2 Corinthians 8:1-6

Applebury's Comments

The Privilege of Giving
Scripture

2 Corinthians 8:1-6. Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God which hath been given in the churches of Macedonia; 2 how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 3 For according to their power, I bear witness, yea and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord, 4 beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints: 5 and this, not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God. 6 Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also.

Comments

Moreover, brethren.Paul had written with utmost frankness in defense of his ministry in behalf of the Corinthians and of his deep affection for them. He had reminded them of his unbounded joy in learning from Titus that they had complied with the directions which he had given them in First Corinthians for the correction of certain sinful practices which they had allowed to go on in their congregation.

He was now prepared to take up another matter which he had barely mentioned in the first letter. He had called attention to the collection for the saints and had given them the order, as he had also done to the churches in Galatia, to begin gathering the funds. See 1 Corinthians 16:1-2. Chapter s eight and nine complete his instruction on the matter. They constitute a logical progression of thought when the background of First Corinthians is taken into consideration. The deep emotional tone of the first section of Second Corinthians is in perfect harmony with the subject matter with which he dealt. He had spent so much time with the church at Corinth for it was a strategic post in the campaign to spread the gospel through the known world. The threat against the very life of that church occasioned by the sinful practices about which he wrote in First Corinthians was a serious threat to the progress of the gospel in that whole area. This plus his deep love for those people led him naturally to write in the deep emotional tone that characterizes so much of the first seven Chapter s of the epistle. The mood naturally changes when he reaches a less personal and far more encouraging situation in connection with the offering for the saints in Judea, for he knew that the Corinthians had already made a beginning in this matter following the instruction which he had given them. His mood changes again with the defense of his apostleship against the false claims and unfair charges being made by false teachers. They had come to Corinth and were seeking to establish themselves in the life and affection of the people of God whose very existence as Christians had depended upon the ministry of Paul who was the first to bring the gospel to them.

the grace of God which hath been given in the churches of Macedonia.In the various shades of meaning of the term grace the central idea is unmerited favor. The thought that this is some mystical power from God producing unusual liberality in giving is not in harmony with the principles of giving which Paul set forth in these two Chapter s. But God had been gracious in giving the Macedonian churches the privilege of sharing with those who were in need despite their own deep poverty.

God had miraculously fed the children of Israel on manna from heaven while they were on the wilderness journey. Jesus had miraculously fed the multitudes on the loaves and fishes. In His providence God continually causes the earth to produce an abundance of food, despite the fact that famine has always been common in some areas. Rather than miraculously supplying the needs of the saints in Judea God gave the Gentile Christians the privilege of demonstrating their love for Him by sharing with the saints in Judea.
The earth today produces abundantly. There are many economic and political factors that affect distribution of food in areas where famine strikes. But if men everywhere would respond to the gospel of Christ and recognize the privilege which God had given to men to share with others, the abundance of food which He continually provides could be distributed to the needy by intelligent, Christian people.

This is in no way to suggest any sort of communism or socialism. It is the grace of God functioning in the hearts of men who appreciate the privilege of demonstrating their love for Him by helping the needy. This principle was clearly seen in the church at Jerusalem where the members sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according as any man had need (Acts 2:45). The key word in this passage is need, for there isn-'t the slightest indication that this action was taken so that every member in the church might be equal in the possession of material things. No where is this made clearer than in the case of Ananias and Sapphira. See Acts 5:1-11. Swift punishment came upon them because Satan filled their heart and caused them to lie to the Holy Spirit about the price of the land which they had sold. But Peter said to them While it remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? Very clearly, then, the right of private ownership was upheld by the inspired apostle. The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was not the lack of generosity but of their attempt to lie to the Holy Spirit as they misrepresented their giving before the apostle Peter. It was the widows in the church who were in need of assistance (Acts 6:1). Because some of them were being neglected, the apostles instructed the church to seek out seven men who were given the responsibility of taking care of this ministry. At one time, Agabus, a prophet, speaking under the direction of the Holy Spirit foretold the coming of a famine over all the world. It came to pass in the days of Claudius. The disciples, each one of them according to his ability, decided to send relief to those who dwelt in Judea. They selected Barnabas and Saullater to be known as the apostle Paulto carry this relief to the elders in Jerusalem. Acts 11:27-30.

Sometime later when Paul met with the apostles in Jerusalem, he was asked to remember the poor in Judea and he continued his ministry among the Gentiles. But this had always been a matter of deep concern to him. Galatians 2:1-10. His concern that Macedonia and Achaia help the saints in Judea was in accord with his long-standing practice. According to Acts, these churches were Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. See Acts 16:12; Acts 17:1; Acts 17:10.

in much proof of affliction.The many hardships which Macedonia had endured proved beyond doubt that they understood the situation of the saints in Judea. This and the overflowing of their grace despite their own deep poverty resulted in the wealth of their single-minded devotion and love for God as seen in their liberal contribution to this important cause.

Famines, economic depressions and political oppressions were the common lot of many of the colonies of the Roman Empire. Macedonia's situation was not only known to Paul but, in all probability, to their neighboring province of Achaia also.
Too frequently in this day, Christian people, fall back on their own limited means as an excuse for not sharing with others less fortunate than they. This robs themselves of sharing in the grace of God. Lest Paul be misunderstood, he adds several significant statements governing the thinking and action of those whom he directed to participate in this privilege of sharing with others.
Paul did not hesitate to recognize the poverty of the brethren in Macedonia. It was their single-minded devotion to Christ that made their giving look like a river at floodtide spreading even as far as Judea. Our word liberality seems to lose something of its power to describe Paul's view of the generosity of the Macedonian Christians.

according to their power.The Macedonians had given according to their ability and, paradoxically, even beyond their ability. Single-minded devotion to God and trust in Him were the underlying causes of this astonishing affect.

their own accord.Thus Paul makes it clear that the generous giving of the Macedonian Christians was their own gracious response to the favor which God had extended to them to have a share in helping the needy.

beseeching us with much entreaty.These dedicated Christian people actually had been begging Paul for the privilege of graciously sharing in this ministry to the saints of God.

Too frequently this principle is reversed. Those in charge of the financial program of the church resort to begging the people to give for the support of the work of the church. They often appeal to the legal aspect of giving to break loose portions of the lump with which the supposed parsimonious people grudgingly part. The love of God in the hearts of His people is the most powerful force known in producing generous participation in the program of the church.

the fellowship in the ministering to the saints.One of the basic issues of Christianity is fellowship or sharing. The apostle John who was an eye-witness of the evidence that established the basic facts of Christianity wrote his first epistle that others might share with him this foundation of their faith, saying, Our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. See 1 John 1:1-4. Since Christianity is rooted deeply in fellowship, it should naturally find expression through Christian sharing in service to the saints of God.

not as we had hoped.Paul, knowing of the deep poverty of the Macedonians, had not hoped for the response which came from them. The secret of their generous response was their dedication to the Lord.

first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.What they did was through the will of God. Paul had made known through his preaching the will of God that had given them the privilege of dedicating themselves to the Lord and of sharing with Him in the propagation of the gospel and the care of His saints. Without such dedication churches most likely will always be struggling to raise the budget. They limp along half-heartedly carrying the load, but seldom knowing the real joy of generous giving that springs from devotion to the Lord.

and to us.Paul did not say that they first gave themselves to the Lord and then money to him. Rather, they gave themselves to the Lord and they also gave themselves to Paul. Evidently they volunteered to go with Paul on this mission in behalf of the saints. Luke gives the list of some who were with Paul on the trip to Jerusalem. Among them were Sopater of Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus who were Thessalonians. See Acts 20:4. Paul also mentions the brother who was selected by the churches to go with him on this mission. See 2 Corinthians 8:18-19.

we exhorted Titus.Titus had been Paul's messenger to Corinth to learn their response to his first letter. Now he reminds them, after having learned from Titus what their response was, that Titus was being sent to them again in connection with this ministry to the saints. Just what Titus at this time had already done in getting them started on this project is not stated, but Paul indicated that he was the logical man to help them since he had already begun to do so.