New Testament · 2 Corinthians

2 Corinthians 8

Generosity Commended

(Philippians 4:10–20)

1Now, brothers, we wish to make known to you the grace^a of God which has been given in the ekklesias of Macedonia,^b 2that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their generosity. 3For I testify that according to their ability^c, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, 4begging us with much comfort for the favor of participation^e in the support of the holy ones^f,^d 5and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will^g of God.

6So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this grace also. 7But just as you abound in everything, in faith and word^h and knowledgeⁱ and in all earnestness and in your love^j for us, see that you abound in this grace also. 8I am not speaking this as a command, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also.

9For you know the grace of our Lord Yeshua Messiah, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. 10I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it. 11But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability. 12For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.

13For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality — at this present appointed time your abundance being a supply for their need,^k 14so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality; 15as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little had no lack."

Titus Commended

(Titus 1:1–4)

16But thanks be to God who puts the same earnestness on your behalf in the heart^l of Titus. 17For he not only accepted our comfort, but being himself very earnest, he has gone to you of his own accord.

18We have sent along with him the brother whose praise in the good news has spread through all the ekklesias; 19and not only this, but he has also been appointed by the ekklesias to travel with us in this grace which is being administered by us for the glory of the Lord Himself, and to show our readiness,

20taking precaution so that no one will discredit us in our administration of this generous gift; 21for we have regard for what is honorable, 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 often tested and found diligent in many things, but now even more diligent because of his great confidence in you. 23As for Titus, he is my partner^m and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are messengers of the ekklesias, a glory of Messiah. 24Therefore openly before the ekklesias, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you.