2Corinthians 8

Great Generosity

8WE WANT to tell you further, brethren, about the grace (the favor and spiritual blessing) of God which has been evident in the churches of Macedonia [arousing in them the desire to give alms];G1161G80G1107G5213G1107G5485G2316G1325G1722G1577G31092For in the midst of an ordeal of severe tribulation, their abundance of joy and their depth of poverty [together] have overflowed in wealth of lavish generosity on their part.G3754G1722G4183G1382G2347G4050G846G5479G2532G846G899G2596G4432G4052G1519G4149G846G5723For, as I can bear witness, [they gave] according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability; and [they did it] voluntarily,G3754G2596G1411G3140G2532G5228G1411G8304Begging us most insistently for the favor {and} the fellowship of contributing in this ministration for [the relief and support of] the saints [in Jerusalem].G1189G2257G3326G4183G3874G2248G1209G5485G2532G2842G1248G1519G405Nor [was this gift of theirs merely the contribution] that we expected, but first they gave themselves to the Lord and to us [as His agents] by the will of God [entirely disregarding their personal interests, they gave as much as they possibly could, having put themselves at our disposal to be directed by the will of God]--G2532G3756G2531G1679G235G4412G1325G1438G2962G2532G2254G1223G2307G23166So much so that we have urged Titus that as he began it, he should also complete this beneficent {and} gracious contribution among you [the church at Corinth].G1519G2248G3870G5103G2443G2531G4278G3779G2005G2532G2005G1519G5209G5026G5485G25327Now as you abound {and} excel {and} are at the front in everything--in faith, in expressing yourselves, in knowledge, in all zeal, and in your love for us--[see to it that you come to the front now and] abound {and} excel in this gracious work [of almsgiving] also.G235G5618G4052G1722G3956G4102G2532G3056G2532G1108G2532G3956G4710G2532G5216G26G1537G1722G2254G2443G4052G1722G5026G5485G25328I give this not as an order [to dictate to you], but to prove, by [pointing out] the zeal of others, the sincerity of your [own] love also.G3004G3756G2596G2003G235G1223G4710G2087G2532G1381G1103G5212G269For you are becoming progressively acquainted with {and} recognizing more strongly {and} clearly the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (His kindness, His gracious generosity, His undeserved favor and spiritual blessing), [in] that though He was [so very] rich, yet for your sakes He became [so very] poor, in order that by His poverty you might become enriched (abundantly supplied).G1063G1097G5485G2257G2962G2424G5547G3754G5607G4145G1223G5209G1223G4433G2443G5210G1565G4432G414710[It is then] my counsel {and} my opinion in this matter that I give [you when I say]: It is profitable {and} fitting for you [now to complete the enterprise] which more than a year ago you not only began, but were the first to wish to do anything [about contributions for the relief of the saints at Jerusalem].G2532G1722G5129G1325G1106G1063G5124G4851G5213G3748G4278G3756G3440G4160G235G2532G2309G4070G57511So now finish doing it, that your [enthusiastic] readiness in desiring it may be equalled by your completion of it according to your ability {and} means.G3570G1161G2532G2005G4160G3704G2509G4288G2309G3779G2005G2532G1537G219212For if the [eager] readiness to give is there, then it is acceptable {and} welcomed in proportion to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.G1063G1487G4295G4288G2144G2526G1437G5100G2192G3756G2526G2192G375613For it is not [intended] that other people be eased {and} relieved [of their responsibility] and you be burdened {and} suffer [unfairly],G1063G3756G2443G243G425G1161G5213G234714But to have equality [share and share alike], your surplus over necessity at the present time going to meet their want {and} to equalize the difference created by it, so that [at some other time] their surplus in turn may be given to supply your want. Thus there may be equality,G235G1537G2471G3568G1722G2540G5216G4051G1519G1565G5303G2443G1565G4051G2532G1096G1519G5216G5303G3704G1096G247115As it is written, He who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little did not lack.G2531G1125G3588G4183G4121G3756G4121G2532G3588G3641G1641G3756G164116But thanks be to God Who planted the same earnest zeal {and} care for you in the heart of Titus.G1161G5485G2316G3588G1325G846G4710G1722G2588G5103G5228G521617For he not only welcomed {and} responded to our appeal, but was himself so keen in his enthusiasm {and} interest in you that he is going to you of his own accord.G3754G3303G1209G3874G1161G5225G4707G830G1831G4314G520918But we are sending along with him that brother [Luke?] whose praise in the Gospel ministry [is spread] throughout all the churches;G1161G4842G3326G846G80G3739G1868G1722G2098G1223G3956G157719And more than that, he has been appointed by the churches to travel as our companion in regard to this bountiful contribution which we are administering for the glory of the Lord Himself and [to show] our eager readiness [as Christians to help one another].G1161G3756G3440G235G5500G2532G5500G5259G1577G4898G2257G4862G5026G5485G3588G1247G5259G2257G4314G1391G846G2962G2532G5216G428820[For] we are on our guard, intending that no one should find anything for which to blame us in regard to our administration of this large contribution.G4724G5124G3361G5100G3469G2248G1722G5026G100G3588G1247G5259G225721For we take thought beforehand {and} aim to be honest {and} absolutely above suspicion, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of men.G4306G2570G3756G3440G1799G2962G235G2532G1799G44422Moreover, along with them we are sending our brother, whom we have often put to the test and have found him zealous (devoted and earnest) in many matters, but who is now more [eagerly] earnest than ever because of [his] absolute confidence in you.G1161G4842G846G2257G80G3739G1381G4178G1381G5607G4705G1722G4183G1161G3570G4183G4707G4183G4006G3588G1519G520923As for Titus, he is my colleague and shares my work in your service; and as for the [other two] brethren, they are the [special] messengers of the churches, a credit {and} glory to Christ (the Messiah).G1535G5228G5103G1699G2844G2532G4904G1519G5209G1535G2257G80G652G1577G1391G554724Show to these men, therefore, in the sight of the churches, the reality {and} plain truth of your love (your affection, goodwill, and benevolence) and what [good reasons] I had for boasting about {and} being proud of you.G3767G1731G1519G846G2532G1519G4383G1577G1732G5216G26G2532G2257G2746G5228G5216G5228