2Corinthians
8:1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to
wit
of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia.
2Corinthians
8:2 How that in a many trials of afflictions the abundance of their
joy, even amongst their deep afflictions abounded.(brought
forth).unto the riches of their
liberality.
Those Christians
in this city of Corinth in southern Greece, though they had many burdens
themselves, managed to shuffle
together much food to be sent to Jerusalem where a famine was harming the
people there.
2Corinthians
8:3 For to their power, I bear record, yea and beyond their power they
were willing of themselves.
2Corinthians
8:4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift and
take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
Comprised with.Barnes
Notes: re.'And
take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints',
Greek original is "that we would take the
gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints".
They asked of us to take part in the labor 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 41-54 A.D.:.Acts
11:28. Barnabas was associated with Paul in conveying the contribution
to Jerusalem:.Acts
11:29,30)
2Corinthians
8:5 And this they did not as we hoped but first gave their own selves
to the Lord and unto us by the will of God.
2Corinthians
8:6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would
also finish in you the same grace also.
2Corinthians
8:7 Therefore, as you abound in every thing, in faith and utterance
and knowledge and in all diligence and in your love to us, see that you
abound in this grace also.
2Corinthians
8:8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness
of others and to prove the sincerity of your love.(in
life you may find that others are testing
you).
2Corinthians
8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Emmanuel
the Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor,
that you through his poverty might be rich..(Philippians
2:3)
2Corinthians
8:10,11 And herein I give my advice. For this is expedient for you,
who have begun before, not only to do but also to be forward a year ago.
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 you have..(if
you're willing to give, do it!)
2Corinthians
8:12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according
to that a man has and not according to that he has not..(Paul
is saying that any gift of money is accepted and that he doesn't compare
the gift with thoughts about 'he was able to give more')
2Corinthians
8:13-20 For I mean not that other men be eased and ye burdened. But
by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for
their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want, that
there may be equality. As it is written, He that had gathered much
had nothing over and he that had gathered little had no lack. But thanks
be to God which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his
own accord he went unto you. And we have sent with him the brother whose
praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches. And not that only
but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace,
which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord and declaration
of your ready mind. Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this
abundance which is administered by us:
2Corinthians
8:21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord,
but also in the sight of men.
2Corinthians
8:22-24 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes
proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great
confidence which I have in you. Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is
my partner and fellowhelper concerning you or our brethren be enquired
of, they are the messengers of the churches and the glory of Christ.
Wherefore show you to them and before the churches, the proof of your love
and of our boasting on your behalf.
