2 Corinthians 8:3,12 - Compare All Versions

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For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own

For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.

For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord

For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.

For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will.

Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have.

I can testify that, according to their ability and even beyond their ability, of their own accord

For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.

For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves

For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing

For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.

Now, friends, I want to report on the surprising and generous ways in which God is working in the churches in Macedonia province. Fierce troubles came down on the people of those churches, pushing them to the very limit. The trial exposed their true colors: They were incredibly happy, though desperately poor. The pressure triggered something totally unexpected: an outpouring of pure and generous gifts. I was there and saw it for myself. They gave offerings of whatever they could—far more than they could afford!—pleading for the privilege of helping out in the relief of poor Christians.

So here’s what I think: The best thing you can do right now is to finish what you started last year and not let those good intentions grow stale. Your heart’s been in the right place all along. You’ve got what it takes to finish it up, so go to it. Once the commitment is clear, you do what you can, not what you can’t. The heart regulates the hands. This isn’t so others can take it easy while you sweat it out. No, you’re shoulder to shoulder with them all the way, your surplus matching their deficit, their surplus matching your deficit. In the end you come out even. As it is written, Nothing left over to the one with the most, Nothing lacking to the one with the least. I thank God for giving Titus the same devoted concern for you that I have. He was most considerate of how we felt, but his eagerness to go to you and help out with this relief offering is his own idea. We’re sending a companion along with him, someone very popular in the churches for his preaching of the Message. But there’s far more to him than popularity. He’s rock-solid trustworthy. The churches handpicked him to go with us as we travel about doing this work of sharing God’s gifts to honor God as well as we can, taking every precaution against scandal.

For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave voluntarily

For if the willingness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.

For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave voluntarily

For if the eagerness [to give] is there, it is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.

For I testify, they gave according to their means and beyond their means. They did so voluntarily

For if the eagerness is present, the gift itself is acceptable according to whatever one has, not according to what he does not have.