2 Corinthians 8:4

4 praying us with earnest entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of ministering 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 how in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing to give of themselves,

4 praying us with earnest entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of ministering to the saints.

5 And this they did, not as we had hoped, but first they gave themselves to the Lord and unto us by the will of God,

6 insomuch that we urged Titus that, as he had begun, so he would finish in you the same grace also.