2 Corinthians 8

1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

Brothers and sisters, we want to let you know about the grace of God shown to the Macedonian churches.

2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

Even though they have suffered terrible trouble, they are overflowing with happiness; and even though they are very poor, they are also overflowing in their generosity.

3 For to [their] power, I bear record, yea, and beyond [their] power [they were] willing of themselves;

I can confirm that they gave what they could, in fact even more than that! By their own choice

4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and [take upon us] the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

they kept on pleading with us to have a part in this privilege of sharing in this ministry to God's people.

5 And [this they did], not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

They didn't just do what we hoped they would do, but they gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us, as God wanted them to do.

6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

So we have encouraged Titus—since it was he who started this work with you—to return and complete this gracious ministry of yours.

7 Therefore, as ye abound in every [thing, in] faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and [in] all diligence, and [in] your love to us, [see] that ye abound in this grace also.

Since you have an abundance of everything—your trust in God, your eloquence, your spiritual knowledge, your complete dedication, and in your love for us—make sure that your abundance also extends to this gracious ministry of giving.

8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

I'm not ordering you to do this, but to prove how sincere your love is in comparison with the dedication of others.

9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Even though he was rich, he became poor for you, so that through his poverty you could become rich.

10 And herein I give [my] advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.

This is my advice: it would be good if you finished what you started. Last year you were not only the first to give but the first to want to do so.

11 Now therefore perform the doing [of it]; that as [there was] a readiness to will, so [there may be] a performance also out of that which ye have.

Now finish what you planned to do. Be as keen to finish as you were to plan, and give as you are able.

12 For if there be first a willing mind, [it is] accepted according to that a man hath, [and] not according to that he hath not.

If the willingness is there, it's fine to give what you have, not what you don't have!

13 For [I mean] not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:

This is not to make things easier for others and harder for you, but simply to be fair.

14 But by an equality, [that] now at this time your abundance [may be a supply] for their want, that their abundance also may be [a supply] for your want: that there may be equality:

At the moment you have more than enough and can meet their needs, and in turn when they have more than enough they can meet your needs. In that way everyone is treated fairly.

15 As it is written, He that [had gathered] much had nothing over; and he that [had gathered] little had no lack.

As Scripture says, “The one who had much didn't have any excess, and the one who didn't have much didn't have too little.”

16 But thanks [be] to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

Thanks be to God that he gave to Titus the same devotion for you that I have.

17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.

Though he agreed to do what we told him, he's coming to see you because he really wants to, and had already decided to do so.

18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise [is] in the gospel throughout all the churches;

We're also sending with him a brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in spreading the good news.

19 And not [that] only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and [declaration of] your ready mind:

He was also appointed by the churches to go with us as we deliver this gracious offering we're carrying. We do this to honor the Lord and to show our eagerness to help others.

20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:

We want to guard against anyone criticizing us about how we use this gift.

21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

We're concerned to do things the right way, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of everyone.

22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which [I have] in you.

We're also sending with them another brother who has proved to be reliable on many occasions, and who is eager to help. He is now even more eager to help because of the great confidence he has in you.

23 Whether [any do enquire] of Titus, [he is] my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren [be enquired of, they are] the messengers of the churches, [and] the glory of Christ.

If anyone asks about Titus, he is my companion. He works with me on your behalf. The other brothers are representatives from the churches and an honor to Christ.

24 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

So please welcome them before all the churches and show them your love, proving how rightly proud we are of you.