1 And so we are making known to you, brothers, the grace of God that has been given in the churches of Macedonia.
2 For within a great experience of tribulation, they have had an abundance of joy, and their profound poverty has only increased the richness of their simplicity.
3 And I bear witness to them, that they were willing to accept what was in accord with their ability, and even what was beyond their ability.
4 For they were begging us, with great exhortation, for the grace and the communication of the ministry that is with the saints.
5 And this is beyond what we had hoped, since they gave themselves, first of all to the Lord, and then also to us, through the will of God,
6 so much so that we petitioned Titus, that in the same manner as he had begun, he would also complete in you this same grace.
7 But, just as in all things you abound in faith and in word and in knowledge and in all solicitude, and even more so in your charity toward us, so also may you abound in this grace.
8 I am speaking, not commanding. But through the solicitude of others, I approve of the good character of your charity.
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so that through his poverty, you might become rich.
10 And about this, I give my counsel. For this is useful to those of you who, only a year earlier, had just begun to act, or even to be willing to act.
11 So, truly now, accomplish this in deed, so that, in the same manner as your willing mind is prompted, you may also act, out of that which you have.
12 For when the will is prompted, it receives according to what that person has, not according to what that person does not have.
13 And it is not that others should be relieved, while you are troubled, but that there should be an equality.
14 In this present time, let your abundance supply their need, so that their abundance may also supply your need, in order that there may be an equality, just as it was written:
15 “He with more did not have too much; and he with less did not have too little.”
16 But thanks be to God, who has granted to the heart of Titus, this same solicitude for you.
17 For certainly, he accepted the exhortation. But since he was more solicitous, he went to you of his own free will.
18 And we have even sent with him a brother whose praise accompanies the Gospel throughout all the churches.
19 And not only that, but he was also chosen by the churches to be a companion for our sojourn in this grace, which is ministered by us with our determined will, to the glory of the Lord.
20 So let us avoid this, lest anyone disparage us over the abundance that is ministered by us.
21 For we provide for what is good, not only in the sight of God, but also in the sight of men.
22 And we have also sent with them our brother, whom we have proven to be frequently solicitous in many matters. But now there is a greater solicitousness, which is greatly entrusted to you;
23 and whether it concerns Titus, who is a companion to me and a helper to you, or whether it concerns our brothers, the Apostles of the churches, it is to the glory of Christ.
24 Therefore, in the sight of the churches, show them the proof of your charity and of our glorying about you.
Versículos relacionados com 2 Corinthians, 8:
2 Corinthians 8 deals with the collection of money Paul was organizing to help poor Christians in Jerusalem. He encourages Corinthians to contribute generosity and cites the example of the Macedonians, who, even though they were poor, voluntarily gave and beyond what they could. Below are five verses related to the topics covered in this chapter:
1 Corinthians 16:2 - "On the first day of the week, each of you put aside what you can gather, according to your prosperity, so that the collections are not made when I arrive." This verse shows that the collection of money to help the needy brothers was a common practice among Christians in Paul's time.
Luke 21:1-4 - "And, looking, he saw the rich launch his offers into the treasure ark; and he also saw a poor widow to throw two small coins there; and said, Terde, I say to you that it has thrown more than everyone is Poor widow. " This verse illustrates the concept of giving with generosity and sacrifice, even if the value is small.
Proverbs 11:24-25-"To which liberally spreads, it is still added to it; and to which it is more than just, it will be in pure loss. The kind soul will be fattened; watered. " This verse highlights the blessing that comes to generously.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 - "But I say this: that what sows little, little will also reap; and what sows in abundance, in ABRIFER will. Each contributes according to his heart, not with sadness or out of necessity; because God loves what gives with joy. " This verse reinforces the idea that we should give with joy and without coercion.
1 John 3:17 - "But he who has the world, and coming his brother in need, and closing his heart, how is the love of God in him?" This verse highlights the importance of helping the needy brothers and demonstrates that this is proof of God's love in us.
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