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 willingness of Titus, and those other brethren, who, upon his request, exhortation, and commendation, were purposely come to them for this business.
Anno Domini 58.
THE directions which the Apostle in his former letter gave to the Corinthians, concerning the collection for the saints in Judea, had not, it seems, been fully complied with. At the persuasion of Titus, indeed, they had begun that collection; but they had not finished it when he left Corinth; owing, perhaps, to the opposition made by the faction, or to the disturbances which the faction had raised in that church. Wherefore, to stir up the sincere among the Corinthians, to finish what they had so well begun, the Apostle, in this chapter, set before them the example of the Macedonian churches; I suppose the churches of Philippi, Thessalonica, and Beraea, who, notwithstanding their great poverty, occasioned by the persecution mentioned 1 Thessalonians 2:14 had contributed beyond their ability, being much inclined to that good work by their benevolent disposition, 2 Corinthians 8:1-3.—and had entreated the Apostle to receive their gift, and carry it to Jerusalem, 2 Corinthians 8:4-5.—His exhortation to the Corinthians on this occasion, no doubt, would be the more regarded by them, because it immediately followed the commendations given them for their love and obedience. Wherefore, in the persuasion that they would now be hearty in the affair, the Apostle told them, he had entreated Titus, that as he had begun, so he would finish that good work among them, 2 Corinthians 8:6.—adding, that as they abounded in every other grace, and entertained great love to him their spiritual father, he hoped they would abound in that grace also, 2 Corinthians 8:7.—This, however, he did not speak as an injunction, because works of charity must be voluntarily performed; but that they might emulate the forwardness of the Macedonians, and shew the sincerity of their love and gratitude to Christ, 2 Corinthians 8:8.—And the more effectually to persuade them to part with some of their riches for relieving the saints, he told them, they were well acquainted with the greatness of the love of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, though he was rich, for our sakes became poor, that we through his poverty might be rich, 2 Corinthians 8:9.—He then gave it as hisopinion, that theyought to finish these collections speedily, seeing that they had begun them the last year, 2 Corinthians 8:10.—none of them postponing the matter any longer, on pretence of inability, 2 Corinthians 8:11.—because God regards the willingness of the giver, more than the greatness of his gift, 2 Corinthians 8:12.
But lest the Corinthians might fancy, that bythus earnestly recommending liberality in making the collection, he meant at their expence to enrich the brethren in Judea, he assured them, he meant only the relief of their present pressing wants, that in their turn they might be able and disposed, in case of need, to assist the Corinthians, 2 Corinthians 8:13-15.—And to shew that he was much interested in this matter, he thanked God for having put the same care concerning it in the heart of Titus, 2 Corinthians 8:16.—who, at his desire, had willingly agreed to go with him to Corinth, for the purpose of persuading them to finish their begun collection; but who, being more diligent in the matter than the Apostle expected, had offered to go before him, to exhort them; and was come to them with this letter, 2 Corinthians 8:17.—But that Titus might not be burdened with the whole weight of the work, he told them, he had sent with him a brother of great reputation, who had been chosen by the Macedonian churches to accompany the Apostle to Jerusalem,towitnesshisdeliveringtheirgiftfaithfully, 2 Corinthians 8:18-19.—a measure which he highly approved; because, in this affair, he wished to avoid all suspicion of unfaithfulness, 2 Corinthians 8:20-21.—And that with them he had sent another brother likewise, whom he had found faithful in many things, 2 Corinthians 8:22.—Now that these messengers might meet with due respect from the Corinthians, the Apostle informed them, that if any of the faction inquired concerning Titus, they might reply, he was his fellow-labourer in preaching the Gospel to the Corinthians. Or if they inquired concerningthe brethren who accompanied Titus, they were the messengers employed by the churches, to carry their collections to Jerusalem; by which service, as well as by their other ministrations, they brought great glory to Christ, 2 Corinthians 8:23.—Being therefore persons so respectable, he hoped the Corinthians would give them and the churches,whosemessengerstheywere,fullproofoftheirgooddisposition,andjustify his boasting concerning them, by treating them with every mark of affection and esteem, 2 Corinthians 8:24.