2 Corinthians 8:24 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.

NIV: Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.

NASB: Therefore, openly before the churches, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you.

CSB: Therefore, show them proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you.

NLT: So show them your love, and prove to all the churches that our boasting about you is justified.

KJV: Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

NKJV: Therefore show to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf.

Paul urges the Corinthians one last time to fully participate in making a generous donation to the suffering Christians in Jerusalem. In the previous verse, he mentioned that two men would be coming as representatives of other churches. Since they will be watching on behalf of those churches, Paul tells the Corinthians to prove that their own love is genuine, as well, by giving generously to meet the needs of others. In doing so, Paul says, they will validate his boasting about the Corinthians to these two men.

In other words, Paul expects the Corinthians to come through and make him proud of them before the other churches around the world. Is this a manipulation? No, Paul is speaking truth. The proof of love is found in the doing more than the saying. The Corinthians have an opportunity to prove their love and, by extension, their faithfulness to Christ by participating in helping others in need.

Second Corinthians 8:16–24 describes the three men who will be coming to Corinth. After delivering this letter, they will help collect the Corinthian's contribution to the needs of suffering Christians in Jerusalem. The Corinthians know Titus, who recently returned from Corinth, and that he cares for the Corinthians as deeply as Paul himself. Titus will be accompanied by two delegates from other churches to prove that everything is done honestly and with transparency. These men will then report back to their churches how the Corinthians participated in the collection.

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 5/9/2024 12:49:58 AM