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.

2 Corinthians 8

Completing the Collection for the Saints

1 Now we make known to you, brothers and sisters,t the grace of God given to the churches of Macedonia,2 that during a severe ordeal of suffering, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in the wealtht of their generosity.3 For I testify, they gave according to their means and beyond their means. They did so voluntarily,t4 begging us with great earnestness for the blessing and fellowship of helpingt the saints.5 And they did this not just as we had hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us by the will of God.6 Thust we urgedt Titus that, just as he had previously begun this work,t so also he should complete this act of kindnesst for you.7 But as you excelt in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, and in all eagerness and in the love from us that is in yous – make sure that you excelt in this act of kindnesst too.8 I am not saying this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love by comparison with the eagerness of others.t9 For you know the gracet of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so that you by his poverty could become rich.10 So here is my opinion on this matter: It is to your advantage, since yout made a good start last year both in your giving and your desire to give,11 to finish what you started,t so that just as you wanted to do it eagerly,t you can also complete itt according to your means.t12 For if the eagerness is present, the gift itselft is acceptable according to whatever one has, not according to what he does not have.13 For I do not say this so there would be relief for others and suffering for you, but as a matter of equality.14 At the present time, your abundance will meet their need,t so that one day their abundance may also meet your need, and thus there may be equality,

15 as it is written: “The one who gatheredtmuch did not have too much, and the one who gatheredlittle did not have too little.”s

The Mission of Titus

16 But thanks be to God who put in the heart of Titus the same devotiont I have for you,17 because he not only accepted our request, but since he was very eager,t he is comingt to you of his own accord.t18 And we are sendingt along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in spreading the gospel.t19 In addition,t this brothert has also been chosen by the churches as our traveling companion as we administer this generous giftt to the glory of the Lord himself and to show our readiness to help.t20 We did thist as a precaution so that no one should blame us in regard to this generous gift we are administering.21 For we are concerned about what is right not only before the Lord but also before men.s22 And we are sendingt with them our brother whom we have tested many times and found eager in many matters, but who now is much more eager than ever because of the great confidence he has in you.23 If there is any questiont about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; if there is any question about our brothers, they are messengerst of the churches, a glory to Christ.

24 Therefore showst them openly before the churches the proof of your love and of our pride in you.t