2 Corinthians Lesson 6 2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15 Written about 65 AD

Transcription

1 2 Corinthians Lesson 6 2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15 Written about 65 AD In the last lesson on 2 Corinthians 6:1 through 7:16 (lesson 5), Paul urged the Corinthians to live according to accurate teaching of the word of God which he had striven to reach them with in every way, and this in spite of many hardships and trials. He challenged them to set their affections on God first, and not on their affection for the world. He particularly called attention to the problem of yoking their lives together with unbelievers. He pointed out that this could do nothing but hinder their walk with God, and that there was nothing the world could give them that could compare with what their heavenly Father could give them. Paul then dealt with the letter he had sent by Titus, and the issue that had caused the cancelling of his earlier planned visit. He was both happy that the letter had accomplished it purpose, and the Titus, who had since joined Paul in Macedonia, had been able to confirm that Paul s expressed confidence in the Corinthian church was justified. With that review, we can begin this lesson. 2 Corinthians 8:1 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Paul was writing to the Corinthians from Macedonia, where Titus had joined his party. He was also introducing a new subject, giving. 2 Corinthians 8:2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 1 / 11

2 From what is recorded in scripture, we can see that the persecution of the Church in Macedonia was far more severe than in Achaia or Asia. Although Paul had originally spent nearly two years in Achaia and three years in Asia (Ephesus), he hadn t been able to stay in any of the cities in Macedonia for long without having to flee the authorities (Philippi) or the Jews (Thessalonica and Berea). When Timothy was sent by Paul from Rome to Philippi to minister to them (Philippians 2:19), he wound up in prison (Hebrews 13:23). However, as we can see here, and in the pages of history, persecution only made the church stronger. 2 Corinthians 8:3-4 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. Before Paul could make an appeal to them, they first appealed to him to allow them give him an offering, and this offering was more than they could really afford. Although it is never specifically mentioned in 2 Corinthians, the offering Paul was talking about was undoubtedly the offering that Paul had been organizing and sending to help the believers in Jerusalem ever since 46 AD (Acts 11:30) and which he had been encouraged to keep doing after the council of Jerusalem in 51 AD (Galatians 2:10). At this time, the believers in Jerusalem were under extreme pressure. Just two years before, James and elders of the Church in Jerusalem had been killed by the orders of the High Priest. It would not be long after this (66 AD) when they would have to flee the city leaving everything they couldn t carry when they saw the sign that had predicted by the LORD (Luke 21:20-22). 2 Corinthians 8:5 And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God s will. They did more than Paul could have reasonably expected, but Paul felt that in this case it was God s will. Perhaps God had given him the understanding that this year s gift would meet an extraordinary need. 2 Corinthians 8:6 So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. It was evidently Titus who was sent back to the Corinthians with this letter, and these 2 / 11

3 instructions. 2 Corinthians 8:7 But just as you excel in everything in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us see that you also excel in this grace of giving. Again we see Paul s sincere love for and confidence in the Corinthians. Paul would not engage in flattery. He is merely communicating to them the importance of this offering. 2 Corinthians 8:8a I speak not by commandment, [a] Paul wants them to be sure that the giving of this offering is purely voluntary. 2 Corinthians 8:8b but by occasion of the forwardness of others, Even the original idea of the offering was not his, but the Macedonians. 2 Corinthians 8:8c and to prove the sincerity of your love. He wanted to make sure that they know that this offering, like any offering or service, must be motivated by the love of Christ. It must be understood that the proving was not being done for Paul s benefit. It was none of his business. It was being done for theirs. 2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 3 / 11

4 This was the standard by which they could test their love. Had that love become so real in their hearts that they could give joyfully? 2 Corinthians 8:10 And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Paul gratefully reminded them that in the previous year they had been the first who instigated the gift and gave. 2 Corinthians 8:11a Now finish the work, This year, the Macedonians had instigated the gift. It was their turn to finish it. 2 Corinthians 8:11b so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. They were to finish it only out of a sincere and eager heart, and according to their own ability. 2 Corinthians 8:12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. This certainly implies that a gift unwillingly given is not acceptable. 2 Corinthians 8:13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 4 / 11

5 This gift was for true and desperate needs. 2 Corinthians 8:14a At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. If the situations were reversed, the flow should be reversed. 2 Corinthians 8:14b-15 Then there will be equality, as it is written: He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little. [ b] I have to observe that what is too much and what is too little is very subjective. 2 Corinthians 8:16 I thank God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. Paul was grateful that he had observed that after his recent visit, Titus had developed the same eagerness to care for the Corinthians that Paul had. 2 Corinthians 8:17 For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. As Paul had tarried in Macedonia, Titus had looked for any excuse to return to Corinth. 2 Corinthians 8:18 And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. 5 / 11

6 The brother is not identified. Paul had a number of men who accompanied him as he travelled. They not only helped him in his ministry, but they made up a kind of travelling seminary. However, the context seems to suggest that this man was not from Paul s inner circle, but from outside of it. 2 Corinthians 8:19 What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. This indicates that at this time, it was Paul s plan to carry the offering to Jerusalem himself. There is no way to know for sure whether Paul actually made this last trip to Jerusalem, or left that to another. 2 Corinthians 8:20 We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. The joint custody of the gift would blunt the accusations of Paul s enemies in the Jerusalem church or in Corinth. 2 Corinthians 8:21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men. We can certainly see many Christian ministries today who seem to be enriching themselves and allow no oversight of their financial dealings. 2 Corinthians 8:22 In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. The party would also have a third member, possibly Luke or Apollos, both of whom had been to Corinth before. 6 / 11

7 2 Corinthians 8:23-24 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it. Paul recommended them all to the care of the Corinthian church. 2 Corinthians 9:1 There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the saints. Paul didn t have to explain the need for the offering. They already were fully aware. 2 Corinthians 9:2 For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready [c ] to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. The unsolicited offering from the previous year proved their awareness. 2 Corinthians 9:3 But I am sending the brothers [d] in order that lest our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow should be made empty, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be. Paul had already confidently assured the Macedonians that the needed contribution would be completed by his beloved Corinthians. He had wanted Titus and his companions to give them advance warning so that the offering would be finished by the time it was to be carried on to Jerusalem. 7 / 11

8 2 Corinthians 9:4 For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we not to say anything about you would be ashamed of having been so confident. Paul wanted the Macedonians to see why Paul s confidence was not misplaced. 2 Corinthians 9:5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised your blessing, having been notified in advance. [e] Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given. With the advance warning, there would have been plenty of time for the Corinthians to search their own souls, so that the gift would not be under the burden of any pressure. 2 Corinthians 9:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Paul reminded them of the principal that every service or fruit in the Christian life has an eternal reward. This did not necessarily mean that for every dollar they gave, they would get back multiple dollars. It was only a confirmation of the principal in 1 Corinthians 3:11-13 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man s work. Sometimes, for what they sowed in God s name, they would reap tangibly both here and in eternity. Sometimes, what they sowed in God s name they would only reap in spiritual sense here, but reap tangibly in Heaven. 2 Corinthians 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 / 11

9 Giving should be from a heart motivated by God s love. If it wasn t, they should keep their money. Giving was not for God s benefit, it was for theirs. It was their chance on earth to partake of the nature and mind of Christ. God didn t need their money. After all, He owned the universe and controlled history. 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. What God gave to each of them was for one purpose, that it be devoted to reflecting God in their life. 2 Corinthians 9:9 As it is written: He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever. [f] God had given each of them the gifts that could be dedicated to Him. They were by no means all material gifts. 2 Corinthians 9:10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. God was the one who provided both what they were to give away, and what they needed to keep for the necessities of life. The more they gave away in this life, the more they would have to give away, and the fruit they would have in their spiritual life, and in Eternity. 2 Corinthians 9:11-12 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 9 / 11

10 These riches were in every category that made life truly rewarding. Furthermore, on the occasion of this offering for the saints in Jerusalem, it would result in their thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. Paul was probably particularly gratified for this gift because they were not only for his own people, the Jews, but because many of them were still suspicious of the idea that uncircumcised Gentiles could truly be part of the body of Christ. 2 Corinthians 9:14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. This would be a tremendous testimony to the Jewish church in Jerusalem that these Gentile believers were truly under God s grace. 2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! In all the ways in which this offering would come back on them as a blessing, Paul was describing the opportunity to give as God s indescribable gift. [a] I have substituted the King James Version translation of verse 8, which I far prefer here. 10 / 11

11 [b] Exodus 16:18 [c] The word ready does not imply they were ready but did not give. It merely implies their attitude of giving last year. [d] Titus and the two brothers mentioned above. [e] I have substituted a more literal translation from the Greek. They had not promised any thing before. The Greek word is προκαταγγέλλω {pro-kät-än-ge'l-lō} which means having been told before. [f] Psalms 112:9 11 / 11