2 Corinthians 8
Wycliffe Bible
8 But, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God, that is given in the churches of Macedonia,
2 that in much assaying of tribulation, the plenty of the joy of them was [the abundance, or plenty, of the joy of them was], and the highest poverty of them was plenteous into the riches of the simpleness of them.
3 For I bear witnessing to them, after might and above might they were willful [after virtue, or power, and above virtue they were willful],
4 with much admonishing beseeching us the grace and the communing of [the] ministering, that is made to holy men.
5 And not as we hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord, afterward to us by the will of God.
6 So that we prayed Titus, that as he began, so also he perform in you this grace.
7 But as ye abound in all things, in faith, and word, and knowing [and science, or knowing], and all busyness, moreover and in your charity into us, that also in this grace ye abound.
8 I say not as commanding, but by the busyness of other men proving also the good wit of your charity.
9 And ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, for he was made needy for you, when he was rich, that ye should be made rich by his neediness [that ye should be made rich by his mis-ease, or neediness].
10 And I give counsel in this thing; for this is profitable to you, that not only have begun to do, but also ye began to have will from the former year [but and to desire from the former year].
11 But now [Now forsooth] perform ye in deed, that as the discretion of will is ready [to desire good], so be it also of performing of that that ye have.
12 For if the will be ready, it is accepted after that that it hath, not after that that it hath not.
13 And not that it be remission to other men[a], and to you tribulation;
14 but of evenness in the present time your abundance fulfill the need of them, that also the abundance of them be a fulfilling of your need, that evenness be made; [but of evenness, in this present time your abundance fulfill the mis-ease of them, that and the abundance of them be supplement, or fulfilling, of your mis-ease, or need, that evenness be made;]
15 as it is written, He that [hath] gathered much, was not increased, and he that [had] gathered little, had not less.
16 And I do thankings to God, that gave the same busyness for you in the heart of Titus,
17 for [soothly] he received exhortation; but when he was busier, by his will he went forth to you [with his will he went forth to you].
18 And we sent with him a brother, whose praising is in the gospel by all churches.
19 And not only [praised], but also he is ordained of churches the fellow of our pilgrimage into this grace, that is ministered of us to the glory of the Lord, and to our ordained will;
20 eschewing this thing, that no man blame us in this plenty, that is ministered of us to the glory of the Lord.
21 For we purvey good things, not only before God, but also before all men.
22 For we sent with them also our brother, whom we have proved in many things oft, that he was busy, but now much busier, for much trust in you, [Forsooth we sent with them and our brother, whom we have proved in many things oft, to be busy, now forsooth much busier, in much trust in you,]
23 either for Titus, that is my fellow and helper in you, either for our brethren [either our brethren], apostles of the churches of the glory of Christ.
24 Therefore show ye to them in the face of churches, that showing that is of your charity [the showing that is of your charity] and of our glory for you.
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 8:13 Forsooth not that it be remission, or idleness/or sloth, to other men
2 Corinthians 8
New Matthew Bible
He reminds them to help the poor saints in Jerusalem, as the Macedonians did. He sends Titus ahead.
8 I want you to understand, brethren, of the grace of God that is given in the congregations of Macedonia, 2 how the greatness of their joy is in that they are tried with much tribulation. And moreover, though they were very poor, yet they have given very liberally, and that in sincerity. 3 For as they were able (I am witness), yea and beyond their ability, they were willing of their own accord, 4 and insisted that we take their gift and let them be partakers with others in ministering to the saints. 5 And this they did not as we looked for, but gave their own selves first to the Lord, and after to us by the will of God. 6 So we could not but desire Titus to accomplish the same work of grace among you too, even as he had begun.
7 Now therefore, as you are rich in all respects – in faith, in word, in knowledge, in all ferventness, and in love, which you have to us – so also see to it that you contribute generously to this gift. 8 I say this, not as commanding, but, seeing others are so fervent, to prove your love also, whether it be perfect or no. 9 You know the munificence of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, though he was rich, yet for your sakes became poor, so that you through his poverty could be made rich.
10 And I give counsel in the matter because to do this is proper for you, who began not only to do, but also to will, a year ago. 11 Now therefore perform the deed, so that as there was in you a ready willingness, so also you follow through, out of what you have. 12 For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what a person has, and not according to what he does not have.
13 It is not my mind that others be set at ease and you be burdened, 14 but, so that there be equality now at this time, that your abundance may relieve their lack, and that their abundance also hereafter may supply your lack – so that there may be equality, 15 agreeing to that which is written: He who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack.
16 Thanks be to God, who put in the heart of Titus the same good mind toward you. 17 For he accepted the request; yea rather, he was so well willing, that of his own accord he has gone to you. 18 And we have sent with him that brother whose renown is in the gospel throughout all the congregations. 19 And not only this, he has also been chosen by the congregations to be a fellow traveler with us in our journey concerning this gift, which is ministered by us for the praise of the Lord, and to stir up your ready mind. 20 For we want to guard against anyone finding fault with us in this large distribution that we are attending to, 21 and therefore provide for things to be beyond reproach, not only in the sight of God, but also in the sight of men. 22 And we have sent with them a brother of ours whom we have often found eager to help in many things, but now much more eager.
The great confidence that I have in you has caused me to do this – 23 partly for the sake of Titus, who is my fellow and helper concerning you all, and partly because of others who are our brethren, and the messengers of the congregations, and the glory of Christ. 24 Therefore show them the proof of your love, and of our boasting about you, so that the congregations may see it.
2 Corinthians 8
Authorized (King James) Version
8 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 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. 3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4 praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 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. 6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. 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. 8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. 9 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.
2001 by Terence P. Noble
Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.
KJV reproduced by permission of Cambridge University Press, the Crown’s patentee in the UK.