2 Corinthians 8

Completing the Collection for the Saints

8:1 Now we make known to you, brothers and sisters,1 the grace of God given to the churches of Macedonia, 8:2 that during a severe ordeal of suffering, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in the wealth2 of their generosity. 8:3 For I testify, they gave according to their means and beyond their means. They did so voluntarily,3 8:4 begging us with great earnestness for the blessing and fellowship of helping4 the saints. 8:5 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. 8:6 Thus5 we urged6 Titus that, just as he had previously begun this work,7 so also he should complete this act of kindness8 for you. 8:7 But as you excel9 in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, and in all eagerness and in the love from us that is in you10 – make sure that you excel11 in this act of kindness12 too. 8:8 I am not saying this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love by comparison with the eagerness of others.13 8:9 For you know the grace14 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. 8:10 So here is my opinion on this matter: It is to your advantage, since you15 made a good start last year both in your giving and your desire to give, 8:11 to finish what you started,16 so that just as you wanted to do it eagerly,17 you can also complete it18 according to your means.19 8:12 For if the eagerness is present, the gift itself20 is acceptable according to whatever one has, not according to what he does not have. 8:13 For I do not say this so there would be relief for others and suffering for you, but as a matter of equality. 8:14 At the present time, your abundance will meet their need,21 so that one day their abundance may also meet your need, and thus there may be equality, 8:15 as it is written: “The one who gathered22 much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”23

The Mission of Titus

8:16 But thanks be to God who put in the heart of Titus the same devotion24 I have for you, 8:17 because he not only accepted our request, but since he was very eager,25 he is coming26 to you of his own accord.27 8:18 And we are sending28 along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in spreading the gospel.29 8:19 In addition,30 this brother31 has also been chosen by the churches as our traveling companion as we administer this generous gift32 to the glory of the Lord himself and to show our readiness to help.33 8:20 We did this34 as a precaution so that no one should blame us in regard to this generous gift we are administering. 8:21 For we are concerned about what is right not only before the Lord but also before men.35 8:22 And we are sending36 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. 8:23 If there is any question37 about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; if there is any question about our brothers, they are messengers38 of the churches, a glory to Christ. 8:24 Therefore show39 them openly before the churches the proof of your love and of our pride in you.40

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