Sept. 28
2 Corinthians 8
2Co 8:1 Moreover,
brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given
in the assemblies of Macedonia;
2Co 8:2 how that in
much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep
poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality.
2Co 8:3 For according
to their power, I testify, yes and beyond their power, they gave of
their own accord,
2Co 8:4 begging us with
much entreaty to receive this grace and the fellowship in the service
to the saints.
2Co 8:5 This was not as
we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and
to us through the will of God.
2Co 8:6 So we urged
Titus, that as he made a beginning before, so he would also complete
in you this grace.
2Co 8:7 But as you
abound in everything, in faith, utterance, knowledge, all
earnestness, and in your love to us, see that you also abound in this
grace.
2Co 8:8 I speak not by
way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others
the sincerity also of your love.
2Co 8:9 For you know
the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for
your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become
rich.
2Co 8:10 I give a
judgment in this: for this is expedient for you, who were the first
to start a year ago, not only to do, but also to be willing.
2Co 8:11 But now
complete the doing also, that as there was the readiness to be
willing, so there may be the completion also out of your ability.
2Co 8:12 For if the
readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what you have, not
according to what you don't have.
2Co 8:13 For this is
not that others may be eased and you distressed,
2Co 8:14 but for
equality. Your abundance at this present time supplies their lack,
that their abundance also may become a supply for your lack; that
there may be equality.
2Co 8:15 As it is
written, "He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who
gathered little had no lack."
2Co 8:16 But thanks be
to God, who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of
Titus.
2Co 8:17 For he indeed
accepted our exhortation, but being himself very earnest, he went out
to you of his own accord.
2Co 8:18 We have sent
together with him the brother whose praise in the Good News is known
through all the assemblies.
2Co 8:19 Not only so,
but who was also appointed by the assemblies to travel with us in
this grace, which is served by us to the glory of the Lord himself,
and to show our readiness.
2Co 8:20 We are
avoiding this, that any man should blame us concerning this abundance
which is administered by us.
2Co 8:21 Having regard
for honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in
the sight of men.
2Co 8:22 We have sent
with them our brother, whom we have many times proved earnest in many
things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence
which he has in you.
2Co 8:23 As for Titus,
he is my partner and fellow worker for you. As for our brothers, they
are the apostles of the assemblies, the glory of Christ.
2Co 8:24 Therefore show
the proof of your love to them in front of the assemblies, and of our
boasting on your behalf.