An Exposition of Pauls Epistles, Letter 3 · Chapter 8
CHAP. VIII.
THe second part of the Epistle, wherein the Corinthians being confirmed, touching his love towards them, doth exhort them to the giving of Alms, with a cheerful mind to the use of the poor▪ Jews: For this end there are thirteen arguments used in this Chapter, to which hee adds more in the Chapter following.
Vers. 1. Moreover, brethren, wee do you, to wit, of the grace of God bestowed on the Churches of Macedonia.
Argum. 1. From the example of the Macedonians, the Churches of Macedonia have contributed: And therefore do yee the same thing, whose liberality hee commends, by nine reasons.
Grace] The first Reason, Because it was the gift of Gods grace, that they contributed any thing for the use of the poor Jews.
Vers. 2. How that in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, abounded unto the riches of liberality.
Reason 2. Because Alms was given by them in that time, when they were tried with heavy afflictions.
Ioy] Reason 3. Because they contributed with joy.
Deep] Reason 4. Because in poverty they were liberal.
Vers. 3. For to their power, (I bear record) yea, and beyond their power, they were willing of themselves.
Reason 5. Because they were willing to give more bountifully, than they were able.
Vers. 4. Praying us with much intreaty, that wee would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the Ministering to the Saints.
Reason 6. Because they offered freely, not provoked by others examples, but rather were Leaders to others, lest they should bee wanting in this duty of charity.
With entreaty] Reason 7. Because they were instant in prayers, that what they gave might bee received.
Fellowship] Reason 8. Because they did entreat the Apostle, that hee together with others, would take upon them the charge of gathering and dispensing that, which they and others were about to give.
Vers. 5. And this they did, not as wee hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the Will of God.
Reason 9. Because beyond the Apostles expectation, they consecrated themselves and all theirs to God, and did commit themselves to the Apostle; that they might bee ruled by him in all things, according to the Will of God.
Vers. 6. Insomuch that wee desired Titus, that as hee had begun, so hee would also finish in you the same grace also.
Argum. 2. To a liberal contribution; Because at the entreaty of the Macedonians, I have desired Titus that hee would take care to accomplish your alms, which thing hee hath undertaken already: Therefore take yee care, lest this our labour bee in vain.
Vers. 7. Therefore (as yee abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, …ad in your love to us) see that yee abound in this grace also.
Argum. 3. Because seeing that you excel others in many virtues, it becometh you to do your endeavour, lest in this yee fail, or seeing that the gifts of the Spirit abound in you, the faith of miracles, the gifts of knowledge and eloquence, endeavour concerning the Salvation of the Brethren, and charity towards mee, yee must have a care, lest this gift bee found wanting to you.
Vers. 8. I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
Argum. 4. Because now the sincerity of your Christian love is to bee proved in the distribution of this alms, for which thing sake I exhort you diligently, at the desire of the Macedonians, commanding nothing imperiously: Therefore shew a proof of your liberality.
Vers. 9. For yee know the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ, that though hee was rich, yet for your sakes hee became poor, that yee through his poverty might bee rich.
Argum. 5. Christ hath made himself poor; that you might bee rich: Therefore it is meet, that for his sake yee give alms, when it is required of you.
Vers. 10. And herein I give my advice, for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to bee forward a year ago.
Argum. 6. Because I know it is profitable for you, both in respect of your praise, and in respect of the blessing that will follow, that in this business in no wise yee bee wanting, but at length yee accomplish this collection already begun.
Vers. 11. Now therefore perform the doing of it, that as there was a readiness to will, so there may bee a performance also out of that which you have.
12. For if there bee first a willing mind, it is accepted, according to that a man hath, and not according to that hee hath not:
13. For I mean not that other men bee eased, and you burdened.
Argum. 7. Because it is meet and comely that your ready will, which yee shewed the last year, might bee actually compleated, and it will bee uncomely if it otherwise fall out.
Which yee have] Argum. 8. Because nothing is required, but that which your selves may see to bee equal, for it is desired that you give according to your abilities, out of equity, without your prejudice, a little from the poor sort, if they give with a willing mind, shall bee accepted of God, Although they have not given much, which have it not: For if a willing mind bee not present, nothing is respected by God, how much soever is given: Therefore bee not here wanting.
Vers. 14. But by an equality: that now at this time, your abundance may bee a supply for their want, that their abundance also may bee a supply for your want, that there may bee an equality:
Argum. 9. Because you may expect, that if there bee need, some retribution may bee made, and out of the plenty of the Churches in Iudea, your want may bee supplied, that so, that which is equal may bee done.
Vers. 15. As it is written, Hee that had gathered much, had nothing over, and hee that had gathered little, had no lack.
Argum. 10. Because it appears in the example of Manna, that no man ought to suppress his abundance with others wants, but so far equality is to bee observed, that so much as is necessary may bee wanting to none. For as it was done in the gathering of Manna, every one did measure to himself an Omer, the rest was given to those, who had gathered little, Exod. 16.18, 19. so in gathering of riches, that which remaineth after your own uses, ought to bee given for the use of the poor.
Vers. 16. But thanks bee to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
17. For indeed, hee accepted the exhortation, but being more forward, of his own accord hee went unto you.
Argum. 11. Because the faithful, the strong, and some Brethren of best fame, were stirred up by God (compare vers. 18.22.) and sent by mee to promote this whole business, not onelyonly in gathering of Almes, but also in bringing them to the hands of the poor Jews. The first of these Brethren was Titus, for whose care and willingness of mind for the perfecting of this business, hee praises God.
Vers. 18. And wee have sent with him the Brother, whose praise is in the Gospel throughout all the Churches.
19. And not that onelyonly, but who was also chosen of the Churches, to travel with us with this grace which is administred by us, to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind.
His second Messenger is described, that hee laboured diligently for the promoting of the Gospel, whether it was Barnabas, or any other, it matters not. For whosoever hee was, hee is designed of the Churches (called together as it seems in a Synodical way) as a person worthy of trust, to whom this business might bee committed.
Glory] Argum. 12. Because this alms is taken into my care, and administred by mee, and others, to the glory of God, and demonstration of the willingness of your mind.
Vers. 20. Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance, which is administred by us.
21. Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but in the sight of men.
Hee gives the reason why hee had joyned to himself those companions, of such approved fidelity in this administration of beneficence, collected for the use of the Church of Ierusalem, viz. that hee might take away the occasion of ill report from his adversaries, who might otherwise calumniate him, as if hee had diminished somewhat of the sum of money collected: And that hee might consult his reputation with all men, as hee had looked to his conscience before God, that hee might bee kept in the holy purpose of his integrity, in this business.
Vers. 22. And wee have sent with them our Brother, whom wee have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.
Hee commends his third messenger, whether hee were Luke, or any other, it matters not, but from hence the force of the eleventh argument appears, whilst hee sayes, that hee hath sent them out of his confidence of the Corinthians liberality, such famous men that hee doth not fear, that their expectation will bee frustrated; from whence it follows, that yee ought to contribute liberally.
Vers. 23. Whether any do enquire of Titus, hee is my Partner, and fellow-helper concerning you; or our Brethren bee enquired of, they are the messengers of the Churches, and the glory of Christ.
After hee hath set forth each of these messengers with his own commendation, hee commends them altogether, and especially Titus, because they are the Apostles of the Churches, i. e. assigned by the Churches for the gathering of his alms: And secondly, because they are the Glory of Christ, so called, because his grace did gloriously shine in them, and by them his glory was illustrated.
Vers. 24. Wherefore, shew yee to them, and before the Churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
The Exhortation being repeated, hee adds Argum. 13. This liberality as it shall bee a proof of our charity, so also it shall bee the confirmation of my glorying of you no wise vainly, in the fight of those that were assigned, who in the name of the Churches being present, will behold your liberality in this business: Therefore yee ought to contribute liberally.