Worsley - II Corinthians - 8

8:1  Now we make known to you, brethren, the grace of God conferred on the churches of Macedonia:

8:2  how in a great trial of affliction, their abundant chearfulness and their deep poverty, hath munificently shewn the riches of their bounty.

8:3  For to their power, I bear them witness, yea and beyond their power, they contributed of their own accord:

8:4  intreating us with much importunity, that we would convey the gift, and so take upon us a part of the ministration to the saints.

8:5  And this they did not merely as we hoped, but first gave themselves unto the Lord, and to us by the will of God.

8:6  Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had already begun, so he would also complete this grace among you.

8:7  And as ye abound in every other grace, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, that ye may abound in this grace also.

8:8  I speak not by way of command, but to prove the sincerity of your love also, by means of the forwardness of others.

8:9  For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye by his poverty might be rich.

8:10  And herein I give my opinion: for this is to your advantage, who not only began to act, but also to be forward to it above a year ago.

8:11  Now therefore perfect also the doing it; that as there was a readiness of will, so there may be also a performance according to your ability.

8:12  For if there be first a willing mind, any me is accepted according to what he hath, not according to what he hath not.

8:13  For I do not mean that others should have relief, and you be burdened:

8:14  but by an equality, that your abundance may at this time be a supply to their want; and their abundance may be the like to your want, if need be: that there may be an equality:

8:15  as it is written, "He that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack."

8:16  But thanks be to God, who put the same concern for you into the heart of Titus:

8:17  for he not only complied with the exhortation, but being more forward he went to you of his own accord.

8:18  And we have sent along with him the brother, whose praise in the gospel is spread through all the churches:

8:19  (and not only so, but he was also chosen by the churches to accompany us with this grace, which is administered by us for the glory of the same Lord, and to shew your readiness of mind:)

8:20  hereby taking care that no one might blame us in the disposal of this large sum which is administered by us:

8:21  looking to things that are right not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

8:22  And we have sent with them another brother of ours, whom we have often proved diligent in many things, and now I doubt not much more on account of his great confidence in you.

8:23  If then there be any inquiry about Titus, he is my collegue and fellow-laborer among you: and if our brethren be inquired after, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

8:24  Therefore shew to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and the justness of our boasting concerning you.