2 Corinthians 8:7

Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. THEREFORE - Greek, 'But' [ alla (G243)]: I foreknew ye would not disappoint my good opinion of you. 'BUT as,' etc. IN FAITH (2 Corinthians 1:24). UTTERANCE (note, 1 Corinthians 1:5) - not 'doctrine.' KNOWLEDGE (1 Corinthians 8:1). DILIGENCE - in everything that is good....

7._But as _He had already been very careful to avoid giving offense, inasmuch as he said, that Titus had entreated them, not so much from his own inclination, as in consideration of the charge given him by the Macedonians. Now, however, he goes a step farther, by admonishing them, that they must not even wait for the message of the Macedonians being communicated to them; and that too, by commending their other virtues. “You ought not merely to associate yourselves as partners with the Macedonians, who require that; but surpass them in this respect, too, as you do in others.” He makes a distinction between_utterance _and _faith, _because it. is impossible that any one should have _faith, _and that, too, in an eminent degree, without being at the same time much exercised in the word of God. _Knowledge _I understand to mean, _practice _and _skill, _or _prudence. _He makes mention of their _...

7-9 Faith is the root; and as without faith it is not possible to please God, Hebrews 11:6, so those who abound in faith, will abound in other graces and good works also; and this will work and show itself by love. Great talkers are not always the best doers; but these Corinthians were diligent to do, as well as to know and talk well. To all these good things the apostle desires them to add this grace also, to abound in charity to the poor. The best arguments for Christian duties, are drawn from the grace and love of Christ. Though he was rich, as being God, equal in power and glory with the Father, yet he not only became man for us, but became poor also. At length he emptied himself, as it were, to ransom their souls by his sacrifice on the cross. From what riches, blessed Lord, to what poverty didst thou descend for our sakes! and to what riches hast thou advanced us through thy pover...

Verse 2 Corinthians 8:7. _AS YE ABOUND IN EVERY_ THING] See the note on 1 Corinthians 1:5. _In faith_, crediting the whole testimony of God; _in utterance_, λογω, _in doctrine_, knowing what to teach: _knowledge_ of God's will, and prudence to direct you in teaching and doing it; _in_ _diligence_, to amend all that is wrong among you, and to do what is right; _and in love to us_, whom _now_ ye prize as the apostles of the Lord, and your pastors in him. _ABOUND IN THIS GRACE ALSO._] Be as eminent for your _charitable_ _disposition_ as ye are for your _faith, doctrine, knowledge,_ _diligence_, and _love_....

THEREFORE AS YE ABOUND IN EVERYTHING - see the note, 1 Corinthians 1:5. Paul never hesitated to commend Christians where it could be done with truth; and the fact that they were eminent in some of the Christian duties and graces, he makes the ground of the exhortation that they would abound in all. From those who had so many eminent characteristics of true religion he had a right to expect much; and he therefore exhorts them to manifest a symmetry of Christian character. IN FAITH - In the full belief of the truth and obligation of the gospel. AND UTTERANCE - In the ability to instruct others; perhaps referring to their power of speaking foreign languages; 1 Corinthians 14....

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

THEREFORE AS YE ABOUND IN EVERYTHING,.... In all gifts and every grace, in the use and exercise of them, insomuch that they were enriched in everything, and wanted nothing; see 1 Corinthians 1:5, that is here expressed in general, is explained by particulars following: IN FAITH: both in the doctrine of faith, which they had received and professed, held fast to, and abode by; yea, they abounded in the knowledge of it, zeal for it, and thankfulness to God on account of it; and in the grace of faith, not an historical one, nor the faith of miracles, but that which is peculiar to God's elect, is the gift of his grace and the work of his Spirit, which has Christ for its object, and works by love; in this they abounded, inasmuch as they had a large measure of it, grew in it, were full of it, and were much in the exercise thereof: IN UTTERANCE, or "sp

Although this is rather a practical than a spiritual chapter, I hope that we shall get profit out of it by the teaching of the Spirit of God who inspired Paul to write it. Paul was writing to the church at Corinth to commend the churches of Macedonia, that he might stir up the one church by the example of the others. The saints at Jerusalem were starving because of a famine, and it came into the mind of certain Gentile churches to send help to the mother-church at Jerusalem. It was regarded as a very wonderful thing that Gentiles should be sending help to Jews. I hope it would not be thought wonderful now, but it was then; and Paul, who loved the saints at Corinth, and saw that they were a little backward in this matter stirred them up to greater diligence. He did not like the churches in Macedonia to go so far ahead of the church in Corinth which was richer, and more endowed with gifts,...

2 CORINTHIANS 8:7 h`mw/n evn u`mi/n {C} On the basis of the testimony of several early witnesses (î46 B 1739 itr copsa, bo Origenlat Ephraem) a majority of the Committee felt a slight preference for the variant h`mw/n evn u`mi/n, because it is the more difficult reading. At the same time, it must be acknowledged that the reading u`mw/n evn h`mi/n, which superficially is more appropriate in the context, had very wide circulation in the early church (a C D G K P Y 81 614 _Byz Lect_ itd, g, 61 vg syrh goth eth _al_)....

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