1 Brothers and sisters, we want to let you know about the grace of God shown to the Macedonian churches. 2 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 I can confirm that they gave what they could, in fact even more than that! By their own choice 4 they kept on pleading with us to have a part in this privilege of sharing in this ministry to God's people. 5 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 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 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'm not ordering you to do this, but to prove how sincere your love is in comparison with the dedication of others. 9 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 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 finish what you planned to do. Be as keen to finish as you were to plan, and give as you are able. 12 If the willingness is there, it's fine to give what you have, not what you don't have! 13 This is not to make things easier for others and harder for you, but simply to be fair. 14 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 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 Thanks be to God that he gave to Titus the same devotion for you that I have. 17 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 We're also sending with him a brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in spreading the good news. 19 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 We want to guard against anyone criticizing us about how we use this gift. 21 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 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 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 So please welcome them before all the churches and show them your love, proving how rightly proud we are of you.
2 Corinthians · Free Bible Version
2 Corinthians 8 Free Bible Version
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
People & places in this chapter
From this site's family tree and Bible maps, only where those guides cite this chapter.
People
Titus
A Greek coworker of Paul, not compelled to be circumcised, who carried Paul's letters to Corinth, and whom Paul left in Crete to set things in order.
Cited in the guide: 2 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Corinthians 8:23; Galatians 2:3
Cross references (24)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Acts 16:9; 2 Corinthians 9:2; 2 Corinthians 11:9; Acts 11:23; 2 Corinthians 9:12
- 2 James 2:5; Proverbs 11:25; 2 Corinthians 6:10; Deuteronomy 15:4; 2 Corinthians 9:13
- 3 Exodus 35:29; Exodus 35:5; 2 Corinthians 9:6–7; Exodus 35:21–22; Philemon 14
- 4 Galatians 6:10; Acts 24:17; 2 Corinthians 9:1; Hebrews 6:10; 1 John 3:16–18
- 5 Romans 12:1; Romans 14:7–9; Romans 6:13; 2 Corinthians 8:1; 2 Chronicles 30:12
- 6 2 Corinthians 12:18; 2 Corinthians 8:19; 2 Corinthians 8:16–17; 2 Corinthians 8:4; Philippians 4:18
- 7 2 Corinthians 9:8; 2 Peter 1:5–8; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; Philippians 1:9; 1 Corinthians 13:2
- 8 1 Corinthians 7:6; 1 John 3:17–19; 1 Peter 1:22; 2 Corinthians 9:7; James 2:14–16
- 9 Romans 8:32; Philippians 2:6–8; Matthew 20:28; Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 6:10
- 10 Hebrews 13:16; 1 Timothy 6:18–19; Proverbs 19:17; James 2:15–16; 2 Corinthians 9:2
- 11 2 Corinthians 9:2
- 12 Mark 12:42–44; Luke 21:1–4; Exodus 35:29; 2 Corinthians 9:7; Exodus 35:21–22
- 13 Acts 4:34; Romans 15:26–27
- 14 2 Corinthians 9:12; Acts 4:34
- 15 Exodus 16:18; Luke 22:35
- 16 Revelation 17:17; Jeremiah 32:40; 2 Corinthians 2:13–14; 2 Corinthians 7:12; Ezra 7:27
- 17 2 Corinthians 8:6; Hebrews 13:22; 2 Corinthians 8:10; 2 Corinthians 8:8
- 18 2 Corinthians 12:18; 1 Corinthians 7:17; 2 Corinthians 8:19; 2 Corinthians 2:12; 2 Corinthians 8:22–23
- 19 1 Corinthians 16:3–4; 2 Corinthians 9:8; 2 Corinthians 4:15; 1 Peter 4:10–11; 2 Corinthians 9:12–14
- 20 Ephesians 5:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:22; Romans 14:16; Matthew 10:16; 1 Corinthians 16:3
- 21 Romans 12:17; 1 Peter 2:12; Philippians 4:8; Titus 2:5–8; Romans 14:18
- 22 Philippians 2:20–22
- 23 Philippians 2:25; Philemon 17; 3 John 8; 2 Corinthians 8:6; Philippians 4:3
- 24 2 Corinthians 7:14; 2 Corinthians 7:4; 2 Corinthians 8:8; 2 Corinthians 9:2–4
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
See again his exhortation accompanied with commendations, greater commendations. And he said not, that ye give,' but "that ye abound; in faith," namely, of the gifts, and "in utterance," the word of wisdom, and "knowledge," namely, of the doctrines, and "in all earnestness," to the attaining of all other virtue.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 12 (1889)
And since His voice is acknowledged in the prophecy, "Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell," He has brought Him down to hell and brought Him up again. By this poverty of His we are made rich; for "the Lord maketh poor and maketh rich." But that we may know what this is, let us hear what follows: "He …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 2 (1887)
For having spoken of the noble spirit they had shown in regard of their goods, he saith, "They gave also their own selves to the Lord, and to us."
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)
For while he pursues an upright life, he takes care to maintain a good reputation as well, providing things honest in the sight of God and men, fearing God, and caring for men.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 2 (1887)
For this cause "He became poor, that He might make us rich;" for this cause He underwent all those sufferings, that He might incite us to ask.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)