2 Corinthians

The second epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians, chapter 8, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 8 New English Translation

Completing the Collection for the Saints

1 Now we make known to you, brothers and sisters, the grace of God given to the churches of Macedonia, 2 that during a severe ordeal of suffering, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in the wealth of their generosity. 3 For I testify, they gave according to their means and beyond their means. They did so voluntarily, 4 begging us with great earnestness for the blessing and fellowship of helping the saints. 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. 6 Thus we urged Titus that, just as he had previously begun this work, so also he should complete this act of kindness for you. 7 But as you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, and in all eagerness and in the love from us that is in you - make sure that you excel in this act of kindness too. 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. 9 For you know the grace 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. 10 So here is my opinion on this matter: It is to your advantage, since you made a good start last year both in your giving and your desire to give, 11 to finish what you started, so that just as you wanted to do it eagerly, you can also complete it according to your means. 12 For if the eagerness is present, the gift itself is acceptable according to whatever one has, not according to what he does not have. 13 For I do not say this so there would be relief for others and suffering for you, but as a matter of equality. 14 At the present time, your abundance will meet their need, so that one day their abundance may also meet your need, and thus there may be equality, 15 as it is written: "The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little."

The Mission of Titus

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

King James Version

   1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
   2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
   3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
   4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
   5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
   6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
   7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
   8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
   9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
   10 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.
   11 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.
   12 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.
   13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
   14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:
   15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
   16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
   17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.
   18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;
   19 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:
   20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:
   21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
   22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.
   23 Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
   24 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.