v. 13.

a We dou to wit, we make known to you the grace of God, &c.

viii.

to the saints, &c.

God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia ;b

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.

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

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

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

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

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.f

8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to

commended.

care into the heart of Titus for

you.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

23 Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellow-helper concerning you; or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

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

Why Paul sent Titus.

CHAP. IX.

1 He sheweth why he sent Titus, 6 and stirreth them up to be bountiful in alms, 10 which shall yield them a great increase. FOR as touching a the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

2 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 b very many.

3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf;c that, as I said, ye may be ready:

4 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.

5 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

Alms recommended.

let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver.

8 And God is able to make

a As touching, concerning. b Provoked, stimulated or excited. c In this behalf, in this particular.

all

grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all-sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

9 (As it is written,d He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor; his righteousness remaineth forever.

CHAP. X.* 1 Paul's spiritual might and authority, &c. 12 Not to stretch beyond our compass. NOW, I Paul myself beseech you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you,a but being absent am bold toward you:

2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of Is as if we walked according to the flesh.

3 For though we walk in The flesh, we do not war after he flesh :

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but nighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds :)

5 Casting down imaginaions, & every high thing, that

g His unspeakable gift, that is, Jesus Christ.

and authority, &c.

exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, & bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ:

a Base among you, &c. The false teacher probably told the Corinthins, that Paul, when among them, vas base or humble in appearance, ut when absent, was bold by threatning letters.

6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.b

7 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance ? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.

8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed;

9 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.

10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.

11 Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.

b And having in a readiness to revenge, &c. And are prepared to punish all disobedience, after so many of you, as may be disposed, shall have repented..