CHAPTER 8

(A.D. 60)

GIVING

¹Moreover, Brethren, we do you to witness of the Grace of God bestowed on the Churches of Macedonia (northern Greece);

²How that in a great trial of affliction (Macedonia was greatly impoverished due to political and military problems) the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. (Despite their deep poverty, they gave liberally to the Work of God.)

³For to their power, I bear record (Paul knew their financial circumstances), yes, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves (they gave beyond what it seemed they could give);

⁴Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift (knowing their impoverished circumstances, Paul didnt want to take the gift, but they insisted), and take upon us the fellowship of the Ministering to the Saints. (Paul was receiving an Offering from all the Churches for the poor Saints at Jerusalem.)

⁵And this they did(gave far beyond what seemed to be their ability), not as we hoped (meaning much greater than he had hoped), but first gave their own selves to the Lord (this means it was the Will of the Lord for them to do what they did), and unto us by the Will of God. (They had great confidence in Paul and his Ministry. As we see here, the Holy Spirit used Macedonia as an example.)

⁶Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same Grace also. (As the Lord had Blessed Macedonia, the Church at Corinth is to be Blessed also, that is if they will follow the example of Macedonia.)

⁷Therefore, as you abound in every thing, in Faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that you abound in this Grace also (abound in the Grace of Giving).

JERUSALEM

⁸I speak not by Commandment (the Grace of Giving cannot be by Commandment, or it is no longer Giving), but by occasion of the forwardness of others (proclaims grandly that Giving inspires Giving), and to prove the sincerity of your love. (If we truly love God, we will give liberally to His Work.)

⁹For we know the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Giving of Himself), that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might be rich. (We can only imagine what He left to come to this world. But because of what He did, we now have the riches of Eternal Life.)

¹⁰And herein I give my advice (Paul was not commanding, but rather giving advice): for this is expedient for you (it will be profitable), who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. (They had started this a year before, but had gotten sidetracked by problems, which the Devil desired to do.)

¹¹Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which you have. (Dont just talk about it, do it!)

¹²For if there be first a willing mind (the first consideration), it is accepted according to that a man has, and not according to that he has not. (Our obligations to the Lord in all cases are limited to our ability.)

¹³For I mean not that other men be eased (all should do their part, whatever it might be), and you burdened (he was only asking that they give their fair share):

¹⁴But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want (Corinth had much more material wealth than those in Jerusalem, so they are asked to share), that their abundance also may be a supply for your want (Paul was speaking of the fact that the Church in Jerusalem was at least partly responsible for the great Spiritual Blessing now held by the Corinthians): that there may be equality (Jerusalem gave Spiritual Blessings, while Corinth gave material blessings, which made everything equal):

¹⁵As it is written (Ex. 16:18), He who had gathered much had nothing over (hoarding money doesnt set well with the Lord); and he who had gathered little had no lack. (Giving to the Work of God, and doing so generously, guarantees Blessing.)

ARRANGEMENTS

¹⁶But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. (Titus had a heart very similar to Paul, as it regards the Gospel.)

¹⁷For indeed he accepted the exhortation (to go back to Corinth to receive the Offering); but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you. (Since the Church at Corinth had experienced Revival, everything is now changed for the better. Titus was now eager to go back to them.)

¹⁸And we have sent with him the Brother, whose praise is in the Gospel throughout all the Churches (we are not told exactly who the Brother was);

¹⁹And not that only, but who was also chosen of the Churches to travel with us with this Grace (with the Offering), which is administered by us to the Glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind (the design was to promote the Glory of the Lord by showing the Love of God respecting this particular need):

²⁰Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us (that everything be done honestly):

²¹Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men (so as not to give the devil room for accusation).

²²And we have sent with them our Brother (presents another man in conjunction with the Brother mentioned in Verse 18), whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things (lends credence to thought that this man, whomever he may have been, was the companion and fellow-laborer of Paul), but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you. (He was happy to go to Corinth, as well.)

²³Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you (Paul placed Titus in charge respecting those who were to go to Corinth): or our Brethren be enquired of, they are the Messengers of the Churches, and the Glory of Christ. (It seems these other Brethren were Apostles as well, for the word Messengers in the Greek is Apostoloi and means Apostle.)

²⁴Wherefore show you to them, and before the Churches (set a good example before the other Churches), the proof of your love (a good Offering for Jerusalem), and of our boasting on your behalf. (The Apostle believes the Corinthians would surely do their part.)