CHAPTER VIII. _The apostle stirs them up to make a collection for the poor_ _Christians at Jerusalem, by the very liberal contributions of_ _the people of Macedonia for the same purpose, who were_ _comparatively a poor people_, 1-5. _He tells them that he had desired Titus to finish this good_... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 8:2. _IN A GREAT TRIAL OF AFFLICTION_] The sense of this verse is the following: The Macedonians, though both poor and persecuted, rejoiced exceedingly that an opportunity was afforded them of doing good to their _more impoverished_ and _more persecuted_ brethren. We can scarcely... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 8:3. _FOR TO_ THEIR _POWER_, C.] In their liberality they had no _rule_ but their ability they believed they were bound to contribute all they could; and even this rule they transgressed, for they went _beyond their power_-they deprived themselves for a time of the _necessaries o... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 8:4. _PRAYING US WITH MUCH ENTREATY_] We had not to _solicit_ _them_ to this great act of kindness; they even _entreated us_ to accept their bounty, and to take on ourselves the administration or application of it to the wants of the poor in Judea.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 8:5. _NOT AS WE HOPED_] They far exceeded our expectations, for they consecrated themselves entirely to the work of God; _giving_ themselves and all they possessed _first_ unto the _Lord_; and then, as they saw that it was the _will of God_ that they should come especially forwar... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 8:6. _THAT WE DESIRED TITUS_] Titus had probably laid the plan of this contribution when he was before at Corinth, according to the direction given by the apostle, 1 Corinthians 16:1, c. _THE SAME GRACE_] Liberality. See the note on 2 Corinthians 8:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
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_, t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 8:8. _I SPEAK NOT BY COMMANDMENT_] I do not positively order this; I assume no right or authority over your _property_; what you devote of your substance to charitable purposes must be your own work, and a _free-will offering_. _THE FORWARDNESS OF OTHERS_] Viz. the Churches of... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 8:9. _FOR YE KNOW THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST_] This was the strongest argument of all; and it is urged home by the apostle with admirable address. _YE KNOW_] Ye are acquainted with God's ineffable love in sending Jesus Christ into the world; and ye know the _grace_-the i... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 8:10. _HEREIN I GIVE_ MY _ADVICE_] For I speak not by way of _commandment_, 2 Corinthians 8:8. _FOR THIS IS EXPEDIENT FOR YOU_] It is necessary you should do this to preserve a _consistency of conduct_; for ye began this work a _year ago_, and it is necessary that ye should comp... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 8:11. _A READINESS TO WILL, SO_ THERE MAY BE _A PERFORMANCE_] Ye have _willed_ and _purposed_ this; now _perform_ it. _OUT OF THAT WHICH YE HAVE._] Give as God has _enabled_ you; and give as God has _disposed_ you. He requires each man to do as he _can_; and accepts the _will_ w... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 8:12. _ACCORDING TO THAT A MAN HATH_] According to his _real_ _property_; not taking that which belongs to his own _family_, and is indispensably necessary for their support; and not taking that which belongs to _others_; viz. what he _owes_ to any man.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 8:13. _THAT OTHER MEN BE EASED_] I do not design that you should impoverish yourselves in order that others may live affluently.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 14. _BUT BY AN EQUALITY_] That you may do to those who are distressed now, as, on a change of circumstances, you would wish them to do to you. And I only wish that of your _abundance_ you would now minister to their wants; and it may be that _there_ _abundance_ may yet _supply your wants_; for... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 15. _HE THAT_ HAD GATHERED _MUCH, HAD NOTHING OVER_] On the passage to which the apostle alludes, Exodus 16:18, I have stated that, probably, every man gathered as much manna as he could, and when he brought it home and measured it by the _omer_, (for this was the measure for each man's eatin... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 16. _BUT THANKS_ BE _TO GOD_] He thanks God who had already disposed the heart of Titus to attend to this business; and, with his usual address, considers all this as done in the behalf of the _Corinthian_ Church; and that though the poor Christians in _Judea_ are to have the _immediate benefi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 17. _HE ACCEPTED THE EXHORTATION_] I advised him to visit you and excite you to this good work, and I found that he was already disposed in his heart to do it; God put this earnest care in the heart of Titus for you, 2 Corinthians 8:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 18. _THE BROTHER, WHOSE PRAISE IS IN THE GOSPEL_] Who this _brother_ was we cannot tell; some suppose it was St. Luke, who wrote a gospel, and who was the companion of St. Paul in several of his travels; others think it was _Silas_; others, _Barnabas_; others, _Mark_; and others, _Apollos_. Ne... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 19. _CHOSEN OF THE CHURCHES TO TRAVEL WITH US_] χειροτονηθεις. Appointed by a _show of hands_; from χειρ the _hand_, and τεινω, to _extend_. This appointment, by the suffrage of the Churches, seems to refer more to St. _Luke_ than any one else; unless we suppose he refers to the transaction, A... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 20. _AVOIDING THIS, THAT NO MAN SHOULD BLAME US_] Taking this prudent caution to have witnesses of our conduct, and such as were chosen by the Churches themselves, that we might not be suspected of having either embezzled or misapplied their bounty, 1 Corinthians 16:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 21. _PROVIDING FOR HONEST THINGS_] Taking care to act so as not only to be clear in the sight of God, but also to be clear in the sight of all men; avoiding even the appearance of evil. I wish the reader to refer to the excellent note on _"_1 Corinthians 16:4_"_, which I have extracted from Dr... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 22. _WE HAVE SENT WITH THEM_] _Titus_ and, probably, _Luke,_ _our brother_, probably _Apollos_. _NOW MUCH MORE DILIGENT_] Finding that I have the fullest confidence in your complete reformation and love to me, he engages in this business with alacrity, and exceeds even his former diligence.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 23. _WHETHER_ ANY DO INQUIRE _OF TITUS_] Should it be asked, _Who is this_ TITUS? I answer, he is my companion, and my fellow labourer in reference to you; 2 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Corinthians 7:6; 2 Corinthians 7:7. Should any inquire, Who are these _brethren_, Luke and Apollos? I answer, _They... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 8:24. _WHEREFORE SHOW YE TO THEM, AND BEFORE THE CHURCHES_, c.] Seeing they are persons every way _worthy_ in themselves, and coming to you on such an _important_ occasion, and so highly recommended, receive them affectionately and let them thus see that the very high character I... [ Continue Reading ]