2 Corinthians 8

2 Corinthians 8:2

How that in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

How God hath blessed and honoured the Churches of Macedonia, with a double grace: both with much cheerfulness and joy, in their great trials of afflictions; and with a rich liberality and contribution to the necessity of other saints, notwithstanding their own deep poverty.

2 Corinthians 8:5

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.

And this they did, far beyond our hope: first, giving themselves over to the Lord; and then, yielding themselves to be swayed and disposed of by our ministry, according to the will of God.

2 Corinthians 8:6

Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

Insomuch as we desired Titus, that, as he had begun to move you for your liberal contribution to the same purpose, so that he would follow it home and finish so good a work amongst you.

2 Corinthians 8:7

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.

Therefore, as ye abound in every other grace and virtue, in faith, and a zealous expression of it, &c. so also that ye abound in this liberal alms for the relief of other Churches, that are now pinched with want.

2 Corinthians 8:8

I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others.

I do not lay any imperious command upon you, to do thus; but I move and solicit you to it, upon occasion of others’ forwardness.

2 Corinthians 8:10

Who have begun before not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.

Who have begun a year ago, not only to do something, but to profess your forwardness to do more, and to undertake a large collection for this use.

2 Corinthians 8:12

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.

For God measures our alms, according to the mind of the giver: if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted of him, though it be never so small a gift; for he requires us not to give that, which we have not, but what we have, and in that proportion that we have; and accordingly accepts of what we thus give.

2 Corinthians 8:14

That their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:

That their abundance, when occasion shall be hereafter given, may, in way of requital, supply your wants; that so there may be a just equality of the gift and the retribution.

2 Corinthians 8:19

To travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory &c.

To travel with us, and to carry this contribution which is raised by us to the glory &c.

2 Corinthians 8:20

Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:

I have sent Titus and Barnabas, for this purpose, that I might hereby take away all suspicion of retaining to myself ought of that abundance of money, which we have procured for this needful relief:

2 Corinthians 8:21

Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

Wherein we were careful to take that course, which might clear our reputation, both before God and men.

2 Corinthians 8:22

And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.

And we have sent with them Titus our brother, whom we have oftentimes, &c. but now much more officious in this service, upon that confidence which he sees I have in you; as knowing, that you will not frustrate my hope and assurance.

2 Corinthians 8:23

They are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

They are the messengers sent for this purpose by the Churches, and such as by whom Christ hath been much glorified.