2 Corinthians 8:11-19

8:11 to finish what you started, ¹  so that just as you wanted to do it eagerly, ²  you can also complete it ³  according to your means. ⁴  8:12 For if the eagerness is present, the gift itself ⁵  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, ⁶  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 gathered ⁷  much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.” ⁸ 

The Mission of Titus

8:16 But thanks be to God who put in the heart of Titus the same devotion ⁹  I have for you, 8:17 because he not only accepted our request, but since he was very eager, ¹⁰  he is coming ¹¹  to you of his own accord. ¹²  8:18 And we are sending ¹³  along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in spreading the gospel. ¹⁴  8:19 In addition, ¹⁵  this brother ¹⁶  has also been chosen by the churches as our traveling companion as we administer this generous gift ¹⁷  to the glory of the Lord himself and to show our readiness to help. ¹⁸ 

[8:11]  ¹ tn Grk “and now also complete the doing.”

[8:11]  ² tn Grk “just as the eagerness to want [it].”

[8:11]  ³ tn 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.

[8:11]  ⁴ tn Grk “completed from what you have.”

[8:12]  ⁵ tn 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.

[8:14]  ⁹ tn Or “their lack.”

[8:15]  ¹³ tn 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).

[8:15]  ¹⁴ sn A quotation from Exod 16:18.

[8:16]  ¹⁷ tn Or “eagerness.”

[8:17]  ²¹ tn The comparative form of this adjective is used here with elative meaning.

[8:17]  ²² tn This verb has been translated as an epistolary aorist.

[8:17]  ²³ tn Or “of his own free will.”

[8:18]  ²⁵ tn This verb has been translated as an epistolary aorist.

[8:18]  ²⁶ tn Grk “the brother of whom the praise in the gospel [is] throughout all the churches.”

[8:19]  ²⁹ tn Grk “gospel, and not only this, but.” Here a new sentence was started in the translation.

[8:19]  ³⁰ tn Grk “he”; the referent (the brother mentioned in v. 18) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[8:19]  ³¹ tn That is, the offering or collection being taken to assist impoverished Christians.

[8:19]  ³² tn The words “to help” are not in the Greek text but are implied (see L&N 25.68).