2 Corinthians 8:4,6,19
2 Corinthians 8:1-4 The Message (MSG)
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.
2 Corinthians 8:5-7 The Message (MSG)
This was totally spontaneous, entirely their own idea, and caught us completely off guard. What explains it was that they had first given themselves unreservedly to God and to us. The other giving simply flowed out of the purposes of God working in their lives. That’s what prompted us to ask Titus to bring the relief offering to your attention, so that what was so well begun could be finished up. You do so well in so many things—you trust God, you’re articulate, you’re insightful, you’re passionate, you love us—now, do your best in this, too.
2 Corinthians 8:10-20a The Message (MSG)
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.
2 Corinthians 8:4 King James Version (KJV)
praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
2 Corinthians 8:6 King James Version (KJV)
Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
2 Corinthians 8:19 King James Version (KJV)
and not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind
2 Corinthians 8:4 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints
2 Corinthians 8:6 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well.
2 Corinthians 8:19 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
and not only this, but he has also been appointed by the churches to travel with us in this gracious work, which is being administered by us for the glory of the Lord Himself, and to show our readiness
2 Corinthians 8:4 New Century Version (NCV)
But they begged and pleaded with us to let them share in this service for God’s people.
2 Corinthians 8:6 New Century Version (NCV)
So we asked Titus to help you finish this special work of grace since he is the one who started it.
2 Corinthians 8:19 New Century Version (NCV)
Also, this brother was chosen by the churches to go with us when we deliver this gift of money. We are doing this service to bring glory to the Lord and to show that we really want to help.
2 Corinthians 8:4 American Standard Version (ASV)
beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints
2 Corinthians 8:6 American Standard Version (ASV)
Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also.
2 Corinthians 8:19 American Standard Version (ASV)
and not only so, but who was also appointed by the churches to travel with us in the matter of this grace, which is ministered by us to the glory of the Lord, and to show our readiness
2 Corinthians 8:4 New International Version (NIV)
they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people.
2 Corinthians 8:6 New International Version (NIV)
So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part.
2 Corinthians 8:19 New International Version (NIV)
What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help.
2 Corinthians 8:4 New King James Version (NKJV)
imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
II Corinthians 8:6 New King James Version (NKJV)
So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well.
II Corinthians 8:19 New King James Version (NKJV)
and not only that, but who was also chosen by the churches to travel with us with this gift, which is administered by us to the glory of the Lord Himself and to show your ready mind
2 Corinthians 8:4 Amplified Bible (AMP)
begging us insistently for the privilege of participating in the service for [the support of] the saints [in Jerusalem].
2 Corinthians 8:6 Amplified Bible (AMP)
So we urged Titus that, as he began it, he should also complete this gracious work among you as well.
2 Corinthians 8:19 Amplified Bible (AMP)
and not only this, but he has also been appointed by the churches to travel with us in regard to this gracious offering which we are administering for the glory of the Lord Himself, and to show our eagerness [as believers to help one another].
2 Corinthians 8:4 New Living Translation (NLT)
They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem.
2 Corinthians 8:6 New Living Translation (NLT)
So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving.
2 Corinthians 8:19 New Living Translation (NLT)
He was appointed by the churches to accompany us as we take the offering to Jerusalem—a service that glorifies the Lord and shows our eagerness to help.
2 Corinthians 8:4 The Passion Translation (TPT)
They actually begged us for the privilege of sharing in this ministry of giving to God’s holy people who are living in poverty.
2 Corinthians 8:6 The Passion Translation (TPT)
That is why we appealed to Titus, since he was the one who got you started and encouraged you to give, so he could help you complete this generous undertaking on your behalf.
2 Corinthians 8:19 The Passion Translation (TPT)
Not only that, he has been appointed by the churches to be our traveling companion as we carry and dispense this generous gift that glorifies the Lord and shows how eager we are to help.
2 Corinthians 8:4 English Standard Version 2016 (ESV)
begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints