2 Corinthians 8

Encouragement to Give Generously

1 We want you to know, brothers,t about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia,2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,4 begging us earnestly for the favort of taking part in the relief of the saints—5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.6 Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace.7 But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for yout—see that you excel in this act of grace also.

8 I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.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 by his poverty might become rich.10 And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it.11 So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have.12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness14 your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness.15 As it is written, "Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack."

Commendation of Titus

16 But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you.17 For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is goingt to you of his own accord.18 With him we are sendingt the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel.19 And not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will.20 We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us,21 for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of man.22 And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you.23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengerst of the churches, the glory of Christ.24 So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.

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.