2 Corinthians 8:8 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

⁸ I am not saying this [to you] as a command, but by telling you how eager others are [to help], to find out how genuine your love is also.

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

⁸ I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

⁸ I give this not as an order [to dictate to you], but to prove, by [pointing out] the zeal of others, the sincerity of your [own] love also.

American Standard Version (1901)

⁸ I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.

Common English Bible

⁸ I’m not giving an order, but by mentioning the commitment of others, I’m trying to prove the authenticity of your love also.

Catholic Public Domain Version

⁸ I am speaking, not commanding. But through the solicitude of others, I approve of the good character of your charity.

2 Corinthians 8:8 Cross References

Romans 12:9

Let [your] love be sincere. Hate whatever is evil. Cling to whatever is good.

1 Corinthians 7:12

But I, not the Lord, say this to the rest of you [Note: Paul now addresses the matter of mixed marriages, a circumstance Jesus never taught about]: If any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she agrees to continue living with him [Note: In these verses Paul addresses a situation where one marriage partner is converted after they are married], he should not divorce her.

1 Corinthians 7:25

Now I have no command from the Lord concerning [what you wrote about] unmarried women. [Note: The word here is “virgins” but some think it includes both males and females]. But I give my advice as someone who has received the Lord’s mercy to be counted trustworthy.

1 Corinthians 7:6

But I am telling you this by way of [granting you] permission and not as a command.

2 Corinthians 6:6

[We have ministered] with purity, knowledge, patience and kindness. [We have done this] by [the power of] the Holy Spirit; out of genuine love;

2 Corinthians 8:10

Now here is my advice on what is best to do in this matter: Since you were the first ones to begin [taking up a collection] a year ago, [now you should] not only be doing something [about it], but [you should continue] wanting to do something [as well].

2 Corinthians 8:24

[So], demonstrate in front of the churches evidence of your love [for them] and our reason for boasting about you.

2 Corinthians 9:2

For I know how eager you [already] are, and I have boasted about you to the Macedonians, that Achaia [Note: This was the southernmost province of Greece, where Corinth was located] has been prepared [to give] since last year. And your enthusiasm has stirred up most of them [to give also].

2 Corinthians 9:7

Each person should give what he has decided to in his heart, not grudgingly, nor out of a feeling that he has to, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Ephesians 4:15

But [instead], we should speak [and practice] truth in a loving way, so that we can, in all respects, grow up [spiritually] into [union with] Christ, who is the head [i.e., of His body, the church].

Ephesians 6:24

May God’s unearned favor be upon all of those [there] who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

Hebrews 10:24

And we should consider how we can stir up one another to love [more] and to perform good deeds.

1 Peter 1:22

[Since] you have purified your souls by [your] obedience to the truth [i.e., the Gospel message], which produces a genuine love for your brothers, [now] you should have this kind of fervent, heartfelt love for one another.