2 Corinthians 8

2 Corinthians 8:1-6

In this chapter he acquainteth the Corinthians with, and commendeth, the good example of the Macedonians in their work of charity, and

that Titus was free to Corinth to collect their beauty, vers. 2—6. He then pretended to urge this duty with several urgent arguments, vers. 7—18, and commendeth the parties that were employed in this affair, vers. 16—24.

1. MOREOVER, brethren, we + do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2. How that in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 3. For to their power (I bear record) yea, and beyond their power, they were willing of themselves. 4. Praying us with much intreaty, that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministry to the saints. 5. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. 6. Informeth that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

As the brethren in Judea had undergone peculiar sufferings, and were reduced to great poverty, the Gentile churches, at the infligation of the apostles, had made a collection for their relief. The churches of Macedonia had begun it, and the churches of Achaia ought not to be backward in so good a work.

1. The apostle acquaints them with the generous conduct of the Macedonian brethren. Moreover, brethren, we do not to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia, inclining them to exercise their generous benevolence. How that in a great trial of affliction, amidst sure perfectionism, the abundance of their joy in the Holy Ghost, and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality, and set off, with greater lulles, their distinguished charity. For to their power (I bear record) yea, and beyond their power, they were willing of themselves, needing no instigation, but praying us, with much intreaty, that we would receive the gift of their kind alms, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministry to the Saints, distributing them housing to the Christians in Judea. And this they did, not as we hoped merely, but with a noble generosity, for exceeding our most sanguine expectations; they first gave their own selves to the Lord, solemnly furtending themselves, and all their possessions, to his glory, and unto us by the will of God, relishing to be directed by us as his ministry forwards, according to his revealed word. Note, (1.) The grace of God opens the heart with love, and the hand with liberality. A lively Christian will rather go beyond his power, than be backward in acts of piety and charity. (2.) They who have truly given themselves to the Lord, will hold back nothing from him, which may serve to promote his glory and the interests of his kingdom.

2. He recommended it to Titus, who had been so acceptable to them before, to go and finish what he had begun, exerting them to the exercise of the same grace of liberality, which had so eminently appeared in the Macedonian churches. Note, The success of our designs, in a great measure, depends upon the choice of proper instruments.

3. Therefore as ye are bound in every thing, in faith, in utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us; for that ye are bound in this grace also. 8. I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forewardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. 9. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. 10. And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be + forward a year ago. 11. Now 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. 12. 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. 13. For I mean not that other men be eased, and you burdened: 14. But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want, that there may be equality; 15. As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little, had no lack.

2 Corinthians 8:7-15

The apostle proceeds to excite the Corinthians to give liberally to the necessities of their brethren, by the most persuasive arguments.

1. Their eminence in other gifts and graces should make them ambitious to excel in this. Therefore as, or but as, you abound in every thing, great and gracious, in faith, in utterance, and eloquence, in clear knowledge of the mysteries of the gospel, and in

all diligence, to advance the Redeemer’s cause and interest; and in your love to us, for that ye abound in this grace also, of Christian liberality. And this I found not by commendation, as particularly ordered of God, or by my apolitical authority; but rather recommend it to you, by occasion of the forwardness of others, that you may not come behind them in any spiritual attainments; and to prove the security of your love to Jesus and to his poor members for his sake. Note, (1.) We should be ashamed to be harbour in liberality by those who have less ability than ourselves. (2.) Where our love to Jesus is sincere, it will appear by a readiness to every good word and work.

2. He urges the example of the great Redeemer. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the greatness of his love to poor and perishing souls; that though he was rich in uncreated glory, the Maker and Governor of all things; yet for your joint to become poor; so poor, as to want a house of his own to cover him when alive, and, when dead, was indebted to the charity of a friend for a grave. And to this he submitted, that you through his poverty might be rich; filled with all the treasures of his grace here, and his glory hereafter: therefore standing so indebted to him, how could they with-hold a pittance of their perishing goods from his necellitous saints and their brethren?

3. Their promising beginnings called for a suitable conclusion. And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, and becoming the high rank in which you stand, who have begun before, not only to do something by way of such a collection, but also to be favoured a year ago, testifying the greatest readiness to concur in this generous service. Now 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 ye have, that your practice may correspond with your professions, and your contributions be according to your abilities: for if there be first a willing mind, and real charity in the heart, the gift is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not; for it is not the sum contributed, so much as the spirit from whence it proceeds, that God regards.

4. Since the divine providence had favoured them with abundance of worldly goods, they were peculiarly obliged to liberal distribution to the poor. For I mean not that other men be called, and you have heard; either that you should unprovably yourselves, to enrich the poor in Judea; or that other churches should be excelled, and you alone be called upon to bear the whole charge of their necessary relief: no; but by an equality, proportioning your gifts to your abilities, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want; that, if by the strange vicissitudes of divine providence you should be hereafter reduced, and they prosper, their abundance may be a supply for your want, that there may be equality, in the mutual beneficence exercised towards each other. As it is written, concerning the manna, He that had gathered much had nothing more, and he that had gathered little had no lack; each had their omer; what remained to those who had gathered more being given to supply the wants of the aged and infirm, who had gathered less. In like manner should we who abound, reckon our superfluities as the debt we owe to the indigent.

5. But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. 17. For indeed he accepted the exhortation, but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you. 18. And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches: 19. (And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this) grace which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind) 20. Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance, which is administered by us; 21. Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. 22. And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you. 23. Whether any do inquire of Titus, be it my partner, and fellow-helper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ. 24. Wherefore they ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

2 Corinthians 8:16-24

The apostle here,

1. Thanks God, who put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus, to engage them in this blessed work, so that he needed no entreaty to undertake the journey; but full of zeal, as the apostle himself, for the honour of the Corinthian brethren, and for the relief of the poor, he was a volunteer in the service, and under a divine direction readily undertook to go. Note, Readiness to a good work shews the temper right.

2. He commends to them a brother, who accompanied Titus. He have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel

throughout all the churches, for his fidelity and zeal in the ministry; and not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, or free gift, which is administered by us, and to be distributed to the necellitous in Judea, to the glory of the same Lord, who is hereby honoured as our common Master, and to the declaration of your ready and liberal mind, which is hereby manifested.

3. He intimates the care he took to remove all suspicion of dishonesty or partiality, by thus having others joined with him in this charge. Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance, which is administered by us, as if we misapplied or embezzled the least mite: providing things honest, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men, whom we would convince of our unblemished integrity. Note, In this censorious world we cannot be too careful to avoid every occasion of scandal; and ministers for the gospel’s sake should be peculiarly cautious, and especially in money matters.

4. He commends to them another brother, who also accompanied Titus, but who it was in uncertain. He speaks of him with distinguished respect, as one unless we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you, that ye will receive him with respect, and attend to his exhortation.

5. In answer to any cavils of the false teachers he adds, Whether any do inquire of Titus, be it my partner, and fellow-helper concerning you in the work of the ministry: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messenger of the churches, deposed by them to this service, and the glory of Christ, ornaments to the gospel which they preached. Wherefore there ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love to Christ, to me, and your afflicted brethren; and of our boasting on your behalf, that you may be found to answer the high opinion we have entertained of you, and the encomiums we have bestowed upon you.