Epistle
2 Corinthians 8.16-9.5
Read in context8:16But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
8:17For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.
8:18And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;
8:19And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:
8:20Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:
8:21Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
8:22And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.
8:23Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
8:24Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
9:1For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:
9:2For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.
9:3Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:
9:4Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.
9:5Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.