2 Corinthians 8
8
1Now we make known unto you, brethren, the grace of God, that hath been given in the churches of Macedonia.
2That in much experience of tribulation, they have had abundance of joy; and their very deep poverty hath abounded unto the riches of their simplicity.
3For according to their power (I bear them witness), and beyond their power, they were willing.
4With much entreaty begging of us the grace and communication of the ministry that is done toward the saints.
5And not as we hoped, but they gave their own selves first to the Lord, then to us by the will of God:
6Insomuch, that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so also he would finish among you this same grace.
7That as in all things you abound in faith, and word, and knowledge, and all carefulness; moreover also in your charity towards us, so in this grace also you may abound.
8I speak not as commanding; but by the carefulness of others, approving also the good disposition of your charity.
9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that being rich he became poor, for your sakes; that through his poverty you might be rich.
10And herein I give my advice; for this is profitable for you, who have begun not only to do, but also to be willing, a year ago.
11Now therefore perform ye it also in deed; that as your mind is forward to be willing, so it may be also to perform, out of that which you have.
12For if the will be forward, it is accepted according to that which a man hath, not according to that which he hath not.
13For I mean not that others should be eased, and you burthened, but by an equality.
14In this present time let your abundance supply their want, that their abundance also may supply your want, that there may be an equality,
15As it is written: He that had much, had nothing over; and he that had little, had no want.
16And thanks be to God, who hath given the same carefulness for you in the heart of Titus.
17For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more careful, of his own will he went unto you.
18We have sent also with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel through all the churches.
19And not that only, but he was also ordained by the churches companion of our travels, for this grace, which is administered by us, to the glory of the Lord, and our determined will:
20Avoiding this, lest any man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us.
21For we forecast what may be good not only before God, but also before men.
22And we have sent with them our brother also, whom we have often proved diligent in many things; but now much more diligent, with much confidence in you,
23Either for Titus, who is my companion and fellow labourer towards you, or our brethren, the apostles of the churches, the glory of Christ.
24Wherefore shew ye to them, in the sight of the churches, the evidence of your charity, and of our boasting on your behalf.
Currently Selected:
2 Corinthians 8: DRC1752
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
An historical text maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society.
2 Corinthians 8
8
Eagerness to Give
1Now we make known to you, brothers and sisters, the grace God has given to Messiah’s communities in Macedonia—
2that in much testing by affliction, the abundance of their joy and their extreme poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
3For I testify that according to their ability, and even beyond their ability, they gave of their own free will—
4begging us with much urging for the favor of sharing in the relief of the kedoshim.
5Moreover, it was not just as we had hoped, but they gave of themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will.
6So we urged Titus that, just as he had made a start before, so he should also complete this gracious service for you.
7But as you excel in everything—in faith and speech and knowledge and all diligence, and in your love for us—also excel in this grace.
8I am saying this not as a command, but I am trying to prove by the diligence of others the genuineness of your love as well.
9For you know the grace of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah—that even though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that through His poverty you might become rich.
10Now I give my opinion in this matter, that it is a credit to you that a year ago you were the first to start—not only to do but even to be willing.
11But now finish doing it, so that just as there was eagerness to be willing, so also to finish it, out of what you have.
12For if the eagerness is present, the gift is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he doesn’t have.
13For it is not relief for others and hardship for you, but as a matter of equality.
14Your abundance at this present time meets their need, so that their abundance may also meet your need—so that there may be equality.
15As it is written, “He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.”
An Offering by Special Delivery
16But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same devotion for you.
17For indeed he not only accepted our appeal, but went to you with eagerness and on his own initiative.
18We are sending along with him the brother whose fame in connection with the Good News has spread throughout all of Messiah’s communities.
19Not only that, but he has also been appointed by the communities as our travel companion with this gracious gift, which is administered by us for the glory of the Lord Himself and to show our eagerness to help.
20We are taking this precaution, so that no one will blame us in regard to the way we administer this generous gift.
21We have regard for what is honorable—not only before the Lord, but also before people.
22Also with them we are sending our brother whom we have tested many times and found to be diligent in many things, but now even more diligent because of his great confidence in you.
23As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are the emissaries of the communities, a glory to Messiah.
24Therefore, before Messiah’s communities show them the proof of your love and of our boasting about you.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Copyright © 2014 - Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society