[In this section Paul exhorts the Corinthians to proceed with the collection for the poor of the Jerusalem church. For Paul's instructions in regard to this collection, and the reasons for it, see 1 Corinthians 16:1-3; and notes thereon.] _Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God wh... [ Continue Reading ]
how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. [The only Macedonian churches known to us were those at Philippi, Thessalonica and Beroea. The district of Macedonia had suffered in the three civil wars, and had been... [ Continue Reading ]
For according to their power, I bear witness, yea and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord,... [ Continue Reading ]
beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints:... [ Continue Reading ]
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. [The apostle here sets forth the liberality of the Macedonians, and shows that of their own accord, and without any entreaty on his part, they gave, not only according to their means,... [ Continue Reading ]
Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also. [Inspired by the example of the Macedonians, Paul was moved to exhort Titus to return to Corinth, that having begun the work of gathering an offering from the church there, he m... [ Continue Reading ]
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.... [ Continue Reading ]
I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love. [Paul here speaks of liberality as a grace or gift of the Spirit. Paul testifies that the Corinthians abounded in spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 4:7). He here reminds them of some of... [ 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 become rich. [In making liberality the test of love, Paul is reminded of that supreme love of Christ and the test which it endured. The grace of liberality i... [ Continue Reading ]
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. [I do not, as I have said, command you to give, but I think that, having undertaken the work, you should complete your collection. If it was a mere matte... [ Continue Reading ]
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.... [ Continue Reading ]
For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according as a man hath, not according as he hath not. [As you once had the willingness to give, let your will perfect itself in doing, and take up the collection according to your ability to give, for if a man is willing to give, God accepts the gift,... [ Continue Reading ]
For I say not this that others may be eased and ye distressed;... [ Continue Reading ]
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 [The apostle did not take money from the Corinthians for the purpose of impoverishing them and enriching the church at Jerusalem... [ Continue Reading ]
as it is written [Exodus 16:17-18], _He that gathered much had nothing over; and he that gathered little had no lack_. [In the gathering of the manna some of the Israelites were able to find more than the others, but when they came to measure what they gathered, God's providence so intervened and or... [ Continue Reading ]
But thanks be to God, who putteth the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.... [ Continue Reading ]
For he accepted indeed our exhortation; but being himself very earnest, he went forth unto you of his own accord. [The apostle thanks God that he had given to Titus the same desire to benefit the Corinthians which animated Paul himself, so that Titus not only accepted the apostle's exhortation to go... [ Continue Reading ]
And we have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the gospel is spread through all the churches [Baynes, in his "Horæ Lucanæ," argues very conclusively that this was Luke. He was at Philippi about this time, and was among those who accompanied Paul from Macedonia (or perhaps Corinth) to... [ Continue Reading ]
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 [Paul is commending those whom he sent to gather the collections. Luke's primary commendation is his general charac... [ Continue Reading ]
avoiding this, that any man should blame us in the matter of this bounty which is ministered by us:... [ Continue Reading ]
for we take thought for things honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. [Paul welcomed the appointment of assistance in this work, for their co-operation lifted him above suspicion, which was according to his desire, for he wished not only to have a good character... [ Continue Reading ]
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. [As to this third party, Alford well says, "Every possible person has been guessed." There is no means of determining who... [ Continue Reading ]
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.... [ Continue Reading ]
Show ye therefore unto them in the face of the churches the proof of your love, and of our glorying on your behalf. [As a final commendation, and as one calculated to stop the mouths of all objectors, Paul describes Titus as a partner with himself in raising the contribution of Corinth, and he descr... [ Continue Reading ]