1 He stirs them up to a liberal contribution for the poor saints at Jerusalem, by the example of the Macedonians;
7 by commendation of their former forwardness;
9 by the example of Christ;
14 and by the spiritual profit that shall redound to themselves thereby;
16 commending to them the integrity and willingness of Titus, and those other brethren, who upon his request, exhortation, and commendation, were purposely come to them for this business.

we. 19

the grace. 2-7 9:12 Ac 11:23 1Co 15:10 Eph 3:8 Col 1:29

churches. 9:2,4 11:9 Ac 16:9 Ro 15:26 1Th 1:7,8 4:10

2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

in. 1Th 1:6 2:14 3:3,4

the abundance. Ne 8:10-12 Ac 2:45,46

their deep. Mr 12:42-44 Lu 21:1-4 Jas 2:5 Re 2:9

the riches. 6:10 9:11,13 De 15:4 Pr 11:25 Isa 32:5-8

liberality. Gr. simplicity. 1:12 Ro 12:8

3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

to. 9:6,7 Mr 14:8 Ac 11:29 1Co 16:2 1Pe 4:11

I bear. Ro 10:2 Ga 4:15 Col 4:13

beyond. 12,16,17 Ex 35:5,21,22,29 1Ch 29:5,6,9,13-17 Ps 110:3 1Co 9:17 Php 2:13 1Th 2:8 Phm 1:14 1Pe 5:2

4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

that. 18,19 Ge 33:10,11 2Ki 5:15,16 Ac 16:15 1Co 16:3,4

the ministering. 9:1,12-14 Mt 10:42 12:50 25:40,44,45 Mr 14:7 Joh 19:26,27 Ac 6:1 *etc: Ac 9:39-41 11:29 24:17 Ro 15:25,26 1Co 16:1,3,4,15 Ga 2:10 Ga 6:10 1Ti 5:10 Phm 1:5,6 Heb 6:10 1Jo 3:16-18

5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

first. 5:14,15 1Sa 1:28 2Ch 30:8 Isa 44:3-5 Jer 31:33 Zec 13:9 Ro 6:13 12:1 14:7-9 1Co 6:19,20

unto. 4:5 1Ch 12:18 2Ch 30:12

6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

we. 16,17 12:18

grace. or, gift. 4,19 *marg: 9:5 Php 4:18 1Pe 4:10

7 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.

as. Ro 15:14 1Co 1:5 4:7 12:13 14:12 Re 3:17

faith. 1Co 13:2

knowledge. 1Co 8:1,2 13:8

in your. 7:7

see. 9:8 Php 1:9,11 1Th 4:9,10 2Th 1:3 1Pe 1:22 2Pe 1:5-8

this. 6 9:14 Eph 4:29 2Ti 2:1 Heb 12:28 2Pe 3:18

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

speak. 10 9:7 1Co 7:6,12,25

by occasion. 1-3 9:2 Ro 11:12-14 Heb 10:24

prove. 24 6:6 Jos 24:14 Eze 33:31 Ro 12:9 Eph 4:15 *marg: Eph 6:24 Jas 2:14-16 1Pe 1:22 1Jo 3:17-19

9 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.

the grace. 13:14 Joh 1:14,17 Ro 5:8,20,21 1Co 1:4 Eph 1:6-8 2:7 3:8,19

though. Ps 102:25-27 Joh 1:1-4,10 16:15 1Co 15:47 Php 2:6 Col 1:16,17 Heb 1:2,6-14

for. Isa 62:1 65:8 Joh 12:30 17:19 Col 1:24

he became. Isa 53:2 Mt 8:20 17:27 20:28 Mr 6:3 Lu 2:7 8:3 9:58 Php 2:6-8

that ye. 6:10 Lu 16:11 Ro 8:32 11:12 1Co 3:21,22 Eph 3:8 1Ti 6:18 Jas 2:5 Re 3:18 21:7

10 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.

I give. 1Co 7:25,40

expedient. 12:1 Pr 19:17 Mt 10:42 Joh 11:50 16:7 18:14 1Co 6:12 10:23 Php 4:17 1Ti 6:18,19 Heb 13:16 Jas 2:15,16

to be. 8 9:2

forward. Gr. willing. See on. 3

11 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.

12 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.

if. 9:7 Ex 25:2 35:5,21,22,29 1Ch 29:3-18 2Ch 6:8 Pr 19:22 Mr 12:42-44 14:7,8 Lu 7:44-46 12:47,48 16:10 21:1-4 1Pe 4:10

13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:

not. Ac 4:34 Ro 15:26,27

14 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:

15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

Ex 16:18 Lu 22:35

16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

thanks. Ezr 7:27 Ne 2:12 Jer 31:31 32:40 Col 3:17 Re 17:17

earnest. 7:7,12 Php 2:20

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

accepted. 6 Heb 13:22

but. See on. 8,10

18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;

the brother. This is generally supposed to have been Said. Luke, 'whose praise was in all the churches,' on account of the gospel which he had written, and for many zealous services in its cause.

19,22,23 12:18

throughout. Ro 16:4

19 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:

but. 1-4 Ac 6:3-6 15:22,25 1Co 16:3,4

grace. or gift. See on ver. 4,6,7 9:8

to the. 1,2 4:15 9:12-14 Php 4:18,19 1Pe 4:10,11

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

that. 11:12 Mt 10:16 Ro 14:16 1Co 16:3 Eph 5:15 1Th 5:22

21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

for. Ro 12:17 Php 4:8 1Ti 5:14 Tit 2:5-8 1Pe 2:12

not. 2:17 5:9-11 Mt 5:16 6:1,4 23:5 1Th 5:22

22 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.

whom. Php 2:20-22

I have. or, he hath.

23 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.

Titus. 6,16 7:6 12:18

is my. Lu 5:7,10 Phm 1:17

and fellow-helper. Php 2:25 4:3 Col 1:7 1Th 2:2 Phm 1:24 3Jo 1:8

the messengers. 19 Php 2:25 *Gr:

24 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

8 7:14 9:2-4