Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

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

For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

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.

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

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.

I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

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 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.

11 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.

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.

13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:

14 But by an 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, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.

18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is 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 this 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 this abundance which is administered by us:

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

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.

23 Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

24 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

Great Generosity

Now, brothers and sisters, we want to tell you about the grace of God which has been evident in the churches of Macedonia [awakening in them a longing to contribute]; for during an ordeal of severe distress, their abundant joy and their deep poverty [together] overflowed in the wealth of their lavish generosity. For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave voluntarily, begging us insistently for the privilege of participating in the service for [the support of] the saints [in Jerusalem]. Not only [did they give materially] as we had hoped, but first they gave themselves to the Lord and to us [as His representatives] by the will of God [disregarding their personal interests and giving as much as they possibly could]. So we urged Titus that, as he began it, he should also complete this gracious work among you as well.

But just as you excel in everything, [and lead the way] in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in genuine concern, and in your love for us, see that you excel in this gracious work [of giving] also. I am not saying this as a command [to dictate to you], but to prove, by [pointing out] the enthusiasm of others, the sincerity of your love as well. For you are recognizing [more clearly] the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [His astonishing kindness, His generosity, His gracious favor], that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich (abundantly blessed). 10 I give you my opinion in this matter: this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to take action [to help the believers in Jerusalem], but also [the first] to desire to do it. 11 So now finish this, so that your eagerness in desiring it may be equaled by your completion of it, according to your ability. 12 For if the eagerness [to give] is there, it is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. 13 For it is not [intended] that others be relieved [of their responsibility] and that you be [a]burdened [unfairly], but [b]that there be equality [in sharing the burden]— 14 at this present time your surplus [over necessities] is going to supply their need, so that [at some other time] their surplus may be given to supply your need, that there may be equality; 15 as it is written [in Scripture], “He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not lack.”(A)

16 But thanks be to God who puts the same genuine concern for you in the heart of Titus. 17 For Titus not only accepted our appeal, but was so very interested in you that he has gone to visit you of his own accord. 18 And we have sent along with him the [c]brother who is praised in the gospel [ministry] throughout all the churches; 19 and not only this, but he has also been appointed by the churches to travel with us in regard to this gracious offering which we are administering for the glory of the Lord Himself, and to show our eagerness [as believers to help one another]. 20 We are taking precaution so that no one will [find anything with which to] discredit us in our administration of this generous gift. 21 For we have regard for what is honorable [and above suspicion], not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. 22 We have sent with them our brother, whom we have often tested and found to be diligent in many things, but who is now even more diligent [than ever] because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker in your service; and as for the [other two] brothers, they are [special] [d]messengers of the churches, a glory and credit to Christ. 24 Therefore, show these men, in the sight of the churches, the proof of your love and our reason for being proud of you.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 8:13 Lit afflicted.
  2. 2 Corinthians 8:13 Lit from equality.
  3. 2 Corinthians 8:18 The identity of this man is unknown—perhaps it was Luke.
  4. 2 Corinthians 8:23 Lit apostles, but not a reference to the original apostles.

Generosidad de los macedonios

Ahora, hermanos, les damos a conocer la gracia de Dios que ha sido dada(A) en las iglesias de Macedonia(B). Pues en medio de una gran prueba de aflicción, abundó[a] su gozo, y su profunda pobreza sobreabundó en la riqueza(C) de su liberalidad. Porque yo testifico que según sus posibilidades(D), y aun más allá de sus posibilidades, dieron de su propia voluntad, suplicándonos con muchos ruegos el privilegio[b] de participar en el sostenimiento de los santos(E). Y esto no como lo habíamos esperado, sino que primeramente se dieron(F) a sí mismos al Señor, y luego a nosotros por la voluntad de Dios(G). En consecuencia, rogamos a Tito(H) que como él ya había comenzado antes(I), así también llevara a cabo en ustedes esta obra de gracia(J).

Pero así como ustedes abundan(K) en todo: en fe, en palabra, en conocimiento, en toda solicitud, y en el amor que hemos inspirado en ustedes[c], vean que también abunden(L) en esta obra de gracia(M). No digo esto como un mandamiento(N), sino para probar[d], por la solicitud de otros, también la sinceridad del amor de ustedes. Porque conocen la gracia de nuestro Señor Jesucristo(O), que siendo rico, sin embargo por amor a ustedes se hizo pobre, para que por medio de Su pobreza(P) ustedes llegaran a ser ricos.

10 Doy mi opinión(Q) en este asunto, porque esto les conviene a ustedes, que fueron los primeros en comenzar hace un año(R) no solo a hacer esto, sino también a desear hacerlo. 11 Ahora pues, acaben también de[e] hacerlo; para que como hubo la buena voluntad(S) para desearlo, así también la haya para llevarlo a cabo según[f] lo que tengan. 12 Porque si hay[g] buena voluntad, se acepta según lo que se tiene, no según lo que no se tiene(T).

13 Esto[h] no es para holgura de otros y para aflicción de ustedes, sino para que haya igualdad. 14 En el momento actual la abundancia de ustedes suple la necesidad de ellos, para que también la abundancia de ellos supla[i] la necesidad de ustedes(U), de modo que haya igualdad. 15 Como está escrito: «El que recogió mucho, no tuvo demasiado; y el que recogió poco, no tuvo escasez(V)».

Delegación encabezada por Tito

16 Pero gracias a Dios(W) que pone la misma solicitud por ustedes en el corazón(X) de Tito(Y). 17 Pues él no solo aceptó nuestro ruego, sino que, siendo de por sí muy diligente[j], ha ido a ustedes por su propia voluntad(Z). 18 Junto con él hemos enviado al hermano(AA) cuya fama en las cosas del evangelio(AB) se ha divulgado por todas las iglesias(AC).

19 Y no solo esto(AD), sino que también ha sido designado por las iglesias como nuestro compañero de viaje(AE) en esta obra de gracia(AF), la cual es administrada por nosotros para la gloria del Señor mismo, y para manifestar nuestra buena voluntad(AG); 20 teniendo cuidado de[k] que nadie nos desacredite en esta generosa ofrenda administrada por nosotros. 21 Pues nos preocupamos por lo que es honrado, no solo ante los ojos del Señor, sino también ante los ojos de los hombres(AH). 22 Con ellos hemos enviado a nuestro hermano, de quien hemos comprobado con frecuencia que fue diligente en muchas cosas, pero que ahora es mucho más diligente debido a la gran confianza que tiene en ustedes.

23 En cuanto a Tito(AI), es mi compañero(AJ) y colaborador entre ustedes[l]; en cuanto a nuestros hermanos(AK), son mensajeros[m](AL) de las iglesias y gloria de Cristo[n](AM). 24 Por tanto, muéstrenles abiertamente ante las iglesias[o] la prueba de su amor, y de nuestra razón para jactarnos respecto a ustedes[p](AN).

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corintios 8:2 Lit. la abundancia de.
  2. 2 Corintios 8:4 Lit. la gracia.
  3. 2 Corintios 8:7 Lit. nuestro amor por ustedes; algunos mss. antiguos dicen: su amor por nosotros.
  4. 2 Corintios 8:8 Lit. probando.
  5. 2 Corintios 8:11 Lit. el.
  6. 2 Corintios 8:11 Lit. de.
  7. 2 Corintios 8:12 Lit. si está presente la.
  8. 2 Corintios 8:13 Lit. Porque.
  9. 2 Corintios 8:14 Lit. sea para.
  10. 2 Corintios 8:17 O solícito.
  11. 2 Corintios 8:20 Lit. evitando esto.
  12. 2 Corintios 8:23 Lit. para ustedes.
  13. 2 Corintios 8:23 Lit. apóstoles.
  14. 2 Corintios 8:23 I.e. el Mesías.
  15. 2 Corintios 8:24 Lit. en la faz de las iglesias.
  16. 2 Corintios 8:24 O muestren...la prueba...para jactarnos ante ellos de ustedes.