8
1 Moreover, brothers, we
make known to
you the grace
of God which
has been given
in the assemblies
of Macedonia,
2 how
in a severe ordeal
of affliction, the
abundance of their
joy and their
deep poverty
abounded to the
riches of
their generosity.
3 For
according to their
power, I testify,
yes and beyond
their power, they
gave of their own
accord,
4 begging
us with
much entreaty to receive
this grace and
the fellowship in
the service to
the saints.
5 This
was not as
we had expected,
but first they
gave their own
selves to the
Lord, and to
us through the
will of God.
6 So
we urged Titus,
that as he
had made a
beginning before,
so he would
also complete in
you this grace.
7 But
as you abound
in everything—in
faith, utterance,
knowledge, all
earnestness, and
in your love to
us—see that you
also abound in
this grace.
8 I
speak not by
way of commandment,
but as proving
through the
earnestness of
others the
sincerity also of
your love.
9 For
you know the
grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ,
that though he
was rich, yet
for your sakes
he became poor,
that you through
his poverty might
become rich.
10 I
give advice in
this: it is
expedient for you
who were the
first to start a
year ago, not
only to do,
but also to
be willing.
11 But
now complete the
doing also, that
as there was
the readiness to
be willing, so
there may be
the completion
also out of
your ability.
12 For
if the readiness
is there, it
is acceptable
according to what
you have, not
according to what
you don’t have.
13 For
this is not
that others may
be eased and
you distressed,
14 but
for equality. Your
abundance at this
present time supplies
their lack, that
their abundance
also may become
a supply for your
lack, that there
may be equality.
15 As
it is written, “He
who gathered much
had nothing left
over, and he
who gathered little
had no lack.”
16 But
thanks be to
God, who puts
the same earnest care
for you into
the heart of
Titus.
17 For
he indeed accepted
our exhortation,
but being himself
very earnest, he
went out to
you of his own
accord.
18 We
have sent together
with him
the brother whose
praise in the
Good News is known
throughout all the
assemblies.
19 Not
only so, but
he was also
appointed by the
assemblies to
travel with us
in this grace,
which is served
by us to
the glory of
the Lord himself,
and to show our
readiness.
20 We
are avoiding this,
that any man
should blame us
concerning this abundance
which is
administered by us.
21 Having
regard for
honorable things,
not only in
the sight of
the Lord, but
also in the
sight of men.
22 We
have sent with
them our brother
whom we have
many times proved
earnest in many
things, but now
much more earnest,
by reason of the
great confidence
which he has
in you.
23 As
for Titus, he
is my partner
and fellow worker
for you. As
for our brothers,
they are
the apostles of
the assemblies,
the glory of
Christ.
24 Therefore
show the proof
of your love to
them before the
assemblies, and of
our boasting on
your behalf.