2 Corinthians 8:1

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

work among them which he had begun; hoping that as they

abounded in many excellent gifts and graces, they would abound

in this also, 6-8.

He exhorts them to this by the example of Jesus Christ, who,

though rich, subjected himself to voluntary poverty, that they

might be enriched, 9.

He shows them that this contribution, which had been long ago

begun, should have been long since finished, 10.

And that they should do every thing with a ready and willing

mind, according to the ability which God had given them; that

abundance should not prevail on one hand, while pinching

poverty ruled on the other; but that there should be an

equality, 11-14.

He shows from the distribution of the manna in the wilderness,

that the design of God was, that every member of his spiritual

household should have the necessaries of life, 15.

He tells them that he had now sent Titus, and another with him,

to Corinth, to complete this great work, 16-22.

The character which he gives of Titus and the others employed

in this business, 23, 24.

NOTES ON CHAP. VIII.

Verse 2 Corinthians 8:1. Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit] In all our dignified version very few ill-constructed sentences can be found; however here is one, and the worst in the book. We do you to wit is in the original γνωριζομεν δε υμιν, we make known unto you. This is plain and intelligible, the other is not so; and the form is now obsolete.

The grace of God bestowed] Dr. Whitby has made it fully evident that the χαρις θεου signifies the charitable contribution made by the Churches in Macedonia, to which they were excited by the grace or influence of God upon their hearts; and that δεδομενην εν cannot signify bestowed on, but given in. That χαρις means liberality, appears from 2 Corinthians 8:6: We desired Titus that as he had begun, so he would finish την χαριν ταυτην, this charitable contribution. And 2 Corinthians 8:7: That ye abound εν ταυτη τη χαριτι, in this liberal contribution. And 2 Corinthians 8:19: Who was chosen of the Church to travel with us συν τη χαριτι ταυτη, with this charitable contribution, which is administered-which is to be dispensed, by us. So 2 Corinthians 9:8: God is able to make πασαν χαριν, all liberality, to abound towards you. And 1 Corinthians 16:3: To bring την χαριν, your liberality, to the poor saints. Hence χαρις, is by Hesychius and Phavorinus interpreted a gift, as it is here by the apostle: Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift, 2 Corinthians 9:15. This charity is styled the grace of God, either from its exceeding greatness, (as the cedars of God and mountains of God signify great cedars and great mountains, Psalms 36:6; Psalms 80:10;) or rather, it is called so as proceeding from God, who is the dispenser of all good, and the giver of this disposition; for the motive of charity must come from him. So, in other places, the zeal of God, Romans 10:2; the love of God, 2 Corinthians 5:14; the grace of God, Titus 2:11.

The Churches of Macedonia] These were Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, c.