2 Corinthians 8
1599 Geneva Bible
8 1 He exhorteth them by the example of the Macedonians, 9 and also even of Christ himself, 14 to be liberal towards the saints: 16 for which purpose, he showeth that Titus, 18 and another brother came unto them.
1 We [a]do you also to wit, brethren, of the [b]grace of God bestowed upon the Churches of Macedonia.
2 Because in [c]great trial of affliction their joy abounded, and their most extreme poverty abounded unto their rich liberality.
3 For to their power (I bear record) yea, and beyond their power they were [d]willing.
4 And prayed us with great instance that we would receive the [e]grace, and fellowship of the ministering which is toward the Saints.
5 [f]And this they did, not as we looked for: but gave their own selves, first to the Lord, and after unto us by the will of God,
6 That we should exhort Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also accomplish the same grace among you also.
7 Therefore, as ye abound in everything, in faith and word, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love towards us, even so see that ye abound in this grace also.
8 [g]This say I not by commandment, but because of the [h]diligence of others: therefore prove I the [i]naturalness of your love.
9 [j]For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that he being rich, for your sakes became poor, that ye through his poverty might be made rich.
10 [k]And I show my mind herein: for this is expedient for you, which have begun not to do only, but also to [l]will, a year ago.
11 Now therefore perform to do it also, that as there was a readiness to will, even so ye may perform it of that which ye have.
12 [m]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 [n]Neither is it that other men should be eased and you grieved: But upon [o]like condition, at this time your abundance supplieth their lack:
14 That also their abundance may be for your lack, that there may be equality.
15 As it is written, (A)He that gathered much, had nothing over, and he that gathered little, had not the less.
16 [p]And thanks be unto God, which had put in the heart of Titus the same care for you.
17 Because he accepted the exhortation, yea, he was so careful that of his own accord he went unto you.
18 And we have sent also with him the brother, whose praise is [q]in the Gospel throughout all the Churches.
19 (And not so only, but is also chosen of the Churches to be a fellow in our journey, concerning this [r]grace that is ministered by us unto the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your prompt mind.)
20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this [s]abundance that is ministered by us,
21 (B)Providing for honest things, not only before the Lord, but also before men.
22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have ofttimes proved to be diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, for the great confidence, which I have in you.
23 Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my fellow and helper to you-ward: or of our [t]brethren, they are messengers of the Churches, and the [u]glory of Christ.
24 Wherefore show toward them, and before the [v]Churches the proof of your love, and of the rejoicing that we have of you.
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 8:1 The sixth part of this epistle containing divers exhortations to stir up the Corinthians to liberality, wherewith the poverty of the Church of Jerusalem might be holpen in time convenient. And first of all he setteth out before them the example of the Churches of Macedonia, which otherwise were brought by great misery to extreme poverty, to the end that they should follow them.
- 2 Corinthians 8:1 The benefit that God bestowed upon the Churches.
- 2 Corinthians 8:2 For those manifold afflictions wherewith the Lord tried them, did not only not quail their joyful readiness, but also made it much more excellent, and famous.
- 2 Corinthians 8:3 Of their own accord they were liberal.
- 2 Corinthians 8:4 He calleth that, Grace, that other men would have called a burden. And this verse is to be expounded by the sixth verse.
- 2 Corinthians 8:5 He amplifieth the forwardness of the Macedonians, in this, that they also desired Paul to stir up the Corinthians to accomplish the giving of alms, by sending again of Titus unto them.
- 2 Corinthians 8:8 Thirdly he warneth them that they deceive not their expectation which they have conceived of them.
- 2 Corinthians 8:8 At the request of the Macedonians.
- 2 Corinthians 8:8 Then appeareth the naturalness of our love, when as in deed and that frankly and freely we help our brethren, even for Christ’s sake.
- 2 Corinthians 8:9 The fourth argument taken from the example of Christ.
- 2 Corinthians 8:10 He taketh good heed that he seem not to wrest it out of them by constraint, for unless it be voluntary, God doth not accept it.
- 2 Corinthians 8:10 Not only to do, but also to do willingly: for he noteth out a ready willingness without any enforcement by any other men; much less came it of ambition and vainglory.
- 2 Corinthians 8:12 Against such as use to excuse themselves, because they are not rich, as though it were only proper to rich men to help the poor.
- 2 Corinthians 8:13 Christian liberality is mutual, that proportion may be ob-served.
- 2 Corinthians 8:13 That like as now in your abundance you help others, which are poor, with some part of your goods, so should others in like sort bestow some of theirs upon you.
- 2 Corinthians 8:16 He commendeth Titus and his two companions for many causes, both that their credit might not be suspected, as though he had sent them slyly to spoil the Churches, and also that they might be so much the readier to contribute.
- 2 Corinthians 8:18 In the preaching of the Gospel.
- 2 Corinthians 8:19 These alms which are bestowed for the relief of the Church of Jerusalem.
- 2 Corinthians 8:20 In this plentiful liberality of the Churches, which is committed to our trust.
- 2 Corinthians 8:23 Titus’s two companions.
- 2 Corinthians 8:23 By whom the glory of Christ is set forth.
- 2 Corinthians 8:24 All Churches shall be witnesses of this your godly dealing, in whose presence you are, for so much as you see the messengers whom they have chosen by all their consents, and sent them unto you.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
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