CHAP. VIII.
1 He stirreth them vp to a liberall contribution for the poore Saints at Ierusalem, by the example of the Macedonians, 7 by commendation of their former forwardnesse, 9 by the example of Christ, 14 and by the spirituall profit that shall redound to themselues thereby: 16 Commending to them the integritie and willingnesse of Titus, and those other brethren, who vpon his request, exhortation and commendation, were purposely come to them for this businesse.
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1 Moreouer, brethren, wee do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the Churches of Macedonia,
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2 How that in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their ioy, and their deepe pouertie, abounded vnto the riches of their liberalitie.
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3 For to their power (I beare record) yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselues:
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4 Praying vs with much entreatie, that we would receiue the gift, and take vpon vs the fellowship of the ministring to the Saints.
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5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gaue their owne selues to the Lord, and vnto vs, by the will of God.
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6 In so much that wee desired Titus, that as he had begun, so hee would also finish in you, the same grace also.
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7 Therefore (as ye abound in euery thing, in faith, and vtterance, & knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your loue to vs) see that yee abound in this grace also.
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8 I speake not by commandement, but by occasion of the forwardnesse of others, and to prooue the sinceritie of your loue.
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9 For yee know the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poore, that yee through his pouertie might be rich.
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10 And herein I giue my aduice, for this is expedient for you, who haue begun before, not onely to doe, but also to be +forward a yeere agoe. [+Gr. willing. ]
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11 Now therefore performe the doing of it, that as there was a readinesse to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which you haue.
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12 For if there bee first a willing minde, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
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13 For I meane not that other men bee eased, and you burthened:
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14 But by an equalitie: that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want, that there may be equalitie,
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15 As it is written, *Hee that had gathered much, had nothing ouer, and hee that had gathered little, had no lacke. [ *Exod. 16. 18. ]
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16 But thankes bee to God which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
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17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation, but being more forward, of his owne accord he went vnto you.
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18 And wee haue sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the Gospel, throughout all the Churches.
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19 And not that onely, but who was also chosen of the Churches to trauaile with vs with this ||grace which is administred by vs to the glorie of the same Lord, and declaration of your readie minde. [ || Or, gift. ]
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20 Auoyding this, that no man should blame vs in this aboundance which is administred by vs.
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21 Prouiding for honest things, not onely in the sight of the Lord, but in the sight of men.
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22 And we haue sent with them our brother, whom wee haue often times proued diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, vpon the great confidence which || I haue in you. [ || Or, hee hath. ]
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23 Whether any doe enquire of Titus; he is my partner and fellow helper concerning you: or our brethren bee enquired of, they are the messengers of the Churches, and the glorie of Christ.
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99 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the Churches, the proofe of your loue, & of our boasting on your behalfe.
