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Chapter 26: Of the Communion of Saints
1. All saints who[1] are united to Jesus Christ their Head, by His Spirit and by faith, have fellowship with Him in His graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory.a And, being united to one another in love, they have communion in each other’s gifts and graces,b and are obliged to the performance of such duties, public and private, as promote their mutual good, both in the inward and outward man.c
a1 John 1:3 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; Ephesians 3:16–19 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; John 1:16 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; Ephesians 2:5–6 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; Philippians 3:10 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; Romans 6:5–6 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; 2 Timothy 2:12 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ;
bEphesians 4:15–16 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; 1 Corinthians 12:7 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; 1 Corinthians 3:21–23 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; Colossians 2:19 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; c1 Thessalonians
5:11, 14 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; Romans 1:11–12, 14 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; 1 John 3:16–18 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; Galatians 6:10 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB)
2. Saints by profession are bound to maintain a holy fellowship and communion in the worship of God. Saints are to perform such other spiritual services as tend to their mutual edificationa and to relieve each other in outward things, according to their different abilities and necessities. This communion, as God offers opportunity, is to be extended to all those who in every place call upon the name of the Lord Jesus.b
aHebrews 10:24–25 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; Acts 2:42, 46 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; Isaiah 2:3 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB)
; 1 Corinthians 11:20 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; bActs 2:44–45 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; 1 John 3:17 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; 2 Corinthians 8–9 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; Acts 11:29–30 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB)
3. This communion, which the saints have with Christ, does not make them partakers of the substance of His Godhead in any way, or equal with Christ in any respect. To affirm either of these is impious and blasphemous.a Nor does their communion with one another as saints take away or infringe the title or property that each man has in his own goods and possessions.b
aColossians 1:18–19 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; 1 Corinthians 8:6 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; Isaiah 42:8 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ;
1 Timothy 6:15–16 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; Psalm 45:7 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) with
Hebrews 1:8–9 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; bExodus 20:15 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB)
; Ephesians 4:28 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; Acts 5:4 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB)
Scripture Texts Back to Main Page Previous Chapter Next Chapter
Ch. 26:1
1 John 1:3 (ESV) Back
3that which we have seen and heard we
proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed
our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
1 John 1:3 (KJ3) Back
3 We announce to you that which we
have seen, and that which we have heard, that you also may have
fellowship with us. And truly our fellowship is with the Father and with
His Son, Jesus Christ.
1 John 1:3 (NASB95) Back
3what we have seen and heard we proclaim to
you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our
fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.
1 John 1:3 (WEB) Back
3 that which we have seen and heard we declare
to you, that you also may have fellowship with us. Yes, and our fellowship is
with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 3:16–19 (ESV) Back
16that according to the riches of his glory
he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner
being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being
rooted and grounded in love, 18may have strength to comprehend with all
the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19and to
know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with
all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:16-19 (KJ3) Back
16 that He may give you, according
to the riches of His glory, by His power to be empowerd in the inward
man through His Spirit,
17 that through faith Christ may
dwell in your hearts, having been rooted and founded in love,
18 that you may have full strength
to grasp, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and depth
and height,
19 and to know the surpassing
knowledge and love of Christ, that you may be filled to all the fullness of
God.
Ephesians 3:16–19 (NASB95) Back
16that He would grant you, according to the
riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the
inner man, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through
faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18may be able to comprehend with all the
saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19and to
know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to
all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:16-19 (WEB) Back
16 that he would grant you, according to the
riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit
in the inward man;
17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through
faith; to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 may be strengthened to comprehend with all
the saints what is the width and length and height and depth,
19 and to know Christ’s love which surpasses
knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
John 1:16 (ESV) Back
16And from his fullness we have all
received, grace upon grace.
John 1:16 (KJ3) Back
16 And out of His fullness we all
received, and grace for grace.
John 1:16 (NASB95) Back
16For of His fullness we have all received,
and grace upon grace.
John 1:16 (WEB) Back
16 From his fullness we all received grace upon
grace.
Ephesians 2:5–6 (ESV) Back
5even when we were dead in our trespasses,
made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6and
raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ
Jesus,
Ephesians 2:5-6 (KJ3) Back
5 even we being dead in
deviations, He made us alive together with Christ; by grace you are
having been saved,
6 and He raised us up
together and seated us together in the heavenly realm in Christ
Jesus,
Ephesians 2:5–6 (NASB95) Back
5even when we were dead in our
transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been
saved), 6and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in
Christ Jesus,
Ephesians 2:5-6 (WEB) Back
5 even when we were dead through our
trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
6 and raised us up with him, and made us to
sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
Philippians 3:10 (ESV) Back
10that I may know him and the power of his
resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
Philippians 3:10 (KJ3) Back
10 to know Him and the power of His
resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His
death,
Philippians 3:10 (NASB95) Back
10that I may know Him and the power of His
resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His
death;
Philippians 3:10 (WEB) Back
10 that I may know him, and the power of his
resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his
death;
Romans 6:5–6 (ESV) Back
5For if we have been united with him in a
death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like
his. 6We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of
sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.
Romans 6:5-6 (KJ3) Back
5 For if we have been united
together in the likeness of His death, so also shall we be in the resurrection,
6 knowing this, that our old man
was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, so
that we no longer serve sin.
Romans 6:5–6 (NASB95) Back
5For if we have become united with Him in
the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His
resurrection, 6knowing this, that our old self was crucified with
Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no
longer be slaves to sin;
Romans 6:5-6 (WEB) Back
5 For if we have become united with him in the
likeness of his death, we will also be part of his resurrection;
6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified
with him, that the body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no
longer be in bondage to sin.
2 Timothy 2:12 (ESV) Back
12if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he also will deny us;
2 Timothy 2:12 (KJ3) Back
12 if we endure, we shall also
reign with Him; if we deny Him, that One will deny us;
2 Timothy 2:12 (NASB95) Back
12If we endure, we will also reign with Him;
If we deny Him, He also will deny us;
2 Timothy 2:12 (WEB) Back
12 If we
endure,
Ephesians 4:15–16 (ESV) Back
15Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are
to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16from
whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is
equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it
builds itself up in love.
Ephesians 4:15-16 (KJ3) Back
15 but speaking the truth in love,
we may grow up into Him in all things, who is the head, the Christ,
16 from whom all the body, having
been fitted and compacted together through every assisting bond, according to the
effectual working of one measure in each part, produces the growth
of the body to the building up of itself in love.
Ephesians 4:15–16 (NASB95) Back
15but speaking the truth in love, we are to
grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16from
whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint
supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the
growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
Ephesians 4:15-16 (WEB) Back
15 but speaking truth in love, we may grow up
in all things into him, who is the head, Christ;
16 from whom all the body, being fitted and
knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working
in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up
of itself in love.
1 Corinthians 12:7 (ESV) Back
7To each is given the manifestation of the
Spirit for the common good.
1 Corinthians 12:7 (KJ3) Back
7 And to each one is given
the showing forth of the Spirit to the profiting of each one.
1 Corinthians 12:7 (NASB95) Back
7But to each one is given the manifestation
of the Spirit for the common good.
1 Corinthians 12:7 (WEB) Back
7 But to each one is given the manifestation
of the Spirit for the profit of all.
1 Corinthians 3:21–23 (ESV) Back
21So let no one boast in men. For all things
are yours, 22whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or
life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, 23and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.
1 Corinthians 3:21-23 (KJ3) Back
21¶ So then let no one glory in
men; for all things are yours,
22 whether Paul, or Apollos, or
Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to
come; all are yours,
23 and you are Christ’s, and Christ
is God’s.
1 Corinthians 3:21–23 (NASB95) Back
21So then let no one boast in men. For all
things belong to you, 22whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or
life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, 23and you
belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God.
1 Corinthians 3:21-23 (WEB) Back
21 Therefore let no one boast in men. For all
things are yours,
22 whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the
world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come. All are yours,
23 and you are Christ’s, and
Christ is God’s.
Colossians 2:19 (ESV) Back
19and not holding fast to the Head, from
whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and
ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.
Colossians 2:19 (KJ3) Back
19 and not holding fast the Head,
from whom all the body being supplied through the joints and bands, and
being joined together, will grow with the growth of God.
Colossians 2:19 (NASB95) Back
19and not holding fast to the head, from
whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and
ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.
Colossians 2:19 (WEB) Back
19 and not holding firmly to the Head, from
whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and
ligaments, grows with God’s growth.
1 Thessalonians 5:11, 14 (ESV) Back
11Therefore encourage one another and build
one another up, just as you are doing.
14And we urge you, brothers, admonish the
idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
1 Thessalonians 5:11, 14 (KJ3) Back
11¶ Therefore, encourage one
another, and build up one another, as you indeed do.
14 And we exhort you, brothers, to
admonish the disobedient ones, comfort the ones being faint-hearted,
sustain the ones being weak, be long-suffering towards all.
1 Thessalonians 5:11, 14 (NASB95) Back
11Therefore encourage one another and build
up one another, just as you also are doing.
14We urge you, brethren, admonish the
unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
1 Thessalonians 5:11, 14 (WEB) Back
11 Therefore exhort one another, and build each
other up, even as you also do.
14 We exhort you, brothers, admonish the
disorderly, encourage the faint-hearted, support the weak, be patient toward
all.
Romans 1:11–12, 14 (ESV) Back
11For I long to see you, that I may impart
to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12that is, that we may be mutually
encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.
14I am under obligation both to Greeks and
to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.
Romans 1:11-12, 14 (KJ3) Back
11 For I long to see you, that I
may impart some spiritual gift to you, for the establishing of you;
12 and this is to be comforted
together among you, through the faith in one another, both yours and mine.
14 I am a debtor both to Greeks and
to foreign ones, both to wise ones, and to foolish ones,
Romans 1:11–12, 14 (NASB95) Back
11For I long to see you so that I may impart
some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; 12that is, that I may be encouraged together
with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.
14I am under obligation both to Greeks and
to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.
Romans 1:11-12, 14 (WEB) Back
11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to
you some spiritual gift, to the end that you may be established;
12 that is, that I with you may be encouraged
in you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.
14 I am debtor both to Greeks and to
foreigners, both to the wise and to the foolish.
1 John 3:16–18 (ESV) Back
16By this we know love, that he laid down
his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17But if
anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart
against him, how does God’s love abide in him? 18Little children, let us not love in word
or talk but in deed and in truth.
1 John 3:16-18 (KJ3) Back
16 By this we have known the love of
God, because that One laid down His life for us; and on behalf of the
brothers we ought to lay down our lives.
17 Whoever has the means of life of
the world, and sees his brother having need, and shuts up his bowels from him,
how does the love of God abide in him?
18 My little children, let us not
love in word, or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
1 John 3:16–18 (NASB95) Back
16We know love by this, that He laid down
His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17But
whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his
heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18Little children, let us not love with word
or with tongue, but in deed and truth.
1 John 3:16-18 (WEB) Back
16 By this we know love, because he laid
down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
17 But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees
his brother in need, and closes his heart of compassion against him, how does
God’s love remain in him?
18 My little children, let’s not love in word
only, or with the tongue only, but in deed and truth.
Galatians 6:10 (ESV) Back
10So then, as we have opportunity, let us do
good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Galatians 6:10 (KJ3) Back
10 So, then, as we have time, let
us work the good toward all, and especially toward the household of the faith.
Galatians 6:10 (NASB95) Back
10So then, while we have opportunity, let us
do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the
faith.
Galatians 6:10 (WEB) Back
10 So then, as we have opportunity, let’s do what
is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of
the faith.
Ch. 26:2
Hebrews 10:24–25 (ESV) Back
24And let us consider how to stir up one
another to love and good works, 25not neglecting to meet together, as is the
habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day
drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25 (KJ3) Back
24 And let us consider one another,
unto incitement of love and of good works,
25 not forsaking the assembling
together of ourselves, as is the custom of some, but exhorting, and by
so much more as you see the Day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24–25 (NASB95) Back
24and let us consider how to stimulate one
another to love and good deeds, 25not forsaking our own assembling together,
as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you
see the day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25 (WEB) Back
24 Let’s consider how to provoke one
another to love and good works,
25 not forsaking our own assembling together,
as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as
you see the Day approaching.
Acts 2:42, 46 (ESV) Back
42And they devoted themselves to the
apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the
prayers.
46And day by day, attending the temple together
and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and
generous hearts,
Acts 2:42, 46 (KJ3) Back
42¶ And they were continuing steadfastly
in the doctrine of the apostles, and in fellowship, and in the breaking of
bread, and in prayers.
46 And according to a day
continuing steadfastly with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from
house to house, they shared food in great joy and simplicity of heart,
Acts 2:42, 46 (NASB95) Back
42They were continually devoting themselves
to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to
prayer.
46Day by day continuing with one mind in the
temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals
together with gladness and sincerity of heart,
Acts 2:42, 46 (WEB) Back
42 They continued steadfastly in the apostles’
teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer.
46 Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one
accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with
gladness and singleness of heart,
Isaiah 2:3 (ESV) Back
3and many peoples shall come, and say:
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of
Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For
out of Zion shall go the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
Isaiah 2:3 (KJ3) Back
3 And many peoples shall go and
say, Come and let us go up to the mount of Jehovah, to the house of the God of
Jacob. And He will teach us from His ways, and we will walk in His paths. For
out of Zion the Law will go forth, and the Word of Jehovah from
Isaiah 2:3 (NASB95) Back
3And many peoples will come and say, “Come,
let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob;
That He may teach us concerning His ways And that we may walk in His paths.”
For the law will go forth from Zion And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
Isaiah 2:3 (WEB) Back
3 Many
peoples shall go and say,
1 Corinthians 11:20 (ESV) Back
20When you come together, it is not the
Lord’s supper that you eat.
1 Corinthians 11:20 (KJ3) Back
20 Therefore you coming together
into one place, it is not to eat the Lord’s supper.
1 Corinthians 11:20 (NASB95) Back
20Therefore when you meet together, it is
not to eat the Lord’s Supper,
1 Corinthians 11:20 (WEB) Back
20 When therefore you assemble yourselves
together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat.
Acts 2:44–45 (ESV) Back
44And all who believed were together and had
all things in common. 45And they were selling their possessions and
belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
Acts 2:44-45 (KJ3) Back
44 And all the believing ones were
on the same place and had all things common.
45 And they sold possessions and
belongings and divided them to all, according as anyone had need.
Acts 2:44–45 (NASB95) Back
44And all those who had believed were
together and had all things in common; 45and they began selling their property and
possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.
Acts 2:44-45 (WEB) Back
44 All who believed were together, and had all
things in common.
45 They sold their possessions and goods, and
distributed them to all, according as anyone had need.
1 John 3:17 (ESV) Back
17But if anyone has the world’s goods and
sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love
abide in him?
1 John 3:17 (KJ3) Back
17 Whoever has the means of life of
the world, and sees his brother having need, and shuts up his bowels from him,
how does the love of God abide in him?
1 John 3:17 (NASB95) Back
17But whoever has the world’s goods, and
sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of
God abide in him?
1 John 3:17 (WEB) Back
17 But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees
his brother in need, and closes his heart of compassion against him, how does
God’s love remain in him?
2 Corinthians 8–9 (ESV) Back
1We want you to know, brothers, about the
grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2for in a
severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty
have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3For they gave according to their means, as
I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4begging
us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5and
this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then
by the will of God to us. 6Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had
started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. 7But as
you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness,
and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also. 8I say
this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love
also is genuine. 9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his
poverty might become rich. 10And in this matter I give my judgment:
this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to
desire to do it. 11So now finish doing it as well, so that your
readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you
have. 12For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person
has, not according to what he does not have. 13For I do not mean that others should be
eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness 14your abundance at the present time should
supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may
be fairness. 15As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had
nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.” 16But
thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have
for you. 17For he not only accepted our appeal, but being
himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord.
18With him we are
sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of
the gospel. 19And not only that, but he has been appointed by
the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being
ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will. 20We take
this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is
being administered by us, 21for we aim at what is honorable not only
in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man. 22And with them we are sending our brother
whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now
more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you. 23As for
Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our
brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. 24So give
proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these
men. 1Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the
saints, 2for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of
Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has
stirred up most of them. 3But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting
about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I
said you would be. 4Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and
find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for
being so confident. 5So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to
go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so
that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction. 6The
point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever
sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7Each one must give as he has decided in
his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God
is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all
things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9As it is written, “He has distributed
freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” 10He who
supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your
seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11You
will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us
will produce thanksgiving to God. 12For the ministry of this service is not
only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many
thanksgivings to God. 13By their approval of this service, they will
glorify God because of your submission flowing from your confession of the
gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all
others, 14while they long for you and pray for you, because
of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15Thanks be to God for his inexpressible
gift!
2 Corinthians 8-9 (KJ3) Back
1¶ But, brothers, we make known to
you the grace of God which has been given among the assemblies of Macedonia,
2 that in much testing of trouble,
the overflowing of their joy and the depth of their poverty abounded to the
riches of their generosity.
3 Because I testify that according
to their ability and beyond their ability, of their own
accord.
4 with much appeal begging us to
receive of us the grace and the fellowship of the ministry to the saints.
5 And not as we hoped, but they
gave themselves to the Lord firstly, and to us through the will of
God,
6 for us to call on Titus, that
even as he began before, so also he might complete this grace to you also.
7¶ But even as you abound in
everything, in faith, and in word, and in knowledge, and in all earnestness,
and in your love in us, that you also should abound in this grace.
8 I do not speak according to
command, but through the diligence of others and testing the trueness of your
love.
9 For you know the grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ, that being rich, He became poor for your sake, so that you
might become rich by the poverty of that One.
10 And I give judgment in this, for
this is profitable for you, who began before not only to do, but also to be
willing from last year.
11 But now also finish the doing of
it, so that even as there was the readiness in the willing,
so also the finishing, giving out of what you have.
12 For if the readiness is present,
it is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what
one does not have.
13 For it is not that there
may be ease to others, but affliction to you;
14 but by equality in the time now,
your abundance for the need of those; but also that the abundance of those may
be for your need, that there may be equality;
15 even as it is written, “He gathering
much, he had nothing left over, and he gathering little did not
lack.Ӡ
16¶ But thanks be to God,
who gives the same earnestness for you in the heart of Titus.
17 For truly he received the
appeal, but being more earnest, he went out to you of his own accord.
18 But we sent with him the brother
whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the assemblies,
19 and not only so, but also
he having been chosen by the assemblies as a traveling companion to us
with this gift being ministered by us to the glory of the Lord Himself, and
your eagerness,
20 avoiding this, lest anyone
should blame us in this bounty being ministered by us;
21 providing right things not only
before the Lord, but also before men.†
22 And we sent with them our
brother whom we often proved in many things to be earnest, and now much more
earnest by the great confidence which I have toward you.
23 If any asks about Titus, he
is my partner and a fellow worker for you; or about our brothers, they
are messengers of the assemblies, the glory of Christ.
24 Then show them a proof of your
love and of our boastings on your behalf, even in the face of the assemblies.
1¶ For indeed concerning the
ministry to the saints, it is beyond necessity for me to write to you.
2 For I know your eagerness, of
which I boast to Macedonia on your behalf, that Achaia has made ready from last
year, and your zeal arouses the greater number.
3 But I sent the brothers that our
boasting which is on your behalf should not be made void in this
respect, even as I said, you were being ready;
4 lest perhaps if Macedonians come
with me and find you not ready, that we (we do not say you) should be ashamed
in this assurance of boasting.
5 Therefore, I thought it necessary
to exhort the brothers, that they go forward to you and arrange beforehand your
promised blessing, this to be ready, thus as a blessing and not as by
greediness.
6¶ And this: the one sowing
sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one sowing on hope of blessings
will also reap of blessings.
7 Each one as he purposes
in his heart, not out of grief or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful
giver.†
8 And God is able to make
all grace to abound toward you, that in everything, always having all
self sufficiency, you may abound to every good work;
9 even as it is written, “He
scattered, he gave to the poor, his righteousness abides forever.Ӡ
10 Now He that supplies seed to the
sower and bread for eating, may He supply and multiply your seed and increase
the fruits of your righteousness,
11 in everything you being
enriched to all simplicity, which works out thanksgiving to God through us.
12 Because the ministry of this
service is not only completely filling up the things lacking of the saints, but
also multiplying through many thanksgivings to God,
13 through the proof of this
ministry, they glorifying God by your subjection to the gospel of
Christ, and the simplicity of the fellowship toward them and toward all;
14 and with their petition for you,
a longing after you, because of the overflowing grace of God on you.
15 But thanks be to God for
His unspeakable gift.
2 Corinthians 8–9 (NASB95) Back
1Now, brethren, we wish to make known to
you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, 2that in
a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty
overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. 3For I testify that according to their
ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, 4begging
us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the
saints, 5and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the
Lord and to us by the will of God. 6So we urged Titus that as he had previously
made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well. 7But just
as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all
earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this
gracious work also. 8I am not speaking this as a command, but as
proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also. 9For 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. 10I give
my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to
begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it. 11But now
finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so
there may be also the completion of it by your ability. 12For if the readiness is present, it is
acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not
have. 13For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way
of equality— 14at this present time your abundance being a supply
for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need,
that there may be equality; 15as it is written, “He who gathered much
did not have too much, and he who gathered little had no lack.” 16But
thanks be to God who puts the same earnestness on your behalf in the heart of
Titus. 17For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest, he has
gone to you of his own accord. 18We have sent along with him the brother
whose fame in the things of the gospel has spread through all the churches; 19and not
only this, but he has also been appointed by the churches to travel with us in
this gracious work, which is being administered by us for the glory of the Lord
Himself, and to show our readiness, 20taking precaution so that no one will
discredit us in our administration of this generous gift; 21for we have regard for what is honorable,
not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. 22We have
sent with them our brother, whom we have often tested and found diligent in
many things, but now even more diligent because of his great confidence in you. 23As for
Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brethren, they
are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ. 24Therefore openly before the churches, show
them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you. 1For it
is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints; 2for I
know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the Macedonians, namely,
that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal has stirred up
most of them. 3But I have sent the brethren, in order that our
boasting about you may not be made empty in this case, so that, as I was
saying, you may be prepared; 4otherwise if any Macedonians come with me
and find you unprepared, we—not to speak of you—will be put to shame by this
confidence. 5So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren
that they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously
promised bountiful gift, so that the same would be ready as a bountiful gift
and not affected by covetousness. 6Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will
also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7Each one
must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under
compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound
to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an
abundance for every good deed; 9as it is written, “He scattered abroad, he
gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever.” 10Now He who supplies seed to the sower and
bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the
harvest of your righteousness; 11you will be enriched in everything for all
liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. 12For the
ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints,
but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.
13Because of the
proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your
confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution
to them and to all, 14while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn
for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. 15Thanks be to God for His indescribable
gift!
2 Corinthians 8-9 (WEB) Back
1 Moreover, brothers, we make known to
you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia;
2 how that in much proof of affliction the
abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their
generosity.
3 For according to their power, I testify, yes
and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord,
4 begging us with much entreaty to receive
this grace and the fellowship in the service to the saints.
5 This was not as we had expected, but first
they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.
6 So we urged Titus, that as he had made a
beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace.
7 But as you abound in everything, in faith,
utterance, knowledge, all earnestness, and in your love to us, see that you
also abound in this grace.
8 I speak not by way of commandment, but as
proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you
through his poverty might become rich.
10 I give a judgment in this: for this is
expedient for you, who were the first to start a year ago, not only to do, but
also to be willing.
11 But now complete the doing also, that as
there was the readiness to be willing, so there may be the completion also out
of your ability.
12 For if the readiness is there, it is
acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you don’t have.
13 For this is not that others may be eased and
you distressed,
14 but for equality. Your abundance at this
present time supplies their lack, that their abundance also may become a supply
for your lack; that there may be equality.
15 As it is written, “He who gathered much had
nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”✡
16 But thanks be to God, who puts the
same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.
17 For he indeed accepted our exhortation, but
being himself very earnest, he went out to you of his own accord.
18 We have sent together with him the brother
whose praise in the Good News is known throughout all the assemblies.
19 Not only so, but he was also appointed by
the assemblies to travel with us in this grace, which is served by us to the glory
of the Lord himself, and to show our readiness.
20 We are avoiding this, that any man should
blame us concerning this abundance which is administered by us.
21 Having regard for honorable things, not only
in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
22 We have sent with them our brother, whom we
have many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by
reason of the great confidence which he has in you.
23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow
worker for you. As for our brothers, they are the apostles of the assemblies,
the glory of Christ.
24 Therefore show the proof of your love to
them before the assemblies, and of our boasting on your behalf.
1 It is indeed unnecessary for me to
write to you concerning the service to the saints,
2 for I know your readiness, of which I boast
on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia has been prepared for a year
past. Your zeal has stirred up very many of them.
3 But I have sent the brothers that our
boasting on your behalf may not be in vain in this respect, that, just as I
said, you may be prepared,
4 lest by any means, if anyone from Macedonia
comes there with me and finds you unprepared, we (to say nothing of you) would
be disappointed in this confident boasting.
5 I thought it necessary therefore to entreat
the brothers that they would go before to you, and arrange ahead of time the
generous gift that you promised before, that the same might be ready as a
matter of generosity, and not of greediness.
6 Remember this: he who sows sparingly
will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 Let each man give according as he has
determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a
cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to
you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every
good work.
9 As
it is written,
10 Now may he who supplies seed to the
sower and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and
increase the fruits of your righteousness;
11 you being enriched in everything to all
generosity, which produces through us thanksgiving to God.
12 For this service of giving that you perform
not only makes up for lack among the saints, but abounds also through much
giving of thanks to God;
13 seeing that through the proof given by this
service, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the Good News
of Christ, and for the generosity of your contribution to them and to all;
14 while they themselves also, with
supplication on your behalf, yearn for you by reason of the exceeding grace of
God in you.
15 Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable
gift!
Acts 11:29–30 (ESV) Back
29So the disciples determined, everyone
according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 30And
they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
Acts 11:29-30 (KJ3) Back
29 And according as any was
prospered, the disciples, each of them, determined to send for ministry to the
brothers living in
30 which they also did, sending to
the elders through the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
Acts 11:29–30 (NASB95) Back
29And in the proportion that any of the
disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the
relief of the brethren living in Judea. 30And this they did, sending it in charge of
Barnabas and Saul to the elders.
Acts 11:29-30 (WEB) Back
29 As any of the disciples had plenty, each
determined to send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea;
30 which they also did, sending it to the
elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
Ch. 26:3
Colossians 1:18–19 (ESV) Back
18And he is the head of the body, the
church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he
might be preeminent. 19For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to
dwell,
Colossians 1:18-19 (KJ3) Back
18 And He is the Head of the body,
the Assembly, who is the Beginning, the Firstborn out of the dead
ones that He having first place in all things;
19 because all the fullness was
pleased to dwell in Him,
Colossians 1:18–19 (NASB95) Back
18He is also head of the body, the church;
and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will
come to have first place in everything. 19For it was the Father’s good pleasure for
all the fullness to dwell in Him,
Colossians 1:18-19 (WEB) Back
18 He is the head of the body, the assembly,
who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might
have the preeminence.
19 For all the fullness was pleased to dwell in
him;
1 Corinthians 8:6 (ESV) Back
6yet for us there is one God, the Father,
from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ,
through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
1 Corinthians 8:6 (KJ3) Back
6 but to us is one God, the
Father, of whom are all things, and we to Him, and one Lord Jesus
Christ, through whom are all things, and we through Him.
1 Corinthians 8:6 (NASB95) Back
6yet for us there is but one God, the
Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus
Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.
1 Corinthians 8:6 (WEB) Back
6 yet to us there is one God, the Father, of
whom are all things, and we for him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom
are all things, and we live through him.
Isaiah 42:8 (ESV) Back
8I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I
give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.
Isaiah 42:8 (KJ3) Back
8 I am Jehovah; that is My
name; and I will not give My glory to another, and not My praise to
engraved images.
Isaiah 42:8 (NASB95) Back
8“I am the Lord, that is My name; I will
not give My glory to another, Nor My praise to graven images.
Isaiah 42:8 (WEB) Back
8“I am
Yahweh.
1 Timothy 6:15–16 (ESV) Back
15which he will display at the proper
time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of
lords, 16who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one
has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.
1 Timothy 6:15-16 (KJ3) Back
15 who in His own time will reveal who
is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of the ones reigning and
Lord of the ones exercising lordship,
16 the only One having
immortality, living in light that cannot be approached, whom no one of men saw,
nor can see; to whom be honor and everlasting might. Amen.
1 Timothy 6:15–16 (NASB95) Back
15which He will bring about at the proper
time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of
lords, 16who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no
man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.
1 Timothy 6:15-16 (WEB) Back
15 which in its own times he will show, who is
the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in
unapproachable light; whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and
eternal power. Amen.
Psalm 45:7 (ESV) Back
7you have loved righteousness and hated
wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness
beyond your companions;
Psalm 45:7 (KJ3) Back
7 You love righteousness and hate
wickedness; on account of this God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of
gladness more than Your fellows.
Psalm 45:7 (NASB95) Back
7You have loved righteousness and hated
wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of joy above
Your fellows.
Psalm 45:7 (WEB) Back
7 You have
loved righteousness, and hated wickedness.
Hebrews 1:8–9 (ESV) Back
8But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O
God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your
kingdom. 9You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your
companions.”
Hebrews 1:8-9 (KJ3) Back
8 but as to the Son, “Your throne,
O God, is forever and ever, A scepter of uprightness is the
scepter of Your kingdom;
9 You have loved righteousness and
hated lawlessness; because of this God, Your God, has anointed You with the
oil of gladness above Your fellows.”
Hebrews 1:8–9 (NASB95) Back
8But of the Son He says, “Your throne, O
God, is forever and ever, And the righteous scepter is the scepter of His
kingdom. 9“You have loved righteousness and hated
lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness
above Your companions.”
Hebrews 1:8-9 (WEB) Back
8 But
of the Son he says,
9 You have
loved righteousness, and hated iniquity;
Exodus 20:15 (ESV) Back
15“You shall not steal.
Exodus 20:15 (KJ3) Back
15 You shall not steal.
Exodus 20:15 (NASB95) Back
15“You shall not steal.
Exodus 20:15 (WEB) Back
15 “You shall not steal.
Ephesians 4:28 (ESV) Back
28Let the thief no longer steal, but rather
let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have
something to share with anyone in need.
Ephesians 4:28 (KJ3) Back
28 The one stealing, let him steal
no more, but rather let him labor, working what is good with the hands,
that he may have something to give to the one that has need.
Ephesians 4:28 (NASB95) Back
28He who steals must steal no longer; but
rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he
will have something to share with one who has need.
Ephesians 4:28 (WEB) Back
28 Let him who stole steal no more; but rather
let him labor, producing with his hands something that is good, that he may
have something to give to him who has need.
Acts 5:4 (ESV) Back
4While it remained unsold, did it not
remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it
that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but
to God.”
Acts 5:4 (KJ3) Back
4 Remaining, did it not remain
yours? And being sold, was it not in your authority? Why is it you
put this thing into your heart? You did not lie to men, but to God!
Acts 5:4 (NASB95) Back
4“While it remained unsold, did it not
remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is
it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men
but to God.”
Acts 5:4 (WEB) Back
4 While you kept it, didn’t it remain your own? After it was sold, wasn’t it in your power? How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You haven’t lied to men, but to God.”