The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians

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- Chapter 8 -

(Philippians 4:10–20)

And so we are making known to you, brothers, the grace of God that has been given in the churches of Macedonia.

For within a great experience of tribulation, they have had an abundance of joy, and their profound poverty has only increased the richness of their simplicity.(a)

And I bear witness to them, that they were willing to accept what was in accord with their ability, and even what was beyond their ability.

For they were begging us, with great exhortation, for the grace and the communication of the ministry that is with the saints.

And this is beyond what we had hoped, since they gave themselves, first of all to the Lord, and then also to us, through the will of God,(b)

so much so that we petitioned Titus, that in the same manner as he had begun, he would also complete in you this same grace.

But, just as in all things you abound in faith and in word and in knowledge and in all solicitude, and even more so in your charity toward us, so also may you abound in this grace.

I am speaking, not commanding. But through the solicitude of others, I approve of the good character of your charity.

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so that through his poverty, you might become rich.

And about this, I give my counsel. For this is useful to those of you who, only a year earlier, had just begun to act, or even to be willing to act.

So, truly now, accomplish this in deed, so that, in the same manner as your willing mind is prompted, you may also act, out of that which you have.

For when the will is prompted, it receives according to what that person has, not according to what that person does not have.

And it is not that others should be relieved, while you are troubled, but that there should be an equality.

In this present time, let your abundance supply their need, so that their abundance may also supply your need, in order that there may be an equality, just as it was written:

“He with more did not have too much; and he with less did not have too little.”

Titus Commended

(Titus 1:1–4)

But thanks be to God, who has granted to the heart of Titus, this same solicitude for you.

For certainly, he accepted the exhortation. But since he was more solicitous, he went to you of his own free will.

And we have even sent with him a brother whose praise accompanies the Gospel throughout all the churches.

And not only that, but he was also chosen by the churches to be a companion for our sojourn in this grace, which is ministered by us with our determined will, to the glory of the Lord.

So let us avoid this, lest anyone disparage us over the abundance that is ministered by us.

For we provide for what is good, not only in the sight of God, but also in the sight of men.

And we have also sent with them our brother, whom we have proven to be frequently solicitous in many matters. But now there is a greater solicitousness, which is greatly entrusted to you;

and whether it concerns Titus, who is a companion to me and a helper to you, or whether it concerns our brothers, the Apostles of the churches, it is to the glory of Christ.

Therefore, in the sight of the churches, show them the proof of your charity and of our glorying about you.

Footnotes

(a)8:2 Simplicity:That is, sincere bounty and charity.(Challoner)

(b)8:5 Paul says ‘non sicut speravimus,’ which would seem to indicate that the situation was not what he had hoped it would be. But the meaning here is that the situation was much better than what he had hoped, hence ‘beyond’ rather than ‘not.’(Conte)

(Philippians 4:10–20)

Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia,

how in a severe ordeal of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their generosity.

For according to their power, I testify, yes and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord,

begging us with much entreaty to receive this grace and the fellowship in the service to the saints.

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.

So we urged Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace.

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.

I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.

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.

I give advice in this: it is expedient for you who were the first to start a year ago, not only to do, but also to be willing.

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.

For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you don’t have.

For this is not that others may be eased and you distressed,

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.

As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”(a)

Titus Commended

(Titus 1:1–4)

But thanks be to God, who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.

For he indeed accepted our exhortation, but being himself very earnest, he went out to you of his own accord.

We have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the Good News is known throughout all the assemblies.

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.

We are avoiding this, that any man should blame us concerning this abundance which is administered by us.

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

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.

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.

Therefore show the proof of your love to them before the assemblies, and of our boasting on your behalf.

Footnotes

(a)8:15 ℘ Exodus 16:18