Generosity Commended (Philippians 4:10–20)
1 CPDV And so we are making known to you, brothers, the grace of God that has been given in the churches of Macedonia. BSB BSB: Now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the churches of Macedonia.
2 CPDV For within a great experience of tribulation, they have had an abundance of joy, and their profound poverty has only increased the richness of their simplicity. BSB BSB: In the terrible ordeal they suffered, their abundant joy and deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity.
3 CPDV And I bear witness to them, that they were willing to accept what was in accord with their ability, and even what was beyond their ability. BSB BSB: For I testify that they gave according to their ability and even beyond it. Of their own accord,
4 CPDV For they were begging us, with great exhortation, for the grace and the communication of the ministry that is with the saints. BSB BSB: they earnestly pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.
5 CPDV And this is beyond what we had hoped, since they gave themselves, first of all to the Lord, and then also to us, through the will of God, BSB BSB: And not only did they do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us, through the will of God.
6 CPDV so much so that we petitioned Titus, that in the same manner as he had begun, he would also complete in you this same grace. BSB BSB: So we urged Titus to help complete your act of grace, just as he had started it.
7 CPDV But, just as in all things you abound in faith and in word and in knowledge and in all solicitude, and even more so in your charity toward us, so also may you abound in this grace. BSB BSB: But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in the love we inspired in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
8 CPDV I am speaking, not commanding. But through the solicitude of others, I approve of the good character of your charity. BSB BSB: I am not giving a command, but I am testing the sincerity of your love through the earnestness of others.
9 CPDV For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so that through his poverty, you might become rich. BSB BSB: For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.
10 CPDV And about this, I give my counsel. For this is useful to those of you who, only a year earlier, had just begun to act, or even to be willing to act. BSB BSB: And this is my opinion about what is helpful for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give, but even to have such a desire.
11 CPDV So, truly now, accomplish this in deed, so that, in the same manner as your willing mind is prompted, you may also act, out of that which you have. BSB BSB: Now finish the work, so that you may complete it with the same eager desire, according to your means.
12 CPDV For when the will is prompted, it receives according to what that person has, not according to what that person does not have. BSB BSB: For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
13 CPDV And it is not that others should be relieved, while you are troubled, but that there should be an equality. BSB BSB: It is not our intention that others may be relieved while you are burdened, but that there may be equality.
14 CPDV In this present time, let your abundance supply their need, so that their abundance may also supply your need, in order that there may be an equality, just as it was written: BSB BSB: At the present time, your surplus will meet their need, so that in turn their surplus will meet your need. This way there will be equality.
15 CPDV “He with more did not have too much; and he with less did not have too little.” BSB BSB: As it is written: “He who gathered much had no excess, and he who gathered little had no shortfall.”
Titus Commended (Titus 1:1–4)
16 CPDV But thanks be to God, who has granted to the heart of Titus, this same solicitude for you. BSB BSB: But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same devotion I have for you.
17 CPDV For certainly, he accepted the exhortation. But since he was more solicitous, he went to you of his own free will. BSB BSB: For not only did he welcome our appeal, but he is eagerly coming to you of his own volition.
18 CPDV And we have even sent with him a brother whose praise accompanies the Gospel throughout all the churches. BSB BSB: Along with Titus we are sending the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in the gospel.
19 CPDV And not only that, but he was also chosen by the churches to be a companion for our sojourn in this grace, which is ministered by us with our determined will, to the glory of the Lord. BSB BSB: More than that, this brother was chosen by the churches to accompany us with the gracious offering we administer to honor the Lord Himself and to show our eagerness to help.
20 CPDV So let us avoid this, lest anyone disparage us over the abundance that is ministered by us. BSB BSB: We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this generous gift.
21 CPDV For we provide for what is good, not only in the sight of God, but also in the sight of men. BSB BSB: For we are taking great care to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of men.
22 CPDV And we have also sent with them our brother, whom we have proven to be frequently solicitous in many matters. But now there is a greater solicitousness, which is greatly entrusted to you; BSB BSB: And we are sending along with them our brother who has proven his earnestness to us many times and in many ways, and now even more so by his great confidence in you.
23 CPDV and whether it concerns Titus, who is a companion to me and a helper to you, or whether it concerns our brothers, the Apostles of the churches, it is to the glory of Christ. BSB BSB: As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you. As for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.
24 CPDV Therefore, in the sight of the churches, show them the proof of your charity and of our glorying about you. BSB BSB: In full view of the churches, then, show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our boasting about you.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.