2 Corinthians 8:1-5

Completing the Collection for the Saints

8:1 Now we make known to you, brothers and sisters, ¹  the grace of God given to the churches of Macedonia, 8:2 that during a severe ordeal of suffering, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in the wealth ²  of their generosity. 8:3 For I testify, they gave according to their means and beyond their means. They did so voluntarily, ³  8:4 begging us with great earnestness for the blessing and fellowship of helping ⁴  the saints. 8:5 And they did this not just as we had hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us by the will of God.

[8:1]  ¹ tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:8.

[8:2]  ² tn Or “riches.”

[8:3]  ³ tn Or “spontaneously.”

[8:4]  ⁴ tn Or “of ministering to.”