2Cor 8-9 | 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).

‏ 2 Corinthians 9

Summary for 2Cor 9:1-5: 9:1-5 ^ah Two motives reinforce the spirit of love in giving: (1) to emulate the Macedonians, who in their poverty had been forthcoming in their generosity (9:2 ^ai); and (2) not to shame Paul or themselves, since he had boasted about the Corinthians’ generosity to the Macedonians (9:3-5 ^aj). To ensure the timely gathering of the collection at Corinth, Paul would send the delegates (8:16-24 ^ak) in advance to make sure the gift you promised is ready.
9:6 ^al Paul turns to agriculture for an illustration of the benefits of generosity. A farmer who expects a rich harvest must sow many seeds.
9:7 ^am It is the spirit of giving that counts, “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” Cheerfulness in giving is contrasted with giving reluctantly (literally out of sorrow) or in response to pressure.
Summary for 2Cor 9:8-9: 9:8-9 ^an As the Scriptures say: The quotation from Ps 112:9 ^ao supports the assurance that God, who provides for all human needs, will reward generosity.
Summary for 2Cor 9:10-14: 9:10-14 ^ap The Corinthians’ generosity would be matched by God’s generosity (9:10-11 ^aq). It would also meet the needs of Jewish Christians (9:12 ^ar), honor God (9:13 ^as), show believers in Jerusalem that their Gentile brothers and sisters were genuine believers (9:13 ^at), and result in the Jewish believers’ intercessory prayer and affection for the Gentile believers (9:14 ^au). Paul envisioned a united, worldwide Christian church, composed of believing Jews and Gentiles who are all one in Christ Jesus (Gal 3:28 ^av; Eph 2:11-22 ^aw), which would become a powerful witness to the Lord’s work of reconciliation.