2 Corinthians 8:24

Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf. SHOW YE. So 'Aleph (') C. But B Delta G f g read '(continue) manifesting [ endeiknumenoi (G1731)] to them in the face of the churches the manifestation [ endeixin (G1732)] of your love, and of (the truth of) our boasting on your behalf.'...

He mentions two things in the close: “See that our brethren behold your love,” and secondly, “Take care, that it be not in vain that I have boasted of you.” For αὐτούς (_to them_,) appears to me to be equivalent to _coram ipsis _ _, _(_before them,_) for this clause does not refer to the poor, but to the messengers of whom mention had been made. (702) For he immediately afterwards subjoins, that they would not be alone witnesses, but in consequence of the report given by them, a report would go out even to distant Churches....

16-24 The apostle commends the brethren sent to collect their charity, that it might be known who they were, and how safely they might be trusted. It is the duty of all Christians to act prudently; to hinder, as far as we can, all unjust suspicions. It is needful, in the first place, to act uprightly in the sight of God, but things honest in the sight of men should also be attended to. A clear character, as well as a pure conscience, is requisite for usefulness. They brought glory to Christ as instruments, and had obtained honour from Christ to be counted faithful, and employed in his service. The good opinion others have of us, should be an argument with us to do well....

Verse 2 Corinthians 8:24. _WHEREFORE SHOW YE TO THEM, AND BEFORE THE CHURCHES_, c.] Seeing they are persons every way _worthy_ in themselves, and coming to you on such an _important_ occasion, and so highly recommended, receive them affectionately and let them thus see that the very high character I have given of you is not exaggerated, and that you are as ready in every work of charity as I have stated you to be. Act in this for your honour. 1. THE whole of this chapter and the following is occupied in exciting the _richer_ followers of Christ to be liberal to the _poorer_; the _obligation_ of each to be so, the _reasons_ on which that obligation is founded, the _arguments_ to enforce the obligation from those reasons, are all clearly stated, and most dexterously and forcibly managed. These two chapters afford a perfe

WHEREFORE SHOW YE TO THEM ... - By a liberal contribution in the cause in which they are engaged and for which they have come among you now, furnish the evidence that you love me and the Christian cause, and show that I have not boasted of you in vain. THE PROOF OF YOUR LOVE - Your love to me, to God, to the cause of religion; see the note on 2 Corinthians 8:8. AND OF OUR BOASTING ... - My boasting that you would give liberally to the object; see the note, 2 Corinthians 7:14. Let it now be seen that my boasting was well founded, and that I properly understood your character, and your readiness to contribute to the objects of Christian benevolence. Rem

EXPOSITION Liberality shown by the Macedonian Churches (2 Corinthians 8:1). He is sending Titus to receive their contribution for the Church of Jerusalem, and he invites them to give according to their power (verses 6-15). Recommendation of Titus and the other delegates (verses 16-24). These two chapters (8 and 9) form an independent section of the Epistle. The _plural _alone ("we") is used throughout; participial and unfinished constructions abound; the style is a little embarrassed; and various words, such as "grace," "blessing," "righteousness," "simplicity," occur in somewhat unusual shades of meaning. All this arises: 1. From St. Paul's natural delicacy in alluding to pecuniary subjects. 2. From a desire to conciliate the Corinthians, while at the same time he cannot conceal from them a little apprehen

WHEREFORE SHOW YE TO THEM, AND BEFORE THE CHURCHES,.... This is the conclusion of the apostle, upon summing up the characters of these messengers; and his exhortation is, that since they were persons of so much note and worth, as they ought to be received with great marks of respect and affection, so they would take care evidently to make it appear to them who were sent by the churches, and before the churches, or before them who represented the churches; or so as that it might be known by the churches from whence they came, when they returned with their report; or be evident to the churches in Judea, when their liberality should be brought to them: THE PROOF OF YOUR LOVE; to Christ and his poor members, how hearty and sincere it was: AND OF OUR BOASTING ON YOUR BEHALF; how willing and forward they were to this good work, and how liberal they would be....

The apostle is writing concerning a certain collection which was being made for the poor saints of Jerusalem. It was from Jerusalem that the gospel had spread into Greece, and, therefore, those who had received spiritual things from the poor Jews at Jerusalem were bound by every tie of holy brotherhood to remember their benefactors in the time of famine. The apostle stirs up the Corinthian Church about this contribution. 2 Corinthians 8:1. _Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit_ Or «we make you to know.» 2 Corinthians 8:1. _Of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia. How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality._ It is good to stir

2 CORINTHIANS 8:24 evndeiknu,menoi Since it is now generally recognized by New Testament grammarians that, in accordance with Semitic idiom, occasionally the Greek participle functions as the imperative mood, 1 the Committee preferred evndeiknu,menoi, supported, as it is, by representatives of the Alexandrian and the Western texts (B D* E F G 33 181 1898). If the original reading had been evndei,xasqe (a C Db, c K L P almost all minuscules and many versions — although in such a case the evidence of the versions counts for very little), there is no reason why it should have been altered to the participial construction; on the other hand, however, it is easy...

II. THE MINISTRY OF GIVING. CHAPTER S 8-9 1. The Examples and Principles of Giving. CHAPTER 8 _ 1. The Grace of God Manifested in the Churches of Macedonia. (2 Corinthians 8:1)_ 2. The Great Example. (2 Corinthians 8:8) 3. The Advice, Principles and Administration. (2 Corinthians 8:9 .) There is to be a practical ministry in giving, especially in remembering the poor of the flock. He is anxious now to lay this responsibility upon their hearts. In the first epistle he had written them that his glory was in giving the gospel gratuitously. He would not take anything from the Corinthians for himself, but he wants their gifts for others. He was making up a co