2 Corinthians 8–9

Appeal to Complete the Collection

8We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God granted to the churches ^uof Macedonia: ^v2During a severe testing by affliction, their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed into the wealth of their generosity. ^w3I testify that, on their own, according to their ability and beyond their ability, ⁴they begged us insistently for the privilege of sharing ^xin 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. ^y6So 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, ^zand 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, ^bfor your sake He became poor, ^cso 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. ^de11But now finish the task ^fas 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. ^g13It is not that there may be relief for others and hardship for you, but it is a question of equality ^h— 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. ^ij

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 ^kwho is praised throughout the churches for his gospel ministry. ^l19And not only that, but he was also appointed by the churches to accompany us with this gift ^mthat 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 ⁿfor what is right, ^onot 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 ^pand coworker ^qserving you; as for our brothers, they are the messengers ^rof the churches, the glory of Christ. ^s24Therefore, show them proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting ^tabout you.

Motivations for Giving

9Now 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: ^uv“Achaia ^wxhas been prepared since last year,” and your zeal ^yhas stirred up most of them. ^z3But 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. ^a5Therefore I considered it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance the generous gift ^byou promised, so that it will be ready as a gift and not as an extortion. ^c

⁶Remember this: ^dThe 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 ^ea cheerful giver. ⁸And God is able ^fto 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; ^g

He gave to the poor;

His righteousness endures forever. ^hi

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. ^j11You will be enriched ^kin every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. ¹²For the ministry of this service ^lis 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 ^mthe gospel of Christ, and for your generosity ⁿin sharing with them and with others through the proof provided by this service. ¹⁴And they will have deep affection for ^oyou in their prayers on your behalf because of the surpassing grace of God in you. ¹⁵Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.