2 Corinthians 8

Encouragement to Give Generously

1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and a their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency 1 that we would receive the gift and b the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first c gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the d will of God. 6 So e we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7 But as f you abound in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us - see g that you abound in this grace also.

8 h I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, i that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become j rich. 10 And in this k I give advice: l It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and m were desiring to do a year ago; 11 but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. 12 For n if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have. 13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; 14 but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack - that there may be equality. 15 As it is written, o "He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack." 2

Commendation of Titus

16 But thanks be to God who 3 puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus. 17 For he not only accepted the exhortation, but being more diligent, he went to you of his own accord. 18 And we have sent with him p the brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches, 19 and not only that, but who was also q chosen by the churches to travel with us with this gift, which is administered by us r to the glory of the Lord Himself and to show your ready mind, 20 avoiding this: that anyone should blame us in this lavish gift which is administered by us - 21 s providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. 22 And we have sent with them our brother whom we have often proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, because of the great confidence which we have in you. 23 If anyone inquires about t Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you. Or if our brethren are inquired about, they are u messengers 4 of the churches, the glory of Christ. 24 Therefore show to them, 5 and before the churches, the proof of your love and of our v boasting on your behalf.

  1. Cross References
    Mark 12:44
    "for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood."
  2. Cross References
    Acts 11:29
    Then the disciples, each according to his abili...
    Acts 24:17
    Now after many years I came to bring alms and o...
    Romans 15:25
    But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to ...
    Romans 15:26
    For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia ...
    1 Corinthians 16:1
    Now concerning the collection for the saints, a...
    1 Corinthians 16:3
    And when I come, whomever you approve by your l...
    1 Corinthians 16:4
    But if it is fitting that I go also, they will ...
    2 Corinthians 9:1
    Now concerning the ministering to the saints, i...
  3. Cross References
    Romans 12:1
    I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
    Romans 12:2
    And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
  4. Cross References
    Ephesians 6:6
    Not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.
  5. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 8:17
    For he not only accepted the exhortation, but being more diligent, he went to you of his own accord.
    2 Corinthians 12:18
    I urged Titus, and sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?
  6. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 1:5
    That you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge.
    1 Corinthians 12:13
    For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body - whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free - and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
  7. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 9:8
    And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
  8. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 7:6
    But I say this as a concession, not as a commandment.
  9. Cross References
    Matthew 8:20
    And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.
    Luke 9:58
    And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.
    Philippians 2:6
    Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God.
    Philippians 2:7
    But made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
  10. Cross References
    Romans 9:23
    And that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory.
    Ephesians 1:7
    In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
    Revelation 3:18
    I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
  11. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 7:25
    Now concerning virgins: I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one whom the Lord in His mercy has made trustworthy.
    1 Corinthians 7:40
    But she is happier if she remains as she is, according to my judgment - and I think I also have the Spirit of God.
  12. Cross References
    Proverbs 19:17
    He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, And He will pay back what he has given.
    Matthew 10:42
    "And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward."
    1 Timothy 6:18
    Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share.
    1 Timothy 6:19
    Storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
    Hebrews 13:16
    But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
  13. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 16:2
    On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.
    2 Corinthians 9:2
    For I know your willingness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has stirred up the majority.
  14. Cross References
    Mark 12:43
    So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury.
    Mark 12:44
    "for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood."
    Luke 21:3
    So He said, "Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all.
    Luke 21:4
    "for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had."
    2 Corinthians 9:7
    So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
  15. Cross References
    Exodus 16:18
    So when they measured it by omers, he who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack. Every man had gathered according to each one's need.
  16. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 16:3
    And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem.
    2 Corinthians 12:18
    I urged Titus, and sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?
  17. Cross References
    Acts 14:23
    So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
    1 Corinthians 16:3
    And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem.
    1 Corinthians 16:4
    But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.
  18. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 4:15
    For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
  19. Cross References
    Romans 12:17
    Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
    Philippians 4:8
    Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things.
    1 Peter 2:12
    Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
  20. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 7:13
    Therefore we have been comforted in your comfort. And we rejoiced exceedingly more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.
    2 Corinthians 7:14
    For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I am not ashamed. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, even so our boasting to Titus was found true.
  21. Cross References
    John 13:16
    Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.
    Philippians 2:25
    Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need.
  22. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 7:4
    Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.
    2 Corinthians 7:14
    For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I am not ashamed. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, even so our boasting to Titus was found true.
    2 Corinthians 9:2
    For I know your willingness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has stirred up the majority.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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