2 Corinthians Answers - Chapter 8

2 Corinthians 8 What did Paul want to make known to the Corinthians? vs. 1 We wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia. How was grace displayed in the churches of Macedonia? vs.1,2 In a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. Now, friends, I want to report on the surprising and generous ways in which God is working in the churches in Macedonia province.  Fierce troubles came down on the people of those churches, pushing them to the very limit. The trial exposed their true colors: They were incredibly happy, though desperately poor. The pressure triggered something totally unexpected: an outpouring of pure and generous gifts.  [MSG] How did the Macedonians give their offering for the saints? vs.3-5 - Name 7 ways they gave by the grace of God. For I testify that: according to their ability, and beyond their ability,  they gave of their own accord,  begging us with much urging  for the favor of participation in the support of the saints,  but they first gave themselves to the Lord  and to us by the will of God. What did Paul charge Titus with concerning the Corinthians? vs. 6 The offering. What did Paul say the Corinthians already abounded in? vs. 7 - Name 5 things they had inspired in them. faith utterance (speech) knowledge earnestness love The Message Bible: you trust God you’re articulate you’re insightful you’re passionate you love us What had Paul urged Titus to complete in the Corinthians? vs.6,7 Paul sent Titus to resume the collection, to finish what he and they started. This verse becomes a delicate admonition for the Corinthians to follow through on their initial commitments. Rather than scold the Corinthians for not having finished, Paul instead praises them for their initial enthusiasm. They remain in the beginning stages, however; and he delegates the responsibility for helping them finish it to Titus. His warm reception by the Corinthians makes him the ideal candidate to fulfill the task.Garland, D. E. (2001, c1999). Vol. 29: 2 Corinthians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (372). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. How did Paul use the life of Jesus to encourage the Corinthians in the area of giving this offering? vs. 8,9 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. When did the Corinthian church begin to set aside money for this offering? vs. 10 They were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it. Paul admonished the church that it was a great thing that they were ready and desired to give to the saints. He wanted them to finish the commitment they had made with the same motives. As long as their motive of readiness was present, did it matter how much the gift would be? How did they determine what to give? vs.11,12 It is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. In the New Testament the principle “in proportion to what you have” (see also 1 Cor 16:2) replaces the principle of the tithe found in the Old Testament. The tithe only puts the focus on how much one is required to give and allows one to ignore how much is kept for oneself. Some can give far more than the tithe and have more than enough to provide all the necessities of life. Others barely have two mites for their daily needs.Garland, D. E. (2001, c1999). Vol. 29: 2 Corinthians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (381). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. How did the system of grace-giving take care of everyone's needs at all time? vs.13-15 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; as it is written, “He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little had no lack.” How did Titus feel about collecting the offering from the Corinthians for Paul? vs. 16,17 But thanks be to God who puts the same earnestness on your behalf in the heart of Titus.  For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest, he has gone to you of his own accord (initiative). What was Paul's concern about the generous gift that was collected from the church? vs. 19-21 taking precaution so that no one will discredit us in our administration of this generous gift; for we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. Money is a sensitive issue and frequently sparks controversy, and Paul reminds them that this fund is a “grace” that is “being ministered” by us for the purpose of bringing glory to the Lord and to show our good will (8:19). Then he explains that he is taking every precaution to be above reproach. By having these well-known representatives from Macedonia accompany Titus, Paul makes it clear that he does not intend for this project to line his own pockets. With someone appointed by other churches and not by Paul, there can be no doubts about his own honesty regarding what will happen to the funds. Paul recognizes that the power of one’s witness corresponds directly to one’s reputation for integrity. He cannot allow the project to become shrouded in malicious rumors that all is not above board.  He therefore takes steps to ensure that there be not the slightest hint of any impropriety. Too often Christians have brought discredit to themselves and to the Christian faith in the eyes of the world by mishandling donations through fraud or by receiving disproportionately high salaries for their “service” in the gospel. Paul is sensitive to any charges that he might be guilty of corruption (see 2:17; 4:2; 7:2; 11:7–12; 12:14–18 ). He therefore bends over backwards to keep everything open and public and to avoid the slightest impression of any self-seeking in all of his ministry (6:3), especially with regard to a collection of a substantial sum of money. Garland, D. E. (2001, c1999). Vol. 29: 2 Corinthians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (393). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. Titus was Paul's partner and fellow worker among the Corinthians. The other brethren being sent to them were messengers of the churches. How did Paul want them to be treated by the church when they arrived for the gift that had been collected? vs. 24 Show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you. Paul reemphasizes the appeal in 8:7–15 to fulfill their commitment. They are to show the proof of their love to these men and to the churches. This exhortation intimates that the proof of their love is not shown by simply receiving these emissaries with open arms but by contributing liberally to help the saints. God does not say, “If you love me, then prove it by doing this or giving this.” Paul understands, however, that the Corinthians’ generosity is proof that God’s grace is at work in them. Genuine beneficence is not something that one can fake or produce on demand, because it will always be begrudged. It ensues naturally from experiencing God’s grace. Garland, D. E. (2001, c1999). Vol. 29: 2 Corinthians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (396). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. How do you feel about offerings taken for the needy in your congregations? Do you realize that you are never obligated to give what you don't have, but to give according to your own ability? Think about this lesson. How will your attitude of offerings be from what you have learned? Give your summary thoughts and prayer.