2 Corinthians 8

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

1Friends, we want you to know something. God has been very kind to the churches in Macedonia.

NoteThe old words "we do you to wit" simply mean "we want you to know."

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

2They were going through a very hard time. They were also very poor. But they were full of joy. So they gave a lot to help others.

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

3I can tell you this is true. They gave all they could. Then they gave even more. No one made them do it.

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

4They begged us again and again. They wanted to share in helping God's people.

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

5They did more than we hoped for. First they gave themselves to the Lord. Then they gave themselves to us. This is what God wanted.

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

6So we asked Titus to go back to you. Titus is a helper who works with us. He started this kind gift with you. Now he will finish it.

7Therefore, 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.

7You are strong in so many ways. You trust God. You speak well. You know a lot. You work hard. You love us. So be strong in giving too.

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

8I am not giving you an order. Other people have been eager to give. I want to see if your love is real.

9For 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.

9You know how kind our Lord Jesus Christ is. He was rich, but he became poor for you. Because he became poor, you become rich.

10And 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.

10Here is what I think is best for you. A year ago you were the first to start giving. You even wanted to do it.

11Now 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.

11So now finish the job. You were eager to start. Be just as eager to finish. Give out of what you have.

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

12God is glad when you really want to give. He looks at what you have. He does not ask for what you do not have.

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

13I do not want other people to rest while you carry a heavy load.

14But 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:

14I want things to be fair. Right now you have extra. Your extra can meet their needs. Later they may have extra for you. Then things will be fair.

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

15The Bible says it this way. The one who gathered a lot had none left over. The one who gathered a little had enough.

NoteThis line is quoted from Exodus 16. God sent bread each morning in the desert, and everyone ended up with just enough.

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

16Thank God for this. He put the same love for you into the heart of Titus.

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

17Titus was glad when we asked him to go. He was so eager that he chose to come on his own.

NoteIn the King James Bible, "forward" means eager or quick to act. It does not mean rude.

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

18We are sending a brother with him. All the churches say good things about him. He works hard telling the good news about Jesus.

19And 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:

19There is more. The churches chose him to travel with us. He helps carry this gift. The gift honors the Lord. It also shows we are glad to help.

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

20We want no one to say we did anything wrong. We are handling a large gift.

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

21We are careful to do what is right. We do right before the Lord. We do right before people too.

22And 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.

22We are sending another brother with them. We have tested him many times. He always works hard. Now he is even more eager, because he trusts you.

23Whether 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.

23Does anyone ask about Titus? He is my partner. He works with me to help you. Does anyone ask about the other brothers? The churches sent them. They bring honor to Christ.

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

24So show these men that your love is real. Let all the churches see it. We have said good things about you. Show them we were right.