2 Corinthians · chapter 8 of 13
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2 Corinthians 8 presents the generosity of the Macedonian churches, who gave beyond their means amid poverty, as an example for the Corinthians. Paul appeals to the grace of Christ, who though rich became poor, asks them to complete the collection for the saints in Jerusalem and introduces Titus and other brothers who will handle it with transparency.
With the relationship restored, Paul turns to a practical topic that runs through several of his writings: financial help for the poor believers in Jerusalem. Chapters 8 and 9 contain the New Testament's fullest teaching on Christian giving, based on grace, willingness and transparency, not on pressure.
Paul makes known the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia. In a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity. They gave according to their means, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints. And not as Paul expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then, by the will of God, to Paul and his companions.
So Paul urged Titus to complete among them this act of grace. Just as they abound in everything, in faith, speech, knowledge, earnestness and love, let them abound in this act of grace too. He says it not as a command, but to prove the sincerity of their love by comparison with the earnestness of others. He reminds them of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who though he was rich, yet for their sake became poor, so that by his poverty they might become rich.
Paul advises: what they began last year, let them finish; if the willingness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. The aim is not that others be eased while they are burdened, but that there be fairness: at present their abundance supplies their need, so that their abundance may supply yours in turn. As it is written, whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.
Paul thanks God for putting the same earnestness in Titus, who goes to them of his own accord. With him he sends a brother praised in all the churches for his work in the gospel, appointed by the churches to travel with the gift, and another brother often tested. Thus they avoid any criticism about the gift, aiming at what is honorable before the Lord and people. Paul asks them to show the churches the proof of their love.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
In a severe test, the joy of the Macedonian churches and their extreme poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity. Christian generosity does not depend on abundance but on grace.
The Macedonians gave themselves first to the Lord, and then to Paul and his companions. The giving of money springs from the giving of the heart.
Christ, though rich, became poor for us so that we might become rich through his poverty. It is the foundation of all Christian generosity: imitating the one who gave himself for us.
Paul aims at what is honorable not only before the Lord but also before people. Handling offerings transparently protects the church's witness.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: According to their means and beyond, of their own accord and begging to take part. — 2 Corinthians 8:3-4
Answer: They gave themselves to the Lord. — 2 Corinthians 8:5
Answer: Titus, his coworker. — 2 Corinthians 8:6
Answer: He became poor for us, so that we might become rich through his poverty. — 2 Corinthians 8:9
Answer: According to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. — 2 Corinthians 8:12
Answer: To avoid criticism about its handling and to aim at what is honorable before the Lord and people. — 2 Corinthians 8:20-21
2 Corinthians 8 invites us to see giving as grace and not as burden. The Macedonians gave joyfully in the midst of poverty. In a church or small group, the text encourages us to ask how to help believers in need, beginning by giving our hearts to the Lord and then what we have.
It also teaches us to manage well what is received. Whoever handles funds for the church or a project must give an account clearly, as Paul did. And the measure of generosity is not the amount but the willingness and proportion, following Christ's example.
2 Corinthians 8 ends with the proof of love Paul asks the Corinthians to show the churches. In chapter 9 he continues the theme with motives and promises for cheerful giving: whoever sows generously will reap generously, and God loves a cheerful giver.
Paul refers to the Son of God leaving his glory and taking on the human condition, even to the cross, to give believers the riches of salvation. He does not promise material wealth but the wealth of God's grace, and uses it as a model of generosity.
They were the believers of the church in Jerusalem, many of them poor. The Gentiles' collection for them expressed the unity of Jews and Gentiles in one church.
No. Paul clarifies that the aim is not to ease others and put the Corinthians in distress, but fairness: one group's abundance covers another's need now, and vice versa at another time. Giving must be voluntary and according to what one has.