2 Coríntios 8

¹ Moreover,The sixth part of this epistle containing different exhortations to stir up the Corinthians to liberality, with which the poverty of the church of Jerusalem might be helped at an appropriate time. And first of all he sets before them the example of the churches of Macedonia, which otherwise were brought by great misery to extreme poverty, so that the Corinthians should follow them.brethren, we do you to wit of theThe benefit that God bestowed upon the Corinthians.grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

² How that in aFor those manifold afflictions with which the Lord tried them did not stop their joyful readiness, but also made it much more excellent and well-known.great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

³ For to [their] power, I bear record, yea, and beyond [their] power [they were]Of their own accord they were generous.willing of themselves;

⁴ Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive theHe calls that «gift» which other men would have called a burden. And this verse is to be explained by (2Co_8:6).gift, and [take upon us] the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

⁵ He amplifies the eagerness of the Macedonians in this, that they also desired Paul to stir up the Corinthians to accomplish the giving of alms by sending Titus to them again.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.

⁶ That we should exhort Titus, that as hee had begon, so he would also accomplish the same grace among you also.

⁷ Therefore, as yee abound in euery thing, in faith and woorde, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your loue towardes vs, euen so see that yee abound in this grace also.

⁸ Thirdly, he warns them to live up to the expectation which Paul and his companions have conceived of them.I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of theAt the request of the Macedonians.forwardness of others, and to prove theThe naturalness of our love appears when we truly, and that frankly and freely, help our brethren even for Christ's sake.sincerity of your love.

⁹ The fourth argument taken from the example of Christ.For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

¹⁰ He takes good heed that he seem not to wrest it out of them by force, for unless it is voluntary, God does not accept it.And herein I give [my] advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also toNot only to do, but also to do willingly: for he notes out of a ready willingness, without any enforcement by any other men. And much less did it come out of ambition and vain glory.be forward a year ago.

¹¹ Nowe therefore performe to doe it also, that as there was a readinesse to will, euen so yee may performe it of that which yee haue.

¹² Against those who excused themselves because they are not rich, as though it were only the duty of rich men to help the poor.For if there be first a willing mind, [it is] accepted according to that a man hath, [and] not according to that he hath not.

¹³ Christian liberality is mutual, so that one does not have too much, and the other to little.For [I mean] not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:

¹⁴ But by anThat as now in your abundance you help others with a share of your goods, so should others in the same way bestow some of their goods upon you.equality, [that] now at this time your abundance [may be a supply] for their want, that their abundance also may be [a supply] for your want: that there may be equality:

¹⁵ As it is written, Hee that gathered much, had nothing ouer, and hee that gathered litle, had not the lesse.

¹⁶ He commends Titus and his two companions for many reasons, both that their credit might not be suspected, as though he had sent them slyly to rob the churches, and also so that they might be all the more ready to contribute.But thanks [be] to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

¹⁷ Because hee accepted the exhortation, yea, hee was so carefull that of his owne accorde hee went vnto you.

¹⁸ And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise [is]In the preaching of the Gospel.in the gospel throughout all the churches;

¹⁹ And not [that] only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with thisThese alms which are bestowed for the relief of the church of Jerusalem.grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and [declaration of] your ready mind:

²⁰ Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in thisIn this plentiful liberality of the churches, which is committed to our trust.abundance which is administered by us:

²¹ Prouiding for honest thinges, not onely before the Lord, but also before men.

²² And we haue sent with them our brother, whom we haue oft times prooued to be diligent in many thinges, but nowe much more diligent, for the great confidence, which I haue in you.

²³ Whether [any do enquire] of Titus, [he is] my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or ourThe two companions of Titus.brethren [be enquired of, they are] the messengers of the churches, [and] theBy whom the glory of Christ is set forth.glory of Christ.

²⁴ Wherefore shew ye to them, and before theAll the churches in whose presence you are in will be witnesses of this your godly behaviour, for these men are the messengers whom they have chosen by common consent, and sent to you.churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.