2 Corinthians 8-9

Holman Christian Standard Bible

Appeal to Complete the Collection

8 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God granted to the churches^(A) of Macedonia:^(B) ²During a severe testing by affliction, their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed into the wealth of their generosity.^(C) ³I testify that, on their own, according to their ability and beyond their ability, ⁴they begged us insistently for the privilege of sharing^(D) in the ministry to the saints, ⁵and not just as we had hoped. Instead, they gave themselves especially to the Lord, then to us by God’s will.^(E) ⁶So we urged Titus that just as he had begun, so he should also complete this grace to you. ⁷Now as you excel in everything—faith, speech, knowledge,^(F) and in all diligence, and in your love for us^[a]—excel also in this grace.

⁸I am not saying this as a command. Rather, by means of the diligence of others, I am testing the genuineness of your love. ⁹For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: Though He was rich,^(G) for your sake He became poor,^(H) so that by His poverty you might become rich. ¹⁰Now I am giving an opinion on this because it is profitable for you, who a year ago began not only to do something but also to desire it.^[b]^(I) ¹¹But now finish the task^[c] as well, that just as there was eagerness to desire it, so there may also be a completion from what you have. ¹²For if the eagerness is there, it is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.^(J) ¹³It is not that there may be relief for others and hardship for you, but it is a question of equality^[d]— ¹⁴at the present time your surplus is available for their need, so their abundance may also become available for our need, so there may be equality. ¹⁵As it has been written:

The person who gathered much
did not have too much,
and the person who gathered little
did not have too little.^(K)^[e]

Administration of the Collection

¹⁶Thanks be to God who put the same concern for you into the heart of Titus. ¹⁷For he accepted our urging and, being very diligent, went out to you by his own choice. ¹⁸We have sent with him the brother^(L) who is praised throughout the churches for his gospel ministry.^[f] ¹⁹And not only that, but he was also appointed by the churches to accompany us with this gift^[g] that is being administered by us for the glory of the Lord Himself and to show our eagerness to help. ²⁰We are taking this precaution so no one can criticize us about this large sum administered by us. ²¹For we are making provision^(M) for what is right,^(N) not only before the Lord but also before men. ²²We have also sent with them our brother. We have often tested him in many circumstances and found him to be diligent—and now even more diligent because of his great confidence in you. ²³As for Titus, he is my partner^(O) and coworker^(P) serving you; as for our brothers, they are the messengers^(Q) of the churches, the glory of Christ.^(R) ²⁴Therefore, show them proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting^(S) about you.

Motivations for Giving

9 Now concerning the ministry to the saints, it is unnecessary for me to write to you. ²For I know your eagerness, and I brag about you to the Macedonians:^[h]^(T) “Achaia^[i]^(U) has been prepared since last year,” and your zeal^(V) has stirred up most of them.^(W) ³But I sent the brothers so our boasting about you in the matter would not prove empty, and so you would be prepared just as I said. ⁴For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we, not to mention you, would be embarrassed in that situation.^[j] ⁵Therefore I considered it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance the generous gift^(X) you promised, so that it will be ready as a gift and not as an extortion.^(Y)

⁶Remember this:^[k] The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of necessity, for God loves^(Z) a cheerful giver. ⁸And God is able^(AA) to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work. ⁹As it is written:

He scattered;^(AB)
He gave to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever.^(AC)^[l]

¹⁰Now the One who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness.^(AD) ¹¹You will be enriched^(AE) in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. ¹²For the ministry of this service^(AF) is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many acts of thanksgiving to God. ¹³They will glorify God for your obedience to the confession of^[m] the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity^(AG) in sharing with them and with others through the proof provided by this service. ¹⁴And they will have deep affection for^[n] you in their prayers on your behalf because of the surpassing grace of God in you. ¹⁵Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.

Footnotes

2 Corinthians 8:7 Other mss read in our love for you
2 Corinthians 8:10 Lit to will
2 Corinthians 8:11 Lit finish the doing
2 Corinthians 8:13 Lit but from equality
2 Corinthians 8:15 Ex 16:18
2 Corinthians 8:18 Lit churches, in the gospel
2 Corinthians 8:19 Or grace
2 Corinthians 9:2 Macedonia was a Roman province in the northern area of modern Greece.
2 Corinthians 9:2 Achaia was the Roman province, south of Macedonia, where Corinth was located.
2 Corinthians 9:4 Or in this confidence
2 Corinthians 9:6 Lit And this
2 Corinthians 9:9 Ps 112:9
2 Corinthians 9:13 Or your obedient confession to
2 Corinthians 9:14 Or will long for