2 Corinthians 8 - Meaning, Themes & Application

" Moreover, brethren, we do ➔ you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; "

" How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. "

" For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; "

" Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. "

" And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. "

" Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would ➔ also finish in you the same grace also. "

" Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. "

" I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. "

" For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for ➔ your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. "

" And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. "

" Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. "

" For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. "

" For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: "

" But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: "

" As it is written, He that had gathered much had ➔ nothing over; and he that had gathered little had ➔ no lack. "

" But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. "

" For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you. "

" And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches; "

" And not that only, but who was ➔ also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind: "

" Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us: "

" Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. "

" And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have ➔ oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you. "

" Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ. "

" Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on ➔ your behalf. "