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2 Corinthians 8
New Living Translation
2 Corinthians 8
New Living Translation
A Call to Generous Giving
8 Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters,[a] what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. 2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.
3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 4 They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem.[b] 5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.
6 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. 7 Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us[c]—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.
8 I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches.
9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.
10 Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it. 11 Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have. 12 Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have. 13 Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality. 14 Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal. 15 As the Scriptures say,
“Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over,
and those who gathered only a little had enough.”[d]
Titus and His Companions
16 But thank God! He has given Titus the same enthusiasm for you that I have. 17 Titus welcomed our request that he visit you again. In fact, he himself was very eager to go and see you. 18 We are also sending another brother with Titus. All the churches praise him as a preacher of the Good News. 19 He was appointed by the churches to accompany us as we take the offering to Jerusalem[e]—a service that glorifies the Lord and shows our eagerness to help.
20 We are traveling together to guard against any criticism for the way we are handling this generous gift. 21 We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable.
22 We are also sending with them another of our brothers who has proven himself many times and has shown on many occasions how eager he is. He is now even more enthusiastic because of his great confidence in you. 23 If anyone asks about Titus, say that he is my partner who works with me to help you. And the brothers with him have been sent by the churches,[f] and they bring honor to Christ. 24 So show them your love, and prove to all the churches that our boasting about you is justified.
Footnotes
- 8:1 Greek brothers.
- 8:4 Greek for God’s holy people.
- 8:7 Some manuscripts read your love for us.
- 8:15 Exod 16:18.
- 8:19 See 1 Cor 16:3-4.
- 8:23 Greek are apostles of the churches.
2 Corinthians 8
Holman Christian Standard Bible
2 Corinthians 8
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Appeal to Complete the Collection
8 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God granted to the churches(A) of Macedonia:(B) 2 During a severe testing by affliction, their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed into the wealth of their generosity.(C) 3 I testify that, on their own, according to their ability and beyond their ability, 4 they begged us insistently for the privilege of sharing(D) in the ministry to the saints, 5 and not just as we had hoped. Instead, they gave themselves especially to the Lord, then to us by God’s will.(E) 6 So we urged Titus that just as he had begun, so he should also complete this grace to you. 7 Now as you excel in everything—faith, speech, knowledge,(F) and in all diligence, and in your love for us[a]—excel also in this grace.
8 I am not saying this as a command. Rather, by means of the diligence of others, I am testing the genuineness of your love. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: Though He was rich,(G) for your sake He became poor,(H) so that by His poverty you might become rich. 10 Now I am giving an opinion on this because it is profitable for you, who a year ago began not only to do something but also to desire it.[b](I) 11 But now finish the task[c] as well, that just as there was eagerness to desire it, so there may also be a completion from what you have. 12 For if the eagerness is there, it is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.(J) 13 It is not that there may be relief for others and hardship for you, but it is a question of equality[d]— 14 at the present time your surplus is available for their need, so their abundance may also become available for our need, so there may be equality. 15 As it has been written:
The person who gathered much
did not have too much,
and the person who gathered little
did not have too little.(K)[e]
Administration of the Collection
16 Thanks be to God who put the same concern for you into the heart of Titus. 17 For he accepted our urging and, being very diligent, went out to you by his own choice. 18 We have sent with him the brother(L) who is praised throughout the churches for his gospel ministry.[f] 19 And not only that, but he was also appointed by the churches to accompany us with this gift[g] that is being administered by us for the glory of the Lord Himself and to show our eagerness to help. 20 We are taking this precaution so no one can criticize us about this large sum administered by us. 21 For we are making provision(M) for what is right,(N) not only before the Lord but also before men. 22 We have also sent with them our brother. We have often tested him in many circumstances and found him to be diligent—and now even more diligent because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner(O) and coworker(P) serving you; as for our brothers, they are the messengers(Q) of the churches, the glory of Christ.(R) 24 Therefore, show them proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting(S) about you.
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 8:7 Other mss read in our love for you
- 2 Corinthians 8:10 Lit to will
- 2 Corinthians 8:11 Lit finish the doing
- 2 Corinthians 8:13 Lit but from equality
- 2 Corinthians 8:15 Ex 16:18
- 2 Corinthians 8:18 Lit churches, in the gospel
- 2 Corinthians 8:19 Or grace
2 Corinthians 8
English Standard Version
2 Corinthians 8
English Standard Version
Encouragement to Give Generously
8 We want you to know, brothers,[a] about the grace of God that has been (A)given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and (B)their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave (C)according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly (D)for the favor[b] of taking part in (E)the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they (F)gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. 6 Accordingly, (G)we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you (H)this act of grace. 7 But as (I)you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you[c]—(J)see that you excel in this act of grace also.
8 (K)I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that (L)though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. 10 And in this matter (M)I give my judgment: (N)this benefits you, who (O)a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. 11 So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. 12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable (P)according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness 14 your abundance at the present time should supply (Q)their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. 15 As it is written, (R)“Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”
Commendation of Titus
16 But (S)thanks be to God, (T)who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you. 17 For (U)he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going[d] to you of his own accord. 18 With him we are sending[e] (V)the brother who is famous among (W)all the churches for his preaching of the gospel. 19 And not only that, but he has been (X)appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of (Y)grace that is being ministered by us, (Z)for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will. 20 We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, 21 for (AA)we aim at what is honorable (AB)not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of man. 22 And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is (AC)my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengers[f] of the churches, the glory of Christ. 24 So give proof before the churches of your love and of (AD)our boasting about you to these men.
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 8:1 Or brothers and sisters
- 2 Corinthians 8:4 The Greek word charis can mean favor or grace or thanks, depending on the context
- 2 Corinthians 8:7 Some manuscripts in your love for us
- 2 Corinthians 8:17 Or he went
- 2 Corinthians 8:18 Or we sent; also verse 22
- 2 Corinthians 8:23 Greek apostles
2 Corinthians 8
New International Version
2 Corinthians 8
New International Version
The Collection for the Lord’s People
8 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian(A) churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.(B) 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able,(C) and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing(D) in this service(E) to the Lord’s people.(F) 5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 6 So we urged(G) Titus,(H) just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion(I) this act of grace on your part. 7 But since you excel in everything(J)—in faith, in speech, in knowledge,(K) in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
8 I am not commanding you,(L) but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace(M) of our Lord Jesus Christ,(N) that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor,(O) so that you through his poverty might become rich.(P)
10 And here is my judgment(Q) about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so.(R) 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness(S) to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has,(T) not according to what one does not have.
13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need,(U) so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is 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.”[b](V)
Titus Sent to Receive the Collection
16 Thanks be to God,(W) who put into the heart(X) of Titus(Y) the same concern I have for you. 17 For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.(Z) 18 And we are sending along with him the brother(AA) who is praised by all the churches(AB) for his service to the gospel.(AC) 19 What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us(AD) as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help.(AE) 20 We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. 21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.(AF)
22 In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus,(AG) he is my partner(AH) and co-worker(AI) among you; as for our brothers,(AJ) they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. 24 Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you,(AK) so that the churches can see it.
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 8:7 Some manuscripts and in your love for us
- 2 Corinthians 8:15 Exodus 16:18
2 Corinthians 8
Mounce Reverse Interlinear New Testament
2 Corinthians 8
Mounce Reverse Interlinear New Testament
8 We want you hymeis to know gnōrizō, · de brothers adelphos, about the ho grace charis of ho God theos · ho shown didōmi among en the ho churches ekklēsia of ho Macedonia Makedonia, 2 how that hoti in en a severe polys test dokimē of affliction thlipsis, the ho fullness perisseia of ho their autos joy chara and kai · ho their autos extreme kata bathos poverty ptōcheia have overflowed perisseuō in eis the ho richness ploutos of ho their autos generosity haplotēs. 3 For hoti—as I can testify martyreō—they gave according to kata their means dynamis, and kai even beyond para their means dynamis; acting spontaneously authairetos, 4 begging deomai us hēmeis with meta great polys insistence paraklēsis for the ho privilege charis of · kai · ho joining koinōnia in this ho ministry diakonia · ho to eis the ho saints hagios. 5 And kai they did this, not ou simply as kathōs we had hoped elpizō, but alla first prōton they gave didōmi themselves heautou to the ho Lord kyrios and kai then to us hēmeis, by dia the will thelēma of God theos. 6 So eis we hēmeis urged parakaleō Titus Titos that hina just as kathōs he had previously begun the work proenarchomai, so houtōs now kai he should complete epiteleō this houtos act of kindness charis among eis you hymeis. · kai · ho
7 But alla as hōsper you excel perisseuō in en everything pas— in faith pistis, · kai in speech logos, · kai in knowledge gnōsis, · kai in all pas eagerness spoudē, and kai in the ho love agapē we hēmeis have aroused ek in en you hymeis—make sure that hina · kai you excel perisseuō in en this houtos · ho act of kindness charis. 8 I am legō not ou saying legō this as kata an order epitagē, but alla as a way of testing dokimazō the ho genuineness gnēsios of ho your hymeteros love agapē by comparison dia with the ho eagerness spoudē of others heteros. · kai 9 For gar you know ginōskō the ho grace charis of ho our hēmeis Lord kyrios Jesus Iēsous Christ Christos, that hoti though he was eimi rich plousios, yet for dia your hymeis sakes he became poor ptōcheuō, so that hina you hymeis by ho his ekeinos poverty ptōcheia might become rich plouteō. 10 And kai in en this matter houtos I am giving didōmi my opinion gnōmē; for gar this houtos is beneficial sympherō for you hymeis, who hostis last year perysi not ou only monon began proenarchomai to do poieō this work but alla also kai to desire thelō to do it. 11 So de now nyni · kai finish epiteleō doing poieō it, so that hopōs your ho readiness prothumia in desiring thelō it may be matched houtōs · kai by your completing epiteleō it, as ek your means allow echō. 12 For gar if ei the ho readiness prothumia is present prokeimai, the gift is acceptable euprosdektos according katho to whatever ean a person has echō, not ou according to katho what he does not ou have echō. 13 For gar this is not ou for hina the ease anesis of others allos and a burden thlipsis for you hymeis, but alla a matter of ek equality isotēs; 14 at en the ho present nyn time kairos · ho your hymeis abundance perisseuma should supply eis what ho they ekeinos need hysterēma, so that hina then kai · ho their ekeinos abundance perisseuma may ginomai supply eis · ho your hymeis need hysterēma; in this way hopōs there will be ginomai equality isotēs. 15 As kathōs it is written graphō, “ The ho one who gathered · ho much polys did not ou have a surplus pleonazō, and kai the ho one who gathered · ho little oligos did not ou have too little elattoneō.”
16 But de thanks charis be to ho God theos who ho put didōmi the ho same autos eagerness spoudē on hyper your hymeis behalf in en the ho heart kardia of Titus Titos, 17 because hoti he dechomai not only men accepted dechomai our ho request paraklēsis, but de being very eager spoudaios and acting hyparchō on his own initiative authairetos, he is on his way exerchomai to pros you hymeis. 18 And de we sent along sympempō with meta him autos the ho brother adelphos who hos is · ho highly respected epainos throughout dia all pas the ho churches ekklēsia for his work in en the ho gospel euangelion. 19 And de not ou only monon this, but alla · kai he has been appointed cheirotoneō by hypo the ho churches ekklēsia to be our hēmeis traveling companion synekdēmos as we hēmeis carry out diakoneō · ho this houtos act of kindness charis · ho for pros the ho glory doxa of the ho Lord kyrios himself autos, and kai to show our hēmeis readiness prothumia. 20 We are taking this houtos precaution stellō so that no mē one tis should blame mōmaomai us hēmeis for the way we hēmeis are administering diakoneō · ho this houtos generous gift hadrotēs, · ho 21 for gar we are concerned pronoeō to do what is right kalos, not ou only monon before enōpion the Lord kyrios but alla also kai before enōpion men anthrōpos.
22 And de we are sending along with sympempō them autos · ho our hēmeis brother adelphos whom hos we have often pollakis tested dokimazō in en many polys matters and found to be eimi eager spoudaios, and de now nyni he is all polys the more eager spoudaios because of his great polys confidence pepoithēsis · ho in eis you hymeis. 23 As eite for hyper Titus Titos, he is my emos companion koinōnos and kai fellow worker synergos among eis you hymeis. As eite for our hēmeis brothers adelphos, they are delegates apostolos of the churches ekklēsia, an honor doxa to Christ Christos. 24 Therefore oun show endeiknymi them autos openly endeiknymi before prosōpon the ho churches ekklēsia the ho proof endeixis of ho your hymeis love agapē and kai the reason for our hēmeis pride kauchēsis in hyper you hymeis.
New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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