2 Corinthians 8
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:
1
Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
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Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
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For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
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And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
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And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
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For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
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But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
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Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
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Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
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For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
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For we write none other things unto you, that what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end;
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As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are our's in the day of the Lord Jesus.
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And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit;
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And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea.
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When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?
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But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.
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For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.
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For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
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Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
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Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
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Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.
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Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.
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Today's Scripture Meaning:
The apostle reminds them of charitable contributions for the poor saints. (1-6) Enforces this by their gifts, and by the love and grace of Christ. (7-9) By the willingness they had shown to this good work. (10-15) He recommends Titus to them. (16-24)
Verses 1-6: The grace of God must be owned as the root and fountain of all the good in us, or done by us, at any time. It is great grace and favour from God, if we are made useful to others, and forward to any good work. He commends the charity of the Macedonians. So far from needing that Paul should urge them, they prayed him to receive the gift. Whatever we use or lay out for God, it is only giving him what is his own. All we give for charitable uses, will not be accepted of God, nor turn to our advantage, unless we first give ourselves to the Lord. By ascribing all really good works to the grace of God, we not only give the glory to him whose due it is, but also show men where their strength is. Abundant spiritual joy enlarges men's hearts in the work and labour of love. How different this from the conduct of those who will not join in any good work, unless urged into it!
Verses 7-9: Faith is the root; and as without faith it is not possible to please God, (Heb 11:6), so those who abound in faith, will abound in other graces and good works also; and this will work and show itself by love. Great talkers are not always the best doers; but these Corinthians were diligent to do, as well as to know and talk well. To all these good things the apostle desires them to add this grace also, to abound in charity to the poor. The best arguments for Christian duties, are drawn from the grace and love of Christ. Though he was rich, as being God, equal in power and glory with the Father, yet he not only became man for us, but became poor also. At length he emptied himself, as it were, to ransom their souls by his sacrifice on the cross. From what riches, blessed Lord, to what poverty didst thou descend for our sakes! and to what riches hast thou advanced us through thy poverty! It is our happiness to be wholly at thy disposal.
Verses 10-15: Good purposes are like buds and blossoms, pleasant to behold, and give hopes of good fruit; but they are lost, and signify nothing without good deeds. Good beginnings are well; but we lose the benefit, unless there is perseverance. When men purpose that which is good, and endeavour, according to their ability, to perform also, God will not reject them for what it is not in their power to do. But this scripture will not justify those who think good meanings are enough, or that good purposes, and the mere profession of a willing mind, are enough to save. Providence gives to some more of the good things of this world, and to some less, that those who have abundance might supply others who are in want. It is the will of God, that by our mutual supplying one another, there should be some sort of equality; not such a levelling as would destroy property, for in such a case there could be no exercise of charity. All should think themselves concerned to relieve those in want. This is shown from the gathering and giving out the manna in the wilderness, (Ex 16:18). Those who have most of this world, have no more than food and raiment; and those who have but little of this world, seldom are quite without them.
Verses 16-24: The apostle commends the brethren sent to collect their charity, that it might be known who they were, and how safely they might be trusted. It is the duty of all Christians to act prudently; to hinder, as far as we can, all unjust suspicions. It is needful, in the first place, to act uprightly in the sight of God, but things honest in the sight of men should also be attended to. A clear character, as well as a pure conscience, is requisite for usefulness. They brought glory to Christ as instruments, and had obtained honour from Christ to be counted faithful, and employed in his service. The good opinion others have of us, should be an argument with us to do well.
Today's Scripture Application
Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we continue in the book of 2nd Corinthians with Chapter 8 and in our text we see Paul describes how generous giving glorifies the Lord as other Churches of the day gave sacrificially being poor themselves. In their generosity the Lord provided for the giver both financially and spiritually. In making application we see the same principle today as we are instructed in the Bible to give financially and when we obey and give sacrificially we see the Lord providing everything we need both financially and spiritually. How about you? Do you see this provision of the Lord as You give sacrificially? Let us learn from our text today and the instruction of Paul to see that the Lord does not need our money but rather sees our heart as we give to Him sacrificially and responds to us both financially and spiritually when we give of our resources as He will repay in a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.
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Sincerely,
Dr. David Burnette
Director, The United States Bible Society, Inc.
