2 Corinthians8
New Living Translation
1Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia.
2They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.
3For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will.
4They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem.
5They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.
6So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving.
7Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.
8I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches.
9You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.
10Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it.
11Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have.
12Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have.
13Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality.
14Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal.
15As the Scriptures say, “Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough.”
16But thank God! He has given Titus the same enthusiasm for you that I have.
17Titus welcomed our request that he visit you again. In fact, he himself was very eager to go and see you.
18We are also sending another brother with Titus. All the churches praise him as a preacher of the Good News.
19He was appointed by the churches to accompany us as we take the offering to Jerusalem—a service that glorifies the Lord and shows our eagerness to help.
20We are traveling together to guard against any criticism for the way we are handling this generous gift.
21We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable.
22We are also sending with them another of our brothers who has proven himself many times and has shown on many occasions how eager he is. He is now even more enthusiastic because of his great confidence in you.
23If anyone asks about Titus, say that he is my partner who works with me to help you. And the brothers with him have been sent by the churches, and they bring honor to Christ.
24So show them your love, and prove to all the churches that our boasting about you is justified.
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