2 Corinthians 8 - New International Version (NIV)

The Collection for the Lord’s People

8 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian(A) churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.(B) 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able,(C) and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing(D) in this service(E) to the Lord’s people.(F) 5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 6 So we urged(G) Titus,(H) just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion(I) this act of grace on your part. 7 But since you excel in everything(J)—in faith, in speech, in knowledge,(K) in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

8 I am not commanding you,(L) but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace(M) of our Lord Jesus Christ,(N) that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor,(O) so that you through his poverty might become rich.(P)

10 And here is my judgment(Q) about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so.(R) 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness(S) to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has,(T) not according to what one does not have.

13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need,(U) so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, 15 as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”[b](V)

Titus Sent to Receive the Collection

16 Thanks be to God,(W) who put into the heart(X) of Titus(Y) the same concern I have for you. 17 For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.(Z) 18 And we are sending along with him the brother(AA) who is praised by all the churches(AB) for his service to the gospel.(AC) 19 What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us(AD) as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help.(AE) 20 We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. 21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.(AF)

22 In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus,(AG) he is my partner(AH) and co-worker(AI) among you; as for our brothers,(AJ) they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. 24 Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you,(AK) so that the churches can see it.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 8:7 Some manuscripts and in your love for us
  2. 2 Corinthians 8:15 Exodus 16:18

Cross references

  1. 2 Corinthians 8:1 : S Ac 16:9
  2. 2 Corinthians 8:2 : Ex 36:5; 2Co 9:11
  3. 2 Corinthians 8:3 : 1Co 16:2
  4. 2 Corinthians 8:4 : ver 1
  5. 2 Corinthians 8:4 : S Ac 24:17
  6. 2 Corinthians 8:4 : S Ac 9:13
  7. 2 Corinthians 8:6 : ver 17; 2Co 12:18
  8. 2 Corinthians 8:6 : ver 16, 23; S 2Co 2:13
  9. 2 Corinthians 8:6 : ver 10, 11
  10. 2 Corinthians 8:7 : 2Co 9:8
  11. 2 Corinthians 8:7 : Ro 15:14; 1Co 1:5; 12:8; 13:1, 2; 14:6
  12. 2 Corinthians 8:8 : 1Co 7:6
  13. 2 Corinthians 8:9 : S Ro 3:24
  14. 2 Corinthians 8:9 : 2Co 13:14
  15. 2 Corinthians 8:9 : Mt 20:28; Php 2:6-8
  16. 2 Corinthians 8:9 : 2Co 6:10
  17. 2 Corinthians 8:10 : 1Co 7:25, 40
  18. 2 Corinthians 8:10 : 1Co 16:2, 3; 2Co 9:2
  19. 2 Corinthians 8:11 : ver 12, 19; Ex 25:2; 2Co 9:2
  20. 2 Corinthians 8:12 : Mk 12:43, 44; 2Co 9:7
  21. 2 Corinthians 8:14 : Ac 4:34; 2Co 9:12
  22. 2 Corinthians 8:15 : Ex 16:18
  23. 2 Corinthians 8:16 : S 2Co 2:14
  24. 2 Corinthians 8:16 : Rev 17:17
  25. 2 Corinthians 8:16 : S 2Co 2:13
  26. 2 Corinthians 8:17 : ver 6
  27. 2 Corinthians 8:18 : 2Co 12:18
  28. 2 Corinthians 8:18 : S 1Co 7:17
  29. 2 Corinthians 8:18 : S 2Co 2:12
  30. 2 Corinthians 8:19 : Ac 14:23; 1Co 16:3, 4
  31. 2 Corinthians 8:19 : ver 11, 12
  32. 2 Corinthians 8:21 : Ro 12:17; S 14:18; S Tit 2:14
  33. 2 Corinthians 8:23 : S 2Co 2:13
  34. 2 Corinthians 8:23 : Phm 17
  35. 2 Corinthians 8:23 : S Php 2:25
  36. 2 Corinthians 8:23 : ver 18, 22
  37. 2 Corinthians 8:24 : 2Co 7:4, 14; 9:2

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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 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

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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)

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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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