2 Corinthians 8
Encouragement to Give Generously
1We want you to know, brothers, ▼▼Or brothers and sisters
about the grace of God that has been bgiven among the churches of Macedonia, 2for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and ctheir extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3For they gave daccording to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4begging us earnestly efor the favor ▼▼The Greek word charis can mean favor or grace or thanks, depending on the context
of taking part in gthe relief of the saints— 5and this, not as we expected, but they hgave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. 6Accordingly, iwe urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you jthis act of grace. 7But as kyou excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you ▼▼Some manuscripts in your love for us
— msee that you excel in this act of grace also. 8 nI say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that othough he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. 10And in this matter pI give my judgment: qthis benefits you, who ra year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. 11So 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. 12For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable saccording to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 13For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness 14your abundance at the present time should supply ttheir need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. 15As it is written, u“Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”
Commendation of Titus
16But vthanks be to God, wwho put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you. 17For xhe not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going ▼▼Or he went
to you of his own accord. 18With him we are sending ▼▼Or we sent; also verse 22
aathe brother who is famous among aball the churches for his preaching of the gospel. 19And not only that, but he has been acappointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of adgrace that is being ministered by us, aefor the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will. 20We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, 21for afwe aim at what is honorable agnot only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man. 22And 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. 23As for Titus, he is ahmy partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengers ▼▼Greek apostles
of the churches, the glory of Christ. 24So give proof before the churches of your love and of ajour boasting about you to these men.
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