Bible Commentaries
2 Corinthians 8

Verses 1-15

XXX

THE GREAT COLLECTION FOR THE POOR SAINTS AT JERUSALEM

2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15.

The Great Collection discussed in 2 Corinthians 8-9 was for the benefit of the poor saints in Jerusalem. We learn from Acts 2:44-45; Acts 4:32-37; Acts 5:1-11; Acts 6:1-4, the following facts:

1. That in the great revival following Pentecost, and lasting three years and a half, up to the dispersion brought about by Saul’s persecution, vast multitudes of the Jews of the dispersion being gathered to attend the annual feasts remained over in Jerusalem on account of the revival, that every year at the feasts this multitude was increased, and that as the majority of the converted were from the poor, very great poverty existed in the church. This constitutes the occasion of these collections.

2. That to relieve this destitution, extraordinary but voluntary donations were contributed by the wealthier class of Christians in order to form a relief fund to be distributed by the apostles.

3. That in connection with donations to this fund occurred the dramatic tragedy of Ananias and Sapphira.

4. That complaints arising among the Christian Jews of the dispersion as to an equitable division of this fund, brought about the creation of the office of deacon. We learn from Acts 11:27-30 that a great dearth throughout the world so greatly enhanced the destitution in Jerusalem that the Antioch church took a relief collection and sent it for distribution to the elders of the Jerusalem church, by Barnabas and Paul. This is the first outside collection on record for the poor saints in Jerusalem. We learn also from Galatians 2:10 that James, Peter, and John urged Barnabas and Paul, missionaries to the Gentiles, to remember the Christian poor at Jerusalem, which was in the private conference preceding the public conference, both of which are described in Acts 15:1-21. The distress of poverty among the Jerusalem saints must have been very great and persistent to justify this appeal. It was in reference to this necessity and appeal that Paul, in accordance with his promise, is responding in this section.

The scriptures bearing directly on these collections are: 1 Corinthians 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Romans 15:25-28; Acts 20:4; Acts 24:17. From these passages we learn the extent and range of the collections; that all the churches of Galatia in Asia Minor, all the churches in Macedonia, all the churches in Achaia took part. There may have been others, but these are specifically named. It was a series of collections in which two continents participated. From the presence of Trophimus, the Ephesian, and Tychicus in Jerusalem with him when he tendered the collection (Acts 20:4; Acts 24:17; Acts 21:18), we may infer that proconsular Asia participated in the collection.

The ground of obligation cited by Paul to justify the collections by his Gentile converts is one of debt, thus expressed: "For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they owe it to them also to minister unto them in carnal things" (Romans 15:27). Paul’s coadjutors in engineering these collections were Titus, Timothy, and others whose names are not given.

The seven rules governing these collections were as follows:

1. As to time, they should, every Sunday, or on the first day of the week, lay by in store until the accumulated fund was ready to be forwarded (1 Corinthians 16:2).

2. Let the contribution of each be "according as God has prospered him" (1 Corinthians 16:2). "According as a man hath – not according as he hath not" (2 Corinthians 8:12).

3. It must be voluntary – "of a willing mind" (2 Corinthians 8:12).

4. It must be deliberate, i. e., according to a previous purpose (2 Corinthians 9:7; 2 Corinthians 8:17).

5. It must be cheerfully done, not grudgingly or of compulsion (2 Corinthians 9:7).

6. The donor must have first given himself to the Lord (2 Corinthians 8:5).

7. They pray for them and long after them (2 Corinthians 9:14).

The motives to which appeals were made are both higher and lower. The higher motives were:

1. The example of their Lord (2 Corinthians 8:9).

2. As we sow, so shall we reap (2 Corinthians 9:6).

3. God’s grace will care for us (2 Corinthians 9:8).

4. It is a deed of righteousness (2 Corinthians 9:9-10).

5. This service not only supplied the need of the poor saints but awakened many thanksgivings to God (2 Corinthians 9:11-12).

6. The recipients of the bounty glorify God on account of the donor’s subjection to God (2 Corinthians 9:13).

7. They pray for them and long after them (2 Corinthians 9:14).

8. They should abound in the grace of giving as ’in other graces (2 Corinthians 8:7).

The lower motives were:

1. The example of the Macedonian churches (2 Corinthians 8:1-5).

2. To prove the sincerity of their love (2 Corinthians 8:8).

3. It is expedient to carry on what has been begun (2 Corinthians 8:10).

4. They had pledged to help, and should redeem their pledges (2 Corinthians 8:11. Cf. Ecclesiastes 5:4-6).

5. The zeal of their pledges had stimulated others (2 Corinthians 9:2), and shame would follow if their pledges were unredeemed (2 Corinthians 9:3-4).

6. On account of their zeal in pledging the apostles had boasted of their readiness, and he would be put to shame if the pledges were unredeemed (2 Corinthians 9:2-4).

Wise steps were taken to guard against suspicion and misapprehension in regard to taking collections, and the handling and transporting agents, the brother, "whose praise in the goscreet and trustworthy men were appointed as collecting agents (2 Corinthians 8:16-18; 2 Corinthians 12:18-19). and the churches themselves appointed the messengers who should have charge of the funds collected (2 Corinthians 8:19-23; Acts 20:4). Among these collecting and transporting agents, the brother, "whose praise in the gospel is spread through all the churches" (2 Corinthians 8:18), was most likely Luke, as we know from the pronoun "us" in Acts 21:18 that he was of the number who went with Paul to Jerusalem when he carried the collection there.

The applications of the principle involved to other kingdom enterprises are as follows:

1. As all the particular churches are related to the same King and kingdom, their co-operation in kingdom enterprises on some equitable method is mandatory.

2. That the method most approved by experience, and which conserves the independence of the churches and expresses their independence, is by voluntary associations and conventions through messengers of the churches.

3. That whatever the plan of association for eliciting, combining and directing the funds of the churches, there must be no projecting of a church into an association or convention so as to merge its sovereignty into a denominational body having

4. That on the voluntary principle and by messengers, such appellate jurisdiction over the private affairs of the churches, a co-operation may be attained as will serve for all kingdom purposes.

5. That such care must be taken in collecting, handling, and distributing such common fund as will remove all just grounds for suspicion.

QUESTIONS

1. For whose benefit was the collection which is discussed in 2 Corinthians 8-7

2. What scriptures furnish the background of so many and so great collections?

3. What is the occasion of these collections?

4. How was this extraordinary destitution relieved?

5. What dramatic tragedy in this connection?

6. What office was created in the church at this time, and what the occasion of it?

7. What is the first outside collection for these poor saints, and what its occasion?

8. What indicates the great and persistent distress of poverty among the Jerusalem saints?

9. What, then, brought forth this discussion in 2 Corinthians 8-9?

10. What are the scriptures bearing directly on these collections?

11. From these and other scriptures, what do we learn as to the extent and range of these collections?

12. What is the ground of obligation, cited by Paul to justify the collection by his Gentile converts?

13. Who were Paul’s coadjustors in engineering these collections?

14. What are the seven rules governing these collections?

15. What are the higher motives?

16. What are the lower motives?

17. What wise steps were taken to guard against suspicion and misapprehension in regard to taking collections and the handling and disbursement of the funds collected?

18. Among these collecting and transporting agents, who most likely was the brother "whose praise in the gospel is spread through all the churches," and why?

19. What is the application of the principle involved to other kingdom?