1Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, (羅15:25; 帖前4:9)2for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them. (林后8:10; 林后8:24)3But I am sending[1] the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be. (林前16:2; 林后8:6; 林后8:17; 林后8:22)4Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident. (徒20:4)5So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift[2] you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction.[3] (创33:11; 士1:15; 撒上25:27; 林后12:17; 腓4:17)
The Cheerful Giver
6The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully[4] will also reap bountifully. (箴11:24; 箴22:9; 玛3:10; 路6:38; 加6:7; 加6:9)7Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (出25:2; 申15:10; 林后8:12)8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency[5] in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. (弗3:2; 腓4:19)9As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” (诗112:9)10He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. (赛55:10; 何10:12)11You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. (林前1:5; 林后1:11)12For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. (林后8:14)13By their approval of this service, they[6] will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, (太5:16; 提前6:12; 來3:1; 來4:14; 來10:23; 彼前2:12)14while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.15Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! (约3:16; 林后2:14; 弗2:8)