2Cor 8:4, 6-7, 19 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 4. Praying us with much entreaty . Earnestly entreating me to receive the contribution, and convey it to the poor and afflicted saints in Judea. And take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints . Greek, "that we would take the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints." They asked of us to take part in the labour of conveying it to Jerusalem. The occasion of this distress which made the collection for the saints of Judea necessary, was probably the famine which was predicted by Agabus, and which occurred in the time of Claudius Caesar. . Barnabas was associated with Paul in conveying the contribution to Jerusalem, . Paul was unwilling to do it unless they particularly desired it, and he seems to have insisted that some person shoed be associated with him, . (e) "fellowship"

2 Corinthians 8:4

Verse 4. Praying us with much entreaty. Earnestly entreating me to receive the contribution, and convey it to the poor and afflicted saints in Judea.

And take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. Greek, "that we would take the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints." They asked of us to take part in the labour of conveying it to Jerusalem. The occasion of this distress which made the collection for the saints of Judea necessary, was probably the famine which was predicted by Agabus, and which occurred in the time of Claudius Caesar. Acts 11:28. Barnabas was associated with Paul in conveying the contribution to Jerusalem, Acts 11:30. Paul was unwilling to do it unless they particularly desired it, and he seems to have insisted that some person shoed be associated with him, 2Cor 8:20, 1Cor 16:3,4.

(e) "fellowship" Acts 11:29, Rom 15:25,26

2 Corinthians 8:6-7

Verse 6. Insomuch. The sense of this passage seems to be this: "We were encouraged by this unexpected success among the Macedonians. We were surprised at the extent of their liberality. And encouraged by this, we requested Titus to go among you and finish the collection which you had proposed, and which you had begun. Lest you should be outstripped in liberality by the comparatively poor Macedonian Christians, we were anxious that you should perform what you had promised and contemplated; and we employed Titus, therefore, that he might go at once and finish the collection among you."

The same grace also. Marg., "gift." 2Cor 8:1. The word refers to the contribution which he wished to be made.

(1) "same grace" "gift" (+) "grace also" "liberally" Verse 7. Therefore, as ye abound in every thing. 1Cor 1:6. Paul never hesitated to commend Christians, where it could be done with truth; and the fact that they were eminent in some of the Christian duties and graces, he makes the ground of the exhortation that they would abound in all. From those who had so many eminent characteristics of true religion he had a right to expect much; and he therefore exhorts them to manifest a symmetry of Christian character.

In faith. In the full belief of the truth and obligation of the gospel.

And utterance. In the ability to instruct others; perhaps referring to their power of speaking foreign languages, 1Cor 14.

And knowledge. The knowledge of God, and of his truth.

And in all diligence. Diligence or readiness in the discharge of every duty. Of this, Paul had full evidence in their readiness to comply with his commands in the case of discipline to which so frequent reference is made in this epistle.

And in your love to us. Manifested by the readiness with which you received our commands. See 2Cor 7:4,6,7,11,16. See that ye abound in this grace also. The idea here is, that eminence in spiritual endowments of any kind, Or in any of the traits of the Christian character, should lead to great benevolence, and that the character is not complete unless benevolence be manifested toward every good object that may be presented.

(a) "abound" 1Cor 1:5 (++) "grace" "liberality"

2 Corinthians 8:19

Verse 19. And not that only. Not only is he esteemed on account of other services which he has rendered by his preaching and writings; but he has had a new mark of the confidence of the churches in being appointed to convey the collection to Jerusalem.

Chosen of the churches. Chosen by the churches. Many concurred in the choice, showing that they had entire confidence in him. Paul had been unwilling to have charge of this contribution alone, 1Cor 16:3,4, comp. 2Cor 8:20, and he had procured the appointment of some one to undertake it. Probably he expected that the church at Corinth would concur in this appointment.

With this grace. Marg. "gift." See 2Cor 8:1. The word here refers to the alms, or the collection which had been made.

Which is administered by us. That is, which is undertaken by us. Paul had been the instrument of procuring it.

To the glory of the same Lord. The Lord of us all. The design was to promote the glory of the Lord, by showing the influence of religion in producing true benevolence.

And declaration of your ready mind. That is, to afford you an opportunity of evincing your readiness to do good to others, and to promote their welfare.

(1) "grace" "gift" (d) "to the glory of the same Lord" 2Cor 4:15