered MUCH DID NOT HAVE TOO MUCH, AND HE WHO gathered LITTLE HAD NO LACK."

16 But thanks be to God who puts the same earnestness on your behalf in the heart of Titus.17 For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest, he has gone to you of his own accord.18 We have sent along with him the brother whose fame in the things of the gospel has spread through all the churches;19 and not only this, but he has also been appointed by the churches to travel with us in this gracious work, which is being administered by us for the glory of the Lord Himself, and to show our readiness,20 taking precaution so that no one will discredit us in our administration of this generous gift;21 for we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.22 We have sent with them our brother, whom we have often tested and found diligent in many things, but now even more diligent because of his great confidence in you.23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brethren, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ.24 Therefore openly before the churches, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you.

2 Corinthians 8

1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God which hath been given in the churches of Macedonia;2 how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.3 For according to their power, I bear witness, yea and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord,4 beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints:5 and this, not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.6 Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also.7 But as ye abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all earnestness, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.8 I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich.10 And herein I give my judgment: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to make a beginning a year ago, not only to do, but also to will.11 But now complete the doing also; that as there was the readiness to will, so there may be the completion also out of your ability.12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according as a man hath, not according as he hath not.13 For I say not this that others may be eased and ye distressed;14 but by equality: your abundance being a supply at this present time for their want, that their abundance also may become a supply for your want; that there may be equality:15 as it is written, He that gathered much had nothing over; and he that gathered little had no lack.16 But thanks be to God, who putteth the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.17 For he accepted indeed our exhortation; but being himself very earnest, he went forth unto you of his own accord.18 And we have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the gospel is spread through all the churches;19 and not only so, but who was also appointed by the churches to travel with us in the matter of this grace, which is ministered by us to the glory of the Lord, and to show our readiness:20 Avoiding this, that any man should blame us in the matter of this bounty which is ministered by us:21 for we take thought for things honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.22 and we have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which he hath in you.23 Whether any inquire about Titus, he is my partner and my fellow-worker to you-ward, or our brethren, they are the messengers of the churches, they are the glory of Christ.24 Show ye therefore unto them in the face of the churches the proof of your love, and of our glorying on your behalf.