2 Corinthians 8

2 Corinthians 8:1-24 . THE COLLECTION FOR THE SAINTS; THE READINESS OF THE MACEDONIANS A PATTERN TO THE CORINTHIANS; CHRIST THE HIGHEST PATTERN; EACH IS TO GIVE WILLINGLY AFTER HIS ABILITY; TITUS AND TWO OTHERS ARE THE AGENTS ACCREDITED TO COMPLETE THE COLLECTION.

1. we do you to wit--we make known to you.
the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia--Their liberality was not of themselves naturally, but of God's grace bestowed on them, and enabling them to be the instrument of God's "grace" to others ( 2 Corinthians 8:6 2 Corinthians 8:19 ). The importance given in this Epistle to the collection, arose as well from Paul's engagement ( Galatians 2:10 ), as also chiefly from his hope to conciliate the Judaizing Christians at Jerusalem to himself and the Gentile believers, by such an act of love on the part of the latter towards their Jewish brethren.

2. trial of affliction--The Greek expresses, "in affliction (or, 'tribulation') which tested them"; literally, "in a great testing of affliction."
abundance of their joy--The greater was the depth of their poverty, the greater was the abundance of their joy. A delightful contrast in terms, and triumph, in fact, of spirit over flesh.
their deep poverty--Greek, "their poverty down to the death of it."
abounded unto the riches of their liberality--another beautiful contrast in terms: their poverty had the effect, not of producing stinted gifts, but of "abounding in the riches of liberality" (not as Margin, "simplicity"; though the idea of singleness of motive to God's glory and man's good, probably enters into the idea); (compare Romans 12:8 , and Margin; 2 Corinthians 9:11 , Margin; James 1:5 ).

3-5. they were willing--rather, supply from 2 Corinthians 8:5 , the ellipsis thus, "According to their power . . . yea, and beyond their power, THEY GAVE."
of themselves--not only not being besought, but themselves beseeching us.

4. that we would receive--omitted in the oldest manuscripts. Translate therefore, "Beseeching of us . . . the grace and fellowship of (that is, to grant them the favor of sharing in) the ministering unto the saints." The Macedonian contributions must have been from Philippi, because Philippi was the only church that contributed to Paul's support ( Philippians 4:10 Philippians 4:15 Philippians 4:16 ).

5. And this they did, not as we hoped--Translate, "And not as we hoped (that is, far beyond our hopes), but their own selves gave they first to the Lord." "First," not indicating priority of time, but first of all, above all in importance. The giving of themselves takes precedency of their other gifts, as being the motive which led them to the latter ( Romans 15:16 ).
by the will of God--not "according to the will of God," but "moved by the will of God, who made them willing" ( Philippians 2:13 ). It is therefore called ( 2 Corinthians 8:1 ), "the grace of God."

6. Insomuch that--As we saw the Macedonians' alacrity in giving, we could not but exhort Titus, that as we collected in Macedonia, so he in Corinth should complete the work of collecting which he had already begun there, lest ye, the wealthy people of Corinth, should be outdone in liberality by the poor Macedonians.
as he had begun--Greek, "previously begun," namely, the collection at Corinth, before the Macedonians began to contribute, during the visit to Corinth from which he had just returned.
finish in you the same grace--complete among you this act of grace or beneficence on your part.
also--as well as other things which he had to do among them [ALFORD].

7. in faith--( 2 Corinthians 1:24 ). Not as ALFORD, "doctrine" or "word."
knowledge--( 1 Corinthians 8:1 ).
diligence--in everything that is good.
your love to us--literally, "love from you (that is, on your part) in us" (that is, which has us for its object; which is felt in the case of us).