2 Corinthians

Paul defends his apostleship and teaches on the power of God in weakness and the importance of generous giving.

Chapter 8

1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

*Furthermore, dear friends, we want you to know about the kindness of God given to the churches in Macedonia.

2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

*In times of severe hardship, their overwhelming happiness and extreme poverty increased to the wealth of their generous nature.

3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

*They had the ability, I can confirm that. And even beyond what they could do, they willingly chose to do it themselves.

4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

*Please ask God to strongly request that we accept the gift and join the group helping others.

5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

*They did this unexpectedly, not as we wished, but they first dedicated themselves to the Lord and then to us, according to God's plan.

6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

*Because we wanted Titus to complete in you the same grace he started, just like he began.

7 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.

*So, since you have plenty of everything - faith, speaking, knowledge, hard work, and love for us - make sure you also have an abundance of this kind of goodness.

8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

*I'm not following orders, but because others are eager, and to show that your love is genuine.

9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

*You understand how kind our Lord Jesus Christ is. He was once wealthy but gave up everything for you, so you could become rich because of his lack.

10 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.

*My suggestion is: since you already started earlier, it's wise to continue doing it and also be proactive, which you were a year ago.

11 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.

*Now, so do it; so that, since you're ready to want to, you can also do it using what you already have.

12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

*If someone has a willing heart, what they have is accepted, not based on what they don't have.

13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:

*I don't want others to be lazy while you carry the load.

14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:

*But equally, your extra stuff now can help them when they don't have enough. This way, their extra stuff can help you when you need it. So everyone has the same amount of help.

15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

*As the text says, those with lots didn't have extra, and those with a little didn't miss anything.

16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

*But thank God, because He made Titus care about you just as much as He does.

17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.

*He really agreed with the encouragement; however, being more eager, he went to you on his own.

18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;

*We also sent his brother with him, who is well-known and praised in the gospel across all the churches.

19 And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:

*And not only that, but also someone from the churches chosen to join us, who brings grace, given by us, for the glory of the Lord and to show your willingness.

20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:

*To prevent criticism, we manage this generous supply carefully.

21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

*Doing right things, both seen by God and by people.

22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.

*We sent our hardworking brother with them because we know he's even more dedicated now, thanks to your great trustworthiness.

23 Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

*If someone asks about Titus, he is my partner and helper for you. Or if our family members are asked about, they are the church's messengers and represent Christ's glory.

24 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

*So, show them the evidence of your love and our pride in you, in front of all the churches.

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