NOW we inform you, brethren, of the grace of God which hath been
bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; (2)that in a great trial of
affliction the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, hath
more abounded to the riches of their liberality. (3)For unto their
power, I bear them witness, and above their power, they were
voluntarily ready _to give_: (4)with much entreaty praying us that we
would receive the gift, and _undertake_ the communication of the
contribution for the saints. (5)And not _merely_ as we hoped, but gave
themselves first to the Lord, and to us according to the will of God.
(6)So that we exhorted Titus, that as he had been active before, so
also he would perfect in you this grace also. (7)So as ye abound in
every thing, in faith, and elocution, and knowledge, and in all
diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace
also.
(8)I speak not by commandment, but because of the forwardness of
others, and to prove the genuineness of your love. (9)For ye know the
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor
though he was rich, that ye by his poverty should be made rich. (10)And
in this I give my opinion: for this is expedient for you, who have
before begun not only to do, but also to be willing a year ago. (11)Now
then accomplish also the doing it, that as there was a readiness to
will, so there may be also to perform out of that which ye have.
(12)For if there is first a ready mind, a man is acceptable according
to what he hath, and not according to what he hath not. (13)For I mean
not that there should be ease for others and a burden on you; (14)but
that according to equality, your abundance on the present occasion
should afford a supply for their deficiency, that their abundance also
may supply your deficiency, that there may be equality. (15)According
as it is written, "He that _gathered_ much had no more than others, and
he who _gathered_ little, had no less[106]."
(16)But thanks be to God, who put the same solicitude for you into the
heart of Titus. (17)For he received in deed the exhortation, but being
more diligent, of his own ready mind he went unto you. (18)We have sent
with him also a brother, whose praise in the gospel is _spread_ through
all the churches; (19)and not only so, but who was chosen by the
churches as my fellow-traveller with this charity, ministered by us to
the glory of the same Lord, and _to shew_ your ready mind. (20)Avoiding
this, that no man should lay any blame to us in this abundance which is
administered by us: (21)providing what is fair, not only before the
Lord, but also before men. (22)And we have sent with him our brother,
whom we have often experienced in many things to be a man of diligence,
but now much more diligent, through the great confidence which I have
in you. (23)If _any inquire_ concerning Titus, he is my companion and
fellow-labourer to you; or our brethren _be inquired of_, they are the
messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. (24)Therefore shew
unto them, and in the presence of the churches, a proof of your love,
and of our _just_ boasting in you.