II Corinthians 8 Commentary
Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
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.
Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
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:
As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.
And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;
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:
Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:
Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
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.
Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
Context
II Corinthians 8 follows Paul's joyful expression of comfort regarding the Corinthians' repentance, which Titus brought news of. Paul transitions to urging them to complete their commitment to contribute to a collection for the suffering Christians in Jerusalem. He highlights the generous example of the Macedonian churches, who, despite their own poverty, gave sacrificially. Paul encourages the Corinthians to demonstrate the genuineness of their love by excelling in this act of service. Titus and two other delegates will oversee the collection. This theme continues into chapter 9.
The Macedonian Example (II Corinthians 8:1-5)
Paul begins by pointing to the churches in Macedonia (likely including Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea) as a powerful example of generosity. Despite facing severe trials and extreme poverty, their joy in the Lord overflowed into extraordinary giving. They begged Paul for the privilege of participating in the ministry of helping believers in need, even those they had never met. This wasn't just giving; it was giving beyond their means. Their eagerness to share in this ministry opened them up to spiritual blessings. Their submission to the Lord Jesus prompted them to commit their financial resources through God-ordained leaders. They first gave themselves to the Lord, and then, by God's will, to the collection for the saints in Jerusalem. This highlights a crucial principle: genuine generosity flows from a heart surrendered to God.
An Appeal to the Corinthians (II Corinthians 8:6-8)
In light of the Macedonian's evident grace-filled response, Paul encourages the Corinthians to excel in this "act of grace," mirroring their excellence in faith, speech, knowledge, and earnestness. Just as Titus had initiated the collection, Paul dispatches him again to bring it to completion. Paul isn't issuing a command that would negate the purpose of a voluntary offering. Instead, he presents it as an opportunity to prove the authenticity of their Christlike love. He is not giving them a command but pleading with them to follow in their Lord’s footsteps. The Corinthians had the chance to make God look good.
The Example of Christ (II Corinthians 8:9)
Paul grounds his appeal in the ultimate example of sacrificial love: Jesus Christ. "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich" (II Corinthians 8:9). The eternal Son of God, who enjoyed heavenly glory and fellowship with the Father, willingly emptied Himself, taking on the form of a servant and ultimately giving His life as a ransom for many. Christ exemplified the spirit and attitude that Paul longs to see from the Corinthian church. It wasn’t asking too much to prompt them to honor what Christ did for them by meeting the needs of fellow saints. Christ’s sacrifice should inspire us to give generously and cheerfully.
Completing the Commitment (II Corinthians 8:10-15)
Paul reminds them of their commitment made a year prior, encouraging them to follow through. He emphasizes that God values the heart of the giver, not the size of the gift. "For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have" (II Corinthians 8:12). God looks at the heart of the giver, not at the size of the gift. Paul isn't asking them to impoverish themselves to relieve the needs of others. Instead, he seeks a balance, where the Corinthians' surplus meets the needs of those in Jerusalem, ensuring fairness and sufficiency for all. The goal is equality, as illustrated by the manna provided to the Israelites in the wilderness: "The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little" (II Corinthians 8:15, quoting Exodus 16:18). The church of Jesus Christ is the means by which God meets needs.
Titus and His Companions (II Corinthians 8:16-24)
Paul highlights the trustworthiness of the delegation he is sending to Corinth: Titus, his like-minded coworker, and two other brothers. One unnamed brother is praised among the churches for his gospel ministry. The other is a tested and trustworthy brother in the ministry who is serious about important things and has great confidence in the Corinthians. Paul takes every precaution to ensure transparency and avoid any appearance of wrongdoing in the handling of the funds. He wants to honor the Lord and maintain his Christian testimony. Local churches should similarly ensure that financial matters are handled in a manner that is above reproach. Our Christian testimony is at stake, as well as the Lord’s reputation. He presents Titus and these brothers as messengers of the churches and a reflection of Christ's glory. He urges the Corinthians to demonstrate the genuineness of their love, validating Paul's confidence in them before all the churches. Let their gift be proof of their Christlike love.
Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
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.
Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
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:
As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.
And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;
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:
Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:
Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
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.
Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
Context
II Corinthians 8 follows Paul's joyful expression of comfort regarding the Corinthians' repentance, which Titus brought news of. Paul transitions to urging them to complete their commitment to contribute to a collection for the suffering Christians in Jerusalem. He highlights the generous example of the Macedonian churches, who, despite their own poverty, gave sacrificially. Paul encourages the Corinthians to demonstrate the genuineness of their love by excelling in this act of service. Titus and two other delegates will oversee the collection. This theme continues into chapter 9.
The Macedonian Example (II Corinthians 8:1-5)
Paul begins by pointing to the churches in Macedonia (likely including Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea) as a powerful example of generosity. Despite facing severe trials and extreme poverty, their joy in the Lord overflowed into extraordinary giving. They begged Paul for the privilege of participating in the ministry of helping believers in need, even those they had never met. This wasn't just giving; it was giving beyond their means. Their eagerness to share in this ministry opened them up to spiritual blessings. Their submission to the Lord Jesus prompted them to commit their financial resources through God-ordained leaders. They first gave themselves to the Lord, and then, by God's will, to the collection for the saints in Jerusalem. This highlights a crucial principle: genuine generosity flows from a heart surrendered to God.
An Appeal to the Corinthians (II Corinthians 8:6-8)
In light of the Macedonian's evident grace-filled response, Paul encourages the Corinthians to excel in this "act of grace," mirroring their excellence in faith, speech, knowledge, and earnestness. Just as Titus had initiated the collection, Paul dispatches him again to bring it to completion. Paul isn't issuing a command that would negate the purpose of a voluntary offering. Instead, he presents it as an opportunity to prove the authenticity of their Christlike love. He is not giving them a command but pleading with them to follow in their Lord’s footsteps. The Corinthians had the chance to make God look good.
The Example of Christ (II Corinthians 8:9)
Paul grounds his appeal in the ultimate example of sacrificial love: Jesus Christ. "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich" (II Corinthians 8:9). The eternal Son of God, who enjoyed heavenly glory and fellowship with the Father, willingly emptied Himself, taking on the form of a servant and ultimately giving His life as a ransom for many. Christ exemplified the spirit and attitude that Paul longs to see from the Corinthian church. It wasn’t asking too much to prompt them to honor what Christ did for them by meeting the needs of fellow saints. Christ’s sacrifice should inspire us to give generously and cheerfully.
Completing the Commitment (II Corinthians 8:10-15)
Paul reminds them of their commitment made a year prior, encouraging them to follow through. He emphasizes that God values the heart of the giver, not the size of the gift. "For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have" (II Corinthians 8:12). God looks at the heart of the giver, not at the size of the gift. Paul isn't asking them to impoverish themselves to relieve the needs of others. Instead, he seeks a balance, where the Corinthians' surplus meets the needs of those in Jerusalem, ensuring fairness and sufficiency for all. The goal is equality, as illustrated by the manna provided to the Israelites in the wilderness: "The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little" (II Corinthians 8:15, quoting Exodus 16:18). The church of Jesus Christ is the means by which God meets needs.
Titus and His Companions (II Corinthians 8:16-24)
Paul highlights the trustworthiness of the delegation he is sending to Corinth: Titus, his like-minded coworker, and two other brothers. One unnamed brother is praised among the churches for his gospel ministry. The other is a tested and trustworthy brother in the ministry who is serious about important things and has great confidence in the Corinthians. Paul takes every precaution to ensure transparency and avoid any appearance of wrongdoing in the handling of the funds. He wants to honor the Lord and maintain his Christian testimony. Local churches should similarly ensure that financial matters are handled in a manner that is above reproach. Our Christian testimony is at stake, as well as the Lord’s reputation. He presents Titus and these brothers as messengers of the churches and a reflection of Christ's glory. He urges the Corinthians to demonstrate the genuineness of their love, validating Paul's confidence in them before all the churches. Let their gift be proof of their Christlike love.