2 Corinthians 8 - New Century Version (NCV)

Christian Giving

8 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace God gave the churches in Macedonia. 2 They have been tested by great troubles, and they are very poor. But they gave much because of their great joy. 3 I can tell you 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 share in this service for God’s people. 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. 6 So we asked Titus to help you finish this special work of grace since he is the one who started it. 7 You are rich in everything—in faith, in speaking, in knowledge, in truly wanting to help, and in the love you learned from us.[a] In the same way, be strong also in the grace of giving.

8 I am not commanding you to give. But I want to see if your love is true by comparing you with others that really want to help. 9 You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. You know that Christ was rich, but for you he became poor so that by his becoming poor you might become rich.

10 This is what I think you should do: 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” will be equal to your “wanting to do.” Give from what you have. 12 If you want to give, your gift will be accepted. It will be judged by what you have, not by what you do not have. 13 We do not want you to have troubles while other people are at ease, but we want everything to be equal. 14 At this time you have plenty. What you have can help others who are in need. Then later, when they have plenty, they can help you when you are in need, and all will be equal. 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.”[b]

Titus and His Companions Help

16 I thank God because he gave Titus the same love for you that I have. 17 Titus accepted what we asked him to do. He wanted very much to go to you, and this was his own idea. 18 We are sending with him the brother who is praised by all the churches because of his service in preaching the Good News. 19 Also, this brother was chosen by the churches to go with us when we deliver this gift of money. We are doing this service to bring glory to the Lord and to show that we really want to help.

20 We are being careful so that no one will criticize us for the way we are handling this large gift. 21 We are trying hard to do what the Lord accepts as right and also what people think is right.

22 Also, we are sending with them our brother, who is always ready to help. He has proved this to us in many ways, and he wants to help even more now, because he has much faith in you.

23 Now about Titus—he is my partner who is working with me to help you. And about the other brothers—they are sent from the churches, and they bring glory to Christ. 24 So show these men the proof of your love and the reason we are proud of you. Then all the churches can see it.

Footnotes

  1. 8:7 in . . . us Some Greek copies read “in your love for us.”
  2. 8:15 “The person . . . little.” Quotation from Exodus 16:18.

You Might Also Like:

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 ...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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 ...
Read More

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...
Read More

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, ...
Read More

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...
Read More

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....
Read More

2 Corinthians 8 - New Life Version (NLV)

The Christian Way to Give8 Christian brothers, we want you to know how the loving-favor of God has been shown in the churches in the country of Macedonia. 2 They have been put to the test by much trouble, but they have much joy. They have given much even though they were very poor. 3 They gave as ...
Read More

2 Corinthians 8 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Excel in Giving8 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 to their abil...
Read More