3. For according to their power, I bear witness, yea and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord,
4. beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints:
5. and this, not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.
6. Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also.
7. But as ye abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all earnestness, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
8. I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.
9. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich.
10. And herein I give my judgment: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to make a beginning a year ago, not only to do, but also to will.
11. But now complete the doing also; that as there was the readiness to will, so there may be the completion also out of your ability.
12. For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according as a man hath, not according as he hath not.
13. For I say not this that others may be eased and ye distressed;
14. but by equality: your abundance being a supply at this present time for their want, that their abundance also may become
15. as it is written, He that gathered much had nothing over; and he that gathered little had no lack.