2 Corinthians 8

Monday, 28 September 2015

…imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 2 Corinthians 8:4

The idea in this verse is that the Macedonians almost begged to be allowed to participate in adding to the gift which was being collected for the Jerusalem saints. It is as if Paul said to them, “I’m gathering together a gift for the saints in Jerusalem because they are really in dire straits.” On hearing this, the Macedonians – without any prompting – then said, “Well let us help!” From there, Paul may have said, “Listen, you all are almost in the same condition as them.” In response they would then have begged, “Please, please allow us to give this gift.”

Although that is only a possible scenario for what occurred, it shows the general tenor of Paul’s words. The Macedonians prayed that they could be a part of what was going on. It shows a true, heartfelt attitude that excluded any sense of compulsion on Paul’s part. He simply said what he was doing and they immediately desired to participate.

Life application: When people feel giving is necessary, they will give. If they are the stingy sort and are placed under a guilt-trip, the only thing that will happen is that resentment will build up in them. Begging for, or mandating, something that should be voluntarily given is not a sound approach to meeting the needs of the saints. It may take care of the immediate need, but it is bound to cause other problems down the line.

Lord God, You are worthy of praise! And so today I praise You! Great are You O God. Marvelous are Your works. Rejoice in the words I utter, the actions I take, and the heart which yearns for You. May my every thought and deed be an act of praise and worship to You, my heavenly Father. Thank You above all for the greatest Gift… thank You for Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

Sunday, 27 September 2015

For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing,
2 Corinthians 8:3

Speaking of the giving by the Macedonians, a group who had little to begin with, Paul says “I bear witness” about them. He knew them and he personally knew of the circumstances concerning the gift they had offered. It was “according to their ability.” This means that they gave as they were able. It is a precept he will lay down in the next chapter for those in Corinth (and thus for us when we give) –

“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7

If this was all that was recorded of their giving, we would know that they had done well and that their gift was a sufficient one to represent them as a faithful flock. However, this is not all that is said about it. Paul continues by saying that they gave “according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing.” In the Greek, there is a stress which is lacking in the English. Paul briskly omits the verb and so the adjective stands alone. In this then, he shows the superlative nature of the gift.

Regardless of the size of it, it was one which actually exceeded the normal ability of these people to give. In other words, they would have to do with less in their normal lives in order to be able to afford this gift given according to the call on their spiritual lives; they exceeded the budget for any normal operating of their day-to-day life. And not only that, but they did it without compulsion of any kind. The gift was mentioned, the reason for it was given, and without any external pressure, they simply were moved to act.

Life application: How willing are you to tend to the church, pastor, or Bible teacher who ministers to you? Have you given according to your means in order to ensure that their needs are met? They are working in the most important matter of human existence in order to bring God’s revelation of Himself to you. Be sure to act in a manner which is in accord with that by gratefully returning care and provision to them.

Lord God, in reading about the gift which the Macedonians gave to the saints in Jerusalem, I am reminded that they gave beyond their ability and without compulsion. Please give me the same heart towards those who have ministered to me, or those who are partly cared for by me in foreign lands, serving as missionaries. Grant me the willing heart to take care of the physical needs of those who take care of others’ spiritual needs. Amen.

Saturday, 26 September 2015

…that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 2 Corinthians 8:2

Speaking of those in Macedonia (as Paul continues from verse 1), he says the grace of God was bestowed upon them “in a great trial of affliction…” That seems contradictory, but it is not. John Chrysostom says that “They were not simply afflicted, but in such a way as also to become approved by their endurance.”

Through their affliction, they were being molded. It is a theme which permeates all of Scripture. This affliction is partially noted in Acts 16:19, 20 and in Acts 17:5, 6. Further, Paul mentions the following to those in Thessalonica –

“For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans…” 1 Thessalonians 2:14

It is in this state of affliction that Paul continues with the words “…the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.” The deep poverty which permeated those in Macedonia came about for a couple reasons. The first is that in their persecution, they may have been denied suitable employment or even robbed of their goods. Although written to the Hebrew believers, the same principle may have applied to the Gentiles which is noted in Hebrews 10 –

“…for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.” Hebrews 10:34

Another reason is that “Macedonia and Achaia never recovered from the three wars between Cæsar and Pompeius, between the Triumvirs and Brutus and Cassius, and between Augustus and Antonius. Under Tiberius, they petitioned for a diminution of their burdens, and were accordingly transferred for a time from the jurisdiction of the senate to that of the emperor, as involving a less heavy taxation.” Charles Ellicott

Despite these things, they gave in a great way to sustain the saints in Jerusalem. As the Pulpit Commentary notes, “Their joy overflowed their affliction, and their liberality overflowed their poverty.” In this they had a singleness of purpose in providing a substantial donation for what they believed was a truly worthy cause.

Life application: It is often those who make the least who give the most. As wealth increases, the amount given percent-wise tends to drop. And so giving becomes less about what hurts than what will keep from hurting. Each should give as they feel is appropriate and without compulsion, but the wealthy who give large amounts should not look down on the poor who give small amounts. In the end, they may be giving more than the wealthy on a comparative basis.

Heavenly Father, help me to not be stingy in giving for the needs of others. It is often difficult to know when to give, how much to give, and whether the gift is given to someone who is truly needy. Be with me in my gifts and offerings and help me to wisely handle, but freely pass on, the earnings that You have entrusted to me. Amen.

Friday, 25 September 2015

Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia:
2 Corinthians 8:1

Having settled the issue of Chapter 7, Paul now turns to the subject of the collection for the saints in Jerusalem. It is a collection that he was personally coordinating and preparing to take, along with designated representatives, to Jerusalem. In order to spur on the Corinthians in their promised giving, he brings in what has occurred in the churches of Macedonia.

To set this up, he calls those in Corinth “brethren” again. He has and will continue to endear himself to them in order to keep the idea of brotherly affection alive throughout the epistle. Through sternness or through petition, he calls them “brethren” to remind them of their favored status in his eyes. After so addressing them, he says that “we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches in Macedonia.”

Grace is unmerited favor. God had lavished this upon them and Paul will continue to explain it in the verses ahead. As God was graceful to them, then it would be right that they would turn and grant grace as well.

By bringing in the Macedonian churches in this way, it will allow for a little “healthy competition” between the Macedonians and the Corinthians. In this, Paul knows that the gift he will take to Jerusalem can only be increased. He is a wise and careful soul, doing the work of the Lord in a remarkable way!

Life application: There is nothing wrong with stimulating others to do their best and encouraging others through comparisons in order to do so. However, it is wrong to manipulate people to give. Unfortunately, many churches do manipulate their congregants through inappropriately handling the Bible or shaming them into giving. If you’re in such a church, find another one which puts the highest value on what is right and proper, not on money.

Heavenly Father, help me to never proclaim anything but the truth of Your word. Grant me wisdom to rightly divide it and to never mishandle it in order to improperly benefit from others. Instead, help me to be a sound teacher that leads others down the road of Right Doctrine and directly into the loving arms of Christ Jesus the Lord. In all ways, may You be glorified through Your people as they pursue You through Your superior word. Amen.