2 Corinthians Chapter 8
Yo fam, let me share the scoop on the grace God blessed the churches in Macedonia with; it’s fire.
Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
In some serious struggle, they showed mad joy and even though they were strapped for cash, they gave like absolute legends.
How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. {liberality: Gr. simplicity}
They were all in, trust me, even more than they could handle; they were just ready to lend a hand.
For to {their} power, I bear record, yea, and beyond {their} power {they were} willing of themselves;
They hit us up hard, begging us to accept their gift and get in on serving the saints.
Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and {take upon us} the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
They didn’t just drop what we thought they would, they first dedicated themselves to the Lord, and to us, no cap.
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.
So we got Titus to keep the good vibes rolling and wrap up what he started with you all.
Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. {grace: or, gift}
Since you’re already crushing it in faith, speech, knowledge, and love, make sure you’re also flexing in this grace.
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’m not trying to boss you around, just reflecting on what others are doing to highlight how genuine your love is.
I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; even though he had everything, he went broke for you so you could be blessed.
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.
Here’s my take: this is a solid move for you, who kicked this off a year ago.
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. {forward: Gr. willing}
So get it done; if you were ready to roll, make sure you follow through with what you’ve got.
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.
If you’re down with the mindset, it’s all good based on what you have, not what you lack.
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.
I’m not saying others should chill while you’re sweating; that’s mad sus.
For {I mean} not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
But it’s about balance, so your surplus can assist their needs, and vice versa; that’s how it should roll.
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’s been said, those who gathered a lot had no extra, and those who gathered a little had enough, periodt.
As it is written, He that {had gathered} much had nothing over; and he that {had gathered} little had no lack.
Props to God for putting that same fire in Titus’ heart for you all.
But thanks {be} to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
He totally took on the challenge; he’s super keen and just approached you on his own.
For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.
We sent our guy with him, who’s got major respect in the gospel across all churches.
And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise {is} in the gospel throughout all the churches;
Not just that, but he was also chosen by the churches to roll with us for this grace, all for the glory of the Lord and your willingness.
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: {grace: or, gift}
We’re keeping it 100, making sure no one can throw shade at us for how we manage this abundance.
Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:
We’re doing things the right way, not just for God but also so everyone sees we’re legit.
Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
We sent our dude with them, who’s always been on point, but now he’s even more hyped about you guys.
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. {I have: or, he hath}
If anyone asks about Titus, he’s my homie and partner in this; if they inquire about our crew, they’re the messengers of the churches, repping Christ.
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.
So show them the proof of your love and our bragging about you in front of the churches.
Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.