Thomson(i)
3 that to the utmost of their ability, I bear them witness, nay, beyond their ability, they were of themselves forward,
4 beseeching us with much intreaty to receive this bounty, and take a share with others in the office of distributing it to the saints,
5 not indeed as if we had expected this; but they gave themselves first to the Lord, then to us by the will of God,
6 so as to induce us to exhort Titus, as he had begun, to continue on and complete this bounty among you;
7 that, as you abound in every thing; in belief, and doctrine, and knowledge, and in all earnestness even in your love for us, you might abound also in this bounty.
8 I do not say this by way of command, but am, during the exertion of others, proving the genuineness of your love.
9 For you know the bounty of our Lord Jesus Christ, that rich as he was, he for your sakes became poor, that through his poverty you might become rich.
10 And I give you my opinion on this occasion, for this is becoming of you who took the lead, not only in doing, but even in forming the design above a year ago.
11 Now therefore compleat the doing, that the performance with what you have, may be answerable to the readiness with which you undertook it.
12 For if there be a willingness, a person is accepted according to what he hath; not according to what he hath not.
13 For it is not the design that others should be eased, and you burdened;
14 but for the sake of equality your abundance at this time should supply their want; in order that their abundance may supply your want, so that there may be an equality.