CHAPTER 8
2Co
8:1–24. The Collection for the Saints;
the Readiness of the Macedonians a Pattern to the Corinthians; Christ the Highest Pattern; Each Is to Give Willingly after His Ability;
Titus and Two Others Are the Agents
Accredited to Complete the Collection.
1.
we do you to wit—we make known to you.
the
grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia—Their liberality was not of themselves naturally, but of
God’s grace bestowed on them, and enabling them to be the instrument of God’s
“grace” to others (2Co 8:6, 19). The importance given in this Epistle to the
collection, arose as well from Paul’s engagement (Ga 2:10), as also chiefly
from his hope to conciliate the Judaizing Christians at Jerusalem to himself
and the Gentile believers, by such an act of love on the part of the latter
towards their Jewish brethren.
2.
trial of affliction—The Greek expresses, “in
affliction (or, ‘tribulation’) which tested them”; literally, “in a
great testing of affliction.”
abundance
of their joy—The greater was the depth of their
poverty, the greater was the abundance of their joy. A delightful contrast in
terms, and triumph, in fact, of spirit over flesh.
their
deep poverty—Greek, “their poverty down
to the death of it.”
abounded
unto the riches of their liberality—another
beautiful contrast in terms: their poverty had the effect, not of
producing stinted gifts, but of “abounding in the riches of liberality”
(not as Margin, “simplicity”; though the idea of singleness of
motive to God’s glory and man’s good, probably enters into the idea); (compare
Ro 12:8, and Margin; 2Co 9:11, Margin; see on 2Co 9:13; Jam
1:5).
3–5.
they were willing—rather, supply from 2Co 8:5, the
ellipsis thus, “According to their power … yea, and beyond their power, they gave.”
of
themselves—not only not being besought, but
themselves beseeching us.
4.
that we would receive—omitted in the oldest manuscripts.
Translate therefore, “Beseeching of us … the grace and fellowship of (that is,
to grant them the favor of sharing in) the ministering unto the saints.”
The Macedonian contributions must have been from Philippi, because Philippi was
the only church that contributed to Paul’s support (Php 4:10, 15, 16).
5.
And this they did, not as we hoped—Translate,
“And not as we hoped (that is, far beyond our hopes), but their own selves gave
they first to the Lord.” “First,” not indicating priority of time, but first of
all, above all in importance. The giving of themselves takes precedency
of their other gifts, as being the motive which led them to the latter (Ro
15:16).
by
the will of God—not “according to the will
of God,” but “moved by the will of God, who made them willing” (Php
2:13). It is therefore called (2Co 8:1), “the grace of God.”
6.
Insomuch that—As we saw the Macedonians’ alacrity
in giving, we could not but exhort Titus, that as we collected in Macedonia, so
he in Corinth should complete the work of collecting which he had already begun
there, lest ye, the wealthy people of Corinth, should be outdone in liberality
by the poor Macedonians.
as
he had begun—Greek, “previously
begun,” namely, the collection at Corinth, before the Macedonians began
to contribute, during the visit to Corinth from which he had just returned.
finish
in you the same grace—complete among you this act of
grace or beneficence on your part.
also—as well as other things which he had to do among them [Alford].
7.
in faith—(2Co 1:24).
utterance—(See on 1Co 1:5). Not as Alford,
“doctrine” or “word.”
knowledge—(1Co 8:1).
diligence—in everything that is good.
your
love to us—literally, “love from you (that is,
on your part) in us” (that is, which has us for its object; which is felt in
the case of us).
8.
not by commandment—“not by way of commandment.”
but
by occasion of the forwardness of others, and
&c.—rather, “But by (mention of) the forwardness of others (as an
inducement to you), and to prove (literally, ‘proving’) the sincerity of your
love.” The Greek is “by means of,” not “on account of the
forwardness,” &c. Bengel, Ellicott, and others translate, “By
means of the forwardness of others, proving the sincerity of your love also.” The former is the simpler
construction in the Greek.
9.
ye know the grace—the act of gratuitous love whereby
the Lord emptied Himself of His previous heavenly glory (Php 2:6, 7) for your
sakes.
became
poor—Yet this is not demanded of you
(2Co 8:14); but merely that, without impoverishing yourselves, you should
relieve others with your abundance. If the Lord did so much more, and at so
much heavier a cost, for your sakes; much more may you do an act of love to
your brethren at so little a sacrifice of self.
might
be rich—in the heavenly glory which
constitutes His riches, and all other things, so far as is really good for us
(compare 1Co 3:21, 22).
10.
advice—Herein he does not (as some
misinterpret the passage) disclaim inspiration for the advice he gives; but
under the Spirit, states that it is his “opinion” [Alford] or “judgment” [Ellicott,
and others], not a command, that so their offering might be free and
spontaneous.
this—my giving you an advice, not a command.
who
have begun before—“seeing that ye have begun before”
the Macedonian churches; “a year ago” should be connected with this
clause.
not
only to do, but also to be forward—There
were three steps: (1) the forwardness, more literally, “the will”; (2)
the setting about it, literally, “doing it”; (3) completion of it
[Alford]. In the two former, not
only the act, but the intention, the Corinthians preceded the
Macedonians. Bengel explains,
“Not only to do” for the past year,
“but also to be forward” or willing for
this year. Ellicott
translates, “already,” instead of “before”: “Ye began already a year ago, not
only to do, but also to be forward.” It appears hence, that something had been
done in the matter a year before; other texts, however, show the collection was
not yet paid (compare 2Co 8:11 and 2Co 9:5, 7). This agrees with one, and only
one supposition, namely, that every man had laid by in store the fund from
which he was afterwards to contribute, the very case which is shown by 1Co 16:2
to have existed [Paley, Horae Paulinae].
11.
perform—“complete the doing also” (see on
2Co 8:10).
a
readiness to will—Greek, “the readiness
of will”; referring to 2Co 8:10, where the Greek for “to be
forward,” ought to be translated as here, “to will.”
performance—“completion” [Alford],
The godly should show the same zeal to finish, as well as to begin well, which
the worldly exhibit in their undertakings (Je 44:25).
12.
For—Following up the rule “out of that
which ye have” (2Co 8:11), and no more.
a
willing mind—rather, as Greek, “the
readiness,” namely, to will, referring to 2Co 8:11.
accepted—Greek “favorably accepted.”
according
to that a man hath—The oldest manuscripts omit “a
man.” Translate, “According to whatsoever it have”; the willing mind, or
“readiness” to will, is personified [Alford].
Or better, as Bengel, “He is
accepted according to whatsoever he have”; so 2Co 9:7, The Lord loveth a
cheerful giver.” Compare as to David, 1Ki 8:18. God accepts the will for
the deed. He judges not according to what a man has the opportunity to do, but
according to what he would do if he had the opportunity (compare Mk 14:8; and
the widow’s mite, Lu 21:3, 4).
13.
For—Supply from 2Co 8:8, “I speak.” My
aim is not that others (namely, the saints at Jerusalem) may be relieved at the
cost of your being “distressed” (so the Greek for “burdened”). The
golden rule is, “Love thy neighbour as thyself,” not more than
thyself.
14.
by an equality—“by the rule of equality” [Alford]: literally, “Out of equality.”
now
at this time—Greek, “at the present
juncture” or season.
that
their abundance also—The Greek being distinct
from the previous “that,” translate, “in order that,” namely, at another
season, when your relative circumstances may be reversed. The reference is
solely to temporal wants and supplies. Those, as Bengel, who quote Ro 15:27 for interpreting it of spiritual
supplies from the Jews to the Gentiles, forget that Ro 15:27 refers to the past
benefit spiritually, which the Jews have conferred on the Gentiles, as a motive
to gratitude on the part of the latter, not to a prospective
benefit to be looked for from the former, which the text refers to.
15. (Ex 16:18; Septuagint). As God gave an equal portion
of manna to all the Israelites, whether they could gather much or little; so
Christians should promote by liberality an equality, so that none should need
the necessaries of life while others have superfluities. “Our luxuries should
yield to our neighbor’s comforts; and our comforts to his necessities” [J. Howard].
16,
17. Returning to the subject of 2Co
8:6.
for
you—Translate, “Which put the same earnest
care for you into the heart of Titus,” as was in myself. My care for you led me
to “desire” him (2Co 8:6, 17, “exhortation,” the same Greek);
but Titus had of himself the same care, whence he “accepted (gladly) my
exhortation” (2Co 8:17) to go to you (2Co 8:6).
17.
being more forward—more earnest than to need such
exhortation.
he
went—Greek, “went forth.” We
should say, he is going forth; but the ancients put the past
tense in letter writing, as the things will have been past by the time that the
correspondent, receives the letter. “Of his own accord,” that is, it is true he
has been exhorted by me to go, but he shows that he has anticipated my desires,
and already, “of his own accord,” has desired to go.
18.
the brother, whose praise is in the gospel—whose
praise is known in connection with the Gospel: Luke may be meant; not
that “the Gospel” here refers to his written Gospel; but the language
implies some one well known throughout the churches, and at that time with
Paul, as Luke then was (Ac 20:6). Not a Macedonian, as appears from 2Co 9:4. Of
all Paul’s “companions in travel” (2Co 8:19; Ac 19:29), Luke was the most
prominent, having been his companion in preaching the Gospel at his first
entrance into Europe (Ac 16:10). The fact that the person here referred to was
“chosen of the churches” as their trustee to travel with Paul in conveying the
contribution to Jerusalem, implies that he had resided among them some time
before: this is true of Luke, who after parting from Paul at Philippi (as he
marks by the change from “we” to “they,” Ac 16:11) six years before, is now
again found in his company in Macedonia. In the interim he had probably become
so well known that “his praise was throughout all the churches.” Compare 2Co
12:18; Phm 1:24. He who is faithful in the Gospel will be faithful also in
matters of inferior importance [Bengel].
19.
not that only—not only praised in all the
churches.
chosen—by vote: so the Greek.
of
the churches—therefore these companions of Paul
are called “messengers of the churches” (2Co 8:23).
to
travel—to Jerusalem.
with
this grace—Greek, “in the case of
this grace,” or “gift.”
to
the glory of the same Lord—The
oldest manuscripts omit “same.”
declaration
of your ready mind—The oldest manuscripts read, “our,”
not your. This and the previous clause, “to the glory of the same Lord,”
do not follow “administered by us,” but “chosen of the churches to travel,”
&c. The union of the brother with Paul in this affair of the collection was
done to guard against suspicions injurious “to the glory” of the Lord. It was
also done in order to produce a “readiness” on the part of Paul and the brother
to undertake the office which each, by himself, would have been less ready to
undertake, for fear of suspicions arising (2Co 8:20) as to their appropriation
of any of the money.
20.
Avoiding—taking precautions against this.
in
this abundance—in the case of this abundance.
21. The Septuagint (Pr 3:4; Ro 12:17). The oldest
manuscripts read, “For we provide.”
honest
things—“things honorable.”
22. This second brother, Birks
supposes to be Trophimus: for a Macedonian is not meant (2Co 9:4) probably the
same as was sent before with Titus (2Co 12:18); and therefore sent from
Ephesus, and probably an Ephesian: all this is true of Trophimus.
oftentimes
… in many things—Join and translate as in the Greek,
“many times in many things.”
upon
the great confidence which I have in you—“through
the great confidence which he has
towards you” [Alford]. Bengel better supports English
Version, “We have sent … through the confidence which we feel in regard to your liberality.”
23.
fellow helper concerning you—Greek,
“fellow worker towards you.”
our
brethren—the two mentioned in 2Co 8:18, 22.
messengers—rather, as the Greek, “apostles”: in the less strict
sense (Ac 14:14).
of
the churches—sent by the churches, as we are by
the Lord (Php 2:25). There was in the synagogue an ecclesiastical officer,
called “the angel of the Church,” whence the title seems derived (compare Rev
2:1).
24. The oldest manuscripts read “[continue] manifesting
to them in the face of the churches the manifestation of your love, and of our
boasting on your behalf.”
Excerpt from:
A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
by Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown
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