2Cor 8:1-5 | Clarke | STEP | The apostle stirs them up to make a collection for the poor Christians at Jerusalem, by the very liberal contributions of the people of Macedonia for the same purpose, who were comparatively a poor people, . He tells them that he had desired Titus to finish this good work among them which he had begun; hoping that as they abounded in many excellent gifts and graces, they would abound in this also, . He exhorts them to this by the example of Jesus Christ, who, though rich, subjected himself to voluntary poverty, that they might be enriched, . He shows them that this contribution, which had been long ago begun, should have been long since finished, . And that they should do every thing with a ready and willing mind, according to the ability which God had given them; that abundance should not prevail on one hand, while pinching poverty ruled on the other; but that there should be an equality, . He shows from the distribution of the manna in the wilderness, that the design of God was, that every member of his spiritual household should have the necessaries of life, . He tells them that he had now sent Titus, and another with him, to Corinth, to complete this great work, . The character which he gives of Titus and the others employed in this business, , . Verse 1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit - In all our dignified version very few ill-constructed sentences can be found; however here is one, and the worst in the book. We do you to wit is in the original γνωριζομεν δε ὑμιν, we make known unto you. This is plain and intelligible, the other is not so; and the form is now obsolete. The grace of God bestowed - Dr. Whitby has made it fully evident that the χαρις Θεου signifies the charitable contribution made by the Churches in Macedonia, to which they were excited by the grace or influence of God upon their hearts; and that δεδομενην εν cannot signify bestowed on, but given in. That χαρις means liberality, appears from : We desired Titus that as he had begun, so he would finish την χαριν ταυτην, this charitable contribution. And : That ye abound εν ταυτῃ τῃ χαριτι, in this liberal contribution. And : Who was chosen of the Church to travel with us συν τῃ χαριτι ταυτῃ, with this charitable contribution, which is administered - which is to be dispensed, by us. So : God is able to make πασαν χαριν, all liberality, to abound towards you. And : To bring την χαριν, your liberality, to the poor saints. Hence χαρις, is by Hesychius and Phavorinus interpreted a gift, as it is here by the apostle: Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift, . This charity is styled the grace of God, either from its exceeding greatness, (as the cedars of God and mountains of God signify great cedars and great mountains, ; ); or rather, it is called so as proceeding from God, who is the dispenser of all good, and the giver of this disposition; for the motive of charity must come from him. So, in other places, the zeal of God, ; the love of God, ; the grace of God, . The Churches of Macedonia - These were Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, etc.

2 Corinthians 8:1-5

Introduction

The apostle stirs them up to make a collection for the poor Christians at Jerusalem, by the very liberal contributions of the people of Macedonia for the same purpose, who were comparatively a poor people, 2Cor 8:1-5. He tells them that he had desired Titus to finish this good work among them which he had begun; hoping that as they abounded in many excellent gifts and graces, they would abound in this also, 2Cor 8:6-8. He exhorts them to this by the example of Jesus Christ, who, though rich, subjected himself to voluntary poverty, that they might be enriched, 2Cor 8:9. He shows them that this contribution, which had been long ago begun, should have been long since finished, 2Cor 8:10. And that they should do every thing with a ready and willing mind, according to the ability which God had given them; that abundance should not prevail on one hand, while pinching poverty ruled on the other; but that there should be an equality, 2Cor 8:11-14. He shows from the distribution of the manna in the wilderness, that the design of God was, that every member of his spiritual household should have the necessaries of life, 2Cor 8:15. He tells them that he had now sent Titus, and another with him, to Corinth, to complete this great work, 2Cor 8:16-22. The character which he gives of Titus and the others employed in this business, 2Cor 8:23, 2Cor 8:24.

Verse 1

Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit - In all our dignified version very few ill-constructed sentences can be found; however here is one, and the worst in the book. We do you to wit is in the original γνωριζομεν δε ὑμιν, we make known unto you. This is plain and intelligible, the other is not so; and the form is now obsolete.

The grace of God bestowed - Dr. Whitby has made it fully evident that the χαρις Θεου signifies the charitable contribution made by the Churches in Macedonia, to which they were excited by the grace or influence of God upon their hearts; and that δεδομενην εν cannot signify bestowed on, but given in. That χαρις means liberality, appears from 2Cor 8:6 : We desired Titus that as he had begun, so he would finish την χαριν ταυτην, this charitable contribution. And 2Cor 8:7 : That ye abound εν ταυτῃ τῃ χαριτι, in this liberal contribution. And 2Cor 8:19 : Who was chosen of the Church to travel with us συν τῃ χαριτι ταυτῃ, with this charitable contribution, which is administered - which is to be dispensed, by us. So 2Cor 9:8 : God is able to make πασαν χαριν, all liberality, to abound towards you. And 1Cor 16:3 : To bring την χαριν, your liberality, to the poor saints. Hence χαρις, is by Hesychius and Phavorinus interpreted a gift, as it is here by the apostle: Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift, 2Cor 9:15. This charity is styled the grace of God, either from its exceeding greatness, (as the cedars of God and mountains of God signify great cedars and great mountains, Psa 36:6; Psa 80:10); or rather, it is called so as proceeding from God, who is the dispenser of all good, and the giver of this disposition; for the motive of charity must come from him. So, in other places, the zeal of God, Rom 10:2; the love of God, 2Cor 5:14; the grace of God, Tit 2:11.

The Churches of Macedonia - These were Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, etc. Verse 2

In a great trial of affliction - The sense of this verse is the following: The Macedonians, though both poor and persecuted, rejoiced exceedingly that an opportunity was afforded them of doing good to their more impoverished and more persecuted brethren. We can scarcely ever speak of poverty and affliction in an absolute sense; they are only comparative. Even the poor are called to relieve those who are poorer than themselves; and the afflicted, to comfort those who are more afflicted than they are. The poor and afflicted Churches of Macedonia felt this duty, and therefore came forward to the uttermost of their power to relieve their more impoverished and afflicted brethren in Judea. Verse 3

For to their power, etc. - In their liberality they had no rule but their ability; they believed they were bound to contribute all they could; and even this rule they transgressed, for they went beyond their power - they deprived themselves for a time of the necessaries of life, in order to give to others who were destitute even of necessaries. Verse 4

Praying us with much entreaty - We had not to solicit them to this great act of kindness; they even entreated us to accept their bounty, and to take on ourselves the administration or application of it to the wants of the poor in Judea. Verse 5

Not as we hoped - They far exceeded our expectations, for they consecrated themselves entirely to the work of God; giving themselves and all they possessed first unto the Lord; and then, as they saw that it was the will of God that they should come especially forward in this charitable work, they gave themselves to us, to assist to the uttermost in providing relief for the suffering Christians in Judea.