Generosity Commended (Philippians 4:10–20)
1 DRA Now we make known unto you, brethren, the grace of God, that hath 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 DRA That in much experience of tribulation, they have had abundance of joy; and their very deep poverty hath abounded unto the riches of their simplicity. BSB BSB: In the terrible ordeal they suffered, their abundant joy and deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity.
3 DRA For according to their power (I bear them witness), and beyond their power, they were willing. BSB BSB: For I testify that they gave according to their ability and even beyond it. Of their own accord,
4 DRA With much entreaty begging of us the grace and communication of the ministry that is done toward the saints. BSB BSB: they earnestly pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.
5 DRA And not as we hoped, but they gave their own selves first to the Lord, then to us by 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 DRA Insomuch, that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so also he would finish among you this same grace. BSB BSB: So we urged Titus to help complete your act of grace, just as he had started it.
7 DRA That as in all things you abound in faith, and word, and knowledge, and all carefulness; moreover also in your charity towards us, so in this grace also you may abound. 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 DRA I speak not as commanding; but by the carefulness of others, approving also the good disposition 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 DRA For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that being rich he became poor, for your sakes; that through his poverty you might be 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 DRA And herein I give my advice; for this is profitable for you, who have begun not only to do, but also to be willing, a year ago. 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 DRA Now therefore perform ye it also in deed; that as your mind is forward to be willing, so it may be also to perform, 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 DRA For if the will be forward, it is accepted according to that which a man hath, not according to that which he hath not. 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 DRA For I mean not that others should be eased, and you burthened, but by 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 DRA In this present time let your abundance supply their want, that their abundance also may supply your want, that there may be an equality, 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 DRA As it is written: He that had much, had nothing over; and he that had little, had no want. 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 DRA And thanks be to God, who hath given the same carefulness for you in the heart of Titus. BSB BSB: But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same devotion I have for you.
17 DRA For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more careful, of his own will he went unto you. BSB BSB: For not only did he welcome our appeal, but he is eagerly coming to you of his own volition.
18 DRA We have sent also with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel through 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 DRA And not that only, but he was also ordained by the churches companion of our travels, for this grace, which is administered by us, to the glory of the Lord, and our determined will: 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 DRA Avoiding this, lest any man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us. BSB BSB: We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this generous gift.
21 DRA For we forecast what may be good not only before God, but also before 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 DRA And we have sent with them our brother also, whom we have often proved diligent in many things; but now much more diligent, with much confidence in 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 DRA Either for Titus, who is my companion and fellow labourer towards you, or our brethren, the apostles of the churches, 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 DRA Wherefore shew ye to them, in the sight of the churches, the evidence of your charity, and of our boasting on your behalf. 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.