2 Corinthians 8
8
1 Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia, 2how in a severe ordeal of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their generosity. 3For according to their power, I testify, yes and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord, 4begging us with much entreaty to receive this grace and the fellowship in the service to the saints. 5This was not as we had expected, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God. 6So we urged Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace. 7But as you abound in everything—in faith, utterance, knowledge, all earnestness, and in your love to us—see that you also abound in this grace.
8 I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love. 9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich. 10I give advice in this: it is expedient for you who were the first to start a year ago, not only to do, but also to be willing. 11But now complete the doing also, that as there was the readiness to be willing, so there may be the completion also out of your ability. 12For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you don’t have. 13For this is not that others may be eased and you distressed, 14but for equality. Your abundance at this present time supplies their lack, that their abundance also may become a supply for your lack, that there may be equality. 15As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”#Exodus 16:18
16 But thanks be to God, who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus. 17For he indeed accepted our exhortation, but being himself very earnest, he went out to you of his own accord. 18We have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the Good News is known throughout all the assemblies. 19Not only so, but he was also appointed by the assemblies to travel with us in this grace, which is served by us to the glory of the Lord himself, and to show our readiness. 20We are avoiding this, that any man should blame us concerning this abundance which is administered by us. 21Having regard for honourable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. 22We 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 has in you. 23As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you. As for our brothers, they are the apostles of the assemblies, the glory of Christ. 24Therefore show the proof of your love to them before the assemblies, and of our boasting on your behalf.
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2 Corinthians 8
8
Completing the Collection for the Saints
1 Now we make known to you, brothers and sisters,#tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:8. 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 wealth#tn Or “riches.” of their generosity. 3 For I testify, they gave according to their means and beyond their means. They did so voluntarily,#tn Or “spontaneously.” 4 begging us with great earnestness for the blessing and fellowship of helping#tn Or “of ministering to.” 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 Thus#tn A new sentence was started here in the translation and the word “thus” was supplied to indicate that it expresses the result of the previous clause. we urged#tn Or “we exhorted.” Titus that, just as he had previously begun this work,#tn The words “this work” are not in the Greek text but are implied. Direct objects in Greek were often omitted and must be supplied from the context. so also he should complete this act of kindness#tn Grk “this grace.” for you. 7 But as you excel#tn Grk “as you abound.” in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, and in all eagerness and in the love from us that is in you#tc The reading “the love from us that is in you” is very difficult in this context, for Paul is here enumerating the Corinthians’ attributes: How is it possible for them to excel “in the love from us that is in you”? Most likely, because of this difficulty, several early scribes, as well as most later ones (א C D F G Ψ [33] Ï lat), altered the text to read “your love for us” (so NIV; Grk ἐξ ὑμῶν ἐν ἡμῖν ἀγάπῃ [ex Jumwn en Jhmin agaph]). The reading ἐξ ἡμῶν ἐν ὑμῖν ἀγάπῃ (ex Jhmwn en Jumin agaph) is found, however, in excellent and early witnesses (Ì46 B 0243 6 104 630 1175 1739 1881 co). As the harder reading it explains the rise of the other reading. What, then, is the force of “in the love from us that is in you”? Most likely, Paul is commending the Corinthians for excelling in deriving some inspiration from the apostles’ love for them. – make sure that you excel#tn Grk “you abound.” in this act of kindness#tn Grk “this grace.” 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.#tn Grk “by means of the eagerness of others.” 9 For you know the grace#tn Or “generosity.” 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 you#tn Grk “who.” made a good start last year both in your giving and your desire to give, 11 to finish what you started,#tn Grk “and now also complete the doing.” so that just as you wanted to do it eagerly,#tn Grk “just as the eagerness to want [it].” you can also complete it#tn Grk “so also it might be completed.” The passive construction was converted to an active one in the translation in keeping with contemporary English style. according to your means.#tn Grk “completed from what you have.” 12 For if the eagerness is present, the gift itself#tn The words “the gift itself” are not in the Greek text but are implied. Translators often supply an English phrase like “it is” (NASB) but in the context, Paul is clearly referring to the collection Titus was to oversee (2 Cor 8:4-7). Therefore there is no reason not to specify the referent (the gift) more narrowly for clarity. 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,#tn Or “their lack.” 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 gathered#tn The word “gathered” is not in the Greek text, but is implied (so also for the second occurrence of the word later in the verse). much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”#sn A quotation from Exod 16:18.
The Mission of Titus
16 But thanks be to God who put in the heart of Titus the same devotion#tn Or “eagerness.” I have for you, 17 because he not only accepted our request, but since he was very eager,#tn The comparative form of this adjective is used here with elative meaning. he is coming#tn This verb has been translated as an epistolary aorist. to you of his own accord.#tn Or “of his own free will.” 18 And we are sending#tn This verb has been translated as an epistolary aorist. along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in spreading the gospel.#tn Grk “the brother of whom the praise in the gospel [is] throughout all the churches.” 19 In addition,#tn Grk “gospel, and not only this, but.” Here a new sentence was started in the translation. this brother#tn Grk “he”; the referent (the brother mentioned in v. 18) has been specified in the translation for clarity. has also been chosen by the churches as our traveling companion as we administer this generous gift#tn That is, the offering or collection being taken to assist impoverished Christians. to the glory of the Lord himself and to show our readiness to help.#tn The words “to help” are not in the Greek text but are implied (see L&N 25.68). 20 We did this#tn “This” refers to sending the brother mentioned in 2 Cor 8:18 to Corinth along with Titus. The words “We did this” have no equivalent in the Greek text, but are necessary to maintain the thought flow in English. The Greek participle that begins v. 20 continues the sentence begun in v. 18 which concerns the sending of the other brother mentioned there. 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.#sn An allusion to Prov 3:4. 22 And we are sending#tn This verb has been translated as an epistolary aorist. 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 question#tn Grk “If concerning Titus” (εἴτε ὑπὲρ Τίτου, eite Juper Titou); the Greek sentence opens with an ellipsis which must be supplied: If [there is any question] about Titus.” about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; if there is any question about our brothers, they are messengers#tn Grk “apostles.” of the churches, a glory to Christ. 24 Therefore show#tc The sense of this translation is attested by the fact that most of the later mss, along with several early and important ones (א C D2 Ψ 0225 0243 1739 1881 Ï lat), have the imperative verb ἐνδείξασθε (ejndeixasqe) in place of the participle ἐνδεικνύμενοι (endeiknumenoi), which is found in B D* F G 33 pc. Since an imperatival participle is more Hebraic in style, many scribes would not have understood the idiom as easily and would have been likely to change the participle to an imperative (so TCGNT 513-14). But there is no good reason why scribes would change the imperative into a participle. Thus, ἐνδεικνύμενοι is almost surely the wording of the original text.tn In the Greek text ἐνδεικνύμενοι (endeiknumenoi) is a present participle which is translated as an imperative verb (see BDF §468; ExSyn 650-52). them openly before the churches the proof of your love and of our pride in you.#tn Or “our boasting about you.”
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