2 Corinthians 8:10-15

Expanded Bible

¹⁰ This is ·what I think you should do [^Lmy opinion on this matter for your benefit]: Last year you were the first to want to give, and you were the first who gave. ¹¹ So now finish the work you started. Then your ·“doing” [^Lcompletion] will be equal to your ·“wanting to do” [eager desire]. Give from what you have. ¹² If you ·want [are eager/willing] to give, your gift will be accepted. It will be judged by what you have, not by what you do not have. ¹³ [^LFor] We do not want you to have ·troubles [hardships; trials] while other people ·are at ease [have relief], but we want everything to be equal [^Cgiving is not intended to impoverish the giver, but to distribute God’s resources]. ¹⁴ At this time ·you have plenty and what you have [^Lyour abundance] can help others who are in need. ·Then later, when they have plenty, they [or In the same way, their abundance] can help you when you are in need, and all will be equal [^CPaul may be saying, (1) that the Jerusalem church may one day reciprocate by helping the Corinthians financially; or, (2) that the Corinthians’ financial gift will be reciprocated through Jerusalem’s spiritual gifts]. ¹⁵ As it is written in the Scriptures, “The person who gathered more did not have too much, nor did the person who gathered less have too little [Ex. 16:18].”