2 Corinthianschapter 8

A.Deep Poverty Overflowing in Generosityvv. 1-7

1 Now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the churches of Macedonia. 2 In the terrible ordeal they suffered, their abundant joy and deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave according to their ability and even beyond it. Of their own accord, 4 they earnestly pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5 And not only did they do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us, because it was the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus to help complete your act of grace, just as he had started it. 7 But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in the love we inspired in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

B.He Became Poor So You Might Become Richvv. 8-15

8 I am not making a demand, but I am testing the sincerity of your love in comparison to the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. 10 And this is my opinion about what is helpful for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give, but even to have such a desire. 11 Now finish the work, so that you may complete it just as eagerly as you began, according to your means. 12 For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. 13 It is not our intention that others may be relieved while you are burdened, but that there may be equality. 14 At the present time, your surplus will meet their need, so that in turn their surplus will meet your need. Then there will be equality. 15 As it is written: “He who gathered much had no excess, and he who gathered little had no shortfall.”

C.Honest Handling: Brothers Sent to Carry the Giftvv. 16-24

16 But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same devotion I have for you. 17 For not only did he welcome our appeal, but he is eagerly coming to you of his own volition. 18 Along with Titus we are sending the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in the gospel. 19 More than that, this brother was chosen by the churches to accompany us with the offering—the gracious gift we administer to honor the Lord Himself and to show our eagerness to help. 20 We hope to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this generous gift. 21 For we are taking great care to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of men. 22 And we are sending along with them our brother whose earnestness has been proven many times and in many ways, and now even more so by his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you. As for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, to the glory of Christ. 24 In full view of the churches, then, show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our boasting about you.

Commentary on this chapter: read the Exposition

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Chapter summary

The grace of God bestowed on the Macedonian churches.

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The grace of God bestowed on the Macedonian churches. In a great trial of affliction, their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. They first gave themselves to the Lord. Paul urges the Corinthians to abound in this grace also. Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. Titus and a brother will gather the collection. JFB reads the chapter as the apostolic theology of Christian giving grounded in Christ's self-impoverishment.

Drawn from Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory, Matthew Henry, Complete Commentary, John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the New Testament and John Calvin, Commentaries.

Context

Epistle · Paul — 2 Corinthians overview

A. 1–7 Deep Poverty Overflowing in Generosity
B. 8–15 He Became Poor So You Might Become Rich
C. 16–24 Honest Handling: Brothers Sent to Carry the Gift

Top cross-references8 chapters ▾

2 Corinthians 84 verses
- 2 Corinthians 8:6So we urged Titus to help complete your act of grace, just as he had started it.
- 2 Corinthians 8:10And this is my opinion about what is helpful for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give, but even to have such a desire.
- 2 Corinthians 8:16But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same devotion I have for you.
- 2 Corinthians 8:19More than that, this brother was chosen by the churches to accompany us with the offering—the gracious gift we administer to honor the Lord Himself and to show our eagerness to help.
- Read 2 Corinthians 8 →
2 Corinthians 93 verses
- 2 Corinthians 9:2For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting to the Macedonians that since last year you in Achaia were prepared to give. And your zeal has stirred most of them to do likewise.
- 2 Corinthians 9:8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
- 2 Corinthians 9:12For this ministry of service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God.
- Read 2 Corinthians 9 →
Exodus 353 verses
- Exodus 35:5Take from among you an offering to the LORD. Let everyone whose heart is willing bring an offering to the LORD: gold, silver, and bronze;
- Exodus 35:21And everyone whose heart stirred him and whose spirit prompted him came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work on the Tent of Meeting, for all its services, and for the holy garments.
- Exodus 35:29So all the men and women of the Israelites whose hearts prompted them brought a freewill offering to the LORD for all the work that the LORD through Moses had commanded them to do.
- Read Exodus 35 →
James 23 verses
- James 2:5Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?
- James 2:14What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
- James 2:15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
- Read James 2 →

4 more chapters this one speaks with

Philippians 23 verses
- Philippians 2:6Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
- Philippians 2:20I have nobody else like him who will genuinely care for your needs.
- Philippians 2:25But I thought it necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my needs.
- Read Philippians 2 →
Romans 122 verses
- Romans 12:1Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
- Romans 12:17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.
- Read Romans 12 →
Romans 142 verses
- Romans 14:7For none of us lives to himself alone, and none of us dies to himself alone.
- Romans 14:16Do not allow what you consider good, then, to be spoken of as evil.
- Read Romans 14 →
1 Corinthians 72 verses
- 1 Corinthians 7:6I say this as a concession, not as a command.
- 1 Corinthians 7:17Regardless, each one should lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is what I prescribe in all the churches.
- Read 1 Corinthians 7 →

Cross-references from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and OpenBible.info.