2 Corinthians 8:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia,

NIV: And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches.

NASB: Now, brothers and sisters, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia,

CSB: We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that was given to the churches of Macedonia:

NLT: Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia.

KJV: Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

NKJV: Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia:

After praising the Corinthians for their repentance and humility in response to his letter of rebuke, Paul addresses his effort to raise funds for the suffering Christians in Jerusalem.

He begins by praising the churches in the region of Macedonia, which would have included the towns of Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. He wants the Christians in Corinth to know how God's grace has been given to these churches. This was true in the sense that people in this region had heard Paul's preaching of the gospel during his second missionary journey and received Christ as Savior (Acts 16:12–40; 17:1–15). Paul's point here, though, was to provide evidence of God's grace to these believers—their own generosity in giving funds to the collection. Paul teaches that the choice to freely give money to meet the needs of other believers is evidence that the givers have themselves received God's grace.

Second Corinthians 8:1–15 begins with Paul's praise for the churches in Macedonia. These believers begged to be included in giving to a collection for the suffering Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. Paul urges the Corinthians to follow through on their own commitment to do the same thing of their own free will as an act of grace. In doing so, they will also be following the example of Jesus' sacrifice for them. They should give proportionally, using their abundance to meet the need of other believers so that all may have enough.

The Corinthians had previously agreed to contribute to a collection. This was for suffering Christians in Jerusalem. Paul raises the issue with them, pointing to the example of the poverty-stricken Macedonian churches who had given beyond their means of their own free will. Paul urges the Corinthians to follow through on their commitment by their own choice. Titus and two representatives of other churches are coming to Corinth to oversee the collection so it is done with integrity. Paul urges the Corinthians to prove their love by following through on their commitment to give.

Second Corinthians 8 follows Paul's expression of comfort and rejoicing at what he learned from Titus. That news explained the Corinthians' repentance in response to Paul's letter of rebuke. Next Paul urges them to follow through on a commitment to contribute to a collection for the suffering Christians in Jerusalem. He points to the example of the generous gifts of the poverty-stricken Macedonian churches and asks the Corinthians to prove that their own Christlike love for others is genuine by excelling in this, as well. Titus and two delegates from other churches will come to Corinth to oversee the collection. In chapter 9, Paul will continue to discuss this ministry opportunity.

Second Corinthians returns to similar themes as those Paul mentioned in his first letter to this church. Paul is glad to hear that the church in Corinth has heeded his advice. At the same time, it is necessary for Paul to counter criticisms about his personality and legitimacy. Most of this text involves that subject. The fifth chapter, in contrast, contains comforting words which Christians have quoted often in times of hardship. Paul also details his expectations that the church in Corinth will make good on their promise to contribute to the needs of suffering believers in Jerusalem.

Accessed 11/21/2024 3:49:46 PM