8: 2 how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their 72liberality.
72Gk. singleness. See Ro 12:8.
8: 3 For according to their power, I bear witness, yes and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord,
8: 4 beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the 73fellowship in the ministering to the saints:
73Or, communion or, joint participation
8: 5 and this, not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.
8: 6 Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also.
8: 7 But as ye abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all earnestness, and in 74our love to you, see that ye abound in this grace also.
74So p46B 1739 0243 copsa,bo arm. ℵC (33) 81 and a majority of lesser Gk. mss., vg read your love to us, 2464 reads your love to you,
8: 8 I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.
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 through his poverty might become rich.
8: 10 And herein I give my judgment: for this is profitable for you, who were the first to make a beginning a year ago, not only to do, but also to will.
8: 11 But now complete the doing also; that as there was the readiness to will, so there may be the completion also out of your ability.
8: 12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according as a man hath, not according as a man hath not.
8: 13 For I say not this that others may be eased and ye distressed; but by equality:
8: 14 your abundance being a supply at this present time for their want, that their abundance also may become a supply for your want; that there may become equality:
8: 15 as it is written, 75He that gathered much had nothing over; and he that gathered little had no lack.
75Ex 16:18.
8: 16 But thanks be to God, who putteth the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.
8: 17 For he accepted indeed our exhortation; but being himself very earnest, he went forth unto you of his own accord.
8: 18 And we have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the 76gospel is spread through all the churches;
76See marginal note on ch. 2:12.
8: 19 and not only so, but who was also appointed by the churches to travel with us in the matter of this grace, which is ministered by us to the glory of the Lord himself, and to show our readiness:
8: 20 avoiding this, that any man should blame us in the matter of this bounty which is ministered by us:
8: 21 for we take thought for things honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
8: 22 And 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 hath in you.
8: 23 Whether any inquire about Titus, he is my partner and my fellow-worker toward you, or our brethren, they are the 77messengers of the churches, they are the glory of Christ.
77Gk. apostles
8: 24 78Show ye therefore unto them in the face of the churches the proof of your love, and of our glorying on your behalf.
78Or, Show ye therefore in the face of the churches the proof of your love, and of our glorying on your behalf unto them.
