2nd Corinthians Chapter 8

From The Open Bible Project

8:1 Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia;

• (1) The sixth part of this epistle containing different exhortations to stir up the Corinthians to liberality, with which the poverty of the church of Jerusalem might be helped at an appropriate time. And first of all he sets before them the example of the churches of Macedonia, which otherwise were brought by great misery to extreme poverty, so that the Corinthians should follow them.
• (a) The benefit that God bestowed upon the Corinthians.

8:2 how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality.

• (b) For those manifold afflictions with which the Lord tried them did not stop their joyful readiness, but also made it much more excellent and well-known.

8:3 For according to their power, I testify, yes and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord,

• (c) Of their own accord they were generous.

8:4 begging us with much entreaty to receive this grace and the fellowship in the service to the saints.

• (d) He calls that "gift" which other men would have called a burden. And this verse is to be explained by (2 Corinthians 8:6).

8:5 This was not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.

• (2) He amplifies the eagerness of the Macedonians in this, that they also desired Paul to stir up the Corinthians to accomplish the giving of alms by sending Titus to them again.

8:6 So we urged Titus, that as he made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace.

8:7 But as you abound in everything, in faith, utterance, knowledge, all earnestness, and in your love to us, see that you also abound in this grace.

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

• (3) Thirdly, he warns them to live up to the expectation which Paul and his companions have conceived of them.
• (e) At the request of the Macedonians.
• (f) The naturalness of our love appears when we truly, and that frankly and freely, help our brethren even for Christ’s sake.

8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.

• (4) The fourth argument taken from the example of Christ.

8:10 I give a judgment in this: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to start a year ago, not only to do, but also to be willing.

• (5) He takes good heed that he seem not to wrest it out of them by force, for unless it is voluntary, God does not accept it.
• (g) Not only to do, but also to do willingly: for he notes out of a ready willingness, without any enforcement by any other men. And much less did it come out of ambition and vain glory.

8:11 But now complete the doing also, that as there was the readiness to be willing, so there may be the completion also out of your ability.

8:12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you don't have.

• (6) Against those who excused themselves because they are not rich, as though it were only the duty of rich men to help the poor.

8:13 For this is not that others may be eased and you distressed,

• (7) Christian liberality is mutual, so that one does not have too much, and the other to little.

8:14 but for equality. Your abundance at this present time supplies their lack, that their abundance also may become a supply for your lack; that there may be equality.

• (h) That as now in your abundance you help others with a share of your goods, so should others in the same way bestow some of their goods upon you.

8:15 As it is written, "He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack."[8]

8:16 But thanks be to God, who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.

• (8) He commends Titus and his two companions for many reasons, both that their credit might not be suspected, as though he had sent them slyly to rob the churches, and also so that they might be all the more ready to contribute.

8:17 For he indeed accepted our exhortation, but being himself very earnest, he went out to you of his own accord.

8:18 We have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the Good News is known through all the assemblies.

• (i) In the preaching of the Gospel.

8:19 Not only so, but who was also appointed by the assemblies to travel with us in this grace, which is served by us to the glory of the Lord himself, and to show our readiness.

• (k) These alms which are bestowed for the relief of the church of Jerusalem.

8:20 We are avoiding this, that any man should blame us concerning this abundance which is administered by us.

• (l) In this plentiful liberality of the churches, which is committed to our trust.

8:21 Having regard for honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

8:22 We have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which he has in you.

8:23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you. As for our brothers, they are the apostles of the assemblies, the glory of Christ.

• (m) The two companions of Titus.
• (n) By whom the glory of Christ is set forth.

8:24 Therefore show the proof of your love to them in front of the assemblies, and of our boasting on your behalf.

• (o) All the churches in whose presence you are in will be witnesses of this your godly behaviour, for these men are the messengers whom they have chosen by common consent, and sent to you.