PART II.

(CHAPS. VIII. IX.)

ST. PAUL URGES THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH TO DISCHARGE THE FULL DUTIES OF BROTHERLY LOVE TOWARDS THEIR AFFLICT

ED BRETHREN OF JERUSALEM.

THE LAW OF GIVING.

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PART II.

ST. PAUL URGES THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH TO DISCHARGE THE FULL DUTIES OF BROTHERLY LOVE TOWARDS THEIR AFFLICTED BRETHREN OF JERUSALEM. THE LAW OF GIVING.

CHAPS. VIII, IX.

VIII. 1. Now, brethren, we make known to you the grace 2 of God given in the Churches of Macedonia, that in a great trial of affliction the overflowing of their joy, and from its depth their poverty, abounded in the riches of 3 their single-mindedness. For according to their power, I bear witness, and beyond their power, they were willing of 4 themselves, praying us with much entreaty for this 5 favor and fellowship in the assistance of the saints; and not according as we expected, but first they gave them6 selves to God, and to us by the will of God. So that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so also he would 7 finish among you, this work of grace also. And as ye abound in all things, in faith, in word, in knowledge, and in all zeal, and in your love towards us, that so also ye 8 may abound in this grace. I speak not by commandment, but on account of the zeal of others, and to prove the 9 genuineness of your love. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, how for your sakes he became

poor, being rich, that ye by his poverty might be rich. 10 And herein I give my advice, for this is expedient for

you who have begun before not only to do, but also to 11 be in forwardness, a year ago. Now, therefore, perfect the doing of it, that as there was a readiness to will, so also there may be a completion of it, out of that which ye 12 have. For if there be first a willing mind, a man is ac

cepted according to that he hath, and not according to 13 that he hath not. Not, indeed, that there should be a re14 mission to others, and a burden on you, but that by way

of equality, now in this time, your abundance should supply their want, that their abundance likewise should be a supply for your want, that there may be an 15 equality. As it is written, "He that gathered much had

nothing over, and he that had gathered little had no lack." 16 But thanks be to God who put this same earnest care for 17 you into the heart of Titus: that indeed he accepted the exhortation, and being more zealous, of his own accord 18 he went unto you. And we have sent with him the Brother whose praise in the Gospel is throughout all the 19 Churches and not that only, but who was also chosen by the churches to be our fellow-traveller with that grace, administered by us to the glory of the Lord himself, and 20 as a proof of our readiness. Taking care for this, that

no one should blame us in this abundance which is ad21 ministered by us: Providing for things honest not only in 22 the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. And

we have sent with them our brother whom we have often proved in many things, and now much more zealous, be23 cause of this great confidence in you. Now, with regard to Titus, he is my fellow, and my fellow-worker towards you; and the brethren, they are the Apostles of the 24 Churches, the glory of Christ. Wherefore show to them, in the face of the Churches, the demonstration of your love, and of our boasting on your account.

IX. 1. BUT indeed it is superfluous for me to write to you 2 concerning this ministering to the saints. For I know the forwardness of your minds, for which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago, 3 and your zeal has stirred up very many. Yet I have sent the brethren, that our boasting of you in this matter should not be made vain, that ye may be in readiness, 4 as I said ye were. Lest if the Macedonians should come

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with me, and find you unprepared, we, not to say ye, should 5 be put to shame for this same confidence. Therefore, I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they should go before unto you, and prepare beforehand this your blessing already declared, so that the same should 6 be ready as a blessing, and not as an extortion. And this

I say, He that soweth sparingly shall also reap sparingly, and he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Let each man give according as he purposeth in his heart, not regrettingly, nor constrainedly, for God loveth 8 a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace redound towards you, that in all things, having all suffi9 ciency, ye may abound to every good work. As it is written, “He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to 10 the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever." Now he that supplieth seed to the sower will also supply bread for you, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the 11 fruits of your righteousness: Being enriched in all things to all ingenuousness, which worketh through us thanks12 giving to God. For the ministration of this service is not only supplying the wants of the saints, but also abounds 13 in many thanksgivings to God. Through the experience of this ministration they glorify God for the submission of your confession of the Gospel of Christ, and for the sincerity of your fellowship with them and with all men, 14 whilst they also earnestly long after you, in their prayer