14 For if I have boasted any thing to him concerning you, I am not ashamed; but as we spoke all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found to be true. 15 And his affection is more abundant toward you, while he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him. [1] 16 I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things .
CHAP. 8.
Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
2 That in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality. [2]
3 For to their power, I bear witness, and even beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
4 Begging us with much entreaty 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 to us by the will of God.
6 So that we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. [3]
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 diligence 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 in this I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be willing a year ago. [4]
11 Now therefore finish 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 is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what a man hath, and not according to what he hath not.
13 For I mean not that other men should be eased, and you 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 want.
16 But thanks be to God, who put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more diligent, of his own accord he went to 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 by the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and to show our ready mind: [5]
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 often proved to be diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you. [6]
23 If any do enquire concerning 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 Therefore show ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
CHAP. 9.
For as concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:
2 For I know the readiness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath stirred up very many.
3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:
4 Lest if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.
5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before to you, and make up beforehand your bounty, of which ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not of covetousness. [7] [8]
6 But this I say, He who soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he who soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give ; not grudgingly, or by necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
9 As it is written, He hath dispersed; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
10 Now may he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. [9]
12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by
