1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of 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.
3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of 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.
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.
6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
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.
8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
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.
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.
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.
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.
13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
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:
15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.
18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout 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:
20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:
21 Providing for honest 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 oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.
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.
24 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
1 Moreover, G1161 brethren, G80 we do G1107 you G5213 to wit G1107 of the grace G5485 of God G2316 bestowed G1325 on G1722 the churches G1577 of Macedonia; G3109
2 How that G3754 in G1722 a great G4183 trial G1382 of affliction G2347 the abundance G4050 of their G846 joy G5479 and G2532 their G846 deep G899 poverty G2596 G4432 abounded G4052 unto G1519 the riches G4149 of their G846 liberality. G572
3 For G3754 to G2596 their power, G1411 I bear record, G3140 yea, and G2532 beyond G5228 their power G1411 they were willing of themselves; G830
4 Praying G1189 us G2257 with G3326 much G4183 intreaty G3874 that we G2248 would receive G1209 the gift, G5485 and G2532 take upon us the fellowship G2842 of the ministering G1248 to G1519 the saints. G40
5 And G2532 this they did, not G3756 as G2531 we hoped, G1679 but G235 first G4412 gave G1325 their own selves G1438 to the Lord, G2962 and G2532 unto us G2254 by G1223 the will G2307 of God. G2316
6 Insomuch G1519 that we G2248 desired G3870 Titus, G5103 that G2443 as G2531 he had begun, G4278 so G3779 he would G2005 also G2532 finish G2005 in G1519 you G5209 the same G5026 grace G5485 also. G2532
7 Therefore, G235 as G5618 ye abound G4052 in G1722 every G3956 thing, in faith, G4102 and G2532 utterance, G3056 and G2532 knowledge, G1108 and G2532 in all G3956 diligence, G4710 and G2532 in your G5216 love G26 G1537 to G1722 us, G2254 see that G2443 ye abound G4052 in G1722 this G5026 grace G5485 also. G2532
8 I speak G3004 not G3756 by G2596 commandment, G2003 but G235 by occasion G1223 of the forwardness G4710 of others, G2087 and G2532 to prove G1381 the sincerity G1103 of your G5212 love. G26
9 For G1063 ye know G1097 the grace G5485 of our G2257 Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ, G5547 that, G3754 though he was G5607 rich, G4145 yet for G1223 your G5209 sakes G1223 he became poor, G4433 that G2443 ye G5210 through his G1565 poverty G4432 might be rich. G4147
10 And G2532 herein G1722 G5129 I give G1325 my advice: G1106 for G1063 this G5124 is expedient G4851 for you, G5213 who G3748 have begun before, G4278 not G3756 only G3440 to do, G4160 but G235 also G2532 to be forward G2309 a year G4070 ago. G575
11 Now G3570 G1161 therefore G2532 perform G2005 the doing G4160 of it; that G3704 as G2509 there was a readiness G4288 to will, G2309 so G3779 there may be a performance G2005 also G2532 out of G1537 that which ye have. G2192
12 For G1063 if there G1487 be first G4295 a willing mind, G4288 it is accepted G2144 according to G2526 that G1437 a man G5100 hath, G2192 and not G3756 according to that G2526 he hath G2192 not. G3756
13 For G1063 I mean not G3756 that G2443 other men G243 be eased, G425 and G1161 ye G5213 burdened: G2347
14 But G235 by G1537 an equality, G2471 that now G3568 at G1722 this time G2540 your G5216 abundance G4051 may be a supply for G1519 their G1565 want, G5303 that G2443 their G1565 abundance G4051 also G2532 may be G1096 a supply for G1519 your G5216 want: G5303 that G3704 there may be G1096 equality: G2471
15 As G2531 it is written, G1125 He that had gathered G3588 much G4183 had G4121 nothing G3756 over; G4121 and G2532 he that had gathered G3588 little G3641 had G1641 no G3756 lack. G1641
16 But G1161 thanks G5485 be to God, G2316 which G3588 put G1325 the same G846 earnest care G4710 into G1722 the heart G2588 of Titus G5103 for G5228 you. G5216
17 For G3754 indeed G3303 he accepted G1209 the exhortation; G3874 but G1161 being G5225 more forward, G4707 of his own accord G830 he went G1831 unto G4314 you. G5209
18 And G1161 we have sent G4842 with G3326 him G846 the brother, G80 whose G3739 praise G1868 is in G1722 the gospel G2098 throughout G1223 all G3956 the churches; G1577
19 And G1161 not G3756 that only, G3440 but G235 who was G5500 also G2532 chosen G5500 of G5259 the churches G1577 to travel G4898 with us G2257 with G4862 this G5026 grace, G5485 which G3588 is administered G1247 by G5259 us G2257 to G4314 the glory G1391 of the same G846 Lord, G2962 and G2532 declaration of your G5216 ready mind: G4288
20 Avoiding G4724 this, G5124 that no G3361 man G5100 should blame G3469 us G2248 in G1722 this G5026 abundance G100 which G3588 is administered G1247 by G5259 us: G2257
21 Providing G4306 for honest things, G2570 not G3756 only G3440 in the sight G1799 of the Lord, G2962 but G235 also G2532 in the sight G1799 of men. G444
22 And G1161 we have sent G4842 with them G846 our G2257 brother, G80 whom G3739 we have G1381 oftentimes G4178 proved G1381 G5607 diligent G4705 in G1722 many things, G4183 but G1161 now G3570 much G4183 more diligent, G4707 upon the great G4183 confidence G4006 which G3588 I have in G1519 you. G5209
23 Whether G1535 any do enquire of G5228 Titus, G5103 he is my G1699 partner G2844 and G2532 fellowhelper G4904 concerning G1519 you: G5209 or G1535 our G2257 brethren G80 be enquired of, they are the messengers G652 of the churches, G1577 and the glory G1391 of Christ. G5547
24 Wherefore G3767 shew ye G1731 to G1519 them, G846 and G2532 before G1519 G4383 the churches, G1577 the proof G1732 of your G5216 love, G26 and G2532 of our G2257 boasting G2746 on G5228 your G5216 behalf. G5228
1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God which hath been given in the churches of Macedonia;
2 how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
3 For according to their power, I bear witness, yea and beyond their power, `they gave' of their own accord,
4 beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints:
5 and `this', not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.
6 Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also.
7 But as ye abound in everything, `in' faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and `in' all earnestness, and `in' your love to us, `see' that ye abound in this grace also.
8 I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.
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 become rich.
10 And herein I give `my' judgment: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to make a beginning a year ago, not only to do, but also to will.
11 But now complete the doing also; that as `there was' the readiness to will, so `there may be' the completion also out of your ability.
12 For if the readiness is there, `it is' acceptable according as `a man' hath, not according as `he' hath not.
13 For `I say' not `this' that others may be eased `and' ye distressed;
14 but by equality: your abundance `being a supply' at this present time for their want, that their abundance also may become `a supply' for your want; that there may be equality:
15 as it is written, He that `gathered' much had nothing over; and he that `gathered' little had no lack.
16 But thanks be to God, who putteth the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.
17 For he accepted indeed our exhortation; but being himself very earnest, he went forth unto you of his own accord.
18 And we have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the gospel `is spread' through all the churches;
19 and not only so, but who was also appointed by the churches to travel with us in `the matter of' this grace, which is ministered by us to the glory of the Lord, and `to show' our readiness:
20 Avoiding this, that any man should blame us in `the matter of' this bounty which is ministered by us:
21 for we take thought for things honorable, 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 many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which `he hath' in you.
23 Whether `any inquire' about Titus, `he is' my partner and `my' fellow-worker to you-ward, or our brethren, `they are' the messengers of the churches, `they are' the glory of Christ.
24 Show ye therefore unto them in the face of the churches the proof of your love, and of our glorying on your behalf.
1 And we make known to you, brethren, the grace of God, that hath been given in the assemblies of Macedonia,
2 because in much trial of tribulation the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, did abound to the riches of their liberality;
3 because, according to `their' power, I testify, and above `their' power, they were willing of themselves,
4 with much entreaty calling on us to receive the favour and the fellowship of the ministration to the saints,
5 and not according as we expected, but themselves they did give first to the Lord, and to us, through the will of God,
6 so that we exhorted Titus, that, according as he did begin before, so also he may finish to you also this favour,
7 but even as in every thing ye do abound, in faith, and word, and knowledge, and all diligence, and in your love to us, that also in this grace ye may abound;
8 not according to command do I speak, but because of the diligence of others, and of your love proving the genuineness,
9 for ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that because of you he became poor -- being rich, that ye by that poverty may become rich.
10 and an opinion in this do I give: for this to you `is' expedient, who not only to do, but also to will, did begin before -- a year ago,
11 and now also finish doing `it', that even as `there is' the readiness of the will, so also the finishing, out of that which ye have,
12 for if the willing mind is present, according to that which any one may have it is well-accepted, not according to that which he hath not;
13 for not that for others release, and ye pressured, `do I speak,'
14 but by equality, at the present time your abundance -- for their want, that also their abundance may be for your want, that there may be equality,
15 according as it hath been written, `He who `did gather' much, had nothing over; and he who `did gather' little, had no lack.'
16 And thanks to God, who is putting the same diligence for you in the heart of Titus,
17 because indeed the exhortation he accepted, and being more diligent, of his own accord he went forth unto you,
18 and we sent with him the brother, whose praise in the good news `is' through all the assemblies,
19 and not only so, but who was also appointed by vote by the assemblies, our fellow-traveller, with this favour that is ministered by us, unto the glory of the same Lord, and your willing mind;
20 avoiding this, lest any one may blame us in this abundance that is ministered by us,
21 providing right things, not only before the Lord, but also before men;
22 and we sent with them our brother, whom we proved in many things many times being diligent, and now much more diligent, by the great confidence that is toward you,
23 whether -- about Titus -- my partner and towards you fellow-worker, whether -- our brethren, apostles of assemblies -- glory of Christ;
24 the shewing therefore of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf, to them shew ye, even in the face of the assemblies.
1 But we make known to you, brethren, the grace of God bestowed in the assemblies of Macedonia;
2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty has abounded to the riches of their [free-hearted] liberality.
3 For according to [their] power, I bear witness, and beyond [their] power, [they were] willing of their own accord,
4 begging of us with much entreaty [to give effect to] the grace and fellowship of the service which [was to be rendered] to the saints.
5 And not according as we hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord, and to us by God's will.
6 So that we begged Titus that, according as he had before begun, so he would also complete as to you this grace also;
7 but even as ye abound in every way, in faith, and word, and knowledge, and all diligence, and in love from you to us, that ye may abound in this grace also.
8 I do not speak as commanding [it], but through the zeal of others, and proving the genuineness of your love.
9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sakes he, being rich, became poor, in order that *ye* by *his* poverty might be enriched.
10 And I give [my] opinion in this, for this is profitable for you who began before, not only to do, but also to be willing, a year ago.
11 But now also complete the doing of it; so that as [there was] the readiness to be willing, so also to complete out of what ye have.
12 For if the readiness be there, [a man is] accepted according to what he may have, not according to what he has not.
13 For [it is] not in order that there may be ease for others, and for you distress,
14 but [on the principle] of equality; in the present time your abundance for their lack, that their abundance may be for your lack, so that there should be equality.
15 According as it is written, He who [gathered] much had no excess, and he who [gathered] little was nothing short.
16 But thanks [be] to God, who gives the same diligent zeal for you in the heart of Titus.
17 For he received indeed the entreaty, but, being full of zeal, he went of his own accord to you;
18 but we have sent with him the brother whose praise [is] in the glad tidings through all the assemblies;
19 and not only [so], but [is] also chosen by the assemblies as our fellow-traveller with this grace, ministered by us to the glory of the Lord himself, and [a witness of] our readiness;
20 avoiding this, that any one should blame us in this abundance [which is] administered by us;
21 for we provide for things honest, not only before [the] Lord, but also before men.
22 And we have sent with them our brother whom we have often proved to be of diligent zeal in many things, and now more diligently zealous through the great confidence [he has] as to you.
23 Whether as regards Titus, [he is] my companion and fellow-labourer in your behalf; or our brethren, [they are] deputed messengers of assemblies, Christ's glory.
24 Shew therefore to them, before the assemblies, the proof of your love, and of our boasting about you.
1 Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia;
2 how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality.
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 hoped, 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 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 a judgment in this: for this 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 Gospel is known through all the assemblies.
19 Not only so, but who 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 in front of the assemblies, and of our boasting on your behalf.
1 And now we give you news, brothers, about the grace of God which has been given to the churches of Macedonia;
2 How while they were undergoing every sort of trouble, and were in the greatest need, they took all the greater joy in being able to give freely to the needs of others.
3 For I give them witness, that as they were able, and even more than they were able, they gave from the impulse of their hearts,
4 Seriously requesting us that they might have a part in this grace of being servants to the needs of the saints:
5 And going even farther than our hope, they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us after the purpose of God.
6 So that we made a request to Titus that, as he had made a start before, so he might make this grace complete in you.
7 And that as you are full of every good thing, of faith, of the word, of knowledge, of a ready mind, and of love to us, so you may be full of this grace in the same way.
8 I am not giving you an order, but using the ready mind of others as a test of the quality of your love.
9 For you see the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, how though he had wealth, he became poor on your account, so that through his need you might have wealth.
10 And in this I give my opinion: for it is to your profit, who were the first to make a start a year before, not only to do this, but to make clear that your minds were more than ready to do it.
11 Then make the doing of it complete; so that as you had a ready mind, you may give effect to it as you are able.
12 For if there is a ready mind, a man will have God's approval in the measure of what he has, and not of what he has not.
13 And I am not saying this so that others may get off free, while the weight comes on you:
14 But so that things may be equal; that from those things of which you have more than enough at the present time their need may be helped, and that if you are in any need they may be a help to you in the same way, making things equal.
15 As it says in the Writings, He who had taken up much had nothing over and he who had little had enough.
16 But praise be to God, who puts the same care for you into the heart of Titus.
17 For while he gladly gave ear to our request, he was interested enough to go to you from the impulse of his heart.
18 And with him we have sent a brother whose praise in the good news has gone through all the churches;
19 And not only so, but he was marked out by the churches to go with us in the grace of this giving which we have undertaken to the glory of the Lord and to make clear that our mind was ready:
20 And so that no man might be able to say anything against us in the business of this giving which has been put into our hands:
21 For the business has been so ordered by us as to have the approval, not only of the Lord, but of men.
22 And we have sent with them our brother, whose ready spirit has been made clear to us at times and in ways without number, but it is now all the more so because of the certain faith which he has in you.
23 If any question comes up about Titus, he is my brother-worker, working with me for you; or about the others, they are the representatives of the churches to the glory of Christ.
24 Make clear then to them, as representatives of the churches, the quality of your love, and that the things which we have said about you are true.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 2 Corinthians 8
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 8 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 8
In this and the following chapter Paul is exhorting and directing the Corinthians about a particular work of charity-to relieve the necessities of the poor saints at Jerusalem and in Judea, according to the good example of the churches in Macedonia, Rom. 15:26. The Christians at Jerusalem, through war, famine, and persecution, had become poor, many of them had fallen into decay, and perhaps most of them were but poor when they first embraced Christianity; for Christ said, "The poor receive the gospel.' Now Paul, though he was the apostle of the Gentiles, had a fonder regard, and kind concern, for those among the Jews who were converted to the Christian faith; and, though many of them had not so much affection to the Gentile converts as they ought to have had, yet the apostle would have the Gentiles to be kind to them, and stirred them up to contribute liberally for their relief. Upon this subject he is very copious, and writes very affectingly. In this eighth chapter he acquaints the Corinthians with, and commends, the good example of the Macedonians in this work of charity, and that Titus was sent to Corinth to collect their bounty (v. 1-6). He the proceeds to urge this duty with several cogent arguments (v. 7-15), and commends the persons who were employed in this affair (v. 16-24).
2Cr 8:1-6
Observe here,
2Cr 8:7-15
In these verses the apostle uses several cogent arguments to stir up the Corinthians to this good work of charity.
2Cr 8:16-24
In these verses the apostle commends the brethren who were sent to them to collect their charity; and as it were, gives them letters credential, that, if they were enquired after (v. 23), if any should be inquisitive or suspicious concerning them, it might be known who they were and how safely they might be trusted.