2 Corinthians 8:4

4 begging us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in this ministry to the saints—

2 Corinthians 8:4 Meaning and Commentary

2 Corinthians 8:4

Praying us with much entreaty
They not only gave freely, being unasked by the apostles; but they sought to them, and earnestly entreated them,

that they would receive the gift;
the beneficence, what they had so freely and generously collected: and

the fellowship of the ministering to the saints;
what they had communicated for the service of the poor saints at Jerusalem, in which they testified their having and holding fellowship with the churches of Christ; and that they would receive it at their hands, and take it upon them, and carry it to Jerusalem, and distribute to the poor saints there, as should seem to them most proper and convenient; which they accordingly agreed to; see ( Romans 15:25 Romans 15:26 ) .

2 Corinthians 8:4 In-Context

2 for during a severe ordeal of affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.

3 For, as I can testify, they voluntarily gave according to their means, and even beyond their means,

4 begging us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in this ministry to the saints—

5 and this, not merely as we expected; they gave themselves first to the Lord and, by the will of God, to us,

6 so that we might urge Titus that, as he had already made a beginning, so he should also complete this generous undertaking among you.

Footnotes

• [a]. Gk [grace]