2 Corinthians 8

King James Version

Full text for 2 Corinthians Chapter 8

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

2How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

3For to [their] power, I bear record, yea, and beyond [their] power [they were] willing of themselves;

4Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and [take upon us] the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

5And [this they did], not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

6Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

7¶ Therefore, as ye abound in every [thing, in] faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and [in] all diligence, and [in] your love to us, [see] that ye abound in this grace also.

8I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

9For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

10And herein I give [my] advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.

11Now therefore perform the doing [of it]; that as [there was] a readiness to will, so [there may be] a performance also out of that which ye have.

12For if there be first a willing mind, [it is] accepted according to that a man hath, [and] not according to that he hath not.

13For [I mean] not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:

14But by an equality, [that] now at this time your abundance [may be a supply] for their want, that their abundance also may be [a supply] for your want: that there may be equality:

15As it is written, He that [had gathered] much had nothing over; and he that [had gathered] little had no lack.

16¶ But thanks [be] to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

17For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.

18And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise [is] in the gospel throughout all the churches;

19And not [that] only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and [declaration of] your ready mind:

20Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:

21Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

22And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which [I have] in you.

23Whether [any do enquire] of Titus, [he is] my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren [be enquired of, they are] the messengers of the churches, [and] the glory of Christ.

24Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Paul commends the Macedonian churches for their exceptional generosity, who, despite deep poverty and affliction, willingly gave beyond their means for the saints. He then encourages the Corinthians to complete their own collection, reminding them of Christ's example of self-impoverishment for their enrichment. Paul emphasizes that giving should be from a willing heart, aiming for equality, and sends Titus and two other trusted brethren to ensure the transparent administration of their offering.

Medium Summary

Paul begins by informing the Corinthians of the remarkable grace of God evident in the churches of Macedonia. Despite enduring severe affliction and deep poverty, these churches exhibited an abundance of joy and liberality, giving willingly and even beyond their power, entreating Paul to accept their contribution for the saints. Paul then exhorts the Corinthians, who abound in other spiritual gifts, to also excel in the grace of giving, urging them to complete the collection they had begun a year prior. He clarifies that this is not a command but an opportunity to prove the sincerity of their love, drawing upon the profound example of Jesus Christ, who, though rich, became poor for their sakes. The apostle emphasizes that giving should stem from a willing mind and be proportionate to what one possesses, aiming for an equality where one's abundance supplies another's need. To ensure the proper and transparent administration of this offering, Paul sends Titus, who had already shown great care, along with two other respected brothers, stressing the importance of integrity in the sight of both God and men.

Long Summary

The Apostle Paul opens by commending the churches of Macedonia, highlighting the extraordinary grace of God manifested in their giving. Despite facing severe trials of affliction and experiencing deep poverty, their abundant joy overflowed into a rich liberality, prompting them to give willingly, even beyond their financial capacity. They earnestly pleaded with Paul to accept their gift and allow them to participate in the ministry to the saints, having first consecrated themselves to the Lord and to Paul by God's will. Paul then transitions to the Corinthian church, urging them to complete the collection for the saints that Titus had initiated among them. He encourages them, who excel in faith, utterance, knowledge, diligence, and love, to also abound in this grace of giving. Paul clarifies that his counsel is not a commandment but an invitation to demonstrate the sincerity of their love, using the example of the Macedonians. He powerfully reminds them of the ultimate example of generosity: the grace of their Lord Jesus Christ, who, though immensely rich, became poor for their sakes, that through His poverty they might become spiritually rich. Paul advises them to now perform the doing of what they were ready to will a year ago, stressing that a willing mind is accepted according to what one possesses, not what one lacks. He explains that the purpose is not to burden them while easing others, but to achieve an equality where their present abundance can supply the needs of others, and in turn, others' future abundance might supply their needs, referencing the principle of manna distribution. To facilitate this collection and ensure its integrity, Paul expresses gratitude for Titus's earnest care and willingness to go to Corinth. He also sends with Titus a brother widely praised in the gospel throughout the churches, chosen by the churches to travel with Paul in administering this grace. A third diligent brother is also sent, ensuring that no one can blame them in the administration of this substantial gift. This careful arrangement is to provide for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of men. Paul identifies Titus as his partner and fellowhelper, and the other brothers as messengers of the churches and the glory of Christ, urging the Corinthians to demonstrate their love and the truth of Paul's boasting about them before these representatives and the churches.

Core Concepts

  • Macedonian LiberalityDespite severe affliction and deep poverty, the Macedonian churches demonstrated extraordinary joy and willingness, giving generously beyond their means for the needs of the saints.
  • Christ's Example of GivingJesus Christ, though rich, willingly became poor for humanity's sake, providing the ultimate model of sacrificial giving so that believers might be spiritually enriched through His poverty.
  • Principle of EqualityGiving should aim for a balance where those with abundance supply the needs of others, ensuring that no one has too much and no one has too little, as exemplified by the manna collection.
  • Willingness and Proportionate GivingThe acceptance of a gift is based on a willing mind, and it is expected according to what a person possesses, not according to what they do not have.
  • Transparency in AdministrationPaul meticulously arranged for Titus and two other trusted brethren to administer the collection, ensuring that the process was honest and blameless in the sight of both God and men.
  • Giving as a GraceGiving is presented not merely as an obligation but as a "grace" (charis), a spiritual favor, in which believers are encouraged to abound alongside other virtues.
  • Giving of Oneself FirstThe Macedonian churches first gave their own selves to the Lord and to Paul by the will of God, indicating that true giving flows from a prior commitment of one's entire being.