الإصحَاحُ
الثَّامِنُ

 

Chapter
8

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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:

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

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

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

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

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:

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

21
Providing for honest 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 oftentimes proved diligent
in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I
have 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.

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