2 Corinthians 8

Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

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.

I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

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.

And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.

Now therefore perform 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.

For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:

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:

As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

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

For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.

And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;

And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:

Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:

Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.

Whether any do enquire of 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.

Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

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2 Corinthians 8:3

“For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;”

Study Summary

For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability — Paul himself witnesses (*martýreō*) to their giving, making the apostle an attestor to grace rather than a mere administrator. Their giving exceeds rational capacity: they give *hyper tēn dýnamin*, beyond their power, revealing that grace breaks the constraints of mere human ability. This voluntary self-transcendence points toward the Incarnation itself.

Community Reflections

Priya Sharma (test user)9h ago

The beauty of holiness — 2 Corinthians 8

God is faithful in every circumstance.. Now I understand why — it's a daily declaration of dependence on God.. I think this is a call to trust beyond what we can see. This connects directly to the promise made to Abraham. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. This is one of those passages that reads differently in every season of life. What a reminder that God's ways are not our ways. Following God is costly, but the reward is eternal.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. We bring nothing; He provides everything.. The thread of covenant runs through every book of the Bible.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. Faith isn't the absence of…

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