2 Corinthians 8
8
2 Corinthians 8
Encouragement to Be Generous
1We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that has been granted to the churches of Macedonia, 2for during a severe ordeal of affliction their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3For, as I can testify, they voluntarily gave according to their means and even beyond their means, 4#Acts 24.17; Rom 15.25; 2 Cor 9.1begging us earnestly for the favor#8.4 Gk grace or gift of partnering in this ministry to the saints, 5and not as we expected. Instead, they gave themselves first to the Lord and, by the will of God, to us, 6#vv 10, 16, 17, 23; 2 Cor 12.18so that we might urge Titus that, as he had already made a beginning, so he should also complete this generous undertaking#8.6 Gk this grace or gift among you. 7#1 Cor 1.5; 12.13; 2 Cor 9.8Now as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you#8.7 Other ancient authorities read your love for us—so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking.#8.7 Gk this grace or gift
8 #
1 Cor 7.6
I do not say this as a command, but I am, by mentioning the eagerness of others, testing the genuineness of your love. 9#Phil 2.6, 7For you know the generous act#8.9 Gk the grace or gift of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. 10#1 Cor 7.25; 16.2, 3; 2 Cor 9.2And in this matter I am giving my opinion: it is beneficial for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something. 11#2 Cor 9.2Now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means. 12#Mk 12.43, 44; Lk 21.3For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have. 13For I do not mean that there should be relief for others and hardship for you, but it is a question of equality between 14your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may also supply your need, in order that there may be equality. 15#Ex 16.18As it is written,
“The one who had much did not have too much,
and the one who had little did not have too little.”
Commendation of Titus
16But thanks be to God, who put in the heart of Titus the same eagerness for you that I myself have. 17For he not only accepted our appeal, but since he is more eager than ever, he is going to you of his own accord. 18#2 Cor 12.18With him we are sending the brother who is praised among all the churches for his work for the gospel, 19#vv 4, 6, 11; 1 Cor 16.3, 4and not only that, but he has also been appointed by the churches to travel with us while we are administering this generous undertaking#8.19 Gk this grace or gift for the glory of the Lord himself#8.19 Other ancient authorities lack himself and to show our goodwill. 20We are making this arrangement lest anyone blame us about this generous gift that we are administering, 21#Rom 12.17; 14.18for we are setting our minds on what is right not only before the Lord but also before the people. 22And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found eager in many matters but who is now more eager than ever because of his great confidence in you. 23#Phil 2.25As for Titus, he is my partner and coworker in your service; as for our brothers, they are messengers#8.23 Gk apostles of the churches, the glory of Christ. 24#2 Cor 7.14; 9.2Therefore openly before the churches, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you to them.
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New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition, copyright © 2021 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.