2 Corinthians 8 - Expanded Bible (EXB)

Christian Giving

8 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace God gave the churches in Macedonia [1:16]. 2 Although they have been tested by great ·troubles [trials; tribulation] ·and are very poor, they gave much because of their great joy [L their deep poverty and abundant joy overflowed into rich generosity]. 3 I can ·tell you [testify] that they gave as much as they were able and even more than they could afford. No one told them to do it. 4 But they begged and pleaded with us ·to let them [L for the privilege/grace to] share in this service for ·God’s people [T the saints]. 5 And they gave in a way we did not expect: They first gave themselves to the Lord and to us. ·This is what God wants […by the will of God]. 6 So we ·asked [urged; encouraged] Titus [2:13] to help you finish this special work of grace since he is the one who started it. 7 You ·are rich [excel] in everything—in faith, in speaking, in knowledge, in ·truly wanting to help [eagerness; zeal], and in the love ·you learned [L that is in you] from us.[a] In the same way, ·be strong [excel] also in the grace of giving.

8 I am not commanding you to give. But I want to ·see [test; prove] if your love is true by comparing you with ·others that really want to help [L the zeal/eagerness of others]. 9 [L For] You know the ·grace [gift] of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, for your sake he became poor so that by his becoming poor you might become rich.

10 This is ·what I think you should do [L my opinion on this matter for your benefit]: Last year you were the first to want to give, and you were the first who gave. 11 So now finish the work you started. Then your ·“doing” [L completion] will be equal to your ·“wanting to do” [eager desire]. Give from what you have. 12 If you ·want [are eager/willing] to give, your gift will be accepted. It will be judged by what you have, not by what you do not have. 13 [L For] We do not want you to have ·troubles [hardships; trials] while other people ·are at ease [have relief], but we want everything to be equal [C giving is not intended to impoverish the giver, but to distribute God’s resources]. 14 At this time ·you have plenty and what you have [L your abundance] can help others who are in need. ·Then later, when they have plenty, they [or In the same way, their abundance] can help you when you are in need, and all will be equal [C Paul may be saying, (1) that the Jerusalem church may one day reciprocate by helping the Corinthians financially; or, (2) that the Corinthians’ financial gift will be reciprocated through Jerusalem’s spiritual gifts]. 15 As it is written in the Scriptures, “The person who gathered more did not have too much, nor did the person who gathered less have too little [Ex. 16:18].”

Titus and His Companions Help

16 ·I thank [L Thanks be to] God because he ·gave [L put into the heart of] Titus [2:13] the same ·love [L eagerness; zeal] for you that I have. 17 [L For] Titus accepted what we asked him to do. He ·wanted very much [was eager] to go to you, and this was ·his own idea [of his own accord]. 18 We are sending with him the brother who is praised by all the churches because of his service ·in preaching the Good News [L in the Gospel; C unknown person, possibly Luke]. 19 Also, this brother was ·chosen [appointed] by the churches to go with us ·when we deliver this gift of money [or in this ministry/administration of grace]. We are doing this ·service [ministry] to bring glory to the Lord and to show ·that we really want [our eagerness/willingness] to help.

20 We are being careful so that no one will ·criticize [blame] us for the way we are handling this ·large [abundant; generous] gift. 21 [L For] We are trying hard to do what is right, not only before the Lord but also before people [Prov. 3:4].

22 Also, we are sending with them our brother, who has proved to us in many ways that he is always ·ready [eager; zealous] to help. He wants to help even more now, because he has much ·faith [confidence] in you.

23 ·Now [or If there is any question] about Titus [2:13]—he is my partner ·who is working with me [and coworker] to help you. ·And [or If there is any question] about the other brothers—they are ·sent [messengers] from the churches, and ·they bring glory to [or they are the glory of] Christ. 24 So show these men the proof of your love and the reason we ·are proud [boast] of you. ·Then [or …so that] all the churches can see it.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 8:7 in… us Some Greek copies read “in your love for us.”

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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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