2 Corinthians 8:1. The Apostle having employed the seven fore-going chapters, 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 in this and the following chapter, by the example of the churches of Macedonia particularly, to unite in a liberal contribution for the poor Christians in Judea.
Instead of we do you to wit, &c. Mr. Locke and others read, we make known unto you the godly charity given by the churches of Macedonia. The word Χαρις, which is translated grace in our version, is here used by St. Paul for gift, or liberality, and is so used, 2Co 8:4; 2 Corinthians 8:6-7; 2 Corinthians 8:9; 2Co 8:19 and 1 Corinthians 11:3. It is called, the gift of God, because God is the author and procurer of it, moving men's hearts thereto by his grace.

2 Corinthians 8:2. 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.

2 Corinthians 8:3. 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 their own accord, beseeching us with much intreaty, they gave to us the liberality, and the communication of the ministry to the saints; and this, not in the manner in which we presumed to hope, but first giving themselves to God, and then to us by the will of God.

2 Corinthians 8:6. 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.

2 Corinthians 8:8. 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 love; and thus properly express St. Paul's obliging way of stirring up the Corinthians to a liberal contribution: for his discourse briefly stands thus: "The great liberality of the poor Macedonians made me send Titus to you, to finish the collection of your charity, which he had begun; that you, who excel in all other virtues, might be eminent in this also. But I urge not this is a commandment from God; but, upon occasion of the liberality of others, present you with an opportunity of giving the world a proof of the genuine temper of your charity, which, like that of your other virtues, will not bear to be out-done."

2 Corinthians 8:9. 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.

2 Corinthians 8:10. 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 undertook it, so you may as readily perform it, each man according to his ability.

2 Corinthians 8:14. 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 the most indigent might be brought nearer to an equality with the rich. The Corinthians at Jerusalem, for a good while, were in want of nothing; theywho had lands or possessions sold them, and they had all things in common: but now, at the distance of five-and-twenty years from that aera, the frequent losses they endured by confiscations, &c. the increase of the number of Christians, and the gradual consumption of the money arising from sales, reduced them to great extremities of poverty. But though the Christian Jews were poor and oppressed, the Corinthians were rich and prosperous; and therefore, it may be said, there was no reason to expect that what the Apostle here mentions, would ever happen to the latter,—that their [the Jews] abundance should be a supply for the want of the Corinthians. To thisit may be sufficient to reply, that all human affairs are unstable and uncertain; Corinth itself, from great prosperity, had been desolated in the Roman war by Memmius some time before; or, supposing that no such event should happen to them again, yet particular persons might be distressed, or the whole body of Christians there reduced by persecutions, though their city continued to flou

2 Corinthians 8:15. He that had gathered much, &c.— See the note on Exodus 16:18.

2 Corinthians 8:18. 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 universal approbation with which St. Luke's gospel was every where received. This may be included; but the Apostle's meaning seems more extensive: "Whose praise is in the Gospel, on account of the various and eminent services which he has done for the interests of Christianity, wherever his influence has extended, both by his writings and exhortations."

2 Corinthians 8:19. And not that only, &c.— This verse is to be included in a parenthesis, and the continued sense of 2 Corinthians 8:18; 2Co 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 his success in preaching the Gospel, 2 Corinthians 8:19 but also is particularly appointed by the churches to accompany me with this collection, which we shall dispose of to the glory of God, and agreeably to your good intention, 2 Corinthians 8:20. (I have used this precaution [in having one joined with me] to prevent any suspicion that might be raised, upon my having the management of so large a sum; 2 Corinthians 8:21. For I am careful to conduct myself unblamably, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight men.)