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2 CORINTHIANS 8 – COMMENTARY

v.1 “One of the schemes that lay nearest to Paul’s heart was the collection that he was organizing for the Church of Jerusalem. This was the Mother Church but she was poor, and it was Paul’s desire that all the Gentiles’ Churches should remember and help that Church which was their mother in the faith. So here he reminds the Corinthians of their duty and urges them to generosity.”^[1]

v.2-5 “The Macedonians experienced an upwelling of generosity during a severe test of affliction. The New Testament evidence suggests that they were no strangers to persecution (see Acts 16:20; 17:50; Phil 1:29–30; 1 Thess 1:6; 2:14; 3:3–4). […]

“The Macedonians also suffered from extreme poverty that Paul vividly expresses as ‘down to depths of poverty.’ Persecution and social ostracism probably caused this rock bottom poverty. Their poverty matches that of the saints in Jerusalem that was also caused by persecution and may have generated their empathy with them.  In spite of persecution and poverty, they experienced an abundance of joy, which resulted in a wealth of generosity (the Greek uses cognates, ‘the abundance of their joy abounded …’).

“In the New Testament the Christian’s experience of joy has no correlation to his or her outward circumstances. Paradoxically, Christians can experience joy in the midst of great persecution and personal suffering.  Poverty overflowing into wealth also may seem paradoxical, but it fits the crazy-quilt logic of the gospel: joy + severe affliction + poverty = wealth. Here, wealth relates to a wealth of generosity and joy multiplied.”^[2]

“He tells them how generous the Macedonian Churches had been. They were poor and in trouble but they gave all they had, far more than anyone could have expected. At the Jews Feast of Purim there is a regulation which says that, however poor a man is, he must find someone poorer than himself and give him a gift. It is not always those who are most wealthy who are most generous; often those who have least to give are the most ready to give. As the common saying has it, ‘It is the poor who help the poor,’ because they know what poverty is like.’”^[3]

vv.10-11 “Paul does not command them on this matter but does give them authoritative counsel (see 1 Cor 7:25, 40). He wants to motivate them through reasoning since genuine benevolence for others is not something that is created by dint of a command. He also does not want to seem to criticize them, but he does want to tell him what he thinks is best. Their original intention was good, but if they do not carry it out, it would make them look bad. Paul shows his affirming leadership style by praising what can be praised, namely, their willingness to commit to the ministry in the first place, and by permitting ‘the Corinthians’ self-respect to function as an internal incentive.’* But he clearly, if subtly, communicates that talk is cheap; now is the time to produce. Boswell’s old adage that the road to hell is paved with good intentions applies. Therefore Paul thinks it is in their best interest to complete what they were so willing to start because: (1) they have already begun and they should not leave something undone (8:11); (2) nothing is accomplished if what is started is not finished; (3) they get no credit for initial enthusiasm that disintegrates before the task is finished.”^[4]

vv.8:13-15 “Stinginess has a way of expressing itself through suspicion of others and rationalizing its tightfisted ways. Paul is aware that some miserly members of the congregation might gripe, ‘Others will be profiting from our hard earned money.’ ‘We have to bear the brunt of the burden while the poor get rich off us.’ ‘We have enough financial troubles of our own, why should we have to help others we do not even know?’ Paul is realistic; unless one has the spirit of Christ, one does not want to bear a greater burden so that others might be relieved. He therefore tries to deflect any possible complaint by assuring them that the Jerusalem church is not going to live the high life from these gifts.”^[5]

vv.19-20 Money is a sensitive issue and frequently sparks controversy, and Paul reminds them that this fund is a ‘grace’ that is ‘being ministered’ by us for the purpose of bringing glory to the Lord and to show our good will (8:19). Then he explains that he is taking every precaution to be above reproach. By having these well-known representatives from Macedonia accompany Titus, Paul makes it clear that he does not intend for this project to line his own pockets. With someone appointed by other churches and not by Paul, there can be no doubts about his own honesty regarding what will happen to the funds. Paul recognizes that the power of one’s witness corresponds directly to one’s reputation for integrity. He cannot allow the project to become shrouded in malicious rumors that all is not above board. He therefore takes steps to ensure that there be not the slightest hint of any impropriety.^[6]

^[1]The letters to the Corinthians. 2000, c1975 (W. Barclay, lecturer in the University of Glasgow, Ed.). The Daily study Bible series, Rev. ed. (2 Co 8:16). Philadelphia: The Westminster Press.

^[2]Garland, D. E. (2001, c1999). Vol. 29: 2 Corinthians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (366). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

^[3]The letters to the Corinthians. 2000, c1975 (W. Barclay, lecturer in the University of Glasgow, Ed.). The Daily study Bible series, Rev. ed. (2 Co 8:16). Philadelphia: The Westminster Press.

* Murphy-O’Connor, The Theology of the Second Letter to the Corinthians, 84.

^[4]Garland, D. E. (2001, c1999). Vol. 29: 2 Corinthians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (379). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

^[5]Garland, D. E. (2001, c1999). Vol. 29: 2 Corinthians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (382). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

^[6]Garland, D. E. (2001, c1999). Vol. 29: 2 Corinthians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (393). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

Bible Text: 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 (ESV)

¹ We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, ² for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. ³ For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, ⁴ begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— ⁵ and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. ⁶ Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. ⁷ But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.

Reflection & Application 

2 Corinthians 8:1-7

• What are some contrasting words that describe the Macedonian church?
• What does this say about the source of generosity and joy?
• Have I ever given “beyond [my] means” to God?  What was this experience like?