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2
Corinthians Chapter Eight
I.
Content of the Chapter
The Riches
of Their Liberality
A. The testimony in the churches of
B. The calling of liberality (v.6-15);
1. The perfect fulfillment (v.6-7);
2. The example of Christ (v.8-9);
3. The acceptance of the willing mind (v.10-12);
4. The equality in the guidance of God (v.13-15);
C. The messengers who sent the gift (v.16-24);
1. They themselves are is diligent (v.16-17);
2. The church praises them (v.18-20);
3. They provide honorable
things (v.21);
4. They have been proved in many things (v.22);
5. The conclusion (v.23-24);
II.
Verse by Verse Commentary
2Cor. 8:1 “Moreover
brethren
we make
known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of
YLT: “And we make known to you
brethren
the grace of God
that hath been given in the assemblies of
Meaning of Words: “grace”: graciousness
liberality
pleasure
favor
thankworthy;
Literal
Meaning: “brethren”
such form of address
seems to purposefully stimulate the brotherly love among them (see v.7-8).
“We make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the
churches of
“The grace of God bestowed on the churches of
“Make known to you”:
declare to you;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Devotion is the response to the grace of
God. Meanwhile
it also shows that it is the grace of God that motivates
believers to devote the gift.
2) He who offers his money does not give gift
to others
but is gifted by God. And it is by no means loss but profit.
3) He who devotes his money is the
manifestation of grace. The more one offers
the more grace there will be.
Contrarily
the more the grace is given
the more man shall sacrifice.
4) Things concerning money can easily test our
spiritual condition. If one is intimate with the Lord
he will be generous to
others. If he grows away from the Lord
he will be increasingly stingy and even
regard money as everything to him.
2Cor. 8:2 “that in a great trial of
affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the
riches of their liberality.”
YLT: “because in much trial of tribulation the abundance of
their joy
and their deep poverty
did abound to the riches of their
liberality;”
Literal
Meaning: “that in a great trial of
affliction the abundance of their joy”
the “trial” and “affliction” that believers in
“And their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their
liberality.” “Deep poverty”:
they were in utter destitution. “Abound…liberality”: it described their
generosity. It was just like the poor widow the Lord Jesus praised
who of her
destitution had cast in all that she had
the whole of her living (see Mark
12:42-44; Luke 21:3-4).
“Riches”: have found great favor before God;
that believers offer his money is for the sake of the divine grace
because: 1)
we cannot overcome the occupation of money by ourselves without the grace of
God. 2) God shall remember and reward us all that we have offered to Him in a
true heart (see Matt. 6:1-4).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The true internal joy of believers has
nothing to do with the external environment. Though we are in the great trial
of affliction
we can still enjoy the full joy.
2) The external smoothness in the environment
and the internal peace and joy are two things. Though we believers have
tribulation in the world
we have peace in the Lord (see John 16:33).
3) “Their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their
liberality”
it tells us that
the offering of money is not loss but the rich grace of God. Because when we
offer our money to God
our heart will also be unto Him and thus find favor in
spirit. Meanwhile
God will not stint us in money and yet give us richer
blessing (see Mal.3:10). May we not let such rich grace of God slip!
4) If believer offers money or substances
it
is not because of his external riches in material things but of the internal
abundance of the divine grace. The offering is due to God who grants grace
not
the one who offers.
5) In the sight of man
all that is offered
is loss. However
in the spiritual sight
all that is offered is laid up in the
heavens (see Matt. 6:20; 19:21).
6) The trial of the churches of
2Cor. 8:3 “For I bear witness that
according to their ability
yes
and beyond their ability
they were freely
willing
”
YLT: “because
according to power
I testify
and above
power
they were willing of themselves
”
Literal
Meaning: “for I bear witness that”
Paul bears witness according what he has
seen in his eyes.
“According to their ability
yes
and beyond their ability”
it indicates that
they do by the power from on high (see Luke 24:49)
not their own power at all.
2Cor. 8:4 “imploring us with much
urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to
the saints.”
YLT: “with much entreaty calling on us to receive the favour
and the fellowship of the ministration to the saints
”
Meaning of Words: “much”: often
abundant; “implore”: it is composed of two words in the
original ---- the first is comfort and the second is entreat; “minister”:
serve; “gift”: grace
graciousness
favor; “fellowship”: communion
distribution
intercourse;
Literal
Meaning: “imploring us with much
urgency”: entreat and beg
earnestly and repeatedly; it shows that the communication of money to help the
saints is of their willingness
not of the exhortation of the apostle.
Possibly
Paul had not demanded saints in
“That we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the
ministering to the saints”
it shows that: 1)
the gift to the saints
is a kind of grace; 2) he who has part in such grace is a kind of privilege
which is not owned by everyone; 3) the servants of God should have sound
judgment and make sure who can have fellowship with such grace.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) It is indeed that the gift of money is a
good thing
but it does not mean that he who gives the gift is superior. God does
not see whether you have given
but why you give (see Matt. 6:1-4).
2) The gift of money in the church is a kind of
spiritual fellowship (see Phil. 4:15). The condition of believers’ spiritual
fellowship can be seen from the gift to the saints.
3) In the early church
the gift is mainly used
in “ministering
to the saints”. However
the gift
today is mostly used in “works” and “buildings” and etc.
2Cor. 8:5 “And not only as we had
hoped
but they first gave themselves to the Lord
and then to us by the will of
God.”
YLT: “and not according as we expected
but themselves they
did give first to the Lord
and to us
through the will of God
”
Meaning of Words: “hope”: expect
confide
and trust;
Literal
Meaning: “and not only as we had hoped”
it means that what
they have done is beyond our expectation.
“But they first gave themselves to the Lord by the will of God”
it means that one’s giving himself to the Lord is the will of God.
God in His will desires the persons of the believers further more than the
substance of them (see
“And then to us”
“to”
it does not mean “”. Someone thinks wrongly according to this verse that
the Lord’s workers are superior to the common saints and can dictate to others.
However
here it tells us that the saints in
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
We can see from this
verse that what God desires to gain is the believers rather than the believers’
substance.
2)
All that man wants
is often the peace and blessing of God. But all that God desires is the man. If
God wants something of us
we have nothing to present to him. God desires to
gain man.
3)
The spiritual
foundation of gift is “first
giving oneself to the Lord”. Only when one has confessed the Lord’s
authority
can he follow and do according to the will of the Lord. If one
preserves himself
he cannot keep up with the will of God.
4)
Paul never likes to
be too lifted up by others (see 1Cor. 4:6)
so here “to us” has no meaning of
self-upholding. We believers should not uphold ourselves (see 1Cor. 3:4-5).
5)
He who has firstly
been given to the Lord according to the will of God can give himself to the
Lord’s workers according to the will of God. If one remains himself or give the
gift according to his own will
he will walk according to his will and go
against the workers who are really keeping the will of God.
2Cor. 8:6 “So we urged Titus
that as
he had begun
so he would also complete this grace in you as well.”
YLT: “so that we exhorted Titus
that
according as he did
begin before
so also he may finish to you also this favour
”
Meaning of Words: “begin”: commence already; “grace”: graciousness
favor;
Literal
Meaning: “so we urged Titus”
possibly
when Paul
met Titus in
“That as he had begun
so he would also complete this grace
in you as well”
“this grace”: the
grace of giving the gift to the saints (see v.4). The whole verse shows that
Paul encourages Titus to continue to deal with the things of money collection
to the poor saints in
Enlightenment
in the Word: no matter for what
purpose
the devotion of believers’ money should be motivated by grace instead
of persons.
2Cor. 8:7 “But as you abound in
everything--in faith
in speech
in knowledge
in all diligence
and in your
love for us--see that you abound in this grace also.”
YLT: “but even as in every thing ye do abound
in faith
and
word
and knowledge
and all diligence
and in your love to us
that also in
this grace ye may abound;”
Literal
Meaning: “in faith
in speech
in
knowledge
in all diligence”
“faith
speech
knowledge”: they are all
spiritual gifts (see 1Cor. 12:8-9). “Diligence” is also relevant
to gift (see
“But as you abound in everything-- …
and in your love for us--”
“in your love for us”: the love out of the apostles enters into
believers. It is “your love you in us” in some old scriptures. Love is the more
excellent gift (see 1Cor. 12:31; 13:13).
“Abound”: be abundant;
believers in
“See that you abound in this grace also”
Paul here seems to remind them on purpose
and grow up from “gift” to “grace”.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) If one has only spiritual faith
speech
knowledge and diligence and
yet no reality of love
he has a big loophole in spiritual life.
2) Let us not love with word
nor with tongue
but in deed and in truth (1John 3:18).
3) The church in
4) Such things of grace show the true love. The
true love is not only the manifestation of generosity to those who know or get
in touch with
but also the willingness of devotion of money to brothers who
have little strength to reward.
5) Some Bible exegetes think gift is the unit
of grace. And grace is the sum of gifts (see Eph. 3:7). Therefore
since gifts
are rich
grace is also rich.
6) We believers should keep balance in many
aspects so that we are wholesome before God. Any condition lacking in balance
exposes the holes in spiritual life.
2Cor. 8:8 “I speak not by commandment
but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others.”
YLT: “not according to command do I speak
but because of the
diligence of others
and of your love proving the genuineness
”
Meaning of Words: “sincerity”: genuine
legitimate
true;
Literal
Meaning: “I speak not by commandment”
Paul suggests that
the true love and generosity are not produced by man’s commandment.
“But I am testing the sincerity of your love by the
diligence of others.” “The diligence of others”
it refers to the good example of the
churches of
2Cor. 8:9 “For you know the grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ
that though He was rich
yet for your sakes He became
poor
that you through His poverty might become rich.”
YLT: “for ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
that
because of you he became poor -- being rich
that ye by that poverty may become
rich.”
Literal
Meaning: “for you know the grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ”
the word “for” shows that the following words
explain why Paul does not command them ---- because of the grace of the Lord
Jesus.
“That though He was rich
yet for your sakes He became poor”
the “riches” of the
Lord Jesus is His glory
honor and power in the heavens before His incarnation;
“poor”: he emptied himself and took a bondman’s form and died on the cross (see
Phil. 2:6-8).
“That you through His poverty might become
rich”
“become rich”
it refers to every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies
that we have obtained in Christ (see Eph. 1:3).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
How great the grace
of the Lord Jesus is! He humbled Himself and suffered the affliction and
poverty for us unto death so that we become rich before God. May we give Him
thanks with our whole hearts!
2)
The apostle in this
verse points out the spiritual value and true significance of devotion of money
are the manifestation of the principle of Christ and the model of Christ ---- “was rich
yet…became poor
that you through His poverty might become
rich”.
3)
The Lord Jesus was rich
yet for your
sakes He became poor. It is grace to us.
Likewise
if we are willing to devote our money or substance for the sake of
others
it is grace to them.
4)
“Grace” is loss to
oneself and yet profit to others. If one only gives what is redundant or
unnecessary to others
it is not grace
but almsgiving. Is it that we are
“gracious” to others
or we give alms to them because of their “painfulness”?
5)
The devotion of
money makes men rich. This is the work of the Lord Jesus for us
for He makes
us rich.
2Cor. 8:10 “And in this I give advice:
It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring
to do a year ago;”
YLT: “and an opinion in this do I give: for this to you
expedient
who not only to do
but also to will
did begin before -- a year
ago
”
Literal
Meaning: “and in this I give advice:
It is to your advantage”
“advice”: this is
the personal opinion of Paul. And as he gives it in the inspiration of the
Spirit (see 1Cor. 7:25
40)
it can be regarded as the will and desire of the
Lord
which is profitable to all the saints.
“Not only to be doing what
you began and were desiring to do a year ago”
“be doing what you began”: put it into practice; “were desiring to do”: have such desire in a earlier time; here
Paul seems to remind believers in
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) If our desire is correspond to the will of
God
it will be profitable to men. In other words
if it is not
it will be of
no profit to men and cause loss.
2) We shall not hold back anything of what is
profitable even though men lack knowledge or men mistake us (see Acts 20:20).
3) The liberality is profitable to men
for it
edifies both those who are given and those who give.
2Cor. 8:11 “but now you also must
complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it
so there
also may be a completion out of what you have.”
YLT: “and now also finish doing
that even as the readiness
of the will
so also the finishing
out of that which ye have
”
Literal
Meaning: “but now you also must
complete the doing of it”
“now”
it is
opposite to “a year ago” in the previous verse
showing that it should not be
delayed any more.
“That as there was a readiness to desire it
so there also
may be a completion out of what you have”
here this verse points out the two great
elements of liberality: 1) “a
readiness to desire”: it is the
willingness of earnest desire in the original; 2) “out of what you have” (see v.3): they need not force them to do
beyond their power lest they should delay it again.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) If man does not put a good will into
practice
the will is just like a castle in the air.
2) “Out of what you have”
it is not only a good principle in devotion but
also in all the service. God gives every believer different gifts and wants us to use what He has
given to us instead of burying them under the earth (see Matt. 25:24-30).
3) And to whomsoever much is
given
of him shall much be required: and to whom they commit much
of him will
they ask the more (Luke 12:48). He gives first and asks afterwards. He to whom
God gives more shall much be required of. He to whom God gives less shall be
less required of.
4) There is a same principle
with this verse ---- “whereto we have attained
walk in the same steps.” (Phil.
3:16). It is better for a believer not to do anything that is beyond his life
condition.
2Cor. 8:12 “For if there is first a
willing mind
it is accepted according to what one has
and not according to
what he does not have.”
YLT: “for if the willing mind is present
according to that
which any one may have it is well-accepted
not according to that which he hath
not;”
Literal
Meaning: “for if there is first a
willing mind
it is accepted”
it indicates that
the willing devotion must be accepted by God.
“According to what one has
and not according to what he
does not have.” Here
it explains
what is accepted by God. Man’s desires according to what he has can be
accepted.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) This verse shows that all willing mind
should be accepted by God. However
God does not compel us
for one presents
according to the received grace ---- “what one has”.
What do we have? Have we presented all that we have
e.g. money
time
labor
talent?
2) Concerning the spiritual things
the willing
mind is often first and the performance afterwards. The measure of our mind
will decide how much we will do. God does not like we have no willing mind in
the church.
3) We may often hear someone say
“If I have
much money
I will give one million to the Lord”. Such mind is not according to
what he has
but what he does not have. Therefore
it is of no value. If one
day he was really become rich
that mind would vanish all of a sudden.
4) As long as we give according to “what we
have”
we will be accepted and used and blessed by God. And unconsciously
“what we have” will become increasingly rich.
2Cor. 8:13 “For I do not mean that
others should be eased and you burdened;”
YLT: “for not that for others release
and ye pressured
”
Meaning of Words: “eased”: relaxed
liberal
relieved;
Literal
Meaning: “others”
it is not only other believers
but also
other churches; likewise
“you” does not relate to
individual believers
but the whole church in
2Cor. 8:14 “but by an equality
that
now at this time your abundance may supply their lack
that their abundance
also may supply your lack--that there may be equality.”
YLT: “but by equality
at the present time your abundance --
for their want
that also their abundance may be for your want
that there may
be equality
”
Literal
Meaning: “but by an equality
--that
there may be equality”
some scriptures
put “by an equality” in verse 13. Therefore
taking the responsibility by an
equality is also a kind of “equality”.
“Equality”
it is God’s principle of dealing with economics in the
church. However
the equality of God does not mean God distributes equal treasure
to each believer.
“That
now at this time your abundance may supply their lack
that their abundance
also may supply your lack”
here
it explains
“equality”: 1) he who is abundant supplies the lack of others so that no one is
in want. 2) Men complement each other ---- no one is always the “giver”
and no
one is always the “receiver”. 3) He who is rich now may become insufficient
later and he who is lacking may become rich in the future. 4) No matter
abundance or lack
they are not restricted in material things only and may also
include physical and mental conditions
opportunities of bringing one’s strong
points into play
provision of spiritual life and functions of the gifts and
etc.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The Lord’s words teach us that we shall help
those who “are in want” if we are “abundant”. When we are “lacking”
we will
also obtain the help of others. We are brothers and sisters one another in the
church and shall live out such condition.
2) The normal condition of the church should
manifest the principle of “equality” everywhere
no matter the fellowship of
treasure
the demonstration of the gifts
the opportunities of service
the
utterance of one’s feelings.
3) The “equality” is different from our
opinions concerning “equal wealth”. Men like the average distribution of money
thinking that such even apportionment will not cause anyone too much or too
little. However
the “equality” in the Bible is that man is willing to supply
the lack of others with his abundance according to the Spirit in him.
2Cor. 8:15 “As it is written
"He
who gathered much had nothing left over
and he who gathered little had no
lack."”
YLT: “according as it hath been written
`He who much
had
nothing over; and he who little
had no lack.'”
The Background: in the Old Testament
the people of
Literal
Meaning: “as it is written”
the following words
are quoted from the Book of Exodus (16:18).
“"He who gathered much had nothing left over
and he
who gathered little had no lack."”
Though the measure of the manna that the children of Israel was different ----
the young might take over the set measure
and the old might take less than the
set measure
if they were willing to help one another
they would be all
sufficient.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) “"He who gathered much had nothing left over
and he
who gathered little had no lack."”
---- God shepherds us according to such principle. Therefore
we shall not have
an itch for money
nor be afraid of starvation
but shall confide in God and
have the restful and joyful life.
2) “"He who gathered much had nothing left
over
and he who gathered little had no lack."” It is just like the
scriptures in the First Epistle to the Corinthians
“those of the body which we
esteem to be the more void of honor
these we clothe with more abundant honor;
and our uncomely have more abundant comeliness”; God has “tempered” the body
together
“having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked” (1Cor.
12:23-24). If the unequal condition is manifested
it proves that the spirit of
the world has entered and the reality of the body of Christ has disappeared.
3) If we believers let the authority of Spirit
reign in everything
there is by no means need of man’s distribution and will
be the good equal condition ---- "He who gathered much had nothing left over
and he
who gathered little had no lack."
2Cor. 8:16 “But thanks be to God who
puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.”
YLT: “And thanks to God
who is putting the same diligence
for you in the heart of Titus
”
Literal
Meaning: “but thanks be to God who
puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.” Titus was sent by Paul to visit the
churches in
“Who
puts the same earnest care for you”
“same”: the same as Paul; “earnest
care”
it is supposed to refer to the fulfillment
of the liberality of believers in
2Cor. 8:17 “For he not only accepted
the exhortation
but being more diligent
he went to you of his own accord.”
YLT: “because indeed the exhortation he accepted
and being
more diligent
of his own accord he went forth unto you
”
Literal
Meaning: “for he not only accepted the
exhortation”
here
the “exhortation” is the same as “the
exhortation” in verse six. Paul exhorts Titus to return to
“But being more diligent
he went to you of his own accord.” It indicates that Titus’s returning to
2Cor. 8:18 “And we have sent with him
the brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches
”
YLT: “and we sent with him the brother
whose praise in the
good news through all the assemblies
”
Literal
Meaning: “and we have sent with him the brother”
it was traditionally said that this brother was Luke who had appeared as one of
the fellow workers (see the commentary of “we” in Acts 16:10) of Paul in Paul’s
second journey from
“Whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches”
“in the gospel”: in the works of the gospel.
2Cor. 8:19 “and not only that
but who
was also chosen by the churches to travel with us with this gift
which is
administered by us to the glory of the Lord Himself and to show your ready
mind
”
YLT: “and not only so
but who was also appointed by vote by
the assemblies
our fellow-traveller
with this favour that is ministered by
us
unto the glory of the same Lord
and your willing mind;”
Literal
Meaning: “and not only that
but who
was also chosen by the churches”
it indicates that
this brother did not volunteer to take part in the service of dealing with
money and he was chosen by the churches.
“To travel with us with this gift
which is administered by
us”
here
“travel with”
it is not only being
a partner of Paul in his journey but also being the witness of sending the gift
on behalf of the churches.
“To the glory of the Lord Himself and to show your ready
mind”
there are two purposes that the churches
chose a brother to travel with them: 1) “to glorify the Lord”: to prevent
anything that may humiliate the Lord’s name; 2) “to show your ready mind”
it
shows that they had done it in a clean mind.
2Cor. 8:20 “avoiding this: that anyone
should blame us in this lavish gift which is administered by us--”
YLT: “avoiding this
lest any one may blame us in this
abundance that is ministered by us
”
Literal
Meaning: “avoiding this: that anyone
should …in this lavish gift which
is administered by us--”
the money
collection of this time covered the churches in some places like
“Blame
us”
if there is no brother that travels with
someone will probably attack this point.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) When the church chooses the “messenger” to
manage money matters
she should be sober and strict so as not to offend or
corrupt others ---- “avoiding … anyone … blame us”.
2) In order to avoid any blame for money
matters
it is better to have a third party to bear witnesses.
2Cor. 8:21 “providing honorable things
not only in the sight of the Lord
but also in the sight of men.”
YLT: “providing right things
not only before the Lord
but
also before men;”
Literal
Meaning: “providing honorable things”
“honorable things”
it is opposite to
“the hidden things of shame” (see 4:2). Since we Christians are children of
light
we shall walk in light (see Eph. 5:8).
“Not only in the sight of the Lord
but also in the sight
of men.” This is the
principle of dealing with money matters in the
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Christians should walk in “light” “not only in the sight of the
Lord
but also in the sight of men”.
2) This chapter shows that how bright and
beautiful the fellowship of money in the church at that time was! How different
the dark and greedy and corrupted condition concerning money in the corrupted
Christianity today from the condition at that time!
2Cor. 8:22 “And we have sent with them
our brother whom we have often proved diligent in many things
but now much
more diligent
because of the great confidence which we have in you.”
YLT: “and we sent with them our brother
whom we proved in
many things many times being diligent
and now much more diligent
by the great
confidence that is toward you
”
Meaning of Words: “great confidence”:
much assurance;
Literal
Meaning: “and we have sent with them
our brother”
Paul did not
mention the name of this brother. Possibly
the brother was also a generally
known brother who served the Lord faithfully (see v.18). Some Bible exegetes
think it was Trophimus who was from
“Whom we have often proved diligent in many things”
“have often proved in many
things”
in many aspects
and for many times; it shows that man’s diligence may not be pure and should be
proved whether it is trustworthy.
“But now much more diligent
because of the great
confidence which we have in you.”
“Confidence”: it is out confidence out of experience. The knowledge of someone
and the acquaintance with him will yield trust in him. Meanwhile
more
confidence produces greater diligence.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) There is a principle in the society ---- “If
you use a man
don't suspect him. If you suspect him
don't use him”. However
in the church
brothers and sisters should still be proved in secret so as not
to humiliate the testimony of the Lord.
2) If the church desires to stimulate the
diligence of brothers and sisters
it is better to provide them the condition
in which they obtain confidence.
2Cor. 8:23 “If anyone inquires about
Titus
he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you. Or if our brethren
are inquired about
they are messengers of the churches
the glory of Christ.”
YLT: “whether -- about Titus -- my partner and towards you
fellow-worker
whether -- our brethren
apostles of assemblies -- glory of
Christ;”
Literal
Meaning: “if anyone inquires about
Titus
he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you”. “My partner” refers to the fellow worker of Paul;
“work”: labor;
“Or if our brethren are inquired about
they are
messengers of the churches
the glory of Christ.” “Messengers of the churches”: those who are chosen by the churches and sent to
work on behalf of the churches; “the glory of Christ”: it means that their walking can manifest Christ
so that all men will give glory to the Lord.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) “Fellow worker” means fellow laborer.
“Labor” is a rather important condition for a worker of the Lord. He who is
lazy cannot do the work of the Lord well.
2) The messenger chosen by the churches should provide honorable things in the sight of both God and men (v.21) and become
“the glory of Christ” and bear the testimony of Christ.
2Cor. 8:24 “Therefore show to them
and
before the churches
the proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf.”
YLT: “the shewing therefore of your love
and of our boasting
on your behalf
to them shew ye
even in the face of the assemblies.”
Literal
Meaning: “therefore show to them
and
before the churches”
Titus represents the fellow worker of Paul. And the
two brothers represent the churches. The walking of believers in
“The proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf”
Paul asks believers in Corinth to manifest
two things by this chance: 1) “the proof of your love”
that is to say
to prove the sincerity of their love (see v.7-8); 2) “and
of our boasting on your behalf”
do not let Paul’s
boasting about them in vain (see 7:14; 9:3).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Every local church helps and encourages one
another in the pursuit of spiritual growth
for all of them have part in the
body of Christ.
2) The work in a local church is not done for
resolving the problems therein only but also for the churches
thus confirming
the way and direction of the testimony of God on the earth.
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
The Four Aspects of
Grace
A. The grace of God ---- who provides believers
in
B. The grace of the apostle ---- who allows
believers to present the
gift and enjoy the fellowship of the
ministering to the saints (v.4);
C. The grace of believers ---- who supplies the
poor saints (v.6-7);
D. The grace of Christ ---- He became poor for the sake of us so that we through His poverty might become rich (v.9);
The Riches of
Liberality of the Church in
A. It is not abundantly surplus
but “in a great trial of
affliction” and “in their deep poverty abounded…” (v.2). It is totally the provision of life out
of death.
B. It is not “according to their ability” but “beyond their ability” (v.3). It has not only satisfied the
righteous demand but has also manifested the perfect grace.
C. They have not done it compulsively
but are
“freely
willing” and even “implore with much urgency” with the hope of “giving the gift and having the fellowship of the
ministering to the saints” (v.3-4).
Therefore
they have not suffered any loss or done what Christians are supposed
to do (the principle of the law)
but implore with much urgency because of the
spiritual vision and knowledge of the glorious blessing.
D. It is not only “as man hoped” but more “by
the will of God” (v.5)
thus attaining unto the standard of God and manifesting
Christ (v.9).
E. The devotion of money is according to that
of men ---- “first
gave themselves” (v.5)
because
what God really desires is man not money. Money or substance is temporary and
material
and yet men have eternal and spiritual value in the hands of God.
Things Concerning
Money Collection That We Shall Pay Attention to
A. Finish what is started ---- “according as
one has begun
so he will also complete it” (v.6);
B. He who has spiritual gifts shall also have
the reality of grace (v.7).
C. He who has love must have the reality of
love (v.8).
D. We shall learn the example of the Lord Jesus
who became poor for the sake of us (v.9).
E. As there was a readiness to desire it
so
there also may be a completion out of what you have (v.10-11).
F. It is according to what one has
and not
according to what he does not have (v.11-12).
G. It should be done by equality ----it is not
this one should be eased and that one burdened (v.13).
H. Another equality: he who is abundant
supplies the lack of others ---- that there may be equality (v.14-15);
The Best Person for
the Treasurer in the Church
A. Who is diligent in the services of the
church (v.16-17);
B. Who has a good testimony in the gospel
(v.18);
C. Who provides
honorable things without making the
Lord’s workers blamed by others (v.19-21);
D. Who is diligent in many things
especially things concerning money
collection (v.22);
E. Who is the fellow worker of the Lord’s
workers and labors with them together (v.23);
F. Who is loved by the churches (v.24);
The Principles of
Ministrations in the Body
A. The purpose of ministrations is glorifying
God (v.19).
B. Those who serve should be firstly proved
(v.18
22).
C. Those who serve should stand in the position
of the body ---- the praise of the churches
the selection of the churches and
the messengers of the churches (v.18-19
23).
D. Those who serve should walk in light (v.21).
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Mary Zhou