2 Corinthians 8

New King James Version

Excel in Giving

8 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia:² that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and^(A)their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.³ For I bear witness that according totheirability, yes, and beyondtheirability,they werefreely willing,⁴ imploring us with much urgency^[a]that we would receive the gift and^(B)the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.⁵ And notonlyas we had hoped, but they first^(C)gave themselves to the Lord, andthento us by the^(D)will of God.⁶ So^(E)we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well.⁷ But as^(F)you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see^(G)that you abound in this grace also.

Christ Our Pattern

^8 (H)I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others.⁹ For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,^(I)that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become^(J)rich.

¹⁰ And in this^(K)I give advice:^(L)It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and^(M)were desiring to do a year ago;¹¹ but now you also must complete the doingof it;that asthere wasa readiness to desireit,sotherealsomay bea completion out of whatyouhave.¹² For^(N)if there is first a willing mind,it isaccepted according to what one has,andnot according to what he does not have.

¹³ ForI donotmeanthat others should be eased and you burdened;¹⁴ but by an equality,thatnow at this time your abundancemay supplytheir lack, that their abundance also maysupplyyour lack—that there may be equality.¹⁵ As it is written,^(O)“He whogatheredmuch had nothing left over, and he whogatheredlittle had no lack.”

Collection for the Judean Saints

¹⁶ But thanksbeto God who^[b]puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.¹⁷ For he not only accepted the exhortation, but being more diligent, he went to you of his own accord.¹⁸ And we have sent with him^(P)the brother whose praiseisin the gospel throughout all the churches,¹⁹ and not onlythat,but who was also^(Q)chosen by the churches to travel with us with this gift, which is administered by us^(R)to the glory of the Lord Himself andto showyour ready mind,²⁰ avoiding this: that anyone should blame us in this lavish gift which is administered by us—^21 (S)providing honorable 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 often proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, because of the great confidence whichwe havein you.²³ Ifanyone inquiresabout^(T)Titus,he ismy partner and fellow worker concerning you. Or if our brethrenare inquired about, they are^(U)messengers^[c]of the churches, the glory of Christ.²⁴ Therefore show to them,^[d]and before the churches, the proof of your love and of our^(V)boasting on your behalf.