2 Corinthians 8:1-4 (WEL) Moreover, brothers, we want you to know about God’s grace given to the Macedonian congregations. 2 The abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded into the riches of their generosity, even during a great test of affliction. 3 For according to their ability, I bear witness, yes, even beyond their ability, they gave according to their free will. 4 With great urgency, begging us that we would take the gift and fellowship of sharing with the saints.
Chapter summary:
UCRT Cross References: “The apostle sets before the church at Corinth the liberality of the poor Christians in Macedonia, 1-5; and excites them to imitate this liberality, toward the poor saints in Judea; that they might abound as much “in this grace” as in other things; and show the sincerity of their love, as animated by the self-abasing and self-denying love of Christ to them, 6-9. They had before shown a readiness to this contribution, which would be graciously accepted by the Lord, 10-15. He commends to them Titus, and two other brethren, whom he had engaged in this service; and who were on many accounts worthy of their peculiar regard, 16-24.”
V1 Moreover, brothers, we want you to know about God’s grace given to the Macedonian congregations.
Grace is receiving blessings from God not deserved or earned. These blessings are not earned by our effort spiritually, mentally, emotionally, or physically. They are a gift from God. The congregations in Macedonia (north of Greece proper) were poorer than the Corinthians but gave generously to help the brothers and sisters in Israel in their poverty. Because of their help to those brothers and sisters, God blessed them.
V2 The abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded into the riches of their generosity, even during a great test of affliction.
Joy is the blessing they received. Joy is the pleasure of mind and body bringing peace and a relaxed attitude. One would think that giving money away when you are poor to be a sad thing, but this giving was to help other believers.
Bent Knee Time Devotional on Isaiah 41:8-16: “The exquisiteness of doing the Father’s great, tender, wise, practical will—nothing, absolutely nothing, compares with that. Then there’s God’s own peace in the heart; the inner sense of his approval. Nothing can take the place of that nor compensate for its absence. There’s the fragrant power in life and service, even while thorns tear. There’s the wondrous joy of having a part with him in his wondrous world-plan. This was the blessedness of Jesus’ earth-life, and may be ours.”
Pulpit Commentary: “In a great trial of affliction; rather, in much testing of affliction; i.e. in an affliction which put to the proof their Christian character. “They were not simply afflicted,” says St. Chrysostom, “but in such a way as also to become approved by their endurance.”
V3 For according to their ability, I bear witness, yes, even beyond their ability, they gave according to their free will.
The Greek word for according to their free will is G830 αὐθαίρετος authaíretos, which means (Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words) “one who chooses his own course of action; acting spontaneously, of one’s own accord.”
(Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based on Semantic Domains (Louw & Nida)) “pertaining to being willing, with the implication of choice – willing, of one’s own free will. αὐθαίρετοι μετὰ πολλη̂ς παρακλήσεως δεόμενοι ἡμω̂ν of their own free will they begged us and pleaded 2CO.8:3-4.”
V4 With great urgency, begging us that we would take the gift and fellowship of sharing with the saints.
They wanted to do this with zeal.
The assistance is a gift without anyone deserving anything but freely offered and given without any desire for any reciprocal action.
Giving is a form of fellowship with other believers.
We learn:
- How to give financially.
- It is free, not coerced in any way.
- Giving is a form of fellowship.
Questions:
- How do you give financially?
- Do you expect anything in return?