THE SECOND EPISTLE
OF
PAUL THE APOSTLE
TO THE
CORINTHIANS
2 Corinthians 8 ©
1 Paul propounds to the Corinthians the example of the congregations of Macedonia, who had made a liberal contribution for the poor believers at Jerusalem. 6 And declares that he had given command to Titus to promote the like with them also. 9 Sets also before them the example of Christ, Who became poor, by His poverty to make us rich. 10 And exhorts them now to finish well that which they had well begun for a year ago. 13 Yet not so that they should distress themselves to ease others, but to supply out of their abundance others’ want. 15 As was done in the gathering of manna. 16 Testifies further that Titus was gone unto them, to deliver this. 18 With another brother who was chosen by the congregations for this purpose. 20 To prevent all slanderous reports. 22 And yet a third whose faithfulness had now been tried more than once, by himself as well as by the congregations.
MOREOVER, brethren, we do you to wita of 1the grace of God bestowed 2on the churches of Macedonia;
How that in a great trial of affliction 3the abundance of their joy and 4their deep poverty abounded 5unto the riches of their 6liberality.
For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
Prayingb us with much 7intreaty that we would 8receive 9the gift, and take upon us 10the fellowship of the ministering to 11the saints.
And this they did, 12not as we hoped, but first 13gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he 14had begun, so he 15would also finish in you the same 16grace also.
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.
I speak not 17by commandment, but 18by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that,c19though he was rich, yet for your sakes he 20became poor, that ye through his poverty might be 21rich.
And herein 22I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also 23to be forward a year ago.
Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also 24out of that which ye have.
Ford if there be first a willing mind, ite is 25accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye 26burdened:
But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, 27that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: 28that there may be equality:
As it is 29written, Hef that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
But thanks be to God, which put 30the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he 31went unto you.
And we have sent with him 32the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;
And not that only, but who was also chosen 33of the churches to travel with us 34with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and 35declaration of your ready mind:
36Avoiding this, that no man should 37blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:
Providingg for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
And we have sent with them 38our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence 39which I have in you.
Whether any do enquire 40of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or 41our brethren be enquired of, they are the 42messengers of the churches, and 43the glory of Christ.
Wherefore shew ye to them, and 44before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.