CHAPTER
VIII
THE GRACE
OF GIVING
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Summary—The Liberality of the Macedonian Brethren. Exhortation
to the Corinthians to Abound in the Same Grace. The Example of Christ. The
Spiritual Blessing of Liberal Giving. Titus and Another Brother Sent to Corinth
to Aid and Encourage Them.
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1–5. We make known to you the grace of God (Revision). Paul now introduces the great collection of
which he spoke in 1 Cor. 16:1, and Rom. 15:26. See also Acts 11:29; Acts
24:17. It had always been the custom of the Jews in foreign lands to send up
to Jerusalem contributions for the temple treasury, but Paul urges the
contributions for God’s spiritual temple, the poor saints. The mother church
was in need and the abundance of the saints elsewhere was to be her supply. The
cause of the destitution of the Jerusalem Christians is easily found in the
times. Famine (Acts 11:29) had stricken the land, this had been followed by the
troubles and unsettled state of affairs which were leading to the Jewish war.
The uneasiness of the public mind, as well as the tumults, disturbed business
and labor. The result would necessarily be close times and destitution. The
lesson of this great collection is that distance does not diminish the claims
of suffering brethren for help. Churches of Macedonia. The Roman
province of Macedonia embraced all Grecian countries north of the province of
Achaia. The churches of Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea, founded by Paul, and
probably many others, were in this province. 2. How that in a great trial of
affliction. The language seems to imply persecution. This might have been
an excuse for not giving, if they had sought one. See Acts 17:6 and 1 Thess.
2:14. But, still, their joy in the gospel and their poverty combined so that
they contributed with great liberality. 3. For to their power. It was
not the greatness of their contribution, but the fact that they gave not only
up to, but even beyond their ability, which made their liberality so rich. The
widow who gave her mite did more than the rich men who cast in out of their
abundance. Willing of themselves. Required no urging. 4. Praying us
with much entreaty. They insisted on doing more than the apostle felt that
they ought to do. 5. And this … not as we had hoped. The thought is that
they exceeded our hope. They consecrated themselves, and hence, held that all
they had was the Lord’s. When church members give their own selves,
there will be no complaint that their money is withheld.
6–9. We desired Titus, that as he had begun. This faithful fellow laborer of Paul, when he had gone to
Corinth when Paul’s first epistle was sent, had begun the collection which it
commanded in 1 Cor. 16:1. Now Paul directs that he return and complete the
collection before the arrival of Paul (Acts 20:1–3). Grace. The grace
of giving. 7. As ye abound in everything. Instead of Macedonia setting
the example to Corinth, the latter ought to have led. Their church was rich in
gifts. See 1 Cor. 1:5. 8. I speak not by commandment. He levies no tax
by command. The giving must be free and cheerful in order to be blessed. He
encourages them by the forwardness of others; the example of the
Macedonian brethren, and by that of Christ. 9. For ye know the grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ. This is the chiefest of motives to giving. Our
Lord gave up all for us. He became poor that we might be rich in heavenly
riches. If he gave himself for us, what shall we give for him? Compare Phil.
2:7. Christ parted with riches and took poverty; with glory and took
humiliation; with bliss and took suffering, all for our sakes. The passage
compares Christ’s pre-existent state with that he had on earth.
10–15. Herein I give my advice. Not a “commandment” (verse 8), but advice. That is,
that it is expedient to complete the work begun “a year ago,” or as we would
say, “last year.” 11. Therefore, perform the doing of it. Finish it
up. As there was “a readiness to will,” let there be “a performance” by
giving out of what “you have.” 12. For if there is first a willing mind.
The willing mind had been shown in the readiness “to will.” The willing mind
is essential to the acceptance of the gift. If there be this pre-requisite,
then God accepts the gift and measures it according to a man’s means. 13. I
mean not that other men be eased. I wish all to give according to what they
have, other churches as well as you. Nor do I mean to burden you that the
saints at Jerusalem may be at ease. 14. But by an equality. There is a
lack at Jerusalem; let your abundance supply it. So, too, if you be in want,
they must supply it if they have abundance. The church is a band of loving
brethren. Where one lacks others should supply, that all may be equally
provided. 15. It is written. In Exodus 16:18. When the manna fell,
whatever each individual gathered, there was found to be, on measuring, “an
omer to a man.” So brotherly love is to effect such a distribution that no
saint will be in want, and none have what is superfluous.
16–21. But thanks be to God. Because Titus is ready to return to Corinth and help in the
work. 17. For indeed he accepted the exhortation. Readily accepted the
work when Paul suggested it; nay more, of his own accord, he desired and
chose it. 18. We have sent with him the brother. Two brethren are sent
with Titus. These are not named, and we can only conjecture who they were. As
verse 19 says that he “was chosen of the churches to travel with us in this
grace,” and as Acts 20:4 says that the Macedonian brethren, Sopater,
Aristarchus and Secundus did travel with him to Jerusalem, one of these is
probably meant. Many have held that Luke was the person, nor is this
improbable. 19. Chosen of the churches. Paul desired, for the reasons
given in verses 20 and 21, that the churches should send along messengers in
charge of their gifts. 20. Avoiding this. There were evil-minded persons
who might charge that the apostle had used the gifts of his own advantage
unless the messengers could report just how the funds were used.Paul was
careful (21) to provide what was honest, in the sight of God, for his
conscience’s sake, and in the sight of men for his work’s sake.
22–24. We have sent with them. With Titus and the brother named in verse 18. The brother
referred to here and commended so highly is nowhere named. 23. Whether any
do inquire of Titus. The commendation given of these three brethren is
official. Titus had long been a fellow laborer, and had recently visited
Corinth. The other two were messengers of the Macedonian churches. Not only of
the churches but of the glory of Christ, the Lord’s messengers to show forth
his glory in a great work of mercy. 24. Therefore, shew ye to them.
Since these are representative men, delegates of the churches, and of Christ,
receive them cordially. Give proof of your love, and show that when we
have boasted of your excellencies that our boasting was not empty. An ill
reputation would not only reflect upon the churches, but upon Paul himself.
Excerpt from:
The People's New Testament
by Barton
Warren Johnson
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