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| Chapter 8 |
| Bible Text | Notes and Thoughts |
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1 ¶ Moreover, brethren, we want you to know of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 how in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing to give of themselves, 4 praying us with earnest entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of ministering to the saints. 5 And this they did, not as we had hoped, but first they gave themselves to the Lord and unto us by the will of God, 6 insomuch that we urged Titus that, as he had begun, so he would finish in you the same grace also. 7 ¶ Therefore as ye abound in everything--in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us--see that ye abound in this grace also. 8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forthcoming of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. 9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich. 10 And herein I give my advice, for this is expedient for you, who began earlier not only to do, but also to be in the forefront a year ago. 11 Now therefore perform the doing of it, that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. 12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what a man hath, and not according to what he hath not. 13 For I do not mean that other men should be eased and ye burdened, 14 but that there be an equality: that now at this time your abundance may supply their want, that their abundance may also supply your want, that there may be equality. 15 As it is written: "He that had gathered much had nothing left over, and he that had gathered little had no lack." 16 ¶ But thanks be to God who put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. 17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation, but being even more zealous, of his own accord he went unto you. 18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the Gospel throughout all the churches. 19 And not that only, but he was also chosen by the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and to declare your ready mind. 20 For we are avoiding having any man blame us in this abundance which is administered by us, 21 providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of men. 22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved to be diligent in many things, but now much more diligent because of the great confidence which I have in you. 23 If any should inquire about Titus, he is my partner and fellow helper concerning you. Or if our brethren be inquired about, they are the messengers of the churches and the glory of Christ. 24 Therefore show ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf. |
As part of the third missionary journey Paul was making collections for the poor of the Jewish churches Act 11:27-30. Paul not only wanted to make this collection but to use it to make a stronger relationship between the Gentile and Jewish churches, Paul sees the Gentile as ‘owing’ their salvation to the Jews Rom 15:25-28 and felt this was a way of saying "thank you." Unfortunately the Corinthians had made a promise but not made the collection. v10, a year had passed since their promise v10. The delay was partly due to the spiritual attitude of the church and the Judaizers possibly using any money collected. 2 Cor 11:7-12,20; 2 Cor 12:14. Giving 2 Cor 8:1-,2. v1,2 Giving under personal pressure. Paul is using the Macedonia churches as an example, they had been under great pressure , a "great trial of affliction," possibly due to rejection by the local people who worship idols. Poor, "deep poverty," but they gave with joy, they were so full of the grace of God. v3,4 It is possible to give a great deal of money to a ministry but do it with no enthusiasm (reluctantly), the Macedonia churches were very willing in their giving, they were actually begging to be involved v4. They were giving because they wanted to give, the grace of God opened their hearts to the need of others. v5-9 the Macedonian Christians were giving themselves to God and others, giving in the same way Jesus willingly gave Himself for them. The Corinthian church had developed other priorities (things important) to them, spiritual gifts, 1 Cor 1:4-5 God had blessed them with many Spiritual Gifts, but they were not interested in their promise and the ‘grace of giving.’ Paul reminded them that because God had been very generous with the gifts they should be even more generous in their giving. Paul was careful not to make it an order to give, he just compared the hearts of the Macedonians with the Corinthians. They should compare themselves with the way Jesus gave all He had for us. Rom 8:14-17 just how rich a Christian is, heirs of God. v10-12 In v6 Titus had been told the previous year that the Corinthian church would make a collection, Paul says it is easy to make a promise but any collection must be made in a willing way, not by force, all in the will of God, a giving of the heart. Phil 2:12,13 God sees what your heart wanted to give, not just what you actually gave. v13-24 How to Give. v12,13 A person must not give more than he has, it is unwise for a Christian to go into debt to help someone else. v14,15 At the time the Jewish church was suffering while the Gentile church was being blessed, this might be reversed in the future. God does the equalizing according to His will. In 1 Cor 16:1-3 Paul made suggestions on how the collection should be taken in any church. In the Old Testament the Law set a tithe, 10% of your income, but the New Testament does not mention any value, the person gives "as God has blessed a him or her." Grace giving is a matter of faith, we accept that God is in control and will supply all our needs. We must not waste or mis use what God gives, it is right to save as God guides, but centering our desires on money can destroy a Christian. James 5:1-6: 1 Tim 6:10. V16-24 From v16 Paul turns to giving practical instruction on making the special collection. v16-17 Titus had a desire to assist in the collection, no force was needed. v18 An un-named brother, who had a good testimony was also involved, obviously known by all the churches. v19 This brother, chosen by the churches, is doing this work to honour God. v20-22 Paul welcomes these representatives from the churches, he wants to make sure that he cannot be blamed for any problems. He wants others to see what he and Titus were doing, not just in God’s sight but also in the eyes of men. v23-24 This collection of ‘relief money’ was to be a cooperative (working together) between the Gentile churches, it was to be "the proof of your love" and to "the glory of Christ." |
Easy English Translation
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| The 2nd Letter to Corinthians |
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| Chapter 13 | Introduction page |
