81 Now , brethren , we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia , 2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality . 3 For I testify that according to their ability , and beyond their ability , they gave of their own accord , 4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints , 5 and this, not as we had expected , but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God . 6 So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning , so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well .
7 But just as you abound in everything , in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also . 8 I am not speaking this as a command , but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also . 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ , that though He was rich , yet for your sake He became poor , so that you through His poverty might become rich . 10 I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage , who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it. 11 But now finish doing it also , so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability . 12 For if the readiness is present , it is acceptable according to what a person has , not according to what he does not have . 13 For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction , but by way of equality - 14 at this present time your abundance being a supply for their need , so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need , that there may be equality ; 15 as it is written , " HE WHO gathered MUCH DID NOT HAVE TOO MUCH , AND HE WHO gathered LITTLE HAD NO LACK ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 8:1-15
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 8:1-6
(Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-6)
The grace of God must be owned as the root and fountain of all the good in us, or done by us, at any time. It is great grace and favour from God, if we are made useful to others, and forward to any good work. He commends the charity of the Macedonians. So far from needing that Paul should urge them, they prayed him to receive the gift. Whatever we use or lay out for God, it is only giving him what is his own. All we give for charitable uses, will not be accepted of God, nor turn to our advantage, unless we first give ourselves to the Lord. By ascribing all really good works to the grace of God, we not only give the glory to him whose due it is, but also show men where their strength is. Abundant spiritual joy enlarges men's hearts in the work and labour of love. How different this from the conduct of those who will not join in any good work, unless urged into it!
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 8:7-9
(Read 2 Corinthians 8:7-9)
Faith is the root; and as without faith it is not possible to please God, Hebrews 11:6, so those who abound in faith, will abound in other graces and good works also; and this will work and show itself by love. Great talkers are not always the best doers; but these Corinthians were diligent to do, as well as to know and talk well. To all these good things the apostle desires them to add this grace also, to abound in charity to the poor. The best arguments for Christian duties, are drawn from the grace and love of Christ. Though he was rich, as being God, equal in power and glory with the Father, yet he not only became man for us, but became poor also. At length he emptied himself, as it were, to ransom their souls by his sacrifice on the cross. From what riches, blessed Lord, to what poverty didst thou descend for our sakes! and to what riches hast thou advanced us through thy poverty! It is our happiness to be wholly at thy disposal.
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 8:10-15
(Read 2 Corinthians 8:10-15)
Good purposes are like buds and blossoms, pleasant to behold, and give hopes of good fruit; but they are lost, and signify nothing without good deeds. Good beginnings are well; but we lose the benefit, unless there is perseverance. When men purpose that which is good, and endeavour, according to their ability, to perform also, God will not reject them for what it is not in their power to do. But this scripture will not justify those who think good meanings are enough, or that good purposes, and the mere profession of a willing mind, are enough to save. Providence gives to some more of the good things of this world, and to some less, that those who have abundance might supply others who are in want. It is the will of God, that by our mutual supplying one another, there should be some sort of equality; not such a levelling as would destroy property, for in such a case there could be no exercise of charity. All should think themselves concerned to relieve those in want. This is shown from the gathering and giving out the manna in the wilderness, Exodus 16:18. Those who have most of this world, have no more than food and raiment; and those who have but little of this world, seldom are quite without them.