Bible Commentaries
2 Corinthians 8

Verses 1-6

17 Isa_52:11 ; LXX, with alterations. Paul is not misquoting from memory, as is usually supposed. He makes inspired alterations to suit the occasion.

2 What a tender yet cutting rebuke to the Corinthians! The idea that Paul had injured any of them! They owed all their blessings in Christ to him. They, indeed, had injured him their ungrateful conduct. Whom, indeed, had he corrupted? He had led them out of the corruption of heathendom into the holiness which is in Christ. Had he overreached any of them? He did not even charge them with his bare subsistence, when he might have claimed all they had. They owed their very selves to him. But their ungratefulness did not alienate his affections from them. No doubt, at his coming into Macedonia, there would be much to engage his attention, much in Phillippi to encourage and comfort him in his distress, yet nothing set his heart at rest until he had tidings from Corinth. This is but another example of the function of evil. Had the Corinthians been exemplary in their conduct, this marvelous interchange and expression of affection would never have found occasion. Men cannot bring good out of evil: that is God's prerogative. But God can, and does, control all the evil in the universe, so that its ultimate result will be blessing far beyond what could have been had evil never entered and marred His perfect creation. God is able to cope with evil. It is not stronger than He is.

6 At Titus' arrival in Macedonia he conveys to Paul the good news that the Corinthians as a whole have been greatly affected by his former epistle and have been diligent to right the wrongs which he had pointed out. At times the apostle seems to have regretted writing the epistle, for he did not wish to cause them sorrow. But now that the sorrow produced has had such a beneficial effect, he rejoices that it was not superficial, or despairing, but caused them to change their mind, and act accordingly. Above all it proved that the gross sins into which some of them had fallen were not widespread. It did not have the countenance of the ecclesia, for they resented it, and defended themselves. They made it clear that, as an ecclesia, they were pure in this matter . The majority laid aside their party affiliations and united to purge the ecclesia of its defilement.

12 It would seem that the opposition to Paul in Corinth was not deep-seated, unless we except some of the Jewish leaders. At heart they were true to him though their conduct seemed to belie it. So Paul brings home to them for more than one reason the gross sin which was committed among them. Indeed, he might have made it an individual matter, and could have written to the offender personally. But he chose rather to involve the ecclesia that they might realize the true heart allegiance which they gave him, notwithstanding their schisms and divisions. Great calamities and persecutions of the saints have much the same effect still. Petty differences and party spirit disappear when some common danger recalls the saints to their allegiance to Christ.

13 Titus seems to have been much concerned about the Corinthians, lest they should prove refractory, and his visit to them lead to dissension and disobedience. Paul was the more concerned to know of his reception on this account, and because he had sought to soothe his fears and had boasted of the outcome of his endeavors. Titus must have been much pleased to find his fears unfounded, but not nearly so much as Paul, who would have been disgraced for boasting without cause, and for sending Titus to them in spite of his apprehensions.

1 Macedonia, and especially its chief cities, Philippi and Thessalollica, were models in many ways. The epistles addressed to them have much praise and hardly any censure. If Paul could boast to others about Corinth, he surely had a light to boast about Macedonia. They seem to have been very poor and in the midst of trying circumstances, so that Paul did not expect them to take any part in the collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem. But they beg to have a share in it, and give beyond their ability, first, indeed, giving themselves to the Lord.

Verses 7-24

7 Is it not remarkable that Macedonia, poverty stricken, in the midst of extreme affliction, deterred from contributing by Paul, entreats for the privilege as a favor, while Corinth, undoubtedly far richer and more able to contribute, needs their example and all the urging and spurring which the apostle can bring to bear in order that they should not disgrace him by a meager contribution?

9 Paul begins his pleading by giving the true motive which should actuate us in our gifts to God's work: and to His poor saints. Christ was rich once beyond all our conceptions of wealth. The whole universe was created for Him ( Col_1:16 ). He subsisted in the form of God

( Php_2:6 ). He had no peer on earth or in the heavens. All this He laid aside to enrich us. He emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, coming to be in the likeness of humanity, and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross ( Php_2:7-8 ). What poverty can equal this? The highest in heaven becomes the outcast of earth. Who was ever impoverished as He was? He gave up all He had and all He was to enrich us. Now we are rich. But few of God's saints are rich in this world's goods, yet all are blessed with untold spiritual wealth. Such is the example He has set before us. If such was His disposition, it should be ours as well.

10 It is noteworthy that the apostle never commands them to give. He never forces them to be generous. It is no injunction. He gives his opinion. The tithe, which was regularly taken in Israel for the support of the Levites, is never applied to the nations, for it is a part of the law, and its spirit is entirely foreign to the spontaneous, hearty response which alone gives value to all donations.

13 It is evident that the Corinthians were blessed with more than sufficient for their wants or they could not have given of their superabundance.

18 It is probable that Titus' companion later returned with Paul when he conveyed the contribution to Jerusalem, and was one of the company which went with him into Asia ( Act_20:4 ). These were Sopater of Berea" Aristarchus and Secundus of Thessalonica, Gaius of

Derbe, Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. Timothy would have been mentioned by name. Luke also was with them. Trophimus, we know, went as far as Jerusalem. It would be especially fitting that he should be among the bearers of this offering to the saints at Jerusalem and that they should thus requite him for his kindness, for Paul's long imprisonment began as a result of Trophimus' presence in Jerusalem. The Jews thought that Paul had taken him into the sacred precincts of the temple.

20 It was necessary that one in whom they had implicit confidence should have a hand in the conveyance of the collection to Jerusalem, lest Paul should leave open any possibility for false suspicions.

22 This brother was probably another of those who accompanied Paul on his return to Asia, possibly Tychicus.

23 It is interesting to note the usage of the word apostles in this connection. The Authorized mVersion hides it by translating "messengers". The American Revision repeats this, but puts "apostles" at the foot of the page. Others render it "ambassadors". But this occurrence is by far the best example by which to define the true meaning of "apostle." Sopater, Aristarchus, Secundus, Gaius, Tychicus and Trophimus are not ordinarily rated as apostles. While they were not apostles of the Lord, they certainly were apostles of the ecclesias. They had been elected and commissioned by the eeclesias to represent them in this matter. This shows that an apostle is an official representative, bearing a commission.

4 The Macedonians had hurried their collection. The Corinthians had been preparing for it long before them. How would it appear if they should not be ready?