Read the Passage: 2 Corinthians 8

Listen to the Redeemed Mind Podcast: 2 Corinthians 8

Macedonians’ Example (8:1–7)

In 2 Cor. 8:1–9:15 Paul addresses a collection he was taking for the impoverished church in Jerusalem, which was laboring under persecution and a severe famine (cf. Acts 11:28; 24:17). This collection, which Paul also mentions at Rom. 15:14–32 and 1 Cor. 16:1–4, was gathered during Paul’s third missionary journey. Apparently, Paul had mentioned this offering to the Corinthians on an earlier visit (cf. 2 Cor. 8:10; 9:2), and the church expressed a desire to participate in the collection. By way of reminding the Corinthians about the planned offering, as well as encouraging them to give, Paul writes that the churches in Macedonia had given generously to this collection. These would have included the churches in Philippi, Thessalonia, and Berea, among others (cf. Acts 18:23–21:40). Paul notes that these churches gave liberally, despite their persecution and deep poverty, all on account of God’s grace.

In 2 Cor. 8:3 Paul lists three characteristics of the Macedonians’ giving—that is, they gave proportionally, sacrificially, and freely. In other words, God desires for His people to give according to what they have, in sacrificial amounts, and with a willing heart. Of course, the Bible doesn’t condone reckless giving, nor does it endorse giving because of compulsion, manipulation, guilt, egotism, or threat. Earlier Paul had observed that God’s grace is a motivation for giving, and in 2 Cor. 8:4 Paul cites the importance of “the fellowship of ministering to the saints.” Here Paul notes that the external giving of money for ministry ought to be the natural result of the internal giving of one’s life to God (cf. 2 Cor. 8:5). This is the message Titus had brought to Corinth, as Paul wanted the church to abound in faith, speech, knowledge, diligence, love, as well as in financial giving (cf. 2 Cor. 8:6–7).

Corinthians’ Giving (8:8–15)

In order to be clearly understood, as well as to avoid the appearance of legalism, in 2 Cor. 8:8 Paul declares, “I speak not by commandment.” In other words, Paul was not dictating that the Corinthians participate in the collection; rather, he was evaluating the spiritual maturity of the Corinthian church based upon the example of the Macedonian churches. At 2 Cor. 8:9 Paul appeals to another example by which the believers in Corinth could be both measured and motivated—that is, Jesus’ model of giving His own life on their behalf. In regard to giving, note that Paul cites the importance of God’s grace two times in this passage (cf. 2 Cor. 8:1, 9). Next, in 2 Cor. 8:10–12, Paul reminds the church they had earlier expressed an interest in giving to the planned offering. Once again, then, Paul reminds the church about giving “according to what one has” (2 Cor. 8:12; cf. Luke 11:41).

Having appealed to the example of the Macedonian churches, and to that of Christ, at 2 Cor. 8:14 Paul gives another reason for those in Corinth to participate in the planned collection. Paul writes, “But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality.” In citing “equality” in this verse, Paul was not proposing a wealth redistribution scheme. Rather, the term that Paul uses here is simply a reference to reciprocity or to balance. In other words, Paul was teaching that Christians with resources ought to meet the material needs of those without resources (cf. Acts 2:44–45; 4:32–34). The NLT translation of 2 Cor. 8:14 is helpful, “Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty, and can share with you, when you need it. In this way, things will be equal.”

Paul’s Collection (8:16–24)

In 2 Cor. 8:16–24 Paul disclosed more details about the planned collection for the Jerusalem church. In 2 Cor. 8:16 Paul again mentions Titus, which is the eighth of nine times that Titus is named in this letter. Paul informs the church that Titus and another unnamed brother, who had been chosen by the churches, would accompany Paul in the delivery of the collection. The reason for this, Paul writes, was, “Avoiding this: that anyone should blame us in this lavish gift which is administered by us—providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.” This is a reminder that Christians are not only to avoid evil, but also are to “avoid the appearance of evil” (1 Thess. 5:22). Finally, in 2 Cor. 8:22–24 Paul vouches for the character of Titus, as well as the character of the traveling companions who accompanied Titus during his visit to Corinth.

Application Questions:

1. Why are teachings on giving sometimes contentious in the church? How often should a church teach about money?
2. How could God’s grace motivate the churches to give? How did financial giving produce abundant joy in the churches?
3. Is it possible to be spiritually mature and not to share one’s material possessions with those in need (cf. Luke 16:10–13)?
4. How can Christians winsomely respond to prosperity gospel heretics who cite 2 Cor. 8:9 to support their false teachings?
5. Does Scripture propose or favor a particular economic or political system? What economic ideals are prescribed in the Bible?