_(A) 8:1-9. THE EXAMPLE OF MACEDONIA_ 1-5. Paraphrase. 'I wish you to know how liberally and spontaneously the Churches of Macedonia have contributed to the relief of their fellow-disciples in Jerusalem, having first of all presented themselves to God's service.'... [ Continue Reading ]
DO YOU TO WIT] RV 'make known to you.' THE GRACE OF GOD] the inspiration to give liberally. THE CHURCHES OF MACEDONIA] i.e. Philippi, Beroea, and Thessalonica, with, perhaps, others unknown to us: cp. Acts 16:12 to Acts 17:14; Acts 20:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEIR DEEP POVERTY] The Christians of Macedonia were very poor, and so their liberality was all the more marked.... [ Continue Reading ]
BEYOND _THEIR_ POWER.. OF THEMSELVES] Their giving was bountiful and spontaneous.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MINISTERING] On the collection see Intro. The RV gives a better meaning: 'Beseeching us with much intreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints.' They desired the privileges (1) of being allowed to give, and (2) of making common cause in this ministry of k... [ Continue Reading ]
FIRST GAVE, etc.] the best of all giving. They surrendered themselves (not their money only) to God's will first, and then to the Apostle's guidance.... [ Continue Reading ]
TITUS] He organised the collection after the arrival of our First Epistle, which contained instructions about it: cp. 1 Corinthians 16:1; 2 Corinthians 12:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
PARAPHRASE. 'The collection prospered so well here that we asked Titus to complete this work of charity which he organised on his former visit. (7) See, therefore, that you manifest this gift in the same degree as the others in which you abound. (8) I am not laying commands upon you; I am only telli... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS GRACE ALSO] Liberality is a Christian grace as much as these others.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GRACE OF OUR LORD] the crowning example of liberality: cp. Philippians 2:5. _(B) 8:10-24. THE PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIAN LIBERALITY_ The Apostle counsels them to complete their good work, tells them that the purpose of the collection is mutual sympathy and aid, and commends to their care Titus an... [ Continue Reading ]
PARAPHRASE. 'In saying this I am not laying a command upon you, for you have already manifested the spirit and practised the duty of giving this twelvemonth past. (11) Complete the offering according to your means, (12) for the willing mind is shown by gifts in accordance with your ability, and not... [ Continue Reading ]
ADVICE] or, 'opinion,' i.e. as opposed to 'command.' A command was not needed in their case: cp. 1 Corinthians 7:6; 1 Corinthians 7:25. A YEAR AGO] A year had elapsed since they had first responded to the Apostle's suggestion of the collection.... [ Continue Reading ]
PERFORM] better, 'make perfect.'... [ Continue Reading ]
ACCORDING TO THAT A MAN HATH] the true principle of Christian giving. The best commentary on it is Luke 21:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEIR ABUNDANCE, etc.] A time might come when the relative positions of the Christians in the two cities would be reversed.... [ Continue Reading ]
The reference is to Exodus 16:18, but the meaning is somewhat different in the two cases. There the equality is the result of a miracle; here it is the result of mutual love and generosity.... [ Continue Reading ]
PARAPHRASE. 'The zeal of Titus on your account causes us great thankfulness to God, (17) for he did not need my suggestion, but was eager to return to you. (18) With him we send our fellow-labourer, whose work in spreading the gospel is spoken of in all the Churches, (19) and who was chosen by those... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BROTHER] His identity is uncertain, but we may look for him in the list given in Acts 20:4 of those who accompanied St. Paul to Jerusalem, excluding the delegates from Asia and including St. Luke, who joined them at Troas (Acts 20:5). Sopater has been suggested, as he is mentioned first in that... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS GRACE] the collection. TO THE GLORY, etc.] The Apostle keeps in view that in aiding the poor he is furthering Christ's glory. _DECLARATION OF_ YOUR READY MIND] RV 'to show our readiness.' The meaning is, 'in accordance with our strongly expressed desire.' The reason of the desire is indicated... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT NO MAN, etc.] Charges of this kind had already been made against St. Paul. He replied to them in 2 Corinthians 12:17, which was written previous to this: see Intro. THIS ABUNDANCE] RV '_the matter of_ this bounty.'... [ Continue Reading ]
PROVIDING FOR HONEST THINGS] RV 'For we take thought for things honourable.'... [ Continue Reading ]
OUR BROTHER] perhaps St. Luke, if he is not 'the brother' of 2 Corinthians 8:18. _I have_] RV 'he hath.'... [ Continue Reading ]