1We want you to know, brothers,[1] about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, (林后8:5)2for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. (可12:44)3For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, (林前16:2; 林后8:11)4begging us earnestly for the favor[2] of taking part in the relief of the saints— (徒24:17; 羅15:25; 羅15:31; 林后9:2)5and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. (林后8:1)6Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. (林后8:4; 林后8:17; 林后8:19; 林后12:18)7But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you[3]—see that you excel in this act of grace also. (林前1:5; 林后9:8)8I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. (林前7:6)9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. (太20:28; 林后6:10; 腓2:6)10And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. (申15:7; 箴19:17; 箴28:27; 林前7:25; 林后9:2; 提前6:18; 來13:16)11So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have.12For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. (可12:43; 路21:3; 林后9:7)13For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness14your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. (徒4:34; 林后9:12)15As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.” (出16:18)
Commendation of Titus
16But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you. (林后2:14; 启17:17)17For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going[4] to you of his own accord. (林后8:6)18With him we are sending[5] the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel. (林前7:17; 林后12:18)19And not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will. (林前16:3; 林后4:15; 林后8:6)20We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us,21for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man. (羅12:17; 羅14:18; 腓4:8; 彼前2:12)22And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you.23As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengers[6] of the churches, the glory of Christ. (门1:17)24So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men. (林后7:4; 林后7:14; 林后9:2)