2 Corinthians 8:8-15

8:8 I am not saying this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love by comparison with the eagerness of others.¹ 8:9 For you know the grace² of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so that you by his poverty could become rich. 8:10 So here is my opinion on this matter: It is to your advantage, since you³ made a good start last year both in your giving and your desire to give, 8:11 to finish what you started,⁴ so that just as you wanted to do it eagerly,⁵ you can also complete it⁶ according to your means.⁷ 8:12 For if the eagerness is present, the gift itself⁸ 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,⁹ 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 gathered¹⁰ much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”¹¹

¹tn Grk “by means of the eagerness of others.”

²tn Or “generosity.”

³tn Grk “who.”

⁴tn Grk “and now also complete the doing.”

⁵tn Grk “just as the eagerness to want [it].”

⁶tn Grk “so also it might be completed.” The passive construction was converted to an active one in the translation in keeping with contemporary English style.

⁷tn Grk “completed from what you have.”

⁸tn 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.

⁹tn Or “their lack.”

¹⁰tn 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).

¹¹sn A quotation from Exod 16:18.