Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; Ver. 1. _Of the grace of God_] It is a favour, yea, an honour to us, that we may relieve poor Christ in his necessitous members, Psalms 16:2. When therefore he sets us up an altar, be we ready with this... [ Continue Reading ]
How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. Ver. 2. _In a great trial of affliction_] For affliction tries what metal we are made of. Alchemy gold will not endure the seventh fire as true gold will. Afflicti... [ Continue Reading ]
For to _their_ power, I bear record, yea, and beyond _their_ power _they were_ willing of themselves; Ver. 3. _Yea, and beyond their power_] One such poor Macedonian might well shame a hundred rich Corinthian curmudgeons. _a_ They knew that _Manus pauperum est gazophylacium Christi, _ The hand of t... [ Continue Reading ]
Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and _take upon us_ the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. Ver. 4. _Receive the gift_] Gr. χαριν, the grace, _i.e._ the alms; it being of God's free grace that we have, 1. What to give; 2. Hearts to give it. For naturally we are... [ Continue Reading ]
And _this they did_, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. Ver. 5. _Not as we hoped_] God is usually better to us than our hopes. _ First gave their own selves to the Lord_] Ay, this is the right way of giving alms; and this is done by faith,... [ Continue Reading ]
Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. Ver. 6. _So he would finish_] _Finis opus coronat._ The end crowns the work. "The end is better than the beginning," saith Solomon. Charles V's emblem was _Ulterius, _ Farther. Titus was here d... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore, as ye abound in every _thing, in_ faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and _in_ all diligence, and _in_ your love to us, _see_ that ye abound in this grace also. Ver. 7. _As he abound in faith_] He purposely commendeth them, that he may the better insinuated into them. Ministers may prof... [ Continue Reading ]
I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. Ver. 8. _To prove the sincerity_] Gr. το γνησιον, the germanity, the naturalness, legitimateness opposed to bastardliness. This age aboundeth with mouth mercy, which is good cheap, and... [ Continue Reading ]
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 be rich. Ver. 9. _He became poor_] Not having where to lay his head, nor wherewith to pay tribute, till he had sent to sea for it. Lo, he that was heir of a... [ Continue Reading ]
And herein I give _my_ advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. Ver. 10. _But also to be forward_] Gr. to be willing. This the apostle makes to be more than to do, that is, than to do with an ill will, or for by-respects. _Virt... [ Continue Reading ]
Now therefore perform the doing _of it_; that as _there was_ a readiness to will, so _there may be_ a performance also out of that which ye have. Ver. 11. _Now therefore perform_] Unless our willing of good be seconded with endeavour, it is nothing worth. Balaam wished well to heaven; so did he tha... [ Continue Reading ]
For if there be first a willing mind, _it is_ accepted according to that a man hath, _and_ not according to that he hath not. Ver. 12. _It is accepted_] _Sic minimo capitur thuris honore Deus._ Noah's sacrifice could not be great, yet was greatly accepted. Jacob had his sons take a little of every... [ Continue Reading ]
For _I mean_ not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: Ver. 13. _And you burdened_] Gr. θλιψις, pinched or pressed, viz. with poverty.... [ Continue Reading ]
But by an equality, _that_ now at this time your abundance _may be a supply_ for their want, that their abundance also may be _a supply_ for your want: that there may be equality: Ver. 14. _Your abundance_] That your cup may overflow into their lesser dishes, that your superfluities both in respect... [ Continue Reading ]
As it is written, He that _had gathered_ much had nothing over; and he that _had gathered_ little had no lack. Ver. 15. _He that had gathered much_] He that was so nimble as to gather more than his neighbour was to supply his neighbour, that every man might have his omer. Now the equity of this law... [ Continue Reading ]
But thanks _be_ to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. Ver. 16. _But thanks be to God_] _Deo gratias_ was ever in Paul's mouth, and in Austin's, and should be in ours.... [ Continue Reading ]
For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you. Ver. 17. _But being more forward_] A good heart is ready to every good work, waiting the occasions thereof, Titus 3:1; as the bee, as soon as ever the sun breaks forth, flies abroad to gather honey a... [ Continue Reading ]
And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise _is_ in the gospel throughout all the churches; Ver. 18. _Whose praise is in the Gospel_] St Luke, likely, who first wrote the Gospel, as some gather out of Luke 1:1, and whom Ambrose highly commendeth for the most clear and distinct gospel writer... [ Continue Reading ]
And not _that_ only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and _declaration of_ your ready mind: Ver. 19. _Chosen of the Churches_] This compared withActs 13:1,2, it may seem the apostle meaneth not Luke... [ Continue Reading ]
Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us: Ver. 20. _Avoiding this_] As shipmen avoid a rock or shelf, στελλομενοι; for it is a seafaring term, and shows how shy we should be of doing aught that may render our honesty suspected. _Ego si bonam famam ser... [ Continue Reading ]
Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. Ver. 21. _Providing_] Projecting, procuring, προνοουμενοι. A good name is a great blessing, and therefore the same word in Hebrew signifieth both, Proverbs 28:20, ברכה... [ Continue Reading ]
And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which _I have_ in you. Ver. 22. _Whom we have oft_] Some are of the opinion that Luke is here deciphered rather than 2 Corinthians 8:19. Whoever it w... [ Continue Reading ]
Whether _any do enquire_ of Titus, _he is_ my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren _be enquired of, they are_ the messengers of the churches, _and_ the glory of Christ. Ver. 23. _Messengers_] Gr. apostles, _emandati, _ ambassadors of special and high employment. _ The glory of... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf. Ver. 24. _Wherefore show ye_] As by an ocular demonstration, or as by pointing the finger, ενδειξασθε . _ Before the Churches_] In the face of the Churches, εις προσωπον, whose eyes are... [ Continue Reading ]