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
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.
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.
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.
KJV reproduced by permission of Cambridge University Press, the Crown’s patentee in the UK.