2Cor 8 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 2Cor 8:1-15: 8:1–9:15 Paul now turns his attention to the collection for the Jerusalem church (8:4 ; 9:1 ). This relief fund was intended to aid the poverty-stricken saints in the holy city (Acts 11:27-30 ; Rom 15:25-27 , 31 ; Gal 2:10 ). Paul had earlier given instructions about this matter (1 Cor 16:1-2 ); now it was time to collect the funds (2 Cor 8:6 ). Paul hoped this gift from Gentile congregations to the Jewish church would cement relations between the two groups in the early Christian community. Summary for 2Cor 8:1-2: 8:1-2 The churches in Macedonia included the church in Philippi, which we know from Acts and Philippians was being tested by many troubles and was very poor . Yet they were generous in sending gifts to Paul and in supporting the collection (8:4-5 ; Phil 1:5 ; 2:25-30 ; 4:15-20 ).

Summary for 2Cor 8:1-15: 8:1–9:15 ^a Paul now turns his attention to the collection for the Jerusalem church (8:4 ^b; 9:1 ^c). This relief fund was intended to aid the poverty-stricken saints in the holy city (Acts 11:27-30 ^d; Rom 15:25-27 ^e, 31 ^f; Gal 2:10 ^g). Paul had earlier given instructions about this matter (1 Cor 16:1-2 ^h); now it was time to collect the funds (2 Cor 8:6 ⁱ). Paul hoped this gift from Gentile congregations to the Jewish church would cement relations between the two groups in the early Christian community.
Summary for 2Cor 8:1-2: 8:1-2 ^j The churches in Macedonia included the church in Philippi, which we know from Acts and Philippians was being tested by many troubles and was very poor. Yet they were generous in sending gifts to Paul and in supporting the collection (8:4-5 ^k; Phil 1:5 ^l; 2:25-30 ^m; 4:15-20 ⁿ).
8:6 ^o Titus would start taking up the collection when he returned to Corinth carrying this letter from Paul in Macedonia.
8:7 ^p This is the key verse in Paul’s exposition on Christian giving (8:1–9:15 ^q). The Corinthians had a reputation for spiritual gifts (1 Cor 1:5-7 ^r; 14:12 ^s). Now, they must be leaders in this gracious act of giving, which is a hallmark of true spirituality (cp. 1 Cor 13:1-13 ^t). God had been lavish in his goodness to the Corinthians, so they should be generous to the Jewish believers in their need (2 Cor 9:13 ^u). This would be recognized as a sign of unity in Christ.
8:9 ^v The model for generous giving is the Lord himself, who was rich in the Father’s presence (John 17:5 ^w, 24 ^x) yet became poor by accepting a human existence and death on the cross (see Phil 2:6-11 ^y). By that self-giving sacrifice, he could make people rich with the blessings of salvation.
8:10 ^z What you started a year ago was the collection of an offering for Jerusalem, prompted by 1 Cor 16:1-2 ^aa. So this letter is to be dated at least one year after 1 Corinthians.
8:15 ^ab Paul quotes from Exod 16:18 ^ac to say that there is a mutual responsibility among Christians: Affluent believers (the Corinthians) should help poor believers (in Jerusalem) so that all may have enough.
Summary for 2Cor 8:18-24: 8:18-24 ^ad Two other Christian men would travel with Titus to Corinth in order to guard against any criticism over the handling of the relief funds that they collected (8:20-21 ^ae). Titus and his companions would ensure that the money was properly handled. The identity of the two companions is unknown.
8:23 ^af they bring honor to Christ: Paul’s last phrase is even more expressive in Greek (literally they are the glory of Christ)—they are examples of Christians who reflect the Lord’s splendor (3:1-18 ^ag).