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Generosity and Grace

Now brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been (A)given in the churches of (B)Macedonia, that in a great testing by affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the (C)richness of their [a]generosity. For I testify that (D)according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, begging us with much urging for the (E)grace [b]of sharing in the (F)ministry to the saints, and this, not as we had [c]expected, but they first (G)gave themselves to the Lord and to us by (H)the will of God.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 8:2 Or simplicity; without false motives
  2. 2 Corinthians 8:4 Lit and
  3. 2 Corinthians 8:5 Lit hoped

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.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 8:4 Or for the grace