2 Coríntios 8

Encouragement to Give Generously

1 We want you to know, brothers,*8:1 Or brothers and sisters about the grace of God that has been *ver. 5given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and *[Mark 12:44]their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave *ver. 11;1 Cor. 16:2according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly *ch. 9:2;Rom. 15:25,26;See Acts 24:17for the favor*8:4 The Greek word charis can mean favor or grace or thanks, depending on the context of taking part in *See Rom. 15:31the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they *ver. 1gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. 6 Accordingly, *ver. 17;ch. 12:18we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you *ver. 19;[ver. 4]this act of grace. 7 But as *See 1 Cor. 1:5you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you*8:7 Some manuscripts in your love for us—*ch. 9:8see that you excel in this act of grace also.

8 *1 Cor. 7:6I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that *Phil. 2:6,7;[ch. 6:10;Matt. 20:28]though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. 10 And in this matter *1 Cor. 7:25I give my judgment: *Deut. 15:7,8;Prov. 19:17;28:27;1 Tim. 6:18,19;Heb. 13:16this benefits you, who *ch. 9:2a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. 11 So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. 12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable *[ch. 9:7;Mark 12:43,44;Luke 21:3]according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness 14 your abundance at the present time should supply *ch. 9:12;[Acts 4:34]their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. 15 As it is written, *Cited from Ex. 16:18"Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack."

Commendation of Titus

16 But *See ch. 2:14thanks be to God, *Rev. 17:17who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you. 17 For *ver. 6he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going*8:17 Or he went to you of his own accord. 18 With him we are sending*8:18 Or we sent; also verse 22*ch. 12:18the brother who is famous among *See 1 Cor. 7:17all the churches for his preaching of the gospel. 19 And not only that, but he has been *[1 Cor. 16:3,4] appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of *ver. 6grace that is being ministered by us, *ch. 4:15for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will. 20 We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, 21 for *See Rom. 12:17we aim at what is honorable *[Rom. 14:18;Phil. 4:8;1 Pet. 2:12]not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man. 22 And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is *[Philem. 17]my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengers*8:23 Greek apostles of the churches, the glory of Christ. 24 So give proof before the churches of your love and of *ch. 7:4,14;9:2,3our boasting about you to these men.