(Old Testament quotations/allusions are underlined. [Brackets] indicate a textual variant.fnWhen two (or more) different copies of an original manuscript disagree on any given word or phrase — addition, omission, word order, etc. — the disagreement is called a "textual variant". ~99% of existing textual variants are either minor (like spelling), obviously not original (often appearing only in a few late manuscripts), or don't affect meaning (like "Jesus Christ" vs. "Christ Jesus"). The ~1% that remain do not affect any central doctrine of Christianity. The BOS Bible only marks significant textual variants that affect the meaning; smaller variants that do not affect meaning won't be marked for readability. "Love" with a caret ("^love") is agapé.fn"agapé" The Greek words ἀγάπη (agapé, noun), and ἀγαπάω (agapaó; verb) are typically translated "love". However, unlike our English word "love" – which primarily speaks of affection and feelings — agapé centers on choice and behavior. It’s the "love" based on will, choice, behavior, and action; not feelings. (Feelings-based love is the Greek word φιλέω (phileó), which properly means "brotherly love/affection".) Thus, you could hate someone passionately and still treat him with "agapé". Agapé "love" is best understood as the pursuit of what is most beneficial to someone or something, regardless of the cost to yourself or the type of response received from the person or thing. It can also indicate a preference for someone or something over other things. An asterisk (*) indicates a verb in the Greek perfect tense.fnThe Greek perfect tense signifies a completed action in the past with a result and/or an ongoing state that extends into the present. For example, Hebrews 12:2 says in part: "He *sat down at the right hand of the throne of God"; the verb for "sat" is in the perfect tense, indicating that He sat down once (completed action in the past), and also that He remains seated until the present moment (ongoing state).)
Macedonian Generosity
(Parallel teachings: 1 Corinthians 16:1-4; Romans 15:25-28)
(Thematic parallels: Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35; Luke 21:1-4)
- 1 And we declare to you, brothers, the grace of God which was *given among the church assemblies of Macedonia.
- 2 That in much testing through affliction, the abundance of their joy and the depth of their poverty overflowed into the wealth of their generosity.
- 3 For I testify that in accordance with their ability – even beyond their ability – they gave voluntarily,
- 4 imploring us with much supplication to let them join in the grace and the partnership in the service of the holy ones [to welcome us].
- 5 And not only as we hoped, but they gave themselves, first to the Lord and then to us through God’s will.
- 6 For we encouraged Titus so that just as he previously began, so also he might complete this grace in you too.
- 7 But just as you overflow in everything — in faith, and word, and knowledge, and all eager diligence, and the ^love from [us to you]fn“us to you” many manuscripts have “you to us” here instead. — so that you should overflow in this grace also.
- 8 I don’t speak as a command, but through the eager diligence of others and for proving that your ^love is genuine.
- 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus the Anointed, that while being rich, He became poor for your sakes, so that through His poverty you might become rich. CFParallel teachings: Philippians 2:5-8
- 10 And I give an opinion on this matter, for this is beneficial for you who since last year previously began not only to work, but also to desire to work.
- 11 Now then, also complete the work so just as you had the eagerness to desire, so also you’ll have the eagerness to complete it from what you have.
- 12 For if the eagerness is present, it’s acceptable in accordance with what a man has, not in accordance with what he doesn’t have.
- 13 For this isn’t so that others might have ease but you have affliction, but so that there’s equality.
- 14 At the present season, your overflow would go to those in need, so that also their overflow might go into your need, so there might be equality.
- 15 Just as it’s *written, “The man who gathered much didn’t have abundance, and the man who gathered little didn’t lack.“fnquotation/allusion to Exodus 16:18
Praising Titus
- 16 But grace be to God, the One putting the same eagerness for you in the heart of Titus.
- 17 For he indeed welcomed our appeal, and being more eager, he went out to you voluntarily.
- 18 And with him, we sent the brother whose praise in the good news is throughout all the church assemblies.
- 19 And not only that, but he was also electedfn“he was… …elected” is one word in Greek. It literally means “to vote by stretching out the hand”, or to “elect by a show of hands”, sometimes with the idea of appointing someone to an office or position. by the church assemblies as our fellow traveler in this act of grace administered by us for our readiness and the glory of the Lord Himself.
- 20 We’re taking care of this gift, lest someone discredit us through this abundant gift administered by us.
- 21 For we take care to be noble, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.fnquotation/allusion to Proverbs 3:4
- 22 And we sent with them our brother, whom we proved to be eagerly diligent many times, in many things, and now he’s much more eagerly diligent because of his great confidence in you.
- 23 Whether concerning Titus – who’s my partner and a fellow worker to you – or our brothers who are messengers of the church assemblies, they’re a glory to the Anointed.
- 24 Therefore, show proof of your ^love and the reason for our boast about you to them in front of the church assemblies.
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