_HE STIRRETH THEM UP TO A LIBERAL CONTRIBUTION FOR THE POOR SAINTS AT JERUSALEM, BY THE EXAMPLE OF THE MACEDONIANS, BY COMMENDATION OF THEIR FORMER FORWARDNESS, BY THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST, AND BY THE SPIRITUAL PROFIT THAT SHALL REDOUND TO THEMSELVES THEREBY; COMMENDING TO THEM THE INTEGRITY AND WILLIN... [ Continue Reading ]
_2 Corinthians 8:1_. The Apostle having employed the seven fore-going Chapter s, in a considerable measure, in his own justification, and having in the close expressed the great satisfaction that he had in the Corinthians being all united again in their affection and obedience to him, exhorts them i... [ Continue Reading ]
IN A GREAT TRIAL OF AFFLICTION— How ill-disposed the Macedonians in general were to the Christians, may be seen, Acts, 16-17. Instead of _abounded,_ some read _hath abounded._... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR TO—YEA, AND BEYOND THEIR POWER— This is a noble hyperbole; like that of Demosthenes, "I have performed all, even with an industry beyond mypower." The present and following verses are thus connected and read by Bengelius: _For to their power,_ (_I bear record,_) _yea, beyond their power, of thei... [ Continue Reading ]
AS HE HAD BEGUN, &C.— "As he had begun the collection among you, so he would also finish it," Heylin; who, instead of _grace_ in the next verse, reads _work of charity._ See 2 Corinthians 8:1; 2 Corinthians 8:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND TO PROVE THE SINCERITY OF YOUR LOVE.— _The genuine temper,_ &c. Locke. Taking as we may, without violence to the words, the original, δοκιμαζων for _drawing out a proof,_ and the word γνησιον for _genuine,_ the passage may be well rendered _shewing the world a proof of the genuine temper of your... [ Continue Reading ]
YE KNOW THE GRACE OF OUR LORD, &C.— Rather, _the munificence,_ or _liberality;_— the signification wherein St. Paul uses the word χαρις frequently in this chapter. Heylin renders it, _the bounty._... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT ALSO TO BE FORWARD— Or, _But also to exert yourselves._ Dr. Heylin reads the latter part of this verse, _who have not only begun already to make a collection, but also were the first that proposed it a year ago._ He goes on to the next verse, _Now therefore complete it; that as you readily under... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT BY AN EQUALITY, &C.— I _would only recommend an equality._ Heylin. The Apostle does not mean that Christians are obliged to be all upon a level, but that there ought to be such mutual assistance and relief among them, as that the wants and necessities of all might be supplied; and in that sense... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT HAD GATHERED MUCH, &C.— See the note on Exodus 16:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BROTHER, WHOSE PRAISE IS IN THE GOSPEL— This is generally supposed to have been _St. Luke,_ who now was, and had been a long while, St. Paul's companion in his travels. Many ancient Christians understood the expression, _whose praise in the Gospel is in all the churches,_ as referring to the uni... [ Continue Reading ]
AND NOT THAT ONLY, &C.— This verse is to be included in a parenthesis, and the continued sense of 2 Corinthians 8:18; 2 Corinthians 8:20 will be, _We have sent that brother,—to avoid blame,_ &c. Dr. Heylin translates and connects the verses from 18 to 21 thus: _A brother, who is not only famous for... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WE HAVE SENT, &C.— _We likewise send with them_ [Luke and Titus,] _another brother_ [Apollos,] _whose zeal we have experienced upon many occasions; and he is now more than ordinarily intent upon this, through the great confidence he has in you,_ 2 Corinthians 8:23. _For as to Titus, he is my com... [ Continue Reading ]