---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  2 Corinthians 8"
description: "CHAPTER 8   :-. THE COLLECTION
FOR THE SAINTS; THE
READINESS OF THE
MACEDONIANS A PATTERN
TO THE CORINTHIANS;
CHRIST THE HIGHEST
PATTERN; EACH
IS TO GIVE"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/2-corinthians/8"
---

CHAPTER 8

. THE COLLECTION
FOR THE SAINTS; THE
READINESS OF THE
MACEDONIANS A PATTERN
TO THE CORINTHIANS;
CHRIST THE HIGHEST
PATTERN; EACH
IS TO GIVE
WILLINGLY AFTER HIS
ABILITY; TITUS
AND TWO OTHERS
ARE THE AGENTS
ACCREDITED TO COMPLETE
THE COLLECTION.

**1. we do you to wit**—*we make
known to you.*
**the grace of God bestowed on
the churches of Macedonia**—Their liberality was not of
themselves naturally, but of God's grace bestowed on them, and
enabling them to be the instrument of God's "grace" to
others ([2 Corinthians 8:6](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/8/6); [2 Corinthians 8:19](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/8/19)).
The importance given in this Epistle to the collection, arose as well
from Paul's engagement ([Galatians 2:10](../../../kjv/galatians/2/10)),
as also chiefly from his hope to conciliate the Judaizing Christians
at Jerusalem to himself and the Gentile believers, by such an act of
love on the part of the latter towards their Jewish brethren.

**2. trial of affliction**—The
*Greek* expresses, "in affliction (or, 'tribulation') which
*tested* them"; literally, "in a great testing of
affliction."
**abundance of their joy**—The
greater was the depth of their poverty, the greater was the abundance
of their joy. A delightful contrast in terms, and triumph, in fact,
of spirit over flesh.
**their deep poverty**—*Greek,*
"their poverty down to the death of it."
**abounded unto the riches of
their liberality**—another beautiful contrast in terms: their
*poverty* had the effect, not of producing stinted gifts, but of
"abounding in the *riches* of liberality" (not as
*Margin,* "simplicity"; though the idea of *singleness*
of motive to God's glory and man's good, probably enters into the
idea); (compare [Romans 12:8](../../../kjv/romans/12/8), and
*Margin;* [2 Corinthians 9:11](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/9/11),
*Margin;* see on [2 Corinthians 9:13](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/9/13);
[James 1:5](../../../kjv/james/1/5)).

**3-5. they were willing**—rather,
supply from [2 Corinthians 8:5](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/8/5), the
ellipsis thus, "According to their power . . . yea, and beyond
their power, THEY GAVE."
**of themselves**—not only
not being besought, but themselves beseeching us.

**4. that we would receive**—omitted
in the oldest manuscripts. Translate therefore, "Beseeching of
us . . . the grace and fellowship of (that is, to grant them *the
favor of sharing in*) the ministering unto the saints." The
Macedonian contributions must have been from Philippi, because
Philippi was the only church that contributed to Paul's support
([Philippians 4:10](../../../kjv/philippians/4/10); [Philippians 4:15](../../../kjv/philippians/4/15);
[Philippians 4:16](../../../kjv/philippians/4/16)).

**5. And*****this they did,*****not as we hoped**—Translate, "And not as we hoped (that is,
far beyond our hopes), but their own selves gave they first to the
Lord." "First," not indicating priority of time, but
first of all, *above all in importance.* The giving of
themselves takes precedency of their other gifts, as being the motive
which led them to the latter ().
**by the will of God**—not
"*according* to the will of God," but "*moved
by* the will of God, who made them willing" (). It is therefore called (), "the grace of God."

**6. Insomuch that**—As we saw the
Macedonians' alacrity in giving, we could not but exhort Titus, that
as we collected in Macedonia, so he in Corinth should complete the
work of collecting which he had already begun there, lest ye, the
wealthy people of Corinth, should be outdone in liberality by the
poor Macedonians.
**as he had begun**—*Greek,*
"*previously* begun," namely, the collection at
Corinth, *before* the Macedonians began to contribute, during
the visit to Corinth from which he had just returned.
**finish in you the same
grace**—complete among you this act of grace or beneficence on
your part.
**also**—as well as other
things which he had to do among them [ALFORD].

**7. in faith**— ().
**utterance**—(See on ). Not as ALFORD,
"doctrine" or "word."
**knowledge**— ().
**diligence**—in everything
that is good.
**your love to us**—literally,
"love from you (that is, on your part) in us" (that is,
which has us for its object; which is felt *in the case of* us).

**8. not by commandment**—"not
by way of commandment."
**but by occasion of the
forwardness of others, and** &c.—rather, "But by
(mention of) the forwardness of others (as an inducement to you), and
to prove (literally, 'proving') the sincerity of your love." The
*Greek* is "*by means of,*" not "*on
account of* the forwardness," &c. BENGEL,
ELLICOTT, and others
translate, "*By means of* the forwardness of others,
proving the sincerity of your love ALSO."
The former is the simpler construction in the *Greek.*

**9. ye know the grace**—the act
of gratuitous love whereby the Lord emptied Himself of His previous
heavenly glory ([Philippians 2:6](../../../kjv/philippians/2/6); [Philippians 2:7](../../../kjv/philippians/2/7))
for your sakes.
**became poor**—Yet this is
not demanded of you ([2 Corinthians 8:14](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/8/14));
but merely that, without impoverishing yourselves, you should relieve
others with your abundance. If the Lord did so much more, and at so
much heavier a cost, for your sakes; much more may you do an act of
love to your brethren at so little a sacrifice of self.
**might be rich**—in the
heavenly glory which constitutes His riches, and all other things, so
far as is really good for us (compare [1 Corinthians 3:21](../../../kjv/1-corinthians/3/21);
[1 Corinthians 3:22](../../../kjv/1-corinthians/3/22)).

**10. advice**—Herein he does not
(as some misinterpret the passage) disclaim inspiration for the
advice he gives; but under the Spirit, states that it is his
"opinion" [ALFORD]
or "judgment" [ELLICOTT,
and others], not a *command,* that so their offering might be
free and spontaneous.
**this**—my giving you an
*advice,* not a command.
**who have begun before**—"*seeing
that* ye have begun *before*" *the Macedonian
churches;* "a year ago" should be connected with this
clause.
**not only to do, but also to
be forward**—There were three steps: (1) the *forwardness,*
more literally, "the will"; (2) the *setting about*
it, literally, "doing it"; (3) *completion* of it
[ALFORD]. In the two
former, not only the *act,* but the *intention,* the
Corinthians *preceded the Macedonians.* BENGEL
explains, "Not only to do" FOR
THE PAST YEAR, "but also to be forward" or *willing*
FOR THIS YEAR. ELLICOTT
translates, "already," instead of "before": "Ye
began already a year ago, not only to do, but also to be forward."
It appears hence, that something had been done in the matter a year
before; other texts, however, show the collection was not yet paid
(compare [2 Corinthians 8:11](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/8/11); [2 Corinthians 9:5](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/9/5);
[2 Corinthians 9:7](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/9/7)). This agrees with one,
and only one supposition, namely, that every man had laid by in store
the fund from which he was afterwards to contribute, the very case
which is shown by [1 Corinthians 16:2](../../../kjv/1-corinthians/16/2) to
have existed [PALEY, *Horæ
Paulinæ*].

**11. perform**—"complete the
doing also" (see on [2 Corinthians 8:10](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/8/10)).
**a readiness to will**—*Greek,*
"*the* readiness *of* will"; referring to [2 Corinthians 8:10](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/8/10), where the *Greek* for "to be forward," ought
to be translated as here, "to will."
**performance**—"completion"
[ALFORD], The godly should
show the same zeal to finish, as well as to begin well, which the
worldly exhibit in their undertakings ([2 Corinthians 8:10](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/8/10)).

**12. For**—Following up the rule
"out of that which ye have" (), and no more.
**a willing mind**—rather,
as *Greek,* "the readiness," namely, to will,
referring to [2 Corinthians 8:11](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/8/11).
**accepted**—*Greek*
"favorably accepted."
**according to that a man
hath**—The oldest manuscripts omit "a man." Translate,
"According to whatsoever it have"; the *willing mind,*
or "readiness" to will, is personified [ALFORD].
Or better, as BENGEL, "*He
is* accepted according to whatsoever he have"; so [2 Corinthians 8:11](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/8/11), The Lord loveth a cheerful *giver.*" Compare as to
David, [1 Kings 8:18](../../../kjv/1-kings/8/18). God accepts
the will for the deed. He judges not according to what a man has the
opportunity to do, but according to what he would do if he had the
opportunity (compare [Mark 14:8](../../../kjv/mark/14/8);
and the widow's mite, [Luke 21:3](../../../kjv/luke/21/3);
[Luke 21:4](../../../kjv/luke/21/4)).

**13. For**—Supply from , "I speak." My aim is not that others (namely, the
saints at Jerusalem) may be relieved at the cost of your being
"distressed" (so the *Greek* for "burdened").
The golden rule is, "Love thy neighbour *as thyself,*"
not *more* than thyself.

**14. by an equality**—"by
the rule of equality" [ALFORD]:
literally, "Out of equality."
**now at this time**—*Greek,*
"at the present juncture" or season.
**that their abundance also**—The
*Greek* being distinct from the previous "that,"
translate, "in order that," namely, *at another season,*
when your relative circumstances may be reversed. The reference is
solely to *temporal* wants and supplies. Those, as BENGEL,
who quote [Romans 15:27](../../../kjv/romans/15/27) for
interpreting it of spiritual supplies from the Jews to the Gentiles,
forget that [Romans 15:27](../../../kjv/romans/15/27) refers to
the *past* benefit spiritually, which the Jews have conferred on
the Gentiles, as a motive to *gratitude* on the part of the
latter, not to a *prospective* benefit to be looked for from the
former, which the text refers to.

**15.** (; *Septuagint*). As God gave an equal portion of manna
to all the Israelites, whether they could gather much or little; so
Christians should promote by liberality an equality, so that none
should need the necessaries of life while others have superfluities.
"Our luxuries should yield to our neighbor's comforts; and our
comforts to his necessities" [J. HOWARD].

**16, 17.** Returning to the subject
of [2 Corinthians 8:6](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/8/6).
**for you**—Translate,
"Which put the same earnest care for you into the heart of
Titus," as was in myself. My care for you led me to "*desire*"
him ([2 Corinthians 8:6](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/8/6); [2 Corinthians 8:17](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/8/17),
"*exhortation,*" the same *Greek*); but Titus had
of himself the same care, whence he "accepted (gladly) my
exhortation" ([2 Corinthians 8:17](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/8/17)) to
go to you ([2 Corinthians 8:6](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/8/6)).

**17. being more forward**—more
earnest than to need such exhortation.
**he went**—*Greek,*
"went forth." *We* should say, *he is going*
forth; but the ancients put the *past* tense in letter writing,
as the things will have been past by the time that the correspondent,
receives the letter. "Of his own accord," that is, it is
true he has been exhorted by me to go, but he shows that he has
anticipated my desires, and already, "of his own accord,"
has desired to go.

**18. the brother, whose praise is in
the gospel**—whose praise is known in connection with the Gospel:
*Luke* may be meant; not that "the Gospel" here refers
to his *written* Gospel; but the language implies some one well
known throughout the churches, and at that time with Paul, as Luke
then was ([Acts 20:6](../../../kjv/acts/20/6)). Not a
Macedonian, as appears from [2 Corinthians 9:4](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/9/4).
Of all Paul's "companions in travel" ([2 Corinthians 8:19](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/8/19);
[Acts 19:29](../../../kjv/acts/19/29)), Luke was the most
prominent, having been his companion in preaching the Gospel at his
first entrance into Europe ([Acts 19:29](../../../kjv/acts/19/29)). The fact that the person here referred to was "chosen
of the churches" as their trustee to travel with Paul in
conveying the contribution to Jerusalem, implies that he had resided
among them some time before: this is true of Luke, who after parting
from Paul at Philippi (as he marks by the change from "we"
to "they," [Acts 16:11](../../../kjv/acts/16/11))
six years before, is now again found in his company in Macedonia. In
the interim he had probably become so well known that "his
praise was throughout all the churches." Compare [2 Corinthians 12:18](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/12/18);
[Philemon 1:24](../../../kjv/philemon/1/24). He who is faithful in
the Gospel will be faithful also in matters of inferior importance
[BENGEL].

**19. not*****that*****only**—not only praised in all the churches.
**chosen**—by vote: so the
*Greek.*
**of the churches**—therefore
these companions of Paul are called "messengers of the churches"
([2 Corinthians 8:23](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/8/23)).
**to travel**—to Jerusalem.
**with this grace**—*Greek,*
"*in the case of* this grace," or "*gift.*"
**to the glory of the same
Lord**—The oldest manuscripts omit "same."
**declaration of your ready
mind**—The oldest manuscripts read, "our," not *your.*
This and the previous clause, "to the glory of the same Lord,"
do not follow "administered by us," but "chosen of the
churches to travel," &c. The union of the brother with Paul
in this affair of the collection was done to guard against suspicions
injurious "to the glory" of the Lord. It was also done in
order to produce a "readiness" on the part of Paul and the
brother to undertake the office which each, by himself, would have
been less ready to undertake, for fear of suspicions arising ([2 Corinthians 8:23](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/8/23)) as to their appropriation of any of the money.

**20. Avoiding**—taking
precautions against this.
**in this abundance**—*in
the case of this abundance.*

**21.** The *Septuagint*
([Proverbs 3:4](../../../kjv/proverbs/3/4); [Romans 12:17](../../../kjv/romans/12/17)).
The oldest manuscripts read, "For we provide."
**honest things**—"things
honorable."

**22.** This *second* brother,
BIRKS supposes to be
Trophimus: for a Macedonian is not meant () probably the same as was sent before with Titus (); and therefore sent from Ephesus, and probably an
Ephesian: all this is true of Trophimus.
**oftentimes . . . in many
things**—Join and translate as in the *Greek,* "many
times in many things."
**upon the great confidence
which I have in you**—"through the great confidence WHICH
HE HAS towards you" [ALFORD].
BENGEL better supports
*English Version,* "We have sent . . . through the
confidence WHICH WE FEEL
in regard to your liberality."

**23. fellow helper concerning
you**—*Greek,* "fellow worker towards you."
**our brethren**—the two
mentioned in [2 Corinthians 8:18](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/8/18); [2 Corinthians 8:22](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/8/22).
**messengers**—rather, as
the *Greek,* "apostles": in the less strict sense ([2 Corinthians 8:22](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/8/22)).
**of the churches**—sent by
the churches, as we are by the Lord ([2 Corinthians 8:22](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/8/22)). There was in the synagogue an ecclesiastical officer,
called "the angel of the Church," whence the title seems
derived (compare [Revelation 2:1](../../../kjv/revelation/2/1)).

**24.** The oldest manuscripts read
"[continue] *manifesting* to them in the face of the
churches the manifestation of your love, and of our boasting on your
behalf."

```json
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#website","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com","name":"Real Bible Believers","description":"RBB","publisher":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/search?q={search_term_string}","query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/2-corinthians/8#primaryimage","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/images/missing.jpg","contentUrl":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/images/missing.jpg","width":640,"height":370,"caption":"Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  2 Corinthians 8"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/2-corinthians/8#webpage","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/2-corinthians/8","name":"Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  2 Corinthians 8","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/2-corinthians/8#primaryimage"},"datePublished":null,"dateModified":null,"author":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509"},"description":"CHAPTER 8   :-. THE COLLECTION\nFOR THE SAINTS; THE\nREADINESS OF THE\nMACEDONIANS A PATTERN\nTO THE CORINTHIANS;\nCHRIST THE HIGHEST\nPATTERN; EACH\nIS TO GIVE","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/2-corinthians/8#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/2-corinthians/8"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/2-corinthians/8#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/","name":"Home"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries","name":"Commentaries"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible","name":"Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/2-corinthians","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/2-corinthians","name":"2 Corinthians"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":5,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/2-corinthians/8","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/2-corinthians/8","name":"8"}}]},{"@type":["Person","Organization"],"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#personlogo","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/android-chrome-512x512.png","contentUrl":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/android-chrome-512x512.png","width":512,"height":512},"logo":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#personlogo"},"sameAs":["https://twitter.com/RBiblebeliever","https://www.facebook.com/RBibleBelievers"]}]}
```