Add parallel Print Page Options

The Collection for the Christians in Jerusalem

We want you to know, brothers, about God’s grace that was given to the churches of Macedonia. In spite of their terrible ordeal of suffering, their abundant joy and deep poverty have led them to be abundantly generous. I can testify that by their own free will they have given to the utmost of their ability, yes, even beyond their ability. They begged us earnestly for the privilege[a] of participating in this ministry to the saints. We did not expect that! They gave themselves to the Lord first and then to us, since this was God’s will.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 8:4 Or for the grace

The Collection for the Lord’s People

And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian(A) churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.(B) For I testify that they gave as much as they were able,(C) and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing(D) in this service(E) to the Lord’s people.(F) And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.

Read full chapter