2 Corinthians 8:1
_Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace._ God has given to the Macedonian Christians great patience, liberality, and pity for others.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace._ God has given to the Macedonian Christians great patience, liberality, and pity for others.... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER 8 SYNOPSIS OF THE CHAPTER i. He exhorts the Corinthians to imitate the generosity of the Macedonian Christians in sending alms to the poor at Jerusalem. II. He points (ver. 9) to the example of Christ, who for our sakes was made poor, that through His poverty we might be rich. III. He ur... [ Continue Reading ]
_How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy._ When greatly tried by sundry tribulations, they were very joyful. _And their deep poverty abounded._ Having sounded the depths of poverty, the Macedonians, as it were, broke out into plentiful and abundant kindness and almsgiving... [ Continue Reading ]
_For to their power._. _. they were willing._ Of their own free will, without being solicited, they came forward and contributed as much as and more than they were able to afford. VER.4. _Praying us._ Begging us to undertake the gracious work of collection, and take our part in it. The Apostle often... [ Continue Reading ]
_And herein I give my advice._ Bede takes this: "Herein I give my opinion," but wrongly; for advice is here contrasted with precept. _Not only to do but also to be forward._ Or "to be willing," _i.e._, of your own accord, no one forcing you. This, as S. Paul hints, is more than to do it when asked... [ Continue Reading ]
_So there may be a performance._ Lucian's lines are well known: "Sweeter is grace that is prompt; If slow is the hand that bestows, Its grace becomes empty and vain And title to grace must resign." And again: "He double gives who promptly gives.... [ Continue Reading ]
_It is accepted according to that a man hath._ In other words, "Give what you can" (Ambrose, Chrysostom, Anselm). Observe here 1. that the perfection and merit of almsgiving and of every virtue consists in the readiness of the will and not in the greatness or the number of the gifts; and, therefore,... [ Continue Reading ]
_But by an equality_. I do not command so large almsgiving that your homes be pauperised while the poor have ample, but of your superfluity, which supplies the proper matter of almsgiving, I beg you to communicate with the poor, and supply their want, so that you may both have the necessities of lif... [ Continue Reading ]
_But thanks be to God._ For having made Titus anxious for you and for your spiritual progress and gain, whereby he was led to exhort you to liberality towards the poor. "The _same_ earnest care" refers to the fact that S. Paul as well as Titus was exhorting them to this liberality. VER. 17. _For ind... [ Continue Reading ]
_And we have sent with him the brother whose praise is in the Gospel._ Barnabas, whose praise is in the preaching of the Gospel. He was ordained as S. Paul's companion (Act 13:3) (Theodoret, Chrysostom, Œcumenius); but since Barnabas and Paul were now separated, and Silas had taken S. Barnabas' plac... [ Continue Reading ]
_Providing for honest things._ I endeavour to act honourably, not only before God but also before men, lest suspicious persons should have some occasion for suspecting me of some wrongdoing. Wherefore, to show that I administer this collection honestly, I make Titus and Luke my witnesses, I make the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Or our brethren._ I trust that you will, as is right, receive them worthily, partly because of the brethren sent with Titus, and partly because of Titus himself. _The glory of Christ._ The Apostles are the glory of Christ, inasmuch as they spread and make known His glory. "Whether, therefore," say... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore shew ye to them._ Show to Titus and his companions that signal love which becomes you and your generous love, as well as my boasting of you.... [ Continue Reading ]