1 W e want to tell you further, brethren, about the grace (the favor and spiritual blessing) of God which has been evident in the churches of Macedonia;

Christian brothers, we want you to know how the loving-favor of God has been shown in the churches in the country of Macedonia.

2 F or in the midst of an ordeal of severe tribulation, their abundance of joy and their depth of poverty have overflowed in wealth of lavish generosity on their part.

They have been put to the test by much trouble, but they have much joy. They have given much even though they were very poor.

3 F or, as I can bear witness, according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability; and voluntarily,

They gave as much as they could because they wanted to.

4 B egging us most insistently for the favor and the fellowship of contributing in this ministration for the saints.

They asked from their hearts if they could help the Christians in Jerusalem.

5 N or that we expected, but first they gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God '> entirely disregarding their personal interests, they gave as much as they possibly could, having put themselves at our disposal to be directed by the will of God]—

It was more than we expected. They gave themselves to the Lord first. Then they gave themselves to us to be used as the Lord wanted.

6 S o much so that we have urged Titus that as he began it, he should also complete this beneficent and gracious contribution among you.

We asked Titus to keep on helping you finish this act of love. He was the one to begin this.

7 N ow as you abound and excel and are at the front in everything—in faith, in expressing yourselves, in knowledge, in all zeal, and in your love for us— abound and excel in this gracious work also.

You are rich in everything. You have faith. You can preach. You have much learning. You have a strong desire to help. And you have love for us. Now do what you should about giving also.

8 I give this not as an order, but to prove, by the zeal of others, the sincerity of your love also.

I am not saying that you must do this, but I have told you how others have helped. This is a way to prove how true your love is.

9 F or you are becoming progressively acquainted with and recognizing more strongly and clearly the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (His kindness, His gracious generosity, His undeserved favor and spiritual blessing), that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, in order that by His poverty you might become enriched (abundantly supplied).

You know of the loving-favor shown by our Lord Jesus Christ. He was rich, but He became poor for your good. In that way, because He became poor, you might become rich.

10 m y counsel and my opinion in this matter that I give: It is profitable and fitting for you which more than a year ago you not only began, but were the first to wish to do anything.

This is what I think. You had better finish what you started a year ago. You were the first to want to give a gift of money.

11 S o now finish doing it, that your readiness in desiring it may be equalled by your completion of it according to your ability and means.

Now do it with the same strong desires you had when you started.

12 F or if the readiness to give is there, then it is acceptable and welcomed in proportion to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.

If a man is ready and willing to give, he should give of what he has, not of what he does not have.

13 F or it is not that other people be eased and relieved and you be burdened and suffer,

This does not mean that others do not have to give and you have to give much. You should share alike.

14 B ut to have equality, your surplus over necessity at the present time going to meet their want and to equalize the difference created by it, so that their surplus in turn may be given to supply your want. Thus there may be equality,

You have more than you need now. When you have need, then they can help you. You should share alike.

15 A s it is written, He who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little did not lack.

The Holy Writings say, “The man who gathered much did not have too much. The man who did not gather much had enough.” Titus Will Be Coming

16 B ut thanks be to God Who planted the same earnest zeal and care for you in the heart of Titus.

I thank God that He gave Titus the same desire to help you.

17 F or he not only welcomed and responded to our appeal, but was himself so keen in his enthusiasm and interest in you that he is going to you of his own accord.

He was glad when we asked him to help you. He decided himself to go to you.

18 B ut we are sending along with him that brother whose praise in the Gospel ministry throughout all the churches;

We are sending the Christian brother along. He is respected in the churches for his preaching.

19 A nd more than that, he has been appointed by the churches to travel as our companion in regard to this bountiful contribution which we are administering for the glory of the Lord Himself and our eager readiness.

Not only that, but he has been asked by the churches to travel with me to Jerusalem. He will help in giving them the gift. The Lord will be honored by it because it shows how we want to help each other.

20 w e are on our guard, intending that no one should find anything for which to blame us in regard to our administration of this large contribution.

We want everyone to trust us with the way we take this large gift of money to them.

21 F or we take thought beforehand and aim to be honest and absolutely above suspicion, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of men.

We want to do the right thing. We want God and men to know we are honest.

22 M oreover, along with them we are sending our brother, whom we have often put to the test and have found him zealous (devoted and earnest) in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of absolute confidence in you.

We are sending another Christian brother with them. We have tested him many times. His faith has proven to be true. He wants very much to help because he trusts you.

23 A s for Titus, he is my colleague and shares my work in your service; and as for the brethren, they are the messengers of the churches, a credit and glory to Christ (the Messiah).

Titus works with me to help you. The other two Christian brothers have been sent by the churches. Their lives honor Christ.

24 S how to these men, therefore, in the sight of the churches, the reality and plain truth of your love (your affection, goodwill, and benevolence) and what I had for boasting about and being proud of you.

Show these men you love them and let the churches see your love. Show them the reason I am proud of you.