2 Corinthians 8:7-15
New American Standard Bible
7 But just as you (A)excel (B)in everything, in faith, speaking, knowledge, and in all earnestness and in the [a]love we inspired in you, see that you also (C)excel in this gracious work. 8 I (D)am not saying this as a command, but as proving, through the earnestness of others, the sincerity of your love as well. 9 For you know (E)the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that (F)though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. 10 I (G)give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin (H)a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it. 11 But now finish [b]doing it also, so that just as there was the (I)willingness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability. 12 For if the willingness is present, it is acceptable (J)according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 13 For this is not for the relief of others and for your hardship, but by way of equality— 14 at this present time your abundance will serve as assistance for (K)their need, so that their abundance also may [c]serve as assistance for (L)your need, so that there may be equality; 15 as it is written: “(M)The one who had gathered much did not have too much, and the one who had gathered little did not have too little.”
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 2 Corinthians 8:7 Lit love from us in you; one early ms love from you in us
- 2 Corinthians 8:11 Lit the doing
- 2 Corinthians 8:14 Lit become
2 Corinthians 8:7-15
Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
7 That as in all things you abound in faith, and word, and knowledge, and all carefulness; moreover also in your charity towards us, so in this grace also you may abound.
8 I speak not as commanding; but by the carefulness of others, approving also the good disposition of your charity.
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that being rich he became poor, for your sakes; that through his poverty you might be rich.
10 And herein I give my advice; for this is profitable for you, who have begun not only to do, but also to be willing, a year ago.
11 Now therefore perform ye it also in deed; that as your mind is forward to be willing, so it may be also to perform, out of that which you have.
12 For if the will be forward, it is accepted according to that which a man hath, not according to that which he hath not.
13 For I mean not that others should be eased, and you burthened, but by an equality.
14 In this present time let your abundance supply their want, that their abundance also may supply your want, that there may be an equality,
15 As it is written: He that had much, had nothing over; and he that had little, had no want.
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2 Corinthians 8:7-22
The Message
5-7 This was totally spontaneous, entirely their own idea, and caught us completely off guard. What explains it was that they had first given themselves unreservedly to God and to us. The other giving simply flowed out of the purposes of God working in their lives. That’s what prompted us to ask Titus to bring the relief offering to your attention, so that what was so well begun could be finished up. You do so well in so many things—you trust God, you’re articulate, you’re insightful, you’re passionate, you love us—now, do your best in this, too.
8-9 I’m not trying to order you around against your will. But by bringing in the Macedonians’ enthusiasm as a stimulus to your love, I am hoping to bring the best out of you. You are familiar with the generosity of our Master, Jesus Christ. Rich as he was, he gave it all away for us—in one stroke he became poor and we became rich.
10-20 So here’s what I think: The best thing you can do right now is to finish what you started last year and not let those good intentions grow stale. Your heart’s been in the right place all along. You’ve got what it takes to finish it up, so go to it. Once the commitment is clear, you do what you can, not what you can’t. The heart regulates the hands. This isn’t so others can take it easy while you sweat it out. No, you’re shoulder to shoulder with them all the way, your surplus matching their deficit, their surplus matching your deficit. In the end you come out even. As it is written,
Nothing left over to the one with the most,
Nothing lacking to the one with the least.
I thank God for giving Titus the same devoted concern for you that I have. He was most considerate of how we felt, but his eagerness to go to you and help out with this relief offering is his own idea. We’re sending a companion along with him, someone very popular in the churches for his preaching of the Message. But there’s far more to him than popularity. He’s rock-solid trustworthy. The churches handpicked him to go with us as we travel about doing this work of sharing God’s gifts to honor God as well as we can, taking every precaution against scandal.
20-22 We don’t want anyone suspecting us of taking one penny of this money for ourselves. We’re being as careful in our reputation with the public as in our reputation with God. That’s why we’re sending another trusted friend along. He’s proved his dependability many times over, and carries on as energetically as the day he started. He’s heard much about you, and liked what he’s heard—so much so that he can’t wait to get there.
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Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson