74 I am not ashamed; since these all appeared to be true; as he must have been had they been otherwise:
proper to ask of you, and lies in your power to perform; which he says partly to commend them for their past conduct, and partly to pave the way for what he had to say to them, concerning making a collection for the poor saints.
but as we spake all things to you in truth; that is, our preaching among you was true; all the doctrines we delivered to you were truth; our word was INTRODUCTION TO 2 CORINTHIANS 8 not yea and nay, but uniform, and all of a piece: In this chapter the apostle stirs up the Corinthians, to make a collection for the poor saints at Jerusalem, by even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a variety of arguments, and gives a commendation of a truth; Titus and some other brethren, who were appointed some understand this of the boasting which the apostle messengers to them on that account. He first sets before made concerning Titus, in his epistle to them, highly them the example of the Macedonian churches, who commending him, and which they found to be in all had made a liberal collection for the above persons; things exactly true; but the words rather design his which the apostle calls the grace of God, and says it was boasting of the Corinthians unto Titus, which was bestowed on them; and it was not the generosity of one found to be true by him. church only, but of many, and so worthy of imitation, 2Co 8:1 which generosity of theirs he illustrates by 2 Corinthians 7:15 the circumstances and condition they were in, they were not only in great affliction, but in deep poverty; And his inward affection is more abundant toward you and yet contributed with abundance of joy, and in great Or “his bowels”; denoting the tenderness of his heart, liberality, 2Co 8:2 yea, this they did not only to the the strength of his affections, which inwardly and to a utmost of their power, and according to the best of their very great degree moved towards them; especially abilities; but their will was beyond their power, they had hearts to do more than they were able; and what whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all; they did, they did of themselves without being asked to him, and to me by him; to the advice and orders and urged to it, 2Co 8:3 nay, they even entreated the given, which were so readily, cheerfully, and universally apostle and his fellow ministers to take the money they complied with; and had collected, and either send or carry it to the poor saints at Jerusalem, and minister it to them themselves, how with fear and trembling you received him; 2Co 8:4 and which was beyond the expectation of the that is, with great humility and respect, with much apostle, who knew their case; and yet it was but acting deference to him: considering his character as a minister like themselves, who at first gave themselves to the of the Gospel, and as one sent by the apostle to them, Lord and to the apostles by the will of God, 2Co 8:5 they embraced him with great marks of honour and and this forwardness and readiness of the Macedonian esteem; for this is not to be understood of any inward churches, or the churches themselves put the apostle slavish fear or dread of mind, or trembling of body at upon desiring Titus to go to Corinth, and finish the the sight of him, and because he came to know their collection he had begun; and which carries in it more estate, and with reproofs from the apostle to them. arguments than one to excite them to this service; as that this was not only at the request of the apostle, 2 Corinthians 7:16 but of the Macedonian churches, that Titus should be desired to go on this business; and besides the thing had I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all been begun, and it would be scandalous not to finish things. it, 2Co 8:6 and next the apostle argues from their That I can speak freely and boldly to you, reprove, abounding in the exercise of other graces, which he admonish, and advise you, since you take it all in good enumerates, that they would also in this, 2Co 8:7 for part, as I design it; that I can confidently speak in your to excel in one grace, and not in another, was not to their favour, boast of your love and obedience, which is praise and honour; however, he did not urge them to found upon trial and by experience to be truth; and that this in an imperious way, and to show and exercise his I can promise myself every good thing from you, that is authority; but was moved unto it through the generous
