2 Corinthians 8
DOYLYVer. 1. — see do you to wit of the grace of God] We make known to you the charitable contribution given in the churches of Macedonia, namely, Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, &c.; to which they were excited by God’s rich grace towards them. Charity is here called “the grace of God,” because it is a gracious disposition wrought in the heart by God. Dr. Whitby, Burkitt.
2 Corinthians 8:2
- How that in a great trial of affliction &c.] How they being very poor, and much afflicted, (Acts xvi. 20; xvii. 5, 13,) did notwithstanding, with great cheerfulness and joy, make a rich contribution towards the relief of their poor brethren in Judea. Dr. Whitby. By mentioning the poverty of the Macedonians, as the circumstance which enhanced their liberality, the Apostle in a very delicate manner intimated to the Corinthians, who were an opulent people, that it was their duty to equal, if not to exceed, the Macedonians, in the greatness of their gift, see ver. 14. From 1 Thess. ii. 14, it appears that the Christians in Thessalonica had been spoiled of their goods; so it is probable the Bereans must have been, Acts xvii. 13. In places of less note the disciples may have been few in number, and not opulent. Dr. Macknight.
2 Corinthians 8:3
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— beyond their power] An animated expression, strongly descriptive of the generosity of the Macedonians. They were willing to give more than they were well able, considering the distresses under which they themselves laboured. Dr. Macknight.
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— take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to
the saints.] Or be one of those who should undertake to convey or distribute the contribution to the Christians in Judea. Dr. Wells.
2 Corinthians 8:5
- And this they did, not as we hoped.] That is, far beyond our hope: first, giving themselves over to the Lord, and then, yielding themselves to be swayed and disposed of by our ministry, according to the will of God. Bp. Hall. By this surrender of themselves to the Apostle, to be employed in such services as he should think fit, it seems that the Macedonians were ready to assist the poor Christians as well with their persons as with their contributions. Burkitt.
2 Corinthians 8:6
- Insomuch that we desired Titus, &c.] The Apostle says, that this noble example of the Macedonians put him upon ordering Titus, during his stay with the Corinthians, to use it as a proper argument for quickening and enlarging their collections for the same purpose. Pyle.
2 Corinthians 8:7
- — in every thing.] In every other grace and virtue. Bp. Hall.
2 Corinthians 8:8
- I speak not by commandment.] Because works of charity ought to be voluntary. Dr. Macknight.
— the sincerity of your love.] To Christ, by imitating Him in your love to the poor brethren. Dr. Wells.
2 Corinthians 8:9
- — though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor.] These words are most naturally interpreted by the language of the same Apostle, Phil. ii. 7, 8. See the passage. If Christ thus emptied Himself of His glory, that we might be spiritually rich, it becomes us, in imitation of His great example, to part with our temporals in order to supply the exigencies of His needy and afflicted members. Dr. Whitby.
2 Corinthians 8:10
- — for this is expedient for you.] It would not be for your credit, or the reputation of your bounty, to fall short of your former purpose. Dr. Hammond. The Apostle had exhorted them to this contribution in his
Paul exhorteth them to contribute to the saints. Anno DOMINI 60.
2 Corinthians 8:14
- But by an equality,] That is, that Christian charity be managed by an equality. This is not to be understood, as if Divine Providence had ordained the making of all men equal in their portion of the good things of this life. But so far Christianity seems to require this equality, that we should not suffer others to lack the necessaries of this life, whilst we abound in them. Dr. Whitby, Burkitt.
2 Corinthians 8:15
- As it is written, &c.] That in this your pilgrimage it may be, as it is written of the Israelites passing through the wilderness, &c. Dr. Wells.
2 Corinthians 8:16
16, 17. But thanks be to God, &c.] As if the Apostle had said, I thank God that Titus was as forward to move you to this good work as myself: for he did not barely yield to it at my request, but of his own accord was ready to come to you about it. Burkitt. It seems the Apostle did not desire Titus to go before him to Corinth, nor to be the bearer of his letter; but to exert himself in urging the collection, when he accompanied the Apostle to Corinth. Nevertheless, Titus being himself very earnest in the cause, proposed of his own accord to go before with the Apostle’s second letter, that he might have an opportunity of exciting the Corinthians to finish their collections before the Apostle’s arrival. Dr. Macknight.
2 Corinthians 8:18
- — the brother, whose praise is in the Gospel] All ancient interpreters suppose this to have been St. Luke, worthy of praise in all churches for the Gospel that he wrote. Dr. Whitby.
2 Corinthians 8:20
- Avoiding this, &c.] The 19th verse should be read in a parenthesis: and the continued sense of the 18th and 20th verses will be, ‘We have sent that brother — to avoid blame,’ &c. Dr. Doddridge.
2 Corinthians 8:21
- Providing for honest things, &c.] Providing for
2 Corinthians 8:22
- — our brother,] This is by some thought to have been Apollos, who before was not disposed to go to them, 1 Cor. xvi. 12; but now upon St. Paul’s confidence of their readiness to comply with his orders and directions, was prevailed upon to go to Corinth. Drs. Whitby and Wells.
2 Corinthians 8:23
- — the glory of Christ.] The glory of the Christian profession; instruments for promoting Christ’s glory; persons, who by their exemplary piety and integrity, brought honour upon him whom they served. Burkitt, Dr. Wells.
2 Corinthians 8:24
- Wherefore shew ye to them,] And thereby “before the churches” that sent them, that we did not without cause boast of your readiness to contribute to the poor brethren. Dr. Wells.
Chap. IX. A continuation of the argument of the foregoing chapter.