| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | Berean Study Bible |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1Now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the churches of Macedonia. |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2In the terrible ordeal they suffered, their abundant joy and deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity. |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3For I testify that they gave according to their ability and even beyond it. Of their own accord, |
| 4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4they earnestly pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. |
| 5[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 5And not only did they do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us, because it was the will of God. |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6So we urged Titus to help complete your act of grace, just as he had started it. |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in the love we inspired in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 8I am not making a demand, but I am testing the sincerity of your love in comparison to the earnestness of others. |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. |
| 10[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 10And this is my opinion about what is helpful for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give, but even to have such a desire. |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11Now finish the work, so that you may complete it just as eagerly as you began, according to your means. |
| 12[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 13It is not our intention that others may be relieved while you are burdened, but that there may be equality. |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14At the present time, your surplus will meet their need, so that in turn their surplus will meet your need. Then there will be equality. |
| 15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 15As it is written: “He who gathered much had no excess, and he who gathered little had no shortfall.” |
| 16[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 16But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same devotion I have for you. |
| 17[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 17For not only did he welcome our appeal, but he is eagerly coming to you of his own volition. |
| 18[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 18Along with Titus we are sending the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in the gospel. |
| 19[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 19More than that, this brother was chosen by the churches to accompany us with the offering—the gracious gift we administer to honor the Lord Himself and to show our eagerness to help. |
| 20[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 20We hope to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this generous gift. |
| 21[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 21For we are taking great care to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of men. |
| 22[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 22And we are sending along with them our brother whose earnestness has been proven many times and in many ways, and now even more so by his great confidence in you. |
| 23[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 23As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you. As for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, to the glory of Christ. |
| 24[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 24In full view of the churches, then, show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our boasting about you. |
|
    |