9 The Collection for the poor Saints at Jerusalem The somewhat abrupt commencement of this chapter is explained by a reference to 1 Corinthians 16. See notes there (and also Acts 24:17; Romans 15:25-27). The plain directions there given by the Apostle render it unnecessary for him to enter into any... [ Continue Reading ]
_we do you to wit_ The translation is Tyndale's. Wiclif translates literally, WE MAKE KNOWN TO YOU. Cranmer, _I certifye you_(cf. Calvin, _certiores vos facio_). The word _wit_is derived from the Anglo-Saxon _witan_, the German _wissen_, Shakespeare's _wis_, to know, and _do_is here used in the sens... [ Continue Reading ]
_trial_ The Greek word is always used of that which has been tried and has stood the test See notes on 1 Corinthians 11:19 and James 1:12 in this series. The meaning here is that tribulation has brought out the genuine Christian qualities of the Macedonian Churches. For this tribulation see 1 Thessa... [ Continue Reading ]
_willing of themselves] Willynge of their owne accorde_, Tyndale. Literally, OF THEIR OWN CHOICE, not excluding, however, as Meyer well remarks, Divine, but only human, influence in the matter. Cf. 2 Corinthians 8:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
_intreaty Monestynge_, Wiclif; _instaunce_, Tyndale. _Exhortation_, Rhemish. See note on ch. 2 Corinthians 1:3. _that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship_ A more literal rendering would be, PRAYING OF US THE GIFT AND FELLOWSHIP (perhaps we may take this as a Hebraism, meaning... [ Continue Reading ]
_And this they did_ The words _this they did_are not in the original. They were added by Tyndale in order to explain the meaning of the passage. The construction of the Greek is not clear, but the general sense is that by the readiness of their offers of service and by their devotion to God, the Mac... [ Continue Reading ]
_Insomuch that we desired Titus_ Titus, it seems clear by the words -as he had begun," went a _second_time to Corinth before the Apostle arrived there (see, however, note on 2 Corinthians 8:18). His first visit began, his second completed the collection for the saints. For _desired_see ch. 2 Corinth... [ Continue Reading ]
_as ye abound_ Cf. 1 Corinthians 1:5. _in all diligence_ See note on ch. 2 Corinthians 7:11. _your love to us_ Some copies read _our love to you_. _this grace also_ The word here, as in the last verse, seems to bear more the signification known to us in the phrase -Christian graces" than in most p... [ Continue Reading ]
_I steak not by commandment_ The Apostles "never spoke as dictators. Robertson. See ch. 2 Corinthians 1:24, and 2 Corinthians 8:10, as well as 1Co 7:6; 1 Corinthians 7:25; Philemon 1:8-9; Philemon 1:13-14, and 1 Peter 5:3. _by occasion of the forwardness of others Because other are so fervent_. Tyn... [ Continue Reading ]
_For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ_ In St Paul's eyes "Christ is the reference for everything. To Christ's life and Christ's Spirit St Paul refers all questions, both practical and speculative, for solution." Robertson. For _grace_see above, 2 Corinthians 8:4_; 2 Corinthians 8:6_. Tynda... [ Continue Reading ]
_And herein I give my advice_ See 2 Corinthians 8:8. _for this_ Either (1) -that I advise and not command," or (2) -this proof of your love." _expedient_ Rather, PROFITABLE. The word _expedient_in the A.V. is never, AS in modern English, opposed to _right_. See note on 1 Corinthians 6:12. Wiclif a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now therefore perform the doing of it_ The words _perform, performance_, in this verse should rather be rendered COMPLETE, COMPLETION. See ch. 2 Corinthians 7:1, where the participle of the same verb is rendered PERFECTING, also 2 Corinthians 8:6 of this chapter. The sense is, -you made a resolutio... [ Continue Reading ]
_For if there be first a willing mind_ Literally, FOR IF WILLINGNESS (or _readiness_) IS PRESENT. See Hebrews 6:18. The word translated _willing mind_here is rendered _readiness_in 2 Corinthians 8:11 and _ready mind_in 2 Corinthians 8:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
_that other men be eased, and you burdened_ This translation is partly due to the Geneva Version and partly to Tyndale. Literally it runs, THAT OTHER MEN SHOULD HAVE RELIEF (see note on ch. 2 Corinthians 7:5) AND YE TRIBULATION. (_That it be remissioun to other men and to you tribulation_. Wiclif. S... [ Continue Reading ]
_but by an equality_ Cf. 1 Corinthians 12 and Acts 2:41-47; Acts 4:32-37. Dean Stanley remarks on the similarity between this passage and several in the 5th book of Aristotle's _Ethics_, and no doubt St Paul here uses the word in Aristotle's sense of _fairness, reciprocal advantage_. Many of the Eng... [ Continue Reading ]
_as it is written_ In Exodus 16:18. "In this miracle St Paul perceives a great universal principle of human life. God has given to every man a certain capacity and a certain power of enjoyment. Beyond that he cannot find delight. Whatever he heaps or hoards beyond that, is not enjoyment but disquiet... [ Continue Reading ]
_But thanks be to God_ The word translated _thanks_here is that translated _grace, gift_, in other places of this Epistle. We learn from 2 Corinthians 8:6_; 2 Corinthians 8:17_, that Titus, moved by the strong interest in the Corinthians which his first mission had excited, and being requested by th... [ Continue Reading ]
_For indeed he accepted the exhortation_ The Greek implies that Titus did indeed receive an exhortation from St Paul, but that he did more than he had been asked to do. For _exhortation_compare _entreaty_, 2 Corinthians 8:4, and see note on ch. 2 Corinthians 1:3. _but being more forward_ Literally,... [ Continue Reading ]
_And we have sent with him_ Literally, WE SENT WITH HIM, unless the tense be what is known as the epistolary aorist (see above, ch. 2 Corinthians 2:9), in which case these messengers were also the bearers of this Epistle. _the brother, whose praise is in the gospel_ Innumerable guesses have been mad... [ Continue Reading ]
_and not that only_ i.e. not only is he praised throughout all the Churches. _but who was also chosen of the churches_ i.e. chosen by the Churches. See note on 1 Corinthians 14:24, ch. 2 Corinthians 1:16; 2 Corinthians 2:6; 2 Corinthians 2:12 of this Epistle, and Hebrews 12:5, &c. The word here used... [ Continue Reading ]
_avoiding this_ The word is used in Greek of furling the sails of a vessel to avoid a disaster. It occurs again in the N.T. in 2 Thessalonians 3:6. But it may perhaps be translated MAKING THIS ARRANGEMENT. _that no man should blame us_ Chrysostom and Calvin remark on the care taken by the Apostle to... [ Continue Reading ]
_providing_ Most MSS. and editors here read FOR _we provide_, or rather, TAKE CARE BEFOREHAND TO DO, i.e. it is our custom to give no occasion for suspicion. See Romans 12:17, where the same words occur. They are, as Dr Plumptre has reminded us, a quotation of Proverbs 3:4. Cf. also Romans 14:6; 1 T... [ Continue Reading ]
_And we have sent with them_ Literally, as before, 2 Corinthians 8:18, WE SENT with them, i.e. with the other two. _our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent_ See for this _third_brother, the note on 2 Corinthians 8:18. Dr Plumptre suggests Clement, as one dear to St Paul and known to th... [ Continue Reading ]
_he is my partner_ Literally, SHARER. See notes on the words _communion_and _fellowship_in the first Epistle. -The sharer of my labours and cares. _and fellow-helper concerning you_ Better, AND AS REGARDS YOU, MY FELLOW-WORKER. _the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ_ The word - _a... [ Continue Reading ]
_before the churches_ To which they belong, and of which they are the representatives, 2 Corinthians 8:19_; 2 Corinthians 8:23_. The spirit shewn by the Corinthians would of necessity be reported by these delegates to the Churches which had commissioned them. For the expression, literally IN THE FAC... [ Continue Reading ]