^8:4begging us with great earnestness for the blessing and fellowship of helping⁴ the saints. ^8:5And they did this not just as we had hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us by the will of God. ^8:6Thus⁵ we urged⁶ Titus that, just as he had previously begun this work,⁷ so also he should complete this act of kindness⁸ for you. ^8:7But as you excel⁹ in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, and in all eagerness and in the love from us that is in you¹⁰—make sure that you excel¹¹ in this act of kindness¹² too.

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Footnotes

4 Or “of ministering to.”
5 A new sentence was started here in the translation and the word “thus” was supplied to indicate that it expresses the result of the previous clause.
6 Or “we exhorted.”
7 The words “this work” are not in the Greek text but are implied. Direct objects in Greek were often omitted and must be supplied from the context.
8 Grk “this grace.”
9 Grk “as you abound.”
10 The reading “the love from us that is in you” is very difficult in this context, for Paul is here enumerating the Corinthians’ attributes: How is it possible for them to excel “in the love from us that is in you”? Most likely, because of this difficulty, several early scribes, as well as most later ones (א C D F G Ψ [33] 𝔐 lat), altered the text to read “your love for us” (so ; Grk ἐξ ὑμῶν ἐν ἡμῖν ἀγάπῃ [ex humōn en hēmin agapē]). The reading ἐξ ἡμῶν ἐν ὑμῖν ἀγάπῃ (ex hēmōn en humin agapē) is found, however, in excellent and early witnesses (𝔓46 B 0243 6 104 630 1175 1739 1881 co). As the harder reading it explains the rise of the other reading. What, then, is the force of “in the love from us that is in you”? Most likely, Paul is commending the Corinthians for excelling in deriving some inspiration from the apostles’ love for them.
11 Grk “you abound.”
12 Grk “this grace.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

they begged us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in the ministry to the saints, and not just as we had hoped. Instead, they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us by God’s will. So we urged Titus that just as he had begun, so he should also complete among you this act of grace.

Now as you excel in everything—in faith, speech, knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love for us—excel also in this act of grace.

NLTNew Living Translation

They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.

So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving. Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

requesting of us with much exhortation the favor and the fellowship of the ministry to the saints, and not just as we had hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us, by the will of God. So we urged Titus that, just as he had previously begun it, thus he would also complete for you this act of grace. But just as you excel in everything—in faith and in speaking and in knowledge and with all diligence and in the love from us that is in you—so may you excel in this grace also.

KJV 1900King James Version

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.

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