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The Blue Letter Bible

2 Corinthians 8 :: English Standard Version (ESV)

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Encouragement to Give Generously

Unchecked Copy Box2Co 8:1 - We want you to know, brothers,[fn] about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia,
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 8:2 - for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 8:3 - For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 8:4 - begging us earnestly for the favor[fn] of taking part in the relief of the saints—
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 8:5 - and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 8:6 - Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace.
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 8:7 - But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you[fn]—see that you excel in this act of grace also.
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 8:8 - I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 8:9 - For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 8:10 - And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it.
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 8:11 - So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have.
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 8:12 - For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 8:13 - For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 8:14 - your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness.
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 8:15 - As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”

Commendation of Titus

Unchecked Copy Box2Co 8:16 - But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you.
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 8:17 - For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going[fn] to you of his own accord.
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 8:18 - With him we are sending[fn] the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel.
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 8:19 - And not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will.
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 8:20 - We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us,
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 8:21 - for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man.
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 8:22 - And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you.
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 8:23 - As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengers[fn] of the churches, the glory of Christ.
Unchecked Copy Box2Co 8:24 - So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.
ESV Footnotes
Or brothers and sisters
The Greek word charis can mean favor or grace or thanks, depending on the context
Some manuscripts in your love for us
Or he went
Or we sent; also verse 22
Greek apostles
ESV

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016 by Crossway Books and Bibles, a Publishing Ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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For more information on this translation, see the ESV Preface.

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2 Corinthians Chapter 8 — Additional Translations: