2 Corinthians 8

1 Now, brothers [fellow believers, brethren], we want you to know about the grace [divine favor, graciousness] that God [the one true deity] has given [bestowed, granted] the churches [assemblies, communities] of Macedonia [a region in Greece, a significant area in early Christianity]. word study 2 In the [severe, great] terrible ordeal [trial, test] they suffered [experienced, underwent], their abundant [overflowing] joy [deep and lasting happiness, chara] and deep [profound] poverty [state of being poor, lack] overflowed [abounded, superabounded] into [toward, resulting in] rich [abundant, wealthy] generosity [liberality, openness, sincerity]. word study 3 For I testify [bear witness, give evidence] that they gave [donated, contributed] according to their ability [power, capacity] and even beyond [above, exceeding] it [their means, resources]. Of their own accord [self-chosen, voluntary, without coercion], word study 4 they earnestly [with much entreaty, begging us] pleaded with us for the privilege [grace, a gift] of sharing [participation, fellowship] in this service [ministry, work of helping others] to the saints [holy, set apart ones]. word study 5 And not only did they do as we expected [hoped for, looked for], but they gave themselves [their own selves, voluntarily] first [before anything else, in priority] to the Lord [God, the supreme authority] and then to us, because it was the will [desire, intention] of God [the one true deity, divine nature]. word study 6 So we urged [exhorted, pleaded with] Titus [a faithful companion] to help complete [finish, bring to fulfillment] your act of [gracious, loving] grace [unmerited favor, divine influence], just as [in the same way, similarly] he had started [begun beforehand, initiated] it [this ministry, your generous gift]. word study 7 But just as you excel [abound, have more than enough] in everything—in faith [trust, confidence in God], in speech [utterance, the word of God], in knowledge [spiritual understanding, insight], in complete earnestness [diligence, eagerness], and in the love [unconditional affection, charity] we inspired in you —see that you also excel [superabound, have an overflowing abundance] in this grace [divine favor, graciousness] of giving. word study 8 I am not making a demand [not commanding, speaking by occasion], but I am testing [proving, to try] the sincerity [genuineness, true nature] of your [belonging to you] love [unconditional affection, agape] in comparison [by occasion, because of] to the earnestness [diligence, eagerness] of others [those who are different, other believers]. word study 9 For you know [are aware of, have come to understand] the grace [unmerited favor, divine influence] of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was [existed as] rich [having all spiritual and material wealth], yet for your sakes [on your behalf, for your benefit] He became poor [impoverished, humbled Himself], so that you through His poverty [state of need, humility] might become rich [spiritually wealthy, abundant in faith]. word study 10 And this is my opinion [judgment, thoughtful consideration] about what is helpful [expedient, profitable] for you in this matter: Last year [the previous year, a year ago] you were the first [to take the lead, to initiate] not only to give [bestow, grant], but even to have [possess, nurture] such a desire [willingness, intention]. word study 11 Now [at this present time] finish [complete, bring to an end] the work [task, project], so that you may complete [finish, fulfill] it just as [exactly like] eagerly [with readiness, willingness] as you began [initiated, started], according to [in proportion to] your means [ability, resources, what you have]. word study 12 For if the eagerness [a willing mind, readiness to act] is there, the gift [an offering, a sacrifice] is acceptable [well-received, approved] according to what one has [possesses, is able to give], not according to what he does not have [lacks, is unable to give]. word study 13 It is not our intention [that others may get off free] that others may be relieved [eased, experience rest] while you are burdened [distressed, under pressure], but [on the contrary] that there may be equality [fairness, likeness in condition, a state of being on the same level]. word study 14 At the present time [now, in this current season], your surplus [abundance, more than enough] will meet their need [lack, deficiency], so that in turn [also, likewise] their surplus [abundance, plenty] will meet your need [want, lack]. Then there will be [resulting in, leading to] equality [fairness, equal distribution]. word study 15 As it is written: “He who gathered [collected, amassed] much [a large amount, abundantly] had no excess [nothing over, no surplus], and he who gathered [collected, harvested] little [a small amount, few] had no shortfall [no lack, was not in need].” word study 16 But thanks be to God [the one true deity], who put into the heart [the seat of thoughts, feelings, and emotions] of Titus the same devotion [earnest care, diligence] I have for you [on your behalf, in your interest]. word study 17 For not only did he welcome [gladly give ear to, accept] our appeal [exhortation, encouragement], but he is eagerly [being more forward, very earnest] coming to you of his own [self-chosen, voluntary] volition [accord, will]. word study 18 Along with Titus we are sending the brother [a fellow Christian, a male sibling in the faith] who is praised [honored, commended] by all the churches [assemblies, gatherings of believers] for his work [service, ministry] in the gospel [the good news, the message of salvation]. word study 19 More than that, this brother was chosen [appointed, selected] by the churches [assemblies, congregations] to accompany us with the offering [gracious gift, act of kindness]—the [divine] gracious gift we administer [serve, minister] to honor the Lord [God, Master] Himself and to show our eagerness [readiness, willingness] to help [assist, support]. word study 20 We hope [desire, wish] to avoid [hold ourselves back from, steer clear of] any criticism [blame, faultfinding] of the way [manner, method] we administer [manage, oversee] this generous [abundant, liberal] gift [bounty, charitable donation]. word study 21 For we are taking great care [providing, forecasting] to do what is right [honorable, fair], not only [merely, alone] in the eyes [sight, presence] of the Lord [God, Master], but also [in addition, furthermore] in the eyes [sight, presence] of men [human beings, people]. word study 22 And we are sending along with them our brother [a fellow Christian, a male sibling in the faith] whose earnestness [eagerness, diligence] has been proven [tested, tried] many times [often] and in many ways [in various circumstances], and now [at this present time] even more so [to a greater degree] by his great confidence [trust, faith] in you [toward you]. word study 23 As for Titus, he is my partner [partner and companion] and fellow worker [co-laborer, working together] among you. As for our brothers, they are messengers [apostles] of the churches, to the [honor, praise] glory of Christ. word study 24 In full view [before the face] of the churches [assemblies, gatherings of believers], then [therefore, as a consequence], show [demonstrate, prove] these men [them, the representatives] the proof [evidence, demonstration] of your [unconditional] love [agape, affection] and [also, additionally] the reason [basis, cause] for our [our own, personal] boasting [pride, glorying] about [on behalf of, concerning] you [your character, your actions]. word study