Second Corinthians Chapter 8
Outline: I.
The liberality of the Macedonians: 8:1-5
II.
Exhortation and motivation to finish the collection: 8:6-15
III.
The mission of Titus and the other messengers: 8:16-24
“In this section (chapters 8-9) Paul returns, after the lapse of a year (more or less), to the subject of the collection for Jerusalem, previously mentioned in 1 Corinthians 16:1-4. On that earlier occasion he gave directions for the gathering and transmission of the money, but in the intervening period of tension between him and part at least of the Corinthian church their interest in the matter would have waned, and he would have judged it inexpedient to remind them of it. But now, with the restoration of happier relations, the subject could be raised again. He wanted the Corinthian's contribution to be generous, but at the same time he wanted it to be completely voluntary� (F.F. Bruce pp. 219-220). For additional passages which refer to this same collection see: 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 (about a year previous to Second Corinthians); Romans 15:25-31 (written after he came to Corinth the third time). As mentioned in the notes on 1 Corinthians Chapter 16, this collection is very different from the "fund-raisers" that we find in modern religious groups: (1) It is not given a catchy name. (2) No gimmicks are used to raise money. (3) In fact, no special "giving service" is mentioned. (4) No long drawn out 1
emotional appeals are used. (5) Paul never conceived of raising money by charging admission to hear him preach the gospel. In addition, this collection seems to have been slowed down by the false teachers in Corinth, who probably were hoping that the money collected thus far, would end up in their own pockets. 2 Corinthians 8:1 “Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God which hath been given in the churches of Macedonia” “Moreover”: “Now” (NASV). Marking the transition to a new subject (10:1). “The grace of God which hath been given”: “How the favor of God has been shown in” (Gspd). “What God's gift of love has done in the churches of Macedonia” (Beck). There is a proper way to respond to God's grace (2 Corinthians 6:1). The liberality of the Corinthians was proof that they had come into contact with God's favor, and (this is the important part), they realized how much favor God had demonstrated towards them. When people really understand the grace of God, and what God how much God has forgiven them, they act like it. “Churches of Macedonia”: “All the districts of Greece north of the Isthmus of Corinth since 146 BC had constituted the Roman province of Macedonia; and the churches, to which the apostle refers, would seem to be those of Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea. The liberality of the Philippians is underlined in Philippians 4:15” (Tasker p. 111). 2 Corinthians 8:2 “How that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality” “How that”: This is how these Christians had reacted to the grace of God. “In much proof of affliction”: “In a great ordeal of affliction” (NASV). “Tried though they were by many a trouble” (TCNT). “The troubles they have been through have tried them hard” (NEB). “Proof”: “In much affliction, which tried and proved their Christian character, their joy and liberality abounded” (Vincent p. 330). Suffering is never designed to destroy the Christian. rather the reason that God allows it, is because it can refine our character (Romans 5:3-4; James 1:2-4, 12; 1 Peter 1:6-7). From other passages we learn that the churches in Macedonia encountered a tremendous amount of opposition from the unbelieving Jews (Acts 17:1-8; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 2:1,14-16; 3:3-4; 2 Thessalonians 1:4-7). In fact, it was in a Macedonian city (Philippi), that Paul had himself been beaten. (Acts 16:25) From this letter, and others we also learn that persecution was often regional or local in the First Century. While the churches in the North were suffering, it appears that the Christians in 2
Corinth had been left untouched. “The abundance of their joy”: “Fullness of their joy has overflowed” (Con). “Deep poverty”: “Their poverty which went down to the depths” (Vincent p. 330). “Their down-to-depth poverty, rock-bottom poverty” (Hughes p. 288). “The district of Macedonia had suffered in the three civil wars, and had been reduced to such poverty that Tiberius Caesar, hearkening to their petitions, had lightened their taxes” (McGarvey p. 210). “The Macedonians' poverty was due partly to the harsh treatment they had received from their Roman conquerors, who had exploited the rich natural resources of their land; and partly to the succession of civil wars which had been fought on their soil before Augustus became sole emperor” (Tasker pp. 111-112). We also need to remember that when a Jewish person became a Christian, they suddenly found themselves ostracized, not only by Gentile neighbors, but also by all their former Jewish friends, business associations, relatives, and family. This would be especially the case in Jerusalem. Yet Paul did not treat the Christians in Macedonia as poor helpless victims, neither did he say to these Christians, “We don't expect anything from you”. So out of their poverty and hardship arose two unexpected (from the stand point of the world) qualities, joy and liberality. “Christian joy arises from the sense of sins forgiven and from the assurance that the sinner now enjoys the favor of God; and Christian liberality springs from a heart conscious of the infinite generosity of God in giving His Son to redeem mankind” (Tasker p. 111). “Unto the riches of their liberality”: “Resulted in a flood of generosity” (TCNT). “They have shown themselves lavishly open-handed” (NEB). “Liberality”: The background of the word "liberality", provides a key for understanding what makes a person "give liberally". You give liberally when your mind is focused on the single end in view, when you see the greatness of the need at hand. People tend to become tight in their giving, when their minds are preoccupied with all the things which such money could buy. Hence, liberal giving comes from a heart, which isn't preoccupied with "self". “The word translated liberality means, by derivation, simplicity, or single-mindedness; and it refers here, as in Romans 12:8, to giving which is uncalculating and free from ulterior motives” (Tasker p. 112). The Macedonian Christians refused to feel sorry for themselves. They did not use "hardship or suffering" as a reason why they could not do something. Faithfulness 3
does not hide behind excuses, rather, it overcomes and finds a way to serve God, even in the midst of trial. “Their own impoverishment was extreme; they were already, as it were, scraping the bottom of the barrel. The example of the Macedonians is a practical proof that true generosity is not the prerogative of those who enjoy an adequacy of means. The most genuine liberality is frequently displayed by those who have least to give. Christian giving is estimated in terms not of quantity but of sacrifice (Mark 12:41ff). In the case of the members of the Macedonian churches, the fires of affliction and poverty had uncovered and refined the precious ore of joy and generosity” (Hughes p. 288). 2 Corinthians 8:3 “For according to their power, I bear witness, yea and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord” “In these verses Paul produces three direct and incontrovertible pieces of evidence to prove the liberality of the Macedonian Christians” (Tasker p. 112). “For according to their power--yea and beyond their power”: “That they were able, and even more than they were able” (Bas). Now one is not expected to give what they do not have. I think that Paul is saying, from a human perspective the collection amassed by these poor and persecuted Christians astounded Paul and his companions. How could poor people, with such apparent meager resources, give so much? And this is not the only need that these Christians contributed towards (Philippians 4:15-18). Giving "beyond one's power", happens when Christians really learn to apply the attitude expressed by Jesus in Matthew 6:8, 25ff. These Christians in Macedonia, even though they were suffering and poor, did not view themselves as "needy". “At the Jewish 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” (Barclay p. 255). “I bear witness”: “I can testify” (Knox). From first-hand experience, Paul knew how poor these Christians were, because when he wrote this letter he was among them. “They gave of their own accord”: “Their own free will” (Con). “From the impulse of their hearts” (Bas). “Tyrannical coercion or extortion may, of course, bring it about that people give contrary to their ability. But there was no question (however much his adversaries might have insinuated it) of the Apostle having in any way exerted pressure upon the Macedonian churches in order to extract money from them” (Hughes p. 291). 4
2 Corinthians 8:4 “Beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints” “Beseeching us with much entreaty”: “Praying us for the favor” (Vincent p. 331). “They begged us, most urgently” (Knox). “They literally begged with insistent urging” (Lenski p. 1129). Paul had not pressured them, rather they had pressured Paul. Paul had not pushed this contribution, great emotional appeals were absent. “In regard of this grace”: “For the favor of participation in the support of the saints” (NASV). “The favor of sharing in this service to the saints” (Wey). “To allow them the privilege of helping to supply the needs of the saints” (Knox). “And so let them share the honor of supporting their brothers in Christ” (Phi). The Macedonians did not view "good works" as a burden. They begged Paul that they would be allowed to participate as well. “They demanded the right to have a share in it” (Robertson p. 243). “The Macedonian Christians did not wait to be asked to give; they asked to be allowed the privilege of giving” (Gr. Ex. N.T. p. 85). It is my privilege to do something for others in need, because when I was in great need, when I was helpless, God did something very great for me (Romans 5:6 “For while we were still helpless”). 2 Corinthians 8:5 “and this, not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God. “Not as we had hoped”: “They indeed exceeded our expectations” (Wey). “They have done more than I expected” (Mof). “But first”: “First and foremost, their giving had been a giving of themselves; from this their gifts of money followed as a natural consequence. Without self-giving there is no profound self-sacrifice” (Hughes p. 292). “Some financial aid the apostle had expected; but they had done more than this. They had dedicated themselves to the Lord” (Tasker p. 112). “Gave their own selves to the Lord”: They had given themselves into the hand of God, they had completely turned their lives over to His will (Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15). “And to us through the will of God”: “And to us as God willed” (Wey). “They had placed themselves unreservedly in the apostle's hands for the service of Christ, and regarded this submission as a matter of supreme importance” (Tasker pp. 112-113). “This is said to the Corinthians who had of late turned away from devotion to these ministers. What a contrast the Macedonians were affording! Here is the example which the Corinthians should follow” (Lenski p. 1131). 5
2 Corinthians 8:6 “Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also” “Insomuch”: “Consequently” (NASV). “As a result” (Lenski p. 1131). “Their liberality encouraged me so greatly that I exhorted Titus to return to Corinth once more” (P.P. Comm. p. 195). “Exhorted Titus”: Sometimes we forget, that even some of the most faithful among God's people need some encouragement as well. Paul was constantly exhorting his younger brothers in Christ (2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14; 2:1-8, 14-15). “As he made a beginning before”: Evidently Titus had played a role in getting this collection organized or moving. “So he would complete in you this grace also”: Bring this work to completion. “Also”: “Should complete among you the act of love, the contribution already begun, in addition to whatever else he has yet to complete among you” (Vincent p. 331). Additional Incentives “The apostle does not however make his appeal to the Corinthians solely by bringing to their notice as a moral incentive the example of the Macedonians. He also bids them remember the spiritual resources available for themselves” (Tasker p. 113). 2 Corinthians 8:7 “But as ye abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all earnestness, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also” “But”: “But just as you abound in everything” (NASV). “Abound”: “How you excel in everything” (TCNT). “You excel in so much already” (Knox). “Faith”: See 1 Corinthians 1:5,7; 12:9. “Utterance”: “In teaching” (TCNT). 1 Corinthians 12:8,10. “Knowledge”: Of Divine things. “All earnestness”: “That is, in vigorous Christian activity of all kinds” (Tasker p. 114). Such earnestness was also manifested in their repentance (7:11). “Zeal of every right kind” (Erdman p. 89). “In your love to us”: “By the love which streams from you, and which I feel in myself” (P.P. Comm. pp. 195-196). “That ye abound in this grace also”: “He cites their own past record. They have been foremost in everything. Can they then lag behind in this?” (Barclay p. 255). “All these gifts may be possessed by Christians who never manifest the grace of liberality. In the case of many, faith is strong, speech is fluent, knowledge is 6
extensive, zeal is unquestioned, love for friends is fervent” (Erdman p. 89). God wants complete and well-rounded Christians. He wants us to apply what we know. He desires that we succeed in all areas of Christian service. God does not want us to miss precious opportunities for service. 2 Corinthians 8:8 “I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love” “I speak not by way of commandment”: “This is not meant as an order” (NEB). “It is not Paul's intention to enforce this collection on the Corinthians. They are free to do as they wish--that genuine love which demonstrates itself in liberality cannot, in fact, be the product of compulsion from without. Only one who is in a position to command can say, ‘I speak not by way of commandment’” (Hughes p. 297). “But as proving through the earnestness of others”: “But I am making use of the earnestness shown by others to test the genuineness of your affection” (TCNT). “Proving”: To test. “Earnestness of others”: “The enthusiasm of others” (Wms). That is, the earnestness of the Macedonians. “The sincerity also of your love”: “To test the genuineness of your affection” (TCNT). “He assumes that the Corinthians have the gift of love, but he tactfully reminds them that love must express itself in action, just as faith must issue in works” (Tasker p. 114). See James 1:22-27; 2:1417. Great is the power of example. “This indeed is a sharp spur to them to give concrete evidence of warm-hearted liberality comparable to that of the Macedonian churches. Not that the Apostle is encouraging a spirit of rivalry between Corinth and Macedonia: he is implying rather that the wonderful liberality of the Macedonians in the face of their own extreme poverty (v. 1) should be an example and an incentive to the Corinthians to show a liberality of comparable quality” (Hughes p. 298). 2 Corinthians 8:9 “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich” “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ”: “You know how gracious our Lord Jesus Christ was” (Mof). “You do not need to be reminded how gracious our Lord Jesus Christ was” (Knox). “The mention of love as a motive for their generosity leads Paul to dwell on the 7
supreme example of love, one which was never absent from his mind” (Erdman p. 89). “Though he was rich”: “For Paul the sacrifice of Jesus did not begin on the cross. It did not even begin with His birth. It began in heaven. 'With that tremendous, heart-moving example of generosity before you, how can you hold back?'” (Barclay p. 255). “Yet for your sakes he became poor”: “The logic implicit in the statement of this great truth is too obvious for anyone to miss it: if He did all this for me, then nothing I give or do for Him can be too much; such love constrains me; redeemed at incalculable cost, I am no longer my own; all that was mine is now His, for Him to make use of in accordance with His holy purposes” (Hughes p. 300). Barclay made an excellent observation. Long before Calvary, Jesus had already made some tremendous sacrifices. He gave up a lot, just to come to this earth. “None was richer than He; none became poorer than He” (Hughes p. 299). Heaven is described in such wonderful terms (Romans 8:18; 1 Peter 1:4; Revelation 21:4), yet Jesus gave up this type of environment to come to earth. “Though He shared His Father's glory before the world was created (John 17:5), nevertheless He temporarily laid aside this glory in order to 'be found in fashion as a man'. He did not lay aside His divinity. The Lord was manifested in human flesh in order to take away sin (1 John 3:5); and the taking away of sin involved His taking upon Himself the role of the suffering Servant, and being the Son of man who had nowhere to lay His head (Luke 9:58), and who was to die without a single possession; even the clothes He wore were stripped off Him by the soldiers responsible for His execution. Here was poverty indeed, and all for our sakes” (Tasker p. 115). Life on this earth was not easy for Jesus (Luke 8:3). Yet He was willing to endure such a change in external existence for us. See also Philippians 2:5-11. Lenski offers the following insight: “He laid aside the use of his divine attributes, their constant use and not their possession. In his ministry He made some use of His omnipotence and His omniscience, namely in the miracles” (p. 1138). Jesus' disciples had given up much to follow Him (Mark 10:28), but none of them sacrificed or gave up as much as He had. 2 Corinthians 8:10 “And herein I give my judgment: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to make a beginning a year ago, not only to do, but also to will” “And herein I give my judgment”: “My opinion in this matter” (NASV). “But I will tell you what I think about it” (Mof). “For this is expedient for you”: “It is to your interest to” (Mof). “It is best for you now” (RSV). “That is, morally profitable” (Gr. Ex. 8
N.T. p. 87). “Who were the first to make a beginning a year ago”: They had began their own collection prior to the Macedonians. “A year ago”: From 1 Corinthians 16:1-4. “There was the Roman year which, like our own, began on the first day of January; there was the Jewish ecclesiastical year, beginning in the spring; the Jewish civil year, beginning, like the Macedonian, Syrian, and other Oriental years, at the autumnal equinox; and the Athenian year, reckoned in Olympiads, beginning at the summer solstice” (Hughes p. 303). “Not only to do, but also to will”: “To carry through what you then intended to do” (Phi). “He stresses the necessity of putting a fine feeling into fine action. The Corinthians had been the first to feel the appeal of this scheme. But a feeling which remains only a feeling, a pity which remains a pity only of the heart, a fine desire that never turns into a fine deed, is a sadly truncated and frustrated thing” (Barclay pp. 255-256). The Corinthians needed to complete this collection: (1) They had already manifested the "will and desire" to do this. (2) They had encouraged other congregations to do the same by their initial example (9:2). 2 Corinthians 8:11 “But now complete the doing also; that as there was the readiness to will, so there may be the completion also out of your ability” “The readiness to will”: “Be as eager to complete the scheme as you were to adopt it” (NEB). “The readiness which consists in willing. Let our completed deed measure up to our readiness and our will! For so often we will, we say we are ready, and we also mean it; but alas, when the deed is finished it falls far below our wellintentioned readiness” (Lenski p. 1141). Apparently the Corinthians had been quick to respond. Unfortunately many good works which start out with great enthusiasm soon grind to a halt (Matthew 13:20-21). Yet opposition, hurdles or apathy does not excuse us from abandoning a good work. Despite the opposition and obstacles to this good work, God still expected success. “Also out of your ability”: “Lit., ‘from or out of the having’ out of the resources you continue to have” (Lenski p. 1142). “As far as your means allow” (Knox). See 1 Corinthians 16:2 “as he may prosper” (NASV). 2 Corinthians 8:12 “For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according as a man 9
hath, not according as he hath not” “For if the readiness is there”: “If the readiness is present” (NASV). “After all the important thing is to be willing to give as much as we can” (Phi). “If you're eager to give” (Beck). “It is acceptable”: With God. “This is said for the comfort of the poor. Let no poor man who is eager to give grief because he has little” (Lenski p. 1142). God is fair, He does not expect us to give something that we do not have. 2 Corinthians 8:13 “For I say not this that others may be eased and ye distressed” “For”: “It is not at all a matter of giving as much as possible to others even to the point of impoverishing ourselves--as though the virtue of giving lay in that” (Lenski p. 1143). “That others may be eased and ye distressed”: “I do not mean to be easy upon others and hard upon you” (Gspd). “I don't mean that others should be relieved to an extent that leaves you in distress” (Phi). “Christians are always called upon to give generously, but not normally so generously as unduly to impoverish themselves or those dependent on them” (Tasker p. 117). See 1 Timothy 5:8. “Eased’: “Charity must not be used for the encouragement either of laziness or luxury” (Tasker p. 117). “Paul guards elsewhere against the possibilities of abuse: an able-bodied man who is unwilling to work deserves to go without (2 Thessalonians 3:10). There is no justification for the presumption that a wealthier Christian, simply because he is a brother in Christ, should support an idle member of the church. Religious parasitism has no place in the New Testament” (Hughes pp. 306-307). God is compassionate, He knows that we have families to feed and care for. He does not want us to forsake our own loved ones in order to provide for someone else (1 Timothy 5:8). Giving to the point that one cannot pay the own bills does not gain any points with God. God also knows what we need. He knows the current balance in all our saving and checking accounts (Matthew 6:8). 2 Corinthians 8:14 “but by equality: your abundance being a supply at this present time for their want, that their abundance also may become a supply for your want; that there may be equality” “But by equality”: “By equalizing matters” (TCNT). “Reciprocity” (Gr. Ex. N.T. p. 88). “Sameness, two sides are even, alike, balanced. In true Christian giving the ledger is 10
always balanced” (Lenski p. 1145). “He reminds them that life has a strange way of evening things up. It is true that far more often than not we find that it is measured to us with the same measure as we measure to others. Life has a way of repaying bounty with bounty, and the sparing spirit with the sparing spirit” (Barclay p. 256). “Also may become a supply for your want”: Things may be reversed one day. Our well-being is wrapped up in the well-being of other Christians. 2 Corinthians 8:15 “as it is written, He that gathered much had nothing over; and he that gathered little had no lack” “As it is written”: See Exodus 16:18. “The apostle closes this section of his appeal by citing an illustration from Scripture of the principle of equality stressed in the previous verse” (Tasker p. 118). “He that gathered much”: “Some, such as those who were young and vigorous, gathered more than the prescribed omer; others, perhaps through age or infirmity, gathered less” (Hughes p. 307). “Any who attempted selfishly to hoard the manna found that it went bad and became unserviceable either to themselves or to others. In this way covetousness was condemned and brotherly love and mutual aid encouraged as a practical lesson to the members of the Christian Church. They are all inmates of the same spiritual tent, travelers together through the wilderness of this world to the same heavenly Canaan. It is God who rains down the manna of His bounty in their temporal wealth. What they gather is His. And they may not gather only for themselves. All selfishly hoarded wealth corrupts, and leads to inequalities which ought never to exist, least of all in the Christian community” (Hughes p. 308). The Messengers 2 Corinthians 8:16 “But thanks be to God, who putteth the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus” “But thanks be to God”: “Thank God Titus feels the same deep concern for you as we do” (Phi). “Who putteth the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus”: “Same devotion” (Gspd). “Same enthusiasm” (Wms). “The same deep concern” (Phi). We should note that God offers "earnest care" for any heart. His word provides a tremendous amount of incentive as to why we should love our brethren. The heart of Titus was tender to this teaching, he had been convicted by God's love 11
for him, and had been motivated to live a selfless life for others (2 Corinthians 5:1415). 2 Corinthians 8:17 “For he accepted indeed our exhortation; but being himself very earnest, he went forth unto you of his own accord” “For he accepted indeed our exhortation”: Evidence of this earnest care for the Corinthians, was the manner in which Titus had welcomed Paul's proposal to assist the Corinthians in this collection. “Our exhortation”: That is, that Titus would undertake this task. “Being himself very earnest”: Titus really did not need Paul's encouragement in this matter, and he did not need to be pushed. It was to his delight that Paul suggested that he help out with the contribution in Corinth. “More earnest than ordinary” (Robertson p. 245). 2 Corinthians 8:18 “And we have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the gospel is spread through all the churches” “With him the brother”: “Titus is to be accompanied by two others to whom the apostle refers without mentioning their names” (8:22). “Whose praise in the gospel”: “Whose services to the gospel are praised by all the churches” (Mof). “Who is highly praised as a gospel preacher in all the churches” (Tay). Concerning who this unnamed brother is of course is a matter of conjecture. See Hughes pp. 312-316 for the possible candidates, and the evidence for or against them in this passage. 2 Corinthians 8:19 “and not only so, but who was also appointed by the churches to travel with us in the matter of this grace, which is ministered by us to the glory of the Lord, and to show our readiness” “And not only so”: “And more than that” (Wey). “What is more” (Gspd). “In addition to mentioning the personal excellence of this gospel worker Paul in an empathic way points to the fact that this evangelist was officially appointed by the churches to be our traveling companion” (Lenski p. 1151). “Appointed by the churches”: See 1 Corinthians 16:3-4. A partial list of appointed messengers is mentioned in Acts 20:4. Note again, the Paul allowed the churches to select their own messengers. “In the matter of this grace”: That is, to handle and care for this collection. “To show our readiness”: “To honor the Lord and to show our readiness to help” (Gspd). “For the Lord's own glory and for expediting our work” (Ber). 12
2 Corinthians 8:20 “Avoiding this, that any man should blame us in the matter of this bounty which is ministered by us” “Avoiding this”: “What we are specially guarding against” (TCNT). “That any man should blame us”: “That no suspicion should be aroused against us, with these great sums to handle” (Knox). “This bounty”: “It is clear that he expected large sums to be contributed” (Tasker p. 121). “The great interest of this passage is its intensely practical character. Paul knew he had his enemies and his critics. He knew well that there would be those who would not hesitate to charge him with turning part of the collection to his own use, and so he takes steps to see that it would be impossible to level that charge against him by ensuring that others will share with him the task of taking the collection to Jerusalem” (Barclay p. 257). “Paul shrinks from giving others any excuse, however far-fetched, for slanderous imputations were money matters are concerned” (Hughes p. 317). 2 Corinthians 8:21 “for we take thought for things honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men” “For we take thought”: This is the reason behind the precaution mentioned previously. “And we want to be absolutely above-board not only in the sight of God but in the eyes of men” (Phi). Paul would not have been impressed by the argument that "character shouldn't be an issue." “To plan beforehand” (Robertson p. 246). See Proverbs 3:4; Romans 12:17. “In the sight of the Lord”: “Unworldly people are apt in their innocence to suppose that, if only they are unconvicted by their conscience and their actions are unsullied in the sight of God, it does not matter whether they appear honest to their fellow-men. They tend, therefore, to minimize the importance of making it transparently clear to others that their actions are beyond suspicion. Paul, as Hodge well comments, ‘recognized the importance of appearing right. It is foolish pride which leads to a disregard of public opinion’. Paul tries to foresee and remove in advance any possibility of being misinterpreted” (Tasker p. 121). 2 Corinthians 8:22 “and we have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which he hath in you”
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“Whom we have many times proved earnest in many things”: “I have put to the proof in many trials and found always zealous in the work” (Con). “Whose devotion we have often tested in many ways” (Gspd). This unnamed brother had proven himself faithful and dependable in many tough situations. “This is a man who was tested out often and in many things in the past and was always found earnest” (Lenski p. 1155). There is a great need for reliability and dependability within the church. We need men and women to whom tasks can be given and they will follow through (2 Timothy 2:2). Unreliability can stop a great project in its tracks (Proverbs 25:19 “Like a bad tooth and an unsteady foot is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble”). More is needed than mere volunteering. One must finish the task (Acts 20:24). “But now much more earnest”: “How he is more eager than ever, such is the confidence he feels in you” (Knox). “All that he has heard about them, perhaps from Titus since his return has made him eager to undertake the task Paul has assigned him” (Tasker p. 122). My life does affect the lives of others. Are other Christians made more eager to serve God by my example or less eager? 2 Corinthians 8:23 “Whether any inquire about Titus, he is my partner and my fellow-worker to you-ward, or our brethren, they are the messengers of the churches, they are the glory of Christ” “Whether any inquire about Titus”: “As for Titus” (NASV). “Paul envisages some contentious person asking the Corinthians who these three emissaries are and by what authority they have come to collect money” (Hughes p. 320). “My partner and my fellow-worker to you-ward”: “He shares my work for you” (TCNT). I am always impressed that Paul did not feel himself in competition with any of his fellow preachers. Paul is one who is constantly standing up for his co-workers (1 Corinthians 16:10-11) and Paul endorses Titus without reservation. “Or our brethren”: The other two messengers who were coming with Titus. “They are the glory of Christ”: “A glory to Christ” (NASV). “Men whose daily life glorified the Master whom they served” (McGarvey p. 215). What a compliment! Can it be said that my life is a "credit" to Christ. Asset or hindrance? Gain or loss? Bonus or dead weight? What really am I presently doing for Christ? 2 Corinthians 8:24 “Show ye therefore unto them in the face of the churches the proof of your love, and of our glorying on your behalf” “Show ye”: “Openly before the churches show them the proof of your love” (NASV). 14
“Unto them”: Receive these three messengers properly and brotherly. In addition, be at their disposal and assist them in getting the work accomplished. “In the face of the churches”: Paul did not have the attitude that said, “Who cares how this looks to other congregations”. Or, “What we do here isn't anyone else's business or concern”. Paul realized that other congregations were looking at Corinth, and how the Corinthian congregation welcomed and worked with these messengers from other congregations was important! “Proof of your love”: “See how genuine is your love” (Phi). “And of our glorying on your behalf”: “Justify my pride in you” (Gspd).
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