FRAMEWORKS:
2 Corinthians 8
In
this ‘Framework' we use our usual text PLUS comment style to enable
you, as simply as possible, to catch the sense of his writing.
FRAMEWORKS:
2 Corinthians 8: About the Collections
v.1-5
The Generosity of the Macedonian churches
v.6-15
The Challenge to the Corinthians to give likewise
v.16-24
Titus Coming to Receive the Collection
[Chapter
Synopsis: This
chapter moves away from such necessary bridge building to the
challenge and practicalities of taking a collection for the needs
of the mother church in Jerusalem.
v.1-5
The Generosity of the Macedonian churches
v.1
(he
uses the Macedonian churches as an example) And
now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace
that God has given the Macedonian churches.
v.2
(although
going through difficult times, they were very generous) In
the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their
extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
v.3,4
(he
shares how eager they were to give) 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 Lord's
people.
v.5
(they
had given over and above what might be expected) And
they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of
all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.
[Passage
Synopsis: He
starts with the example of the Macedonian churches.]
v.6-15
The Challenge to the Corinthians to give likewise
v.6
(they
urged Titus to spur on the Corinth church) So
we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring
also to completion this act of grace on your part.
v.7
(as
they already excel in so much, he hoped they would excel in giving)
But
since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge,
in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you
—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
v.8
(there
was no instruction here, just a chance to be seen as others in
this opportunity) I
am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your
love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.
v.9
(in
one sense, to follow the example of Jesus) For
you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was
rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his
poverty might become rich.
v.10
(the
previous year they had been out front in this giving) And
here is my judgment 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.
v.11
(he
hopes that in this year they will match that) Now
finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be
matched by your completion of it, according to your means.
v.12
(willingness
is all-important) For
if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according
to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
v.13
(they
want all to have equal provision) Our
desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard
pressed, but that there might be equality.
v.14,15
(yes,
the goal is equality in provision) At
the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that
in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality,
as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too
much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”
[Exo 16:18]
[Passage
Synopsis: He
moves on to challenge the Corinth church to match both the Macedonian
churches' giving and what they themselves gave last year. His
desire is not that any church is in a superior or inferior position
financially, but they will be equal.]
v.16-24
Titus Coming to Receive the Collection
v.16
(Titus
felt the same way) Thanks
be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I
have for you.
v.17
(and
will be coming back to them soon) For
Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with
much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.
v.18,19
(he
is coming with another who is known to be trustworthy in bringing
the offering) And
we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all
the churches for his service to the gospel. What is more, he was
chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering,
which we administer in order to honour the Lord himself and to
show our eagerness to help.
v.20
(we
want it to be all above board and seen to be properly administered)
We
want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal
gift.
v.21
(…
in order that all may see and approve) For
we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes
of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.
v.22
(there
will also be a third team member, equally zealous) 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.
v.23
(they
all come with a great reputation) As
for Titus, he is my partner and co-worker among you; as for our
brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honour
to Christ.
v.24
(so
he hopes they will respond well to them so their reputation will
spread even more) Therefore
show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride
in you, so that the churches can see it.
[Passage
Synopsis: The
team that will come to collect and take the collection will comprise
Titus plus two other highly reputable men so the whole church
can see it is being done in a most reputable way.]
Chapter
Brief Summary/Recap:
Ch.
8: About the Collection
•
approaching
the plan for a collection he tells of how the Macedonians gave
•
he hoped
they would now give in the same way
•
they would
shortly be sending Titus with two others to take the collection
Continue
to Chapter 9