Bible Commentaries
2 Corinthians 8

Introduction

Overview

2 Corinthians 8:1, He stirs them up to a liberal contribution for the poor saints at Jerusalem, by the example of the Macedonians; 2 Corinthians 8:7, by commendation of their former forwardness; 2 Corinthians 8:9, by the example of Christ; 2 Corinthians 8:14, and by the spiritual profit that shall redound to themselves thereby; 2 Corinthians 8:16, commending to them the integrity and willingness of Titus, and those other brethren, who upon his request, exhortation, and commendation, were purposely come to them for this business.

Verse 1

we: 2 Corinthians 8:19

the grace: 2 Corinthians 8:2-7, 2 Corinthians 9:12, Acts 11:23, 1 Corinthians 15:10, Ephesians 3:8, Colossians 1:29

churches: 2 Corinthians 9:2, 2 Corinthians 9:4, 2 Corinthians 11:9, Acts 16:9, Romans 15:26, 1 Thessalonians 1:7, 1 Thessalonians 1:8, 1 Thessalonians 4:10

Reciprocal: Psalms 110:3 - Thy Proverbs 22:9 - He that hath a bountiful eye Proverbs 26:12 - a man Song of Solomon 5:4 - put Matthew 13:23 - some an Matthew 21:3 - straightway Matthew 25:22 - I have Matthew 25:35 - I was an Mark 14:8 - hath done Acts 19:22 - Macedonia Romans 12:8 - giveth Romans 12:13 - Distributing 1 Corinthians 16:1 - concerning 1 Corinthians 16:2 - as God 2 Corinthians 6:1 - the 2 Corinthians 8:8 - by occasion 2 Corinthians 9:14 - the exceeding Galatians 2:10 - that Philippians 1:5 - General 1 Thessalonians 1:6 - received 1 Thessalonians 2:14 - ye also 1 Thessalonians 3:4 - even 1 Timothy 6:18 - ready Hebrews 6:10 - which 1 Peter 2:19 - thankworthy

Verse 2

in: 1 Thessalonians 1:6, 1 Thessalonians 2:14, 1 Thessalonians 3:3, 1 Thessalonians 3:4

the abundance: Nehemiah 8:10-12, Acts 2:45, Acts 2:46

their deep: Mark 12:42-44, Luke 21:1-4, James 2:5, Revelation 2:9

the riches: 2 Corinthians 6:10, 2 Corinthians 9:11, 2 Corinthians 9:13, Deuteronomy 15:4, Proverbs 11:25, Isaiah 32:5-8

liberality: Gr. simplicity, 2 Corinthians 1:12, Romans 12:8

Reciprocal: Exodus 36:5 - General Deuteronomy 15:11 - Thou shalt 1 Chronicles 22:14 - trouble 2 Chronicles 24:10 - rejoiced 2 Chronicles 31:5 - as soon Proverbs 3:9 - General Proverbs 19:22 - desire Proverbs 22:9 - He that hath a bountiful eye Proverbs 26:12 - a man Song of Solomon 5:4 - put Isaiah 32:8 - the liberal Ezekiel 21:13 - Because Matthew 13:23 - some an Matthew 14:16 - they Matthew 21:3 - straightway Mark 12:43 - That Mark 12:44 - cast in of Luke 6:20 - Blessed Luke 12:33 - Sell Luke 21:3 - more Acts 11:29 - every Acts 13:52 - were Acts 28:10 - laded 2 Corinthians 8:1 - the grace 2 Corinthians 8:19 - to the 2 Corinthians 9:8 - may 2 Corinthians 11:9 - the brethren Ephesians 4:28 - that he 1 Thessalonians 4:10 - all the 1 Timothy 6:18 - ready 2 Peter 1:8 - and abound

Verse 3

to: 2 Corinthians 9:6, 2 Corinthians 9:7, Mark 14:8, Acts 11:29, 1 Corinthians 16:2, 1 Peter 4:11

I bear: Romans 10:2, Galatians 4:15, Colossians 4:13

beyond: 2 Corinthians 8:12, 2 Corinthians 8:16, 2 Corinthians 8:17, Exodus 35:5, Exodus 35:21, Exodus 35:22, Exodus 35:29, 1 Chronicles 29:5, 1 Chronicles 29:6, 1 Chronicles 29:9, 1 Chronicles 29:13-17, Psalms 110:3, 1 Corinthians 9:17, Philippians 2:13, 1 Thessalonians 2:8, Philemon 1:14, 1 Peter 5:2

Reciprocal: Exodus 36:5 - General Judges 5:9 - offered 1 Chronicles 29:2 - with all 2 Chronicles 17:16 - willingly Ezra 2:68 - offered freely Proverbs 3:9 - General Proverbs 19:22 - desire Matthew 14:16 - they Mark 12:44 - cast in of Luke 3:11 - He that hath two Luke 21:3 - more Acts 20:26 - I take 2 Corinthians 8:10 - forward 2 Corinthians 9:11 - enriched

Verse 4

that: 2 Corinthians 8:18, 2 Corinthians 8:19, Genesis 33:10, Genesis 33:11, 2 Kings 5:15, 2 Kings 5:16, Acts 16:15, 1 Corinthians 16:3, 1 Corinthians 16:4

the ministering: 2 Corinthians 9:1, 2 Corinthians 9:12-14, Matthew 10:42, Matthew 12:50, Matthew 25:40, Matthew 25:44, Matthew 25:45, Mark 14:7, John 19:26, John 19:27, Acts 6:1-7, Acts 9:39-41, Acts 11:29, Acts 24:17, Romans 15:25, Romans 15:26, 1 Corinthians 16:1, 1 Corinthians 16:3, 1 Corinthians 16:4, 1 Corinthians 16:15, Galatians 2:10, Galatians 6:10, 1 Timothy 5:10, Philemon 1:5, Philemon 1:6, Hebrews 6:10, 1 John 3:16-18

Reciprocal: Judges 5:9 - offered Isaiah 14:2 - and the house Isaiah 60:9 - thy sons Romans 15:31 - and that 2 Corinthians 8:6 - grace Galatians 2:9 - fellowship

Verse 5

first: 2 Corinthians 5:14, 2 Corinthians 5:15, 1 Samuel 1:28, 2 Chronicles 30:8, Isaiah 44:3-5, Jeremiah 31:33, Zechariah 13:9, Romans 6:13, Romans 12:1, Romans 14:7-9, 1 Corinthians 6:19, 1 Corinthians 6:20

unto: 2 Corinthians 4:5, 1 Chronicles 12:18, 2 Chronicles 30:12

Reciprocal: Exodus 10:26 - cattle Deuteronomy 26:17 - avouched Ruth 2:16 - General 2 Kings 11:17 - made a covenant 2 Chronicles 15:12 - they entered 2 Chronicles 29:10 - to make a covenant Psalms 119:106 - sworn Proverbs 23:26 - give Isaiah 14:2 - and the house Isaiah 44:5 - subscribe Isaiah 56:6 - join Isaiah 60:9 - thy sons Jeremiah 50:5 - Come Acts 17:4 - consorted Romans 15:16 - offering up 1 Thessalonians 1:6 - ye 1 Timothy 4:15 - give

Verse 6

we: 2 Corinthians 8:16, 2 Corinthians 8:17, 2 Corinthians 12:18

grace: or, gift, 2 Corinthians 8:4, 2 Corinthians 8:19, *marg. 2 Corinthians 9:5, Philippians 4:18, 1 Peter 4:10

Reciprocal: 1 Corinthians 16:3 - liberality 2 Corinthians 2:13 - Titus 2 Corinthians 8:7 - this 2 Corinthians 8:23 - Titus 2 Corinthians 9:3 - have 2 Corinthians 9:14 - the exceeding 1 Timothy 2:1 - exhort 2 Timothy 4:10 - Titus Titus 1:4 - Titus

Verse 7

as: Romans 15:14, 1 Corinthians 1:5, 1 Corinthians 4:7, 1 Corinthians 12:13, 1 Corinthians 14:12, Revelation 3:17

faith: 1 Corinthians 13:2

knowledge: 1 Corinthians 8:1, 1 Corinthians 8:2, 1 Corinthians 13:8

in your: 2 Corinthians 7:7

see: 2 Corinthians 9:8, Philippians 1:9, Philippians 1:11, 1 Thessalonians 4:9, 1 Thessalonians 4:10, 2 Thessalonians 1:3, 1 Peter 1:22, 2 Peter 1:5-8

this: 2 Corinthians 8:6, 2 Corinthians 9:14, Ephesians 4:29, 2 Timothy 2:1, Hebrews 12:28, 2 Peter 3:18

Reciprocal: Proverbs 14:31 - but Proverbs 21:26 - the righteous Ezekiel 18:7 - hath given Matthew 25:22 - I have Matthew 25:35 - I was an Matthew 25:40 - Inasmuch Luke 11:41 - rather Luke 19:8 - Behold 1 Corinthians 12:8 - is given 2 Corinthians 8:19 - grace Ephesians 6:19 - utterance 1 Thessalonians 1:3 - and labour 2 Peter 1:8 - and abound Revelation 19:10 - See

Verse 8

speak: 2 Corinthians 8:10, 2 Corinthians 9:7, 1 Corinthians 7:6, 1 Corinthians 7:12, 1 Corinthians 7:25

by occasion: 2 Corinthians 8:1-3, 2 Corinthians 9:2, Romans 11:12-14, Hebrews 10:24

prove: 2 Corinthians 8:24, 2 Corinthians 6:6, Joshua 24:14, Ezekiel 33:31, Romans 12:9, Ephesians 4:15, *marg. Ephesians 6:24, James 2:14-16, 1 Peter 1:22, 1 John 3:17-19

Reciprocal: Genesis 44:2 - General Deuteronomy 13:3 - ye love the Lord your God Deuteronomy 24:22 - General Psalms 112:4 - he is gracious Proverbs 3:9 - General Matthew 25:22 - I have Luke 19:8 - Behold John 11:36 - Behold John 14:15 - General John 14:24 - that John 21:17 - Feed 1 Corinthians 5:8 - but 1 Corinthians 16:22 - love 2 Corinthians 1:12 - godly 2 Corinthians 5:14 - the love 2 Corinthians 8:17 - but Philippians 1:10 - that ye may be Philippians 2:22 - ye 1 Thessalonians 4:10 - all the Titus 2:7 - sincerity James 2:16 - one 1 John 4:11 - General

Verse 9

the grace: 2 Corinthians 13:14, John 1:14, John 1:17, Romans 5:8, Romans 5:20, Romans 5:21, 1 Corinthians 1:4, Ephesians 1:6-8, Ephesians 2:7, Ephesians 3:8, Ephesians 3:19

though: Psalms 102:25-27, John 1:1-4, John 1:10, John 16:15, 1 Corinthians 15:47, Philippians 2:6, Colossians 1:16, Colossians 1:17, Hebrews 1:2, Hebrews 1:6-14

for: Isaiah 62:1, Isaiah 65:8, John 12:30, John 17:19, Colossians 1:24

he became: Isaiah 53:2, Matthew 8:20, Matthew 17:27, Matthew 20:28, Mark 6:3, Luke 2:7, Luke 8:3, Luke 9:58, Philippians 2:6-8

that ye: 2 Corinthians 6:10, Luke 16:11, Romans 8:32, Romans 11:12, 1 Corinthians 3:21, 1 Corinthians 3:22, Ephesians 3:8, 1 Timothy 6:18, James 2:5, Revelation 3:18, Revelation 21:7

Reciprocal: Leviticus 12:8 - she be not able to bring a lamb Leviticus 14:21 - poor Leviticus 25:25 - General Leviticus 25:35 - thy brother Deuteronomy 24:22 - General Psalms 18:27 - save Psalms 26:3 - For Psalms 37:21 - righteous Psalms 40:17 - I am poor Psalms 69:29 - I am poor Psalms 72:12 - For Psalms 109:22 - For I Psalms 112:4 - he is gracious Psalms 112:9 - dispersed Psalms 119:141 - small Proverbs 3:9 - General Proverbs 8:31 - and my Matthew 21:3 - The Lord Mark 11:3 - that Luke 2:24 - A pair Luke 6:20 - Blessed Luke 6:30 - Give Luke 6:35 - love Luke 10:37 - He that Luke 19:34 - General Luke 22:27 - General John 4:6 - sat John 6:9 - barley John 11:36 - Behold John 13:4 - laid aside John 13:14 - I then John 14:15 - General John 14:24 - that John 21:17 - Feed Acts 2:44 - had Acts 3:6 - Silver Acts 15:11 - that Acts 20:35 - It is Acts 24:17 - to bring Romans 10:12 - rich 1 Corinthians 16:22 - love 2 Corinthians 5:14 - the love Ephesians 1:7 - to Ephesians 5:2 - as Philippians 2:7 - made Philippians 4:11 - in respect 2 Thessalonians 1:12 - the grace 1 Timothy 1:14 - the grace James 2:3 - to the 1 John 2:8 - which 1 John 3:17 - whoso 1 John 4:11 - General Revelation 2:9 - poverty Revelation 5:12 - to receive

Verse 10

I give: 1 Corinthians 7:25, 1 Corinthians 7:40

expedient: 2 Corinthians 12:1, Proverbs 19:17, Matthew 10:42, John 11:50, John 16:7, John 18:14, 1 Corinthians 6:12, 1 Corinthians 10:23, Philippians 4:17, 1 Timothy 6:18, 1 Timothy 6:19, Hebrews 13:16, James 2:15, James 2:16

to be: 2 Corinthians 8:8, 2 Corinthians 9:2

forward: Gr. willing, 2 Corinthians 8:3

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 16:10 - according 2 Corinthians 8:17 - but

Verse 11

Reciprocal: Exodus 35:5 - whosoever Proverbs 3:28 - General 1 Corinthians 16:2 - that

Verse 12

if: 2 Corinthians 9:7, Exodus 25:2, Exodus 35:5, Exodus 35:21, Exodus 35:22, Exodus 35:29, 1 Chronicles 29:3-18, 2 Chronicles 6:8, Proverbs 19:22, Mark 12:42-44, Mark 14:7, Mark 14:8, Luke 7:44-46, Luke 12:47, Luke 12:48, Luke 16:10, Luke 21:1-4, 1 Peter 4:10

Reciprocal: Genesis 22:12 - Lay Exodus 35:24 - whom Leviticus 1:3 - his own Leviticus 1:14 - of fowls Leviticus 5:7 - he be not able to bring a lamb Leviticus 7:30 - own hands Leviticus 14:21 - poor Leviticus 27:8 - poorer Deuteronomy 16:10 - according Deuteronomy 16:17 - as he is able Judges 5:2 - when Judges 5:9 - offered 1 Kings 8:18 - Whereas 1 Chronicles 28:9 - a willing mind 1 Chronicles 29:9 - they offered 2 Chronicles 17:16 - willingly 2 Chronicles 35:8 - willingly Ezra 2:68 - offered freely Ezra 7:16 - offering Nehemiah 5:8 - We after Nehemiah 7:71 - chief Nehemiah 10:32 - the third part Psalms 110:3 - Thy Malachi 1:14 - which hath in his flock Matthew 10:42 - a cup Matthew 25:17 - he also Matthew 25:22 - I have Mark 12:43 - That Luke 11:41 - rather Luke 19:18 - thy Luke 21:3 - more John 20:4 - outrun Acts 3:6 - but Acts 9:39 - and showing Acts 11:29 - every Romans 1:15 - so Romans 7:17 - it is no more Romans 12:6 - according to the proportion Romans 12:8 - giveth 1 Corinthians 9:17 - if I 1 Corinthians 16:2 - as God 2 Corinthians 8:3 - beyond Ephesians 4:28 - that he Ephesians 6:24 - in sincerity 1 Timothy 6:18 - ready Philemon 1:14 - thy benefit Hebrews 11:17 - offered

Verse 13

not: Acts 4:34, Romans 15:26, Romans 15:27

Reciprocal: Numbers 35:8 - from them

Verse 14

Reciprocal: Exodus 16:18 - General Leviticus 7:10 - one as much Numbers 35:8 - from them Joshua 19:9 - too much Luke 6:38 - and it Acts 2:44 - had 2 Corinthians 9:12 - only 1 John 3:17 - whoso

Verse 15

Exodus 16:18, Luke 22:35

Reciprocal: Joshua 19:9 - too much Luke 6:38 - and it Acts 2:44 - had 2 Corinthians 9:12 - only 1 John 3:17 - whoso

Verse 16

thanks: Ezra 7:27, Nehemiah 2:12, Jeremiah 31:31, Jeremiah 32:40, Colossians 3:17, Revelation 17:17

earnest: 2 Corinthians 7:7, 2 Corinthians 7:12, Philippians 2:20

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 25:32 - General 1 Chronicles 29:13 - we thank 2 Chronicles 31:8 - blessed Ezra 1:5 - whose spirit Nehemiah 2:8 - the king Nehemiah 4:6 - had a mind Nehemiah 7:5 - put into mine Nehemiah 11:2 - willingly Psalms 110:3 - Thy Proverbs 3:6 - In Proverbs 16:1 - preparations Song of Solomon 5:4 - put Haggai 1:14 - stirred Matthew 21:3 - straightway John 13:2 - put Acts 7:23 - it came 1 Corinthians 7:34 - careth 1 Corinthians 12:25 - the same 2 Corinthians 2:13 - Titus 2 Corinthians 2:14 - thanks 2 Corinthians 8:3 - beyond 2 Corinthians 8:6 - we 2 Corinthians 8:23 - Titus 2 Corinthians 9:11 - which 2 Corinthians 12:18 - walked we not in the same spirit Galatians 2:1 - Titus 2 Timothy 4:10 - Titus Titus 1:4 - Titus

Verse 17

accepted: 2 Corinthians 8:6, Hebrews 13:22

but: 2 Corinthians 8:8, 2 Corinthians 8:10

Reciprocal: Judges 5:9 - offered Nehemiah 4:6 - had a mind Nehemiah 11:2 - willingly Acts 11:30 - by 2 Corinthians 8:3 - beyond 2 Corinthians 9:3 - have

Verse 18

the brother: This is generally supposed to have been Said. Luke, "whose praise was in all the churches," on account of the gospel which he had written, and for many zealous services in its cause. 2 Corinthians 8:19, 2 Corinthians 8:22, 2 Corinthians 8:23, 2 Corinthians 12:18

throughout: Romans 16:4

Reciprocal: 2 Corinthians 8:4 - that Philippians 4:8 - praise

Verse 19

but: 2 Corinthians 8:1-4, Acts 6:3-6, Acts 15:22, Acts 15:25, 1 Corinthians 16:3, 1 Corinthians 16:4

grace: or gift, 2 Corinthians 8:4, 2 Corinthians 8:6, 2 Corinthians 8:7, 2 Corinthians 9:8

to the: 2 Corinthians 8:1, 2 Corinthians 8:2, 2 Corinthians 4:15, 2 Corinthians 9:12-14, Philippians 4:18, Philippians 4:19, 1 Peter 4:10, 1 Peter 4:11

Reciprocal: John 12:6 - the bag 2 Corinthians 8:18 - the brother 2 Corinthians 8:23 - the messengers 2 Corinthians 9:2 - the forwardness 2 Corinthians 9:11 - which

Verse 20

that: 2 Corinthians 11:12, Matthew 10:16, Romans 14:16, 1 Corinthians 16:3, Ephesians 5:15, 1 Thessalonians 5:22

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:32 - before 2 Kings 22:7 - they dealt faithfully Ezra 8:25 - weighed Ezra 8:33 - weighed Acts 4:35 - at Romans 12:17 - Provide 2 Corinthians 6:3 - General 1 Thessalonians 4:12 - ye may walk

Verse 21

for: Romans 12:17, Philippians 4:8, 1 Timothy 5:14, Titus 2:5-8, 1 Peter 2:12

not: 2 Corinthians 2:17, 2 Corinthians 5:9-11, Matthew 5:16, Matthew 6:1, Matthew 6:4, Matthew 23:5, 1 Thessalonians 5:22

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:32 - before Genesis 43:12 - double Ruth 3:14 - Let it not Ruth 4:4 - Buy it 1 Kings 18:34 - Do it the second 2 Kings 22:7 - they dealt faithfully Ezra 8:25 - weighed Ezra 8:33 - weighed Jeremiah 32:12 - and in Acts 4:35 - at Acts 10:23 - and certain Romans 14:16 - General Romans 14:18 - is 1 Corinthians 10:29 - why 2 Corinthians 13:7 - honest 1 Thessalonians 4:12 - ye may walk 1 Timothy 3:7 - lest

Verse 22

whom: Philippians 2:20-22

I have: or, he hath

Reciprocal: Romans 16:10 - approved 2 Corinthians 2:3 - having 2 Corinthians 8:18 - the brother Galatians 5:10 - confidence Philippians 2:22 - ye Philippians 2:25 - my brother 2 Thessalonians 3:4 - we have Philemon 1:21 - General

Verse 23

Titus: 2 Corinthians 8:6, 2 Corinthians 8:16, 2 Corinthians 7:6, 2 Corinthians 12:18

is my: Luke 5:7, Luke 5:10, Philemon 1:17

and fellowhelper: Philippians 2:25, Philippians 4:3, Colossians 1:7, 1 Thessalonians 2:2, Philemon 1:24, 3 John 1:8

the messengers: 2 Corinthians 8:19, Philippians 2:25,*Gr.

Reciprocal: Acts 20:4 - Derbe 2 Corinthians 2:13 - Titus 2 Corinthians 8:18 - the brother Galatians 2:1 - Titus 1 Thessalonians 3:2 - our brother Titus 1:4 - Titus

Verse 24

2 Corinthians 8:8, 2 Corinthians 7:14, 2 Corinthians 9:2-4

Reciprocal: Acts 20:4 - Derbe 2 Corinthians 2:9 - that 2 Corinthians 9:4 - be ashamed 2 Corinthians 12:21 - my God Philippians 2:22 - ye James 3:13 - let