Add parallel Print Page Options

so that we might urge Titus that, as he had already made a beginning, so he should also complete this generous undertaking[a] among you.(A) Now as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you[b]—so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking.[c](B)

I do not say this as a command, but I am, by mentioning the eagerness of others, testing the genuineness of your love.(C) For you know the generous act[d] of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.(D)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 8.6 Gk this grace or gift
  2. 8.7 Other ancient authorities read your love for us
  3. 8.7 Gk this grace or gift
  4. 8.9 Gk the grace or gift

Thus[a] we urged[b] Titus that, just as he had previously begun this work,[c] so also he should complete this act of kindness[d] for you. But as you excel[e] in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, and in all eagerness and in the love from us that is in you[f]—make sure that you excel[g] in this act of kindness[h] too. I am not saying this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love by comparison with the eagerness of others.[i] For you know the grace[j] of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so that you by his poverty could become rich.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 8:6 tn A new sentence was started here in the translation and the word “thus” was supplied to indicate that it expresses the result of the previous clause.
  2. 2 Corinthians 8:6 tn Or “we exhorted.”
  3. 2 Corinthians 8:6 tn The words “this work” are not in the Greek text but are implied. Direct objects in Greek were often omitted and must be supplied from the context.
  4. 2 Corinthians 8:6 tn Grk “this grace.”
  5. 2 Corinthians 8:7 tn Grk “as you abound.”
  6. 2 Corinthians 8:7 tc The reading “the love from us that is in you” is very difficult in this context, for Paul is here enumerating the Corinthians’ attributes: How is it possible for them to excel “in the love from us that is in you”? Most likely, because of this difficulty, several early scribes, as well as most later ones (א C D F G Ψ [33] M lat), altered the text to read “your love for us” (so NIV; Grk ἐξ ὑμῶν ἐν ἡμῖν ἀγάπῃ [ex humōn en hēmin agapē]). The reading ἐξ ἡμῶν ἐν ὑμῖν ἀγάπῃ (ex hēmōn en humin agapē) is found, however, in excellent and early witnesses (P46 B 0243 6 104 630 1175 1739 1881 co). As the harder reading it explains the rise of the other reading. What, then, is the force of “in the love from us that is in you”? Most likely, Paul is commending the Corinthians for excelling in deriving some inspiration from the apostles’ love for them.
  7. 2 Corinthians 8:7 tn Grk “you abound.”
  8. 2 Corinthians 8:7 tn Grk “this grace.”
  9. 2 Corinthians 8:8 tn Grk “by means of the eagerness of others.”
  10. 2 Corinthians 8:9 tn Or “generosity.”