Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

What does 2nd Corinthians Chapter 8 mean?

Having addressed the issue of his painful rebuke of the Corinthians and his joy at their repentance, Paul moves to a new topic: the collection of funds for suffering Christians in Jerusalem. The Corinthians had previously agreed to participate in contributing to this collection about a year earlier. Paul gave them instructions for how to do so in 1 Corinthians. However, some difficult issues had arisen between them and the apostle in the meantime. Will they still follow through on their commitment to give?

Paul begins by pointing to the example of the churches in Macedonia. Though they are under the affliction of persecution and in extreme poverty, they begged Paul to be allowed to participate in the collection. Not only that, but they gave beyond their means in order to help the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. They did this, Paul writes, because they gave themselves to the Lord and then, by God’s will, gave themselves to Paul’s effort to raise these funds (2 Corinthians 8:1–6).

With this in mind, Paul urges the Corinthians to excel in this “act of grace,” as they excel in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in earnestness, and in his love for them. He is quick to say that he is not commanding them to follow through with their commitment. That would defeat the purpose of the gift. Instead, he asks them to understand this as an opportunity to prove that they genuinely have Christlike love for others (1 Corinthians 8:7–8).

After all, Paul adds, Christ did much more for them. He willingly left the riches and safety of heaven to come to earth as a man and die for their sins. He did this so that they could experience the riches and safety of heaven. Now it is time to follow Christ’s example in sacrificing for the good of others.

A year ago, Paul says, they were ready to give. For that readiness to mean anything, though, they must now follow through and actually give. He is not asking them to give everything they have or more than they have. He is asking them to follow the biblical principle of giving in proportion to what they have. The goal for Christians should be to maintain fairness, Paul writes, with those who have much giving to those who have little, so that all have enough (2 Corinthians 8:9–15).

Three men will be coming to Corinth to help with the collection of the funds, and to deliver this letter. Titus had recently been to Corinth and will be returning specifically to carry out this mission because of his earnest care for the Corinthians. He is Paul’s partner and co-worker with the Corinthians and cares as much for them as Paul does himself.

Two unnamed men will accompany Titus as representatives of other churches that were participating in the gifts. One is described as a man famous for proclaiming the gospel. The other is a tested and trustworthy brother in the ministry who is serious about important things and has great confidence in the Corinthians.

Together, these two men will help to make sure that the collection and distribution of the funds is done in an upright way so that everyone can trust Paul’s integrity in administering the collection. Paul refuses to give anyone a valid reason to question his motives in collecting this money. These men will also report back to their churches how the Corinthians responded to the opportunity to help those in need. Paul urges them to allow their gift to be proof of their Christlike love (2 Corinthians 8:16–24).

Chapter Context
Second Corinthians 8 follows Paul’s expression of comfort and rejoicing at what he learned from Titus. That news explained the Corinthians’ repentance in response to Paul’s letter of rebuke. Next Paul urges them to follow through on a commitment to contribute to a collection for the suffering Christians in Jerusalem. He points to the example of the generous gifts of the poverty-stricken Macedonian churches and asks the Corinthians to prove that their own Christlike love for others is genuine by excelling in this, as well. Titus and two delegates from other churches will come to Corinth to oversee the collection. In chapter 9, Paul will continue to discuss this ministry opportunity.

Verse by Verse

Verse 1. We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia,

After praising the Corinthians for their repentance and humility in response to his letter of rebuke, Paul addresses his effort to raise funds for the suffering Christians in Jerusalem.

He begins by praising the churches in the region of Macedonia, which would have included the towns of Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. He wants the Christians in Corinth to know how God’s grace has been given to these churches. This was true in the sense that people in this region had heard Paul’s preaching of the gospel during his second missionary journey and received Christ as Savior (Acts 16:12–40; 17:1–15). Paul’s point here, though, was to provide evidence of God’s grace to these believers—their own generosity in giving funds to the collection. Paul teaches that the choice to freely give money to meet the needs of other believers is evidence that the givers have themselves received God’s grace.

Context Summary
Second Corinthians 8:1–15 begins with Paul’s praise for the churches in Macedonia. These believers begged to be included in giving to a collection for the suffering Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. Paul urges the Corinthians to follow through on their own commitment to do the same thing of their own free will as an act of grace. In doing so, they will also be following the example of Jesus’ sacrifice for them. They should give proportionally, using their abundance to meet the need of other believers so that all may have enough.

Verse 2. for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.

The Corinthians are being asked to follow through on their commitment to give funds to the collection for the suffering Christians in Jerusalem. Paul introduces the topic by pointing out how the churches in the region of Macedonia have already given generously to the collection. This is despite Christians in those churches experiencing great affliction in being persecuted for their faith. This resulted in extreme poverty. That did not stop them from being eager to give to meet the needs of others.

Paul describes it almost as an equation. Severe affliction added to abundant joy added to extreme poverty overflowed to a wealth of generosity. This result doesn’t make sense from any human perspective. We would expect persecution and poverty to cause any group of people to need funds, not to be so eager to give them. That’s why Paul said in the previous verses that these churches had received the grace of God. Their attitude and generosity, in the face of dire circumstances, were evidence of God’s generous work in them.

Verse 3. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,

Paul has been asking his Corinthian readers to join him in marveling at the demonstration of God’s grace in the lives of the believers in the Macedonian region. Despite harsh circumstances, persecution for faith and extreme poverty, these believers in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea had an abundance of joy. They were eager to give generously to meet the desperate needs of the Jewish believers in Jerusalem.

Paul now adds that these believers exceeded his usual directions that Christians should give in proportion to their income (1 Corinthians 16:2). The Macedonian believers both gave according to their means and then even beyond their means. Paul is quick to add that they did so willingly and not under any kind of command or obligation or pressure from him or others. The Macedonian Christians wanted to give as much as they could.

Verse 4. begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints —

Paul has written that the believers in the region of Macedonia had given generously to meet the needs of the suffering Christians in Jerusalem. In spite of affliction and poverty, they gave beyond their means. Now Paul adds that they begged Paul and his companions to be included in the collection. They did not want to be left out of the opportunity to participate in providing relief to “the saints.” This phrase is a reference to all saved Christians, not to some special class of believers.

Judging by the context here, perhaps Paul and those helping him raise these funds did not think to ask the suffering Christians in Macedonia to help out. It’s possible they thought the Macedonian believers needed funds themselves in their extreme poverty. The Macedonians had to beg the apostle to be included in the opportunity to give and then surprised him with their great generosity. Paul gave the credit to God for giving them the grace to want to give to meet the needs of others.

Verse 5. and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

This portion of 2 Corinthians describes evidence that the churches in Macedonia have received God’s grace. Despite their own poverty and suffering, they begged to be included in giving aid to suffering Christians in Jerusalem. Once included, they gave generously, even beyond their means. Paul and the others administering the collection had not expected this. Paul now says that it revealed that the churches in Macedonia had given themselves to the Lord and then, by God’s will, had given themselves also to Paul.

The Corinthians had previously committed to being included in Paul’s collection for those in Jerusalem, as well, and Paul had given them instructions for how to raise the funds (1 Corinthians 16:1–6). Paul may have wondered if his strained relationship with them would cause them not to follow through on this commitment. Now that he has received the report from Titus, though, about their renewed longing for him (2 Corinthians 7:7), he will ask them to follow the example of the Macedonians and give themselves first to the Lord and then to him.

Verse 6. Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace.

This marks a turn in Paul’s focus. He has been praising the churches in Macedonia for their generous giving to aid suffering Christians in Jerusalem. Here, he will pivot to asking the Corinthians to follow through on their own commitment. Specifically, Paul says he has asked Titus to return to Corinth to collect the funds as a way of completing “this act of grace.”

Paul often describes Christian giving to meet the needs of others as an act of grace. That makes sense. God gives grace to believers through faith in Christ. This grace comes as a good gift we could never earn. In the same way, Christians give money to others that they are not obligated to give simply out of a spirit of love and kindness.

Paul again seems to be sending Titus on a difficult mission to Corinth. The first time the Corinthians met Paul’s associate in ministry, he was delivering a letter of rebuke from Paul for their sin. Apparently, though, Titus and the Corinthians encouraged each other and got along well (2 Corinthians 7:14–16). Now Paul is sending Titus back with the duty of collecting from the Corinthians the monies they had previously agreed to give to the believers in Jerusalem. Paul seems to be aware that perhaps not all in Corinth will still be eager to give to meet this need.

Verse 7. But as you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you — see that you excel in this act of grace also.

Paul is asking the Corinthians to follow through on a commitment they had previously made. They had agreed to gather funds to be given to suffering Christians in Jerusalem. Part of the purpose of this collection was for the Jewish believers in Jerusalem to see that the Greek believers around the world were ready and willing to support them in their time of need.

Paul is aware that since their initial commitment to be included along with the other Christian churches, his relationship with some in Corinth has become more complicated. There has been conflict, sin, rebuke, and repentance, but some issues remain unresolved for some in Corinth. Paul, though, has declared that he has complete confidence in the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 7:16).

He praises them for specific areas of excellence he sees among them: faith, speech, knowledge, and enthusiasm. They also excel, Paul adds, in his love for them. In other words, the Corinthians are doing so many things well that Paul hopes they will also show excellence in this act of giving graciously to meet the needs of others.

Verse 8. I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.

Paul has praised the Christian churches in Macedonia for giving generously to meet the needs of suffering Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. They did this despite their own poverty and suffering. He noted they gave willingly, even begging to be included in the opportunity to give. Neither he nor God nor anyone else commanded the Macedonians to give (2 Corinthians 8:2–5).

Now Paul makes clear to the Corinthians that he is not commanding them to give to this collection. He wants them to do so out of love for other believers. The Macedonians have proved their Christlike love for others is genuine by giving so earnestly. Now the Corinthians have an opportunity to demonstrate that same love.

Paul is not manipulating the Corinthians. He represents Christ even in his role as fundraiser for suffering Christians. He is sincere in saying that they are not compelled by him to donate to this collection. He is also sincere in saying that an opportunity to give generously to a believer who is hurting is an opportunity to show the love of Christ.

Verse 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 by his poverty might become rich.

In this section, Paul urges the Corinthians to follow through on a previous commitment to give money to meet the needs of suffering Christians in Jerusalem. He made clear in the previous verse that this is not a command. It is an opportunity to express the love of Christ to other believers.

Now he describes how contributing to this gift is Christlike. Jesus was rich and secure in the glory of heaven. He willingly became poor when He became a man, entering into the world of suffering and death in the flow of time on earth. He did this in order to die for the sins of humanity so that all who trust in Him can be forgiven of their sin and one day experience the wealth and security of living in glory with God.

In other words, Jesus demonstrated God’s grace by willingly becoming poor so the Corinthian Christians could become rich forever. Now the Corinthians had an opportunity to perform an act of grace themselves that would follow the example of Jesus’ own sacrifice.

Verse 10. And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it.

These words are intended to make a point very clear: Paul is not commanding the believers in Corinth to follow through on their previous commitment. That agreement was to give funds as part of a collection, used to ease the suffering of Christians in Jerusalem. He wants them to give willingly, as a Christlike act of grace and love.

Now, though, he does give them his advice or judgment: This will benefit them. A year ago, they set out to give to this collection and they had sincerely desired to do so. To follow through on that commitment is the right thing to do, no matter what has happened between them and Paul since then.

As an encouragement, or possibly conviction, Paul has also noted how the Macedonian churches, though poverty-stricken, begged to be included in providing this aid (2 Corinthians 8:1–5).

Verse 11. So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have.

Paul is urging the Corinthians to follow through on a previous commitment to give to meet the needs of suffering Christians in Jerusalem. He is not commanding them to do so. He wants them to give as an act of grace and love. This is typified by the actions of the Macedonian believers, who gave generously despite their own poverty (2 Corinthians 8:1–5).

Now, though, Paul sounds more forceful. A desire to give, even a sincere readiness to do so, is not meaningful if it never results in actual giving. There is a wide gap between “wanting something to happen” and “being willing to make something happen.” Verbally agreeing to help others is one thing, but that agreement is hollow until we take steps to make good on our promise.

With that in mind, Paul urges the Corinthians to demonstrate that their original desire to give was sincere. He asks them to demonstrate that it was a meaningful desire to demonstrate God’s grace and love by following through now that the time has come to actually provide funds to the collection.

Verse 12. For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.

The time has come, Paul has written, for the Corinthians to follow through on their original commitment to donate to a collection for the suffering Christians in Jerusalem. He has said, in essence, that their original readiness to give will be meaningless if they do not complete it.

Paul insists that he is not asking for any specific amount of money from them. Instead, he says the same thing here as when writing to them in 1 Corinthians 16. Namely, that giving should be according to what each of them has, based on a person’s possessions or income, not according to a set amount. This is the biblical principle of proportional giving: contributing a percentage of one’s money to the needs of others as an act of grace and love.

It’s important to notice that Paul does not specify what that proportion or percentage should be. Paul leaves that to each person individually. The important thing is to give according to what a person has and not according to some set amount that would be unfairly difficult for the poor to contribute and unfairly easy for the wealthy to reach.

Verse 13. For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness

When Christianity was established in Jerusalem after Pentecost, it became renowned in the wider community for sharing all things in common. Every believer in a congregation was provided for because every Christian gave what they had to meet the needs of others (Acts 2:44–45). This practice is not commanded specifically for churches, but Paul describes a version of it in this verse.

He makes clear to the Christians in Corinth that he does not expect them to give so much to the Christians in Jerusalem that they become destitute. Nor is he seeking for them to suffer while the Jerusalem believers experience a life of ease. He is not asking the Corinthians to give everything they have or more than they have.

Paul does believe, though, that there should be fairness among the Christian community. It doesn’t make sense to him that some believers should live on the verge of starvation while others lived to excess. He offers more detail in the following verses.

Verse 14. your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness.

Paul is describing the biblical principle of fairness among those living in the Christian community. In urging the Corinthians to follow through on their previous commitment to contribute to a collection for the suffering Christians in Jerusalem, he has asked them to give a proportion of what they have. He doesn’t want them to give all they have or more than they have. He does, though, teach that Christians should see themselves as responsible to each other.

Believers with more than they need should be ready and willing to give to believers with less than they need. If their fortunes reverse later, then the contributions should flow in the other direction. Paul does not think some Christians should live in painful poverty while others live in pleasurable excess. When the church first came into being, it was known for following this principle (Acts 2:44–46).

Verse 15. As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”

Paul quotes from Exodus 16:18 to illustrate that his insistence on the biblical principle of financial fairness among Christians was not a new idea. The verse in Exodus describes how the people of Israel were to gather the manna God miraculously gave to them from heaven for their daily food. Each person would take up as much as he or she needed. In the end, no matter how much was gathered, nobody had more or less than was needed to live on.

Paul is teaching that the Christian community should work the same way. Since the Corinthian believers were experiencing relative abundance compared to the Jerusalem believers, it was right that they should share some of what they had to make things more fairly distributed in the family of Christ.

Verse 16. But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you.

After urging the Corinthians to follow through on their commitment to contribute to a collection for the Christians in Jerusalem, Paul turns to describing those coming to help arrange it. He begins with Titus, who has just recently returned from Corinth. The Corinthians know and, apparently, appreciate Titus. Paul ensures them again that the feeling is mutual. In fact, Paul thanks God for putting into Titus’ heart the same deep concern for them that he himself has for them. In other words, Paul is saying that Titus is coming to help with the collection out of a genuine sense of care for the Corinthians and not as a glorified errand boy.

It’s a fascinating idea, though, that God would put earnest concern for a specific group of people into someone’s heart. Titus’ feelings for the Corinthians was more than natural, Paul insisted. It was given by God, meaning God was responsible for sending Titus to see them again so soon. Christian missionaries and ministers often express feeling like God has put love for a specific people group on their hearts, as well.

Context Summary
Second Corinthians 8:16–24 describes the three men who will be coming to Corinth. After delivering this letter, they will help collect the Corinthian’s contribution to the needs of suffering Christians in Jerusalem. The Corinthians know Titus, who recently returned from Corinth, and that he cares for the Corinthians as deeply as Paul himself. Titus will be accompanied by two delegates from other churches to prove that everything is done honestly and with transparency. These men will then report back to their churches how the Corinthians participated in the collection.

Verse 17. For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord.

Paul has just declared that God put the same earnest care for the Corinthians into Titus’ heart that Paul carries. Now Paul adds that Titus is not coming to the Corinthians out of any sense of obligation. Titus accepted the assignment to come and help arrange the collection for the Jerusalem Christians of his own free will. In other words, Paul wants the Corinthians to know that Titus really wants to see them again.

Titus had only recently returned from Corinth after delivering Paul’s letter of rebuke to them. Paul has stated emphatically in the previous chapter how impressed Titus was with their obedience and humble respect for Paul’s authority. The fact that Titus wants to return is the sign of how well things went between him and the Corinthians. Perhaps Paul hopes that Titus being there will help the collection go more smoothly, as well.

Verse 18. With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel.

Three men are headed to Corinth to collect contributions for suffering Christians in Jerusalem. These men are being sent with this very letter, written by Paul. Titus, who has recently returned from Corinth, will be coming of his own free will.

Paul describes the second member of the delegation as a man famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel. It is not clear why Paul doesn’t name the man, as he usually does when referring to other ministers of the gospel in his letters. His mention of “all the churches” may mean the churches in the Macedonian or another region, since the following verse says the man has been appointed by the churches to travel with the delegation to collect and distribute the funds for Jerusalem.

Verse 19. And not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will.

Paul is sending three delegates to Corinth to deliver this letter and to help collect their contribution to the suffering Christians in Jerusalem. He first mentioned Titus, recently returned from Corinth and now well known to them. He next mentioned an unnamed man famous for proclaiming the gospel.

This man has been appointed by the churches, likely in the Macedonian region, to represent them and travel with the team that is collecting and distributing these funds. Paul again refers to the collection as an act of grace, meaning that it is being carried out by the freewill of all the churches who are participating in it. Paul adds that this act of grace is ultimately for the Lord’s glory, but also to show the good will of all those who contribute.

The Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians did not always get along. Paul didn’t like the division between them and perhaps saw this collection as an opportunity for Gentile Christians to express love and support for the Jewish believers in Jerusalem and maybe help to heal some of those tensions (Romans 15:25–28).

Verse 20. We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us,

An unnamed representative of the Macedonian churches, famous for preaching the gospel, will accompany Titus to Corinth to help with the collection of funds for Jerusalem (2 Corinthians 8:18–19).

Paul wanted to add this representative in part to provide as many witnesses and as much openness as possible for this collection of funds. He wanted to avoid giving anyone a valid reason to question his motives or integrity in handling these donated monies. Perhaps another accusation that some had used against Paul was that he was planning to take some of the donations for himself. That’s why he wanted as many representatives as possible from the donating churches to join the delegation.

Verse 21. for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord ‘s sight but also in the sight of man.

Paul has welcomed an appointed representative of the Macedonian churches to join the group collecting and distributing donations for suffering Christians in Jerusalem. The man will travel with Titus to Corinth for that purpose (2 Corinthians 8:16–19).

This is described as part of a strategy to give as much legitimacy to the collection as possible. Paul doesn’t want anyone to have a valid cause to blame him or any of his associates for skimming any of the donations for themselves. More eyes joining the party will not only help to keep this from happening, it will give confidence to others that everything is being done with integrity and transparency.

The goal of this tactic is not merely to avoid an appearance of wrongdoing. Paul’s aim, stated in this verse, is to faithfully do what is honorable in the sight of the Lord, as well as in the sight of others. Paul is modeling a standard that should be followed by all Christian churches and organizations that receive donations. An active attitude of openness and transparency should be the rule at all times. This is not because people who handle those funds are inherently untrustworthy; it is to take away any valid reasons to question their trustworthiness.

Verse 22. And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you.

Earlier verses mentioned two members of a delegation travelling to Corinth to collect funds for the suffering Christians in Jerusalem. Now Paul mentions one more. This man is also unnamed, though Paul fully endorses his character. He calls this third man “our brother” and says that he has often been tested, meaning that the man has proved his trustworthiness over time. He is a man who takes important things very seriously and is now even more earnest about this issue of collecting funds for Jerusalem. Paul adds that the man has great confidence in the Corinthians.

It is likely that this third man is also the representative of a church or group of churches, added to the team to ensure greater transparency and integrity in handling large amount of donated funds. From Paul’s language, the Corinthians may already know and trust both the unnamed men who will probably be with them by the time they read this letter.

Verse 23. As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.

Paul gives one more recommendation for the three men coming to Corinth to help collect funds for the suffering Christians in Jerusalem. He describes Titus, whom they now know, as his partner and fellow worker for their benefit. Paul helped to mentor Titus, but he described him as a partner, especially in Paul’s recent relationship with the Corinthian people.

Here he calls the other two men “our brothers” and messengers of the churches they represent. It may be that the Corinthians know these men, also. If so, these two will vouch for the legitimacy of the collection for the Jerusalem Christians and provide oversight to it.

These words add that the churches they represent are the “glory of Christ.” Those who represent Christ in acts of grace, like giving to people in need, bring glory to Christ on earth. That’s what Christian churches are meant to do, something Paul hopes those in the church in Corinth will understand and participate in fully.

Verse 24. So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.

Paul urges the Corinthians one last time to fully participate in making a generous donation to the suffering Christians in Jerusalem. In the previous verse, he mentioned that two men would be coming as representatives of other churches. Since they will be watching on behalf of those churches, Paul tells the Corinthians to prove that their own love is genuine, as well, by giving generously to meet the needs of others. In doing so, Paul says, they will validate his boasting about the Corinthians to these two men.

In other words, Paul expects the Corinthians to come through and make him proud of them before the other churches around the world. Is this a manipulation? No, Paul is speaking truth. The proof of love is found in the doing more than the saying. The Corinthians have an opportunity to prove their love and, by extension, their faithfulness to Christ by participating in helping others in need.

End of Chapter 8.

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