2 Corinthians 8

2 Corinthians 8:1

Therefore, brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable. Firm as a rock, devoted to Christian life, for their “faith is not vain”. Compare 1 Corinthians 15:14,17. Ye know that your labour is not vain in the Lord. Jesus Christ is The Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25). The hope of immortality hath sure foundations.

2 Corinthians 8:3

Concluding Words SUMMARY OF I CORINTHIANS 16: The Collections for the Saints. The First Day of the Week. His Work at Ephesus. Timothy Commended to Them. Various Friendly Admonitions. Closing Salutations. Now concerning the collection for the saints. The collection for the poor saints at Jerusalem is referred to more than once in Acts. It was first called for when “a great dearth” came upon the land (Acts 11:28-30). The church at Jerusalem had been impoverished by the great liberality in its first years, and by the persecutions which followed. See also Acts 24:17. References to this collection are found in Romans 15:26 2 Corinthians 8:1,2 9:1,2. To the churches of Galatia. The directions to the churches of Galatia on this subject have not been preserved. Such hints as this and the reference to a lost letter to the church of Corinth (1 Corinthians 5:9), show that all that Paul wrote has not come down to us.

2 Corinthians 8:4

Upon the first [day] of the week. This shows that the first day of the week was set apart and regarded by the church. The church assembled to break bread on that day (Acts 20:7). Let every one of you lay by him in store. The usual view is that every one was directed to set aside something on the Lord’s day and keep it until Paul came. This view is sanctioned by the translations and most of the commentators. Macknight renders: “On the first day of the week, let each one of you lay somewhat by itself, put it into the treasury”. I believe Macknight is right; for (1) there were to be no collections when Paul came. That implies that the money was to be placed in the treasury.

Otherwise, it would have to be collected. (2) “Thesaurizoon”, rendered in the Common Version “in store”, is a present participle, meaning literally, “putting into the thesaurus”, or “treasury”. (3) All church history testifies that the early church took up weekly collections on the first day of the week. See Pliny’s Letter to the Emperor Trajan. (4) We know, from Acts, and from all early church history, that the church met on the first day of the week. It only remains to add that “par heauto”, rendered by the translators “by him”, is rendered with equal correctness, “by itself”. Its form is that of the neuter reflexive pronoun. As [God] hath prospered him. Each week every one is to give according to his ability.

2 Corinthians 8:5

Whomsoever ye shall approve by [your] letters. The church should select its own messengers, giving them letters as credentials. He lets the Corinthians choose the bearers of their own bounty.

2 Corinthians 8:6

If it be meet that I should go also. He did not then know whether he would go or not. In the outcome he did go (Acts 19:21 20:3)

2 Corinthians 8:7

I will come unto you when I shall pass through Macedonia. He outlines his plans. He probably wrote in the spring. He intends to visit the churches in Macedonia, and then, perhaps, winter at Corinth. This he did, spending three months (Acts 20:2,3).

2 Corinthians 8:8

That ye may bring me on my journey. Give him aid, and perhaps company in going elsewhere.

2 Corinthians 8:9

For I will not see you now by the way. He will not sail direct across the Aegean Sea to Corinth, and go from thence to Macedonia. He would have to hurry away from Corinth too soon, unless he went to Macedonia first.

2 Corinthians 8:10

I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. He was then writing before Pentecost, which came in the latter part of the spring.

2 Corinthians 8:11

For a great door and effectual is opened. His ministry in Ephesus was very successful. See Acts 19:20. There are many adversaries. Demetrius and his fellow-craftsmen had probably begun their agitation (Acts 19:23-41).

2 Corinthians 8:12

Now if Timotheus come. We learn that Timothy and Erastus had been sent to Macedonia, and Timothy was instructed to stop at Corinth on the way (Acts 19:22 1 Corinthians 4:17). See that he may be with you without fear. Paul asks that he be kindly received.

2 Corinthians 8:13

Let no man therefore despise him. He was a young man. See 1 Timothy 4:12. I look for him with the brethren. That he came with them, as expected, is seen from 2 Corinthians 1:1.

2 Corinthians 8:14

As touching [our] brother Apollos. Apollos was then at Ephesus when Paul wrote. I greatly desired him to come to you with the brethren. Possibly with Timothy and Erastus. See PNT 1 Corinthians 16:10. For some reason Apollos was averse to visiting Corinth at that time.

2 Corinthians 8:15

Watch ye. Be on the watch; a matter very needful in as gay and corrupt a city as Corinth.

2 Corinthians 8:16

Let all your things be done in charity. “In love” (Revised Version). Compare 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. This would prevent the divisions which he had rebuked in 1 Corinthians 1:10 3:3 11:18.

2 Corinthians 8:17

The house of Stephanas Paul had baptized the household of Stephanas. See PNT 1 Corinthians 1:16. The first fruits of Achaia. They were his first converts at Corinth.

2 Corinthians 8:18

That ye submit yourselves unto such. In view of the fact that they were devoted to the ministry.

2 Corinthians 8:19

I am glad of the coming of Stephanas. Stephanas is named in 1 Corinthians 1:16 16:15. And Fortunatus, and Achaicus. The other two are not named elsewhere. These three doubtless brought to Paul the letter referred to in 1 Corinthians 7:1 and probably carried back the present letter.

2 Corinthians 8:21

The churches of Asia. Of the Roman province of Asia, of which Ephesus was the capital. Seven of the churches of “Asia” are named in Revelation 1:11. Aquila and Priscilla. We first meet this excellent pair at Corinth; afterwards they had gone to Ephesus (Acts 18:2,26). With the church that is in their house. The early church had no church buildings, and would be compelled to meet often in private houses. The house of Aquila and Priscilla was such a place of meeting. See PNT Romans 16:23.

2 Corinthians 8:22

With an holy kiss. See PNT Romans 16:16.

2 Corinthians 8:23

The salutation of [me], Paul, with my own hand. Paul’s letters were written by an amanuensis (Romans 16:22), but he always added a salutation in his own hand as a proof of genuineness (2 Thessalonians 3:17). Spurious letters were circulated, as implied by 2 Thessalonians 2:2.

2 Corinthians 8:24

Anathema. A transliterated Greek term, meaning “accursed”. See Galatians 1:8,9. It is likely that he means, “If any church member love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let that member be accured”. He is not speaking of the outside world. Maranatha. A transliterated Greek term, of Aramic origin. This interjection means, “Our Lord cometh”.