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Completing the Collection for the Saints

Now we make known to you, brothers and sisters,[a] the grace of God given to the churches of Macedonia, that during a severe ordeal of suffering, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in the wealth[b] of their generosity. For I testify, they gave according to their means and beyond their means. They did so voluntarily,[c] begging us with great earnestness for the blessing and fellowship of helping[d] the saints. And they did this not just as we had hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us by the will of God.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 8:1 tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:8.
  2. 2 Corinthians 8:2 tn Or “riches.”
  3. 2 Corinthians 8:3 tn Or “spontaneously.”
  4. 2 Corinthians 8:4 tn Or “of ministering to.”

Encouragement to give generously

Brothers and sisters, we want to let you know about the grace of God that was given to the churches of Macedonia. While they were being tested by many problems, their extra amount of happiness and their extreme poverty resulted in a surplus of rich generosity. I assure you that they gave what they could afford and even more than they could afford, and they did it voluntarily. They urgently begged us for the privilege[a] of sharing in this service for the saints. They even exceeded our expectations, because they gave themselves to the Lord first and to us, consistent with God’s will.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 8:4 Or grace