2 Corinthians 8

Chap. VIII. Ver. 1—24. St. Paul again exhorts the Corinthians to Christian benevolence; commending the activity of Titus and some others.—In his former epistle, (ch. xxi.) our apostle had exhorted the Corinthians, who were a wealthy people, to exertions of Christian charity toward their poor brethren at Jerusalem; and he now informs them, to the honour of divine grace rather than to their own, that the churches of Philippi, Thessalonica, and other cities of Macedonia, though comparatively poor, and at the time much straitened, had eminently distinguished themselves in this cause by their generosity; not only giving their money, but their time and labour also, to assist in collecting for the saints at Jerusalem, who appear to have been peculiarly persecuted and distressed.

Having stated this fact to excite the emulation of the Corinthians, he set before them an example infinitely more exalted, and more binding upon their consciences, namely, that of our Lord Jesus Christ himself, who, though ‘he was rich,’—infinitely rich in wisdom, power, and glory, stooped down to the lowest degree of degradation, poverty, and suffering, on our account: such as neither mortals or angels could ever share, and such as ought to command, not only our admiration, but our de- The Corinthian believers knew this love, and knowing it, it was their duty not only duly to appreciate, but humbly to imitate, and gratefully to return it, by showing kindness to their brethren in affliction; and to encourage those whose means were more limited than others, the apostle states that their charity will not be accepted of God, so much in regard to its magnitude, as to the principle in which it originated.

‘“‘ For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.” So our Lord estimated the widow’s mite above all the ostentatious charity of the Pharisees. ((Mark 12:41-44).) The apostle farther gives them to understand, that if at any future time it should please Providence, to permit them to be visited with the same “ This was compassion like a God;” “ O for this love, let rocks and hills Their lasting silence break! And all harmonious human tongues The Saviour’s praises speak.’’— Watts. trials that their brethren now suffered, he should be no less urgent on their behalf, wishing to treat all the churches upon the same principle of equality, even as did the God of Israel in distributing the manna in the wilderness, who supplied the necessities of all, without leaving for any an unnecessary abundance.

(See (Exodus 16:18).) The apostle now takes occasion to commend Titus, his “fellow-labourer,” and at the same time to thank God for the grace conferred on him, whereby he was enabled to provide with so much liberality, and distribute with so much integrity, to the necessities of the poor brethren; it being the earnest desire, both of St. Paul and his colleagues, to discharge every obligation laid upon them, honestly and honourably before both God and man. ‘‘ Wherefore (says he) exhibit before all the proof of your regard to me, and justify the character I have given of you to the other churches.”

Notes on the verses

But spiritual tess are not to be ex- Ver. 10. Now he that ministereth.—Doddridge, ‘Now may he that supplieth seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply,” &c. So Macknight. (Properly, he who leads up the chorus, and also associates, and furnishes one thing after another, so that there be no want or chasm. ‘Thus God, in the course of his providence, associates and connects causes and effects; keeps every thing in its proper place and dependence, and all upon himself; leads up the pen chorus of causes and effects; provides seed to the hand of the sower, and gives him skill to determine the time when the earth should be prepared for its reception; and finally crowns the year with his goodness.

)—Lagster. ministration—Or “ministry.” _Macknight explains it, ‘‘ Through the proof which this ministry affords, (of your conversion,) glorifying, God,” &c.— Professed subjection.—Literally, ‘* The subjection of your confession;’’ meaning, we conceive, ‘‘an avowed,” and not secret or doubtful confession. See Hammond and Doddridge. Ver. 15, His unspeakable gift. - Whitby and others understand this of the grace of charity bestowed on the Corinthians; but Doddridge, and most evangelical expositors, refer it to the gift of Christ himself. See (John 3:16).