2 Corinthians 8 - English Standard Version Anglicised (ESVUK)

Encouragement to Give Generously

8 We want you to know, brothers,[a] about the grace of God that has been (A)given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and (B)their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave (C)according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly (D)for the favour[b] of taking part in (E)the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they (F)gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. 6 Accordingly, (G)we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you (H)this act of grace. 7 But as (I)you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you[c]—(J)see that you excel in this act of grace also.

8 (K)I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that (L)though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. 10 And in this matter (M)I give my judgement: (N)this benefits you, who (O)a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. 11 So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. 12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable (P)according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness 14 your abundance at the present time should supply (Q)their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. 15 As it is written, (R)“Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”

Commendation of Titus

16 But (S)thanks be to God, (T)who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you. 17 For (U)he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going[d] to you of his own accord. 18 With him we are sending[e] (V)the brother who is famous among (W)all the churches for his preaching of the gospel. 19 And not only that, but he has been (X)appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of (Y)grace that is being ministered by us, (Z)for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will. 20 We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, 21 for (AA)we aim at what is honourable (AB)not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of man. 22 And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is (AC)my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengers[f] of the churches, the glory of Christ. 24 So give proof before the churches of your love and of (AD)our boasting about you to these men.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 8:1 Or brothers and sisters
  2. 2 Corinthians 8:4 The Greek word charis can mean favour or grace or thanks, depending on the context
  3. 2 Corinthians 8:7 Some manuscripts in your love for us
  4. 2 Corinthians 8:17 Or he went
  5. 2 Corinthians 8:18 Or we sent; also verse 22
  6. 2 Corinthians 8:23 Greek apostles

Cross references

  1. 2 Corinthians 8:1 : ver. 5
  2. 2 Corinthians 8:2 : [Mark 12:44]
  3. 2 Corinthians 8:3 : ver. 11; 1 Cor. 16:2
  4. 2 Corinthians 8:4 : ch. 9:2; Rom. 15:25, 26; See Acts 24:17
  5. 2 Corinthians 8:4 : See Rom. 15:31
  6. 2 Corinthians 8:5 : ver. 1
  7. 2 Corinthians 8:6 : ver. 17; ch. 12:18
  8. 2 Corinthians 8:6 : ver. 19; [ver. 4]
  9. 2 Corinthians 8:7 : See 1 Cor. 1:5
  10. 2 Corinthians 8:7 : ch. 9:8
  11. 2 Corinthians 8:8 : 1 Cor. 7:6
  12. 2 Corinthians 8:9 : Phil. 2:6, 7; [ch. 6:10; Matt. 20:28]
  13. 2 Corinthians 8:10 : 1 Cor. 7:25
  14. 2 Corinthians 8:10 : Deut. 15:7, 8; Prov. 19:17; 28:27; 1 Tim. 6:18, 19; Heb. 13:16
  15. 2 Corinthians 8:10 : ch. 9:2
  16. 2 Corinthians 8:12 : [ch. 9:7; Mark 12:43, 44; Luke 21:3]
  17. 2 Corinthians 8:14 : ch. 9:12; [Acts 4:34]
  18. 2 Corinthians 8:15 : Cited from Ex. 16:18
  19. 2 Corinthians 8:16 : See ch. 2:14
  20. 2 Corinthians 8:16 : Rev. 17:17
  21. 2 Corinthians 8:17 : ver. 6
  22. 2 Corinthians 8:18 : ch. 12:18
  23. 2 Corinthians 8:18 : See 1 Cor. 7:17
  24. 2 Corinthians 8:19 : [1 Cor. 16:3, 4]
  25. 2 Corinthians 8:19 : ver. 6
  26. 2 Corinthians 8:19 : ch. 4:15
  27. 2 Corinthians 8:21 : See Rom. 12:17
  28. 2 Corinthians 8:21 : [Rom. 14:18; Phil. 4:8; 1 Pet. 2:12]
  29. 2 Corinthians 8:23 : [Philem. 17]
  30. 2 Corinthians 8:24 : ch. 7:4, 14; 9:2, 3

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2 Corinthians 8 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

8 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 ...
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2 Corinthians 8 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

8 But, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God, that is given in the churches of Macedonia, 2 that in much assaying of tribulation, the plenty of the joy of them was [the abundance, or plenty, of the joy of them was], and the highest poverty of them was plenteous into the riches of the simp...
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2 Corinthians 8 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

8 My brothers, let me tell you how God has blessed the churches in Macedonia. 2 They are being tested by much trouble. But they are always very happy. And they are very poor. Because of these two things, they give to others as if they were rich. 3 I can tell you because I saw it myself. They gave as...
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2 Corinthians 8 - World English Bible (WEB)

8 Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia, 2 how in much proof 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 beyon...
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2 Corinthians 8 - The Voice (VOICE)

8 Now, brothers and sisters, let me tell you about the amazing gift of God’s grace that’s happening throughout the churches in Macedonia. 2 Even in the face of severe anguish and hard times, their elation and poverty have overflowed into a wealth of generosity. 3 I watched as they willingly gave w...
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2 Corinthians 8 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Eagerness to Give8 Now we make known to you, brothers and sisters, the grace God has given to Messiah’s communities in Macedonia— 2 that in much testing by affliction, the abundance of their joy and their extreme poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For I testify that accor...
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2 Corinthians 8 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Encouragement to Be Generous8 We want you to know, brethren, about the grace of God which has been shown in the churches of Macedo′nia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of liberality on their part. 3 For they gave ac...
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2 Corinthians 8 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

8 We also make known to you, brothers, the grace of God bestowed upon the Churches of Macedonia. 2 Because, in great trial of affliction, their joy abounded, and their most extreme poverty abounded unto their rich generosity. 3 For to their power I bear record. Yea, and beyond their power they were ...
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2 Corinthians 8 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

The Generosity of the Macedonian Churches8 Let me tell you, my dear family, about the grace which God has given to the Macedonian churches. 2 They have been sorely tested by suffering. But the abundance of grace which was given to them, and the depths of poverty they have endured, have overflowed i...
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2 Corinthians 8 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Encouragement to Be Generous8 We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that has been granted to the churches of Macedonia, 2 for during a severe ordeal of affliction their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For, ...
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2 Corinthians 8 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

He reminds them to help the poor saints in Jerusalem, as the Macedonians did. He sends Titus ahead. 8 I want you to understand, brethren, of the grace of God that is given in the congregations of Macedonia, 2 how the greatness of their joy is in that they are tried with much tribulation. And moreov...
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2 Corinthians 8 - New Living Translation (NLT)

A Call to Generous Giving8 Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters,[a] what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. 2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity....
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2 Corinthians 8 - New Life Version (NLV)

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2 Corinthians 8 - New King James Version (NKJV)

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