my spirit could not rest because I did not find my brother Titus there; so saying goodbye to them, I left for Macedonia.

begging us insistently for the privilege of participating in the service for [the support of] the saints [in Jerusalem].

I give you my opinion in this matter: this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to take action [to help the believers in Jerusalem], but also [the first] to desire to do it.