2 Corinthians 8:8

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 

2 Corinthians 8:16

The Mission of Titus

8:16 But thanks be to God who put in the heart of Titus the same devotion ²  I have for you,

2 Corinthians 7:11-12

7:11 For see what this very thing, this sadness ³  as God intended, has produced in you: what eagerness, what defense of yourselves, ⁴  what indignation, ⁵  what alarm, what longing, what deep concern, ⁶  what punishment! ⁷  In everything you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 7:12 So then, even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did wrong, or on account of the one who was wronged, but to reveal to you your eagerness on our behalf ⁸  before God.

2 Corinthians 8:7

8:7 But as you excel ⁹  in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, and in all eagerness and in the love from us that is in you ¹⁰  – make sure that you excel ¹¹  in this act of kindness ¹²  too.

[8:8]  ¹ tn Grk “by means of the eagerness of others.”

[8:16]  ² tn Or “eagerness.”

[7:11]  ³ tn Grk “this very thing, to be grieved.”

[7:11]  ⁴ tn The words “of yourselves” are not in the Greek text but are implied.

[7:11]  ⁵ sn What indignation refers to the Corinthians’ indignation at the offender.

[7:11]  ⁶ tn Or “what zeal.”

[7:11]  ⁷ sn That is, punishment for the offender.

[7:12]  ⁴ tn Grk “but in order that your eagerness on our behalf might be revealed to you.”

[8:7]  ⁵ tn Grk “as you abound.”

[8:7]  ⁶ tc The reading “the love from us that is in you” is very difficult in this context, for Paul is here enumerating the Corinthians’ attributes: How is it possible for them to excel “in the love from us that is in you”? Most likely, because of this difficulty, several early scribes, as well as most later ones (א C D F G Ψ [33] Ï lat), altered the text to read “your love for us” (so NIV; Grk ἐξ ὑμῶν ἐν ἡμῖν ἀγάπῃ [ex Jumwn en Jhmin agaph]). The reading ἐξ ἡμῶν ἐν ὑμῖν ἀγάπῃ (ex Jhmwn en Jumin agaph) is found, however, in excellent and early witnesses (Ì⁴⁶ B 0243 6 104 630 1175 1739 1881 co). As the harder reading it explains the rise of the other reading. What, then, is the force of “in the love from us that is in you”? Most likely, Paul is commending the Corinthians for excelling in deriving some inspiration from the apostles’ love for them.

[8:7]  ⁷ tn Grk “you abound.”

[8:7]  ⁸ tn Grk “this grace.”