2 Corinthians 8:8

But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.

But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. assure: Gr. persuade

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

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

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: speaking...: or, being sincere

Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? diminishing: or, decay, or, loss For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.

And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. as the...: Heb. according to the coming of the people they sit...: or, my people sit before thee they shew...: Heb. they make loves, or, jests

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.

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. liberality: Gr. simplicity For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?