2 Corinthians 8:1–14

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.