1 For, indeed, concerning the ministry {diakonia: practical service} for the saints {hagios: consecrated ones}, it is superfluous for me to write to you.
2 For I know your readiness {prothymia: eager willingness}, about which I boast on your behalf to the Macedonians, that Achaia has been prepared since last year; and your zeal {zelos: inner fervor and commitment} has stirred up the majority.
3 But I have sent the brothers {adelphoi: trusted co-workers}, so that our boasting {kauchema: confident affirmation} about you may not be emptied in this matter, so that, just as I said, you may be prepared.
4 Lest somehow, if Macedonians should come with me and find you unprepared {aparaskeuastous: not made ready}, we would be put to shame—not to speak of you—in this very confidence {hypostasei: firm assurance}.
5 Therefore I considered it necessary to exhort the brothers, so that they might go before you and arrange in advance this previously promised gift of yours, to be ready in this way as a blessing {eulogian: generous offering} and not as something extracted {pleonexian: covetous demand}.
6 Now this: the one who sows {speiron: gives offerings} sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows with blessings {eulogiai: abundant favor} will also reap with blessings.
7 Each one must give just as he has purposed in the heart, not out of sorrow or out of necessity; for God {Theos, Generous Approver} loves a cheerful {hilaron: joy-filled} giver.
8 But God {Theos, Gracious Giver} is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that, in every circumstance and at all times, while you hold full provision {autarkeia: complete adequacy}, you may overflow into each act of goodness.
9 Just as it is written: “He scattered {skorpizo: generous distributing}, He gave to the poor; his righteousness {dikaiosyne: enduring integrity} remains forever.”
10 Now He {Theos, Generous Source} who supplies seed to the sower and bread for eating will supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and will increase the harvest of your righteousness {dikaiosyne: covenant faithfulness}.
11 In every way you are being enriched into all generosity {haploteta: open-handed giving}, which through us produces thanksgiving to God {Theos, Honored Recipient}.
12 Because the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs {hysteremata: material lacks} of the saints, but it is also spilling over in many thanksgivings to God {Theos, Honored Recipient of Thanks}.
13 Through the proven character of this ministry, they glorify God {Theos, Receiver Of Glory} because of your submission that results in obedience to the gospel of Christ {Christos, Center Of Message}, and because your sharing is generous with them and with all.
14 And in their supplication {deesei: fervent petition} for you, they long for you, because of the surpassing grace of God {Theos, Divine Giver} upon you.
15 Thanks be to God {Theos, Gracious Giver} for His indescribable gift {dorea: freely given offering}.