2 Corinthians 8:1-3

Completing the Collection for the Saints

8:1 Now we make known to you, brothers and sisters, ¹  the grace of God given to the churches of Macedonia, 8:2 that during a severe ordeal of suffering, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in the wealth ²  of their generosity. 8:3 For I testify, they gave according to their means and beyond their means. They did so voluntarily, ³ 

2 Corinthians 8:12-15

8:12 For if the eagerness is present, the gift itself ⁴  is acceptable according to whatever one has, not according to what he does not have. 8:13 For I do not say this so there would be relief for others and suffering for you, but as a matter of equality. 8:14 At the present time, your abundance will meet their need, ⁵  so that one day their abundance may also meet your need, and thus there may be equality, 8:15 as it is written: “The one who gathered ⁶  much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.” ⁷ 

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¹ tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:8.

² tn Or “riches.”

³ tn Or “spontaneously.”

⁴ tn The words “the gift itself” are not in the Greek text but are implied. Translators often supply an English phrase like “it is” (NASB) but in the context, Paul is clearly referring to the collection Titus was to oversee (2 Cor 8:4-7). Therefore there is no reason not to specify the referent (the gift) more narrowly for clarity.

⁵ tn Or “their lack.”

⁶ tn The word “gathered” is not in the Greek text, but is implied (so also for the second occurrence of the word later in the verse).

⁷ sn A quotation from Exod 16:18.