2.Korinther 8 | 聖經當代譯本修訂版 English Standard Version

2.Korinther 8 | 聖經當代譯本修訂版

鼓勵信徒慷慨捐助

1 弟兄姊妹,我們現在要讓你們知道上帝向馬其頓各教會所施的恩典。 2 他們雖然遭遇極大的患難,受盡熬煉,卻充滿了喜樂,在極度貧窮的情況下仍然十分慷慨樂捐。 3 我可以證明,他們是甘心樂意,盡其所能地捐助,甚至超過了自己的能力。 4 他們懇切地求我們准許他們與有需要的聖徒分享上帝的恩典。 5 他們這樣做超過了我們的期望,並且他們按照上帝的旨意首先把自己獻給主,然後獻給我們。 6 所以,我們勸提多要繼續完成他早先在你們當中開始的這件善事。 7 你們既然在信心、口才、知識、熱心和對我們的愛心上都有突出的表現,也要在這件善事上有突出的表現。 8 我說這話並非命令你們,而是藉著別人的熱心考驗一下你們愛心的真偽。 9 因為你們知道我們主耶穌基督的恩典,祂本來富足,卻為你們的緣故變得貧窮,使你們藉著祂的貧窮可以變得富足。 10 關於捐助的事,我把自己的意見告訴你們:你們一年前開始捐助,並且甘心樂意——這對你們有益。 11 你們現在要把它完成。你們既有懇切願意的心,就要有始有終。 12 因為人只要按自己的能力甘心樂意地去做,必蒙上帝悅納,上帝不會強求人做無法做的事。 13 這不是說要別人脫離困境,要你們陷入困境,乃是要均平。 14 現在你們這些富足的人可以幫補那些有需要的人,以便你們有需要的時候,那些富足的人也可以幫補你們,這樣才均平。 15 正如聖經上說:「多拾的沒有剩餘,少拾的也沒有缺乏。」

託人送捐款

16 感謝上帝!祂感動了提多的心,使他像我一樣熱誠地關懷你們。 17 這固然是他聽了我們的勸告,但也是他自己非常熱誠,自願去你們那裡。 18 我們還要派一位弟兄和他同去,這位弟兄在傳福音的事上得到各地教會的讚許。 19 此外,他還受各教會的委派,與我們一同把捐款送往耶路撒冷,使主得榮耀,並表明我們熱誠相助的心。 20 我們這樣做是為了避免有人挑我們的不是,因我們經手的捐款數目可觀。 21 無論在主面前或在人面前,我們務求行事為人光明磊落。 22 我們還要再派一位弟兄和他們一同去你們那裡。我們經過多次多方的考驗,證實他很熱心,而且他因為十分信任你們,現在更熱心了。 23 至於提多,他是我的同伴,與我一同服侍你們。另外兩位弟兄是眾教會的代表,是基督的榮耀。 24 所以,你們要在眾教會面前向他們證明你們的愛心,以及我誇耀你們的話並非虛言。

Chinese Contemporary Bible TM (Traditional Script) (聖經當代譯本修訂版 TM) Copyright © 1979, 2005, 2007, 2012 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide. “Biblica”, “International Bible Society” and the Biblica Logo are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission.

English Standard Version

Encouragement to Give Generously

1 We want you to know, brothers,* about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor* of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. 6 Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. 7 But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you*—see that you excel in this act of grace also. 8 I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 9 For 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. 10 And 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. 11 So 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. 12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness 14 your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. 15 As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”

Commendation of Titus

16 But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you. 17 For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going* to you of his own accord. 18 With him we are sending* the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel. 19 And 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. 20 We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, 21 for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man. 22 And 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. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengers* of the churches, the glory of Christ. 24 So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.