Part 6

47:008:007 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

47:008:008 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

47:008:009 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

47:008:010 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.

47:008:011 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.

47:008:012 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

47:008:013 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:

47:008:014 But by an equality, 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 equality:

47:008:015 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

47:008:016 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

47:008:017 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.

47:008:018 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;

47:008:019 And 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:

47:008:020 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:

47:008:021 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

47:008:022 And 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.

47:008:023 Whether 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.

47:008:024 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

47:009:001 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

47:009:002 For 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.

47:009:003 Yet 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:

47:009:004 Lest 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.

47:009:005 Therefore 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.

47:009:006 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

47:009:007 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

47:009:008 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

47:009:009 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

47:009:010 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)