2 Corinthians 8

Beyond Their Power 2 Corinthians 8:3–5

³Verse 3. For according to their power, I testify, yes and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord, ⁴Verse 4. begging us with much entreaty to receive this grace and the fellowship in the service to the saints. ⁵Verse 5. This was not as we had expected, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.

Encouragement to Corinth 2 Corinthians 8:6–8

⁶Verse 6. So we urged Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace. ⁷Verse 7. But as you abound in everything, in faith, utterance, knowledge, all earnestness, and in your love to us, see that you also abound in this grace. ⁸Verse 8. I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.

Christ as Example 2 Corinthians 8:9–12

⁹Verse 9. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich. ¹⁰Verse 10. I give a judgment in this: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to start a year ago, not only to do, but also to be willing. ¹¹Verse 11. But now complete the doing also, that as there was the readiness to be willing, so there may be the completion also out of your ability. ¹²Verse 12. For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you don’t have.

Equitable Giving 2 Corinthians 8:13–15

¹³Verse 13. For this is not that others may be eased and you distressed, ¹⁴Verse 14. but for equality. Your abundance at this present time supplies their lack, that their abundance also may become a supply for your lack; that there may be equality. ¹⁵Verse 15. As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”

Integrity in Ministry 2 Corinthians 8:16–21

¹⁶Verse 16. But thanks be to God, who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus. ¹⁷Verse 17. For he indeed accepted our exhortation, but being himself very earnest, he went out to you of his own accord. ¹⁸Verse 18. We have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the Good News is known throughout all the assemblies. ¹⁹Verse 19. Not only so, but he was also appointed by the assemblies to travel with us in this grace, which is served by us to the glory of the Lord himself, and to show our readiness. ²⁰Verse 20. We are avoiding this, that any man should blame us concerning this abundance which is administered by us.

²¹Verse 21. Having regard for honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

Proof of Love 2 Corinthians 8:22–24

²²Verse 22. We have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which he has in you. ²³Verse 23. As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you. As for our brothers, they are the apostles of the assemblies, the glory of Christ. ²⁴Verse 24. Therefore show the proof of your love to them before the assemblies, and of our boasting on your behalf.