2 Corinthians 8 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Excel in Giving

8 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 ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency [a]that we would receive the gift and (B)the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first (C)gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the (D)will of God. 6 So (E)we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7 But as (F)you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see (G)that you abound in this grace also.

Christ Our Pattern

8 (H)I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, (I)that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become (J)rich.

10 And in this (K)I give advice: (L)It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and (M)were desiring to do a year ago; 11 but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. 12 For (N)if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.

13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; 14 but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality. 15 As it is written, (O)“He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”

Collection for the Judean Saints

16 But thanks be to God who [b]puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus. 17 For he not only accepted the exhortation, but being more diligent, he went to you of his own accord. 18 And we have sent with him (P)the brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches, 19 and not only that, but who was also (Q)chosen by the churches to travel with us with this gift, which is administered by us (R)to the glory of the Lord Himself and to show your ready mind, 20 avoiding this: that anyone should blame us in this lavish gift which is administered by us— 21 (S)providing honorable 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 often proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, because of the great confidence which we have in you. 23 If anyone inquires about (T)Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you. Or if our brethren are inquired about, they are (U)messengers[c] of the churches, the glory of Christ. 24 Therefore show to them, [d]and before the churches, the proof of your love and of our (V)boasting on your behalf.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 8:4 NU, M omit that we would receive, thus changing text to urgency for the favor and fellowship
  2. 2 Corinthians 8:16 NU has put
  3. 2 Corinthians 8:23 Lit. apostles, “sent ones”
  4. 2 Corinthians 8:24 NU, M omit and

Cross references

  1. 2 Corinthians 8:2 : Mark 12:44
  2. 2 Corinthians 8:4 : Acts 11:29; 24:17; Rom. 15:25, 26; 1 Cor. 16:1, 3, 4; 2 Cor. 9:1
  3. 2 Corinthians 8:5 : [Rom. 12:1, 2]
  4. 2 Corinthians 8:5 : [Eph. 6:6]
  5. 2 Corinthians 8:6 : 2 Cor. 8:17; 12:18
  6. 2 Corinthians 8:7 : [1 Cor. 1:5; 12:13]
  7. 2 Corinthians 8:7 : 2 Cor. 9:8
  8. 2 Corinthians 8:8 : 1 Cor. 7:6
  9. 2 Corinthians 8:9 : Matt. 8:20; Luke 9:58; Phil. 2:6, 7
  10. 2 Corinthians 8:9 : Rom. 9:23; [Eph. 1:7; Rev. 3:18]
  11. 2 Corinthians 8:10 : 1 Cor. 7:25, 40
  12. 2 Corinthians 8:10 : [Prov. 19:17; Matt. 10:42; 1 Tim. 6:18, 19; Heb. 13:16]
  13. 2 Corinthians 8:10 : 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:2
  14. 2 Corinthians 8:12 : Mark 12:43, 44; Luke 21:3, 4; 2 Cor. 9:7
  15. 2 Corinthians 8:15 : Ex. 16:18
  16. 2 Corinthians 8:18 : 1 Cor. 16:3; 2 Cor. 12:18
  17. 2 Corinthians 8:19 : Acts 14:23; 1 Cor. 16:3, 4
  18. 2 Corinthians 8:19 : 2 Cor. 4:15
  19. 2 Corinthians 8:21 : Rom. 12:17; Phil. 4:8; 1 Pet. 2:12
  20. 2 Corinthians 8:23 : 2 Cor. 7:13, 14
  21. 2 Corinthians 8:23 : [John 13:16]; Phil. 2:25
  22. 2 Corinthians 8:24 : 2 Cor. 7:4, 14; 9:2

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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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