2 Corinthians8
New International Version
1And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches.
2In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
3For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own,
4they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people.
5And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.
6So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part.
7But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
8I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.
9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
10And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so.
11Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.
12For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
13Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality.
14At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality,
15as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”
16Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you.
17For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.
18And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel.
19What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help.
20We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift.
21For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.
22In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you.
23As for Titus, he is my partner and co-worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ.
24Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Corinthians 8.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The apostle reminds them of charitable contributions for the poor saints. (1–6). Enforces this by their gifts, and by the love and grace of Christ. (7–9). By the willingness they had shown to this good work. (10–15). He recommends Titus to them. (16–24).
vv1-6
The grace of God must be owned as the root and fountain of all the good in us, or done by us, at any time. It is great grace and favour from God, if we are made useful to others, and forward to any good work. He commends the charity of the Macedonians. So far from needing that Paul should urge them, they prayed him to receive the gift. Whatever we use or lay out for God, it is only giving him what is his own. All we give for charitable uses, will not be accepted of God, nor turn to our advantage, unless we first give ourselves to the Lord. By ascribing all really good works to the grace of God, we not only give the glory to him whose due it is, but also show men where their strength is. Abundant spiritual joy enlarges men's hearts in the work and labour of love. How different this from the conduct of those who will not join in any good work, unless urged into it!
vv7-9
Faith is the root; and as without faith it is not possible to please God, Heb 11:6, so those who abound in faith, will abound in other graces and good works also; and this will work and show itself by love. Great talkers are not always the best doers; but these Corinthians were diligent to do, as well as to know and talk well. To all these good things the apostle desires them to add this grace also, to abound in charity to the poor. The best arguments for Christian duties, are drawn from the grace and love of Christ. Though he was rich, as being God, equal in power and glory with the Father, yet he not only became man for us, but became poor also. At length he emptied himself, as it were, to ransom their souls by his sacrifice on the cross. From what riches, blessed Lord, to what poverty didst thou descend for our sakes! and to what riches hast thou advanced us through thy poverty! It is our happiness to be wholly at thy disposal.
vv10-15
Good purposes are like buds and blossoms, pleasant to behold, and give hopes of good fruit; but they are lost, and signify nothing without good deeds. Good beginnings are well; but we lose the benefit, unless there is perseverance. When men purpose that which is good, and endeavour, according to their ability, to perform also, God will not reject them for what it is not in their power to do. But this scripture will not justify those who think good meanings are enough, or that good purposes, and the mere profession of a willing mind, are enough to save. Providence gives to some more of the good things of this world, and to some less, that those who have abundance might supply others who are in want. It is the will of God, that by our mutual supplying one another, there should be some sort of equality; not such a levelling as would destroy property, for in such a case there could be no exercise of charity. All should think themselves concerned to relieve those in want. This is shown from the gathering and giving out the manna in the wilderness, Ex 16:18. Those who have most of this world, have no more than food and raiment; and those who have but little of this world, seldom are quite without them.
Key Words
ὑμῖν (hymîn): to (with or by) you
γνωρίζω (gnōrízō): to make known; subjectively, to know
ἀδελφός (adelphós): a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α))
χάρις (cháris): graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude)
θεός (theós): figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
δίδωμι (dídōmi): to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
ἐν (en): "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía): a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both)
Μακεδονία (Makedonía): Macedonia, a region of Greece
ὅτι (hóti): demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
Cross References
2 Corinthians 8Explicit quotation of the manna distribution in the wilderness to illustrate the principle of spiritual and physical equality.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Parallels Paul's exhortation to provide things honest and reputable in the sight of both God and men.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
The formal apostolic mandate to remember the poor at Jerusalem, which Paul was eager to fulfill.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Historical record of the contribution made by Macedonia and Achaia for the poor saints in Jerusalem.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Reminds the Corinthians of their abundance in spiritual gifts like utterance and knowledge, as noted previously.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Paul's previous instruction to this same church regarding the weekly collection for the saints.
Supported by John Calvin
The model of true spiritual service: first giving ourselves to God as a living sacrifice.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The dedication of the Gentile offering to the Lord, mirroring the Macedonians giving themselves first.
Supported by JFB
Paul offers his judgment/advice rather than a direct commandment, similar to his approach in 1 Corinthians.
Supported by JFB
An earlier example of believers contributing to relief according to their individual ability.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The widow's mite demonstrates how deep poverty can abound unto the riches of liberality.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Verbal echo of Paul speaking by permission/advice rather than by absolute apostolic commandment.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels the 'earnest care' and like-minded concern for the saints shown by Titus and Timothy.
Supported by JFB