In the previous chapter 2 Corinthians 7 the apostle had expressed his entire confidence in the ready obedience of the Corinthians in all things. To this confidence he had been led by the promptitude with which they had complied with his commands in regard to the case of discipline there, and by the... [ Continue Reading ]
MOREOVER, BRETHREN, WE DO YOU TO WIT - We make known to you; we inform you. The phrase “we do you to wit,” is used in Tyndale’s translation, and means “we cause you to know.” The purpose for which Paul informed them of the liberality of the churches of Macedonia was to excite them to similar liberal... [ Continue Reading ]
HOW THAT, IN A GREAT TRIAL OF AFFLICTION - When it might be supposed they were unable to give; when many would suppose they needed the aid of others; or when it might be supposed their minds would be wholly engrossed with their own concerns. The trial to which the apostle here refers was doubtless s... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR TO THEIR POWER - To the utmost of their ability. I BEAR RECORD - Paul had founded those churches and had spent much time with them. He was therefore well qualified to bear testimony in regard to their condition. YEA, AND BEYOND THEIR POWER - Beyond what could have been expected; or beyond what... [ Continue Reading ]
PRAYING US WITH MUCH ENTREATY - Earnestly entreating me to receive the contribution and convey it to the poor and afflicted saints in Judea. AND TAKE UPON US THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE MINISTERING TO THE SAINTS - Greek, “that we would take the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.” Th... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THIS THEY DID ... - They did not give what we expected only. We knew their poverty, and we expected only a small sum from them. NOT AS WE HOPED - Not according to the utmost of our hopes. We were greatly disappointed in the amount which they gave, and in the manner in which it was done. BUT FI... [ Continue Reading ]
INSOMUCH - The sense of this passage seems to be this, “We were encouraged by this unexpected success among the Macedonians. We were surprised at the extent of their liberality. And encouraged by this, we requested Titus to go among you and finish the collection which you had proposed and which you... [ Continue Reading ]
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.... [ Continue Reading ]
I SPEAK NOT BY COMMANDMENT - This does not mean that he had no express command of God in the case, but that he did not mean to command them; he did not speak authoritatively; he did not intend to prescribe what they should give. He used only moral motives, and urged the considerations which he had d... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR YE KNOW ... - The apostle Paul was accustomed to illustrate every subject, and to enforce every duty where it could be done, by a reference to the life and sufferings of the Lord Jesus Christ. The design of this verse is apparent. It is, to show the duty of giving liberally to the objects of ben... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HEREIN I GIVE MY ADVICE - Not undertaking to command them, or to prescribe how much they should give. Advice will go much further than commands on the subject of charities. FOR THIS IS EXPEDIENT FOR YOU - (συμφέρει sumpherei). That is, this will be of advantage to you; it will be profitable; i... [ Continue Reading ]
AS THERE WAS A READINESS TO WILL - Now accomplish the thing, and be not satisfied with having begun it. Do not suppose that the intention was sufficient, or that you are now released from the obligation. A year indeed has elapsed; but the necessity of the aid for the poor has not ceased. The sentime... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IF THERE BE FIRST A WILLING MIND - If there is a “readiness” (προθυμία prothumia), a disposition to give; if the heart is in it, then the offering will be acceptable to God, whether you be able to give much or little. A willing mind is the first consideration. No donation, however large, can be... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I MEAN NOT THAT OTHER MEN BE EASED ... - I do not intend that others should be eased in order to relieve you. Literally, “Not that there should be rest (ἄνεσις anesis, a letting loose; remission, relaxation) to others, but affliction (θλίψις thlipsis) to you.” Probably the Corinthians were ab... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT BY AN EQUALITY - On just and equal principles. “That now at this time,” etc. That at the present time your abundance may be a supply for their needs, so that at some future time, if there should be occasion for it, their abundance may be a supply for your needs. The idea is this. Corinth was the... [ Continue Reading ]
AS IT IS WRITTEN - see Exodus 16:18. HE THAT HAD GATHERED MUCH ... - This passage was originally applied to the gathering of manna by the children of Israel. The manna which fell around the camp of Israel was gathered every morning. All that were able were employed in gathering it; and when it was c... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THANKS BE TO GOD - Paul regarded every right feeling, and every pure desire; every inclination to serve God or to benefit a fellow mortal, as the gift of God. He, therefore, ascribes the praise to him that Titus was disposed to show an interest in the welfare of the Corinthians. THE SAME EARNES... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR INDEED HE ACCEPTED THE EXHORTATION - He cheerfully complied with the exhortation which I gave him, to wit, to visit you, and excite you to this good work. BUT BEING MORE FORWARD - More disposed to do this than I had supposed. The idea here is, that he was very ready to engage in this; he was mo... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WE HAVE SENT WITH HIM THE BROTHER - It has been generally supposed that this anonymous brother was Luke. Some have supposed however that it was Mark, others that it was Silas or Barnabas. It is impossible to determine with certainty who it was; nor is it material to know. Whoever it was, it was... [ Continue Reading ]
AND NOT THAT ONLY - Not only is he esteemed on account of other services which he has rendered by his preaching and writings; but he has had a new mark of the confidence of the churches in being appointed to convey the collection to Jerusalem. CHOSEN OF THE CHURCHES - Chosen by the churches. Many c... [ Continue Reading ]
AVOIDING THIS - That is, I intend to prevent any blame from being cast upon me in regard to the management of these funds. For this purpose Paul had refused to have the entire management of the funds (see 1 Corinthians 12:3), and had secured the appointment of one who had the entire confidence of al... [ Continue Reading ]
PROVIDING FOR HONEST THINGS - The expression used here occurs in Romans 12:17; see the note on that place. In that place, however, it refers to the manner in which we are to treat those who injure us; here it refers to the right way of using property; and it seems to have been a kind of maxim by whi... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WE HAVE SENT WITH THEM OUR BROTHER - Who this was is wholly unknown; and conjecture is useless. Some have supposed that it was Apollos, others Silas, others Timothy. But there are no means of ascertaining who it was; nor is it material. It was some one in whom Paul had entire confidence. WHOM W... [ Continue Reading ]
WHETHER ANY DO INQUIRE OF TITUS - It is to be observed that the words “any do inquire” are not in the original; nor is it clear that these are the most proper words to be introduced here. The Greek may mean either, “if any do inquire about Titus,” or it may mean “if anything is to be said about Titu... [ Continue Reading ]
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 G... [ Continue Reading ]