Generosity Commended
(Philippians 4:10–20)

1Now we make known to you⁺,† brothers, the grace of God having been given in the churches of Macedonia, 2that in much proof of tribulation, the abundance of their joy and of their deep poverty abounded into the riches of their generosity. 3For I testify that according to their power and beyond their power, of their own accord, 4with much entreaty they were imploring us for the grace and the fellowship of the service to the saints. 5And not even as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us by the will of God.

6Accordingly, we exhorted Titus that just as he began before, so also he might complete to you⁺ also this grace, 7but just as you⁺ abound in everything—in faith and word and knowledge and all earnestness and in the love from us in you⁺†—that also you⁺ may abound in this grace. 8I do not speak as a command, but proving the genuineness of your⁺ love through the earnestness of others also.

9For you⁺ know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that being rich, on account of you⁺† He became poor, so that you⁺ by that poverty might be enriched. 10And I give a judgment in this matter, for this is profitable for you⁺, who not only began before to do, but also to will, from a year ago. 11And now also complete the doing, so that just as there was the readiness to will, so also there may be to complete out of that which you have. 12For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable as if he may have, not as he does not have.

13For it is not that to others is relief and for you⁺ tribulation, but of equality. 14At the present time, your⁺ abundance is for their need, so that their abundance also may be for your⁺ need, so that there may be equality. 15As it has been written:

“The one who gathered much did not abound,

and the one who gathered little did not lack.Ӡ

Titus Commended
(Titus 1:1–4)

16But thanks to God, the One putting the same earnestness for you⁺ in the heart of Titus. 17For indeed he accepted the exhortation, but being more earnest, of his own accord he went out to you⁺.

18And we sent with him the brother whose praise in the gospel is through all of the churches, 19and not only that, but also having been appointed by the churches, he is our fellow traveler with this grace that is being ministered by us† toward the glory of the Lord Himself and to our readiness, 20avoiding this, lest anyone should blame us in this abundance being ministered by us. 21For we are giving forethought to what is right, not only before the Lord but also before men.

22Now we sent with them our brother, whom we proved often in many things to be earnest, but now much more earnest by his confidence that is in you⁺. 23Whether as regards Titus my partner and fellow worker for you⁺. or our brothers, they are apostles† of the churches, the glory of Christ— 24the demonstration therefore of your⁺ love and of our boasting on behalf of you⁺ to them, demonstrated to the face of the churches.

Footnotes:

1 GOC I want you to know about
7 Or in your love for us
9 F35 on account of us
15 Exodus 16:18
19 See 1 Corinthians 16:3–4.
23 Or messengers